It’s like the Peristrike Force held a contest for worst costume design…and they all won.
Darkhawk #18
Marvel (August, 1992)
“Mind Games” WRITER: Danny Fingeroth ARTIST: Mike Manley INK ASSISTS: John Heebink, Adam McClellan, & Ande Parks COLORIST: Joe Rosas LETTERER: Bill Oakley EDITOR: Nel Yomtov
Psi-Wolf uses his mind powers to make Darkhawk give him the detonator, but the authorities have already disarmed them. With all of the other hostages gone, Scattershot convinces Psi-Wolf to use Darkhawk to help them escape. Upset at being beaten and letting Vonda down, Chris (barely surviving a attempt to kill himself thanks to Psi-Wolf) decides to attempt a rescue before the Peristrike Force takes him to Russia to force him to create more superhumans. In the attempt, however, Vonda is hit with Siberion’s ice powers and killed, but Darkhawk does manage to defeat the villains so they are at least arrested. Getting Vonda killed, however, puts Chris back into “should I keep doing this” mode.
What they got right: I like how inventive Chris is, using his ability to switch bodies as part of his plan to rescue Vonda.
What they got wrong: By now Chris should have some confidence but it seems like everything is going wrong so that he never gets to actually save the day. I know Darkhawk is another attempt to re-create the magic of Spider-Man’s early years, but even Spidey gets more victories than Darkhawk does by now.
Recommendation: Any problems I have with the Peristrike Force arc (except for the horrible 90s art) are personal preferences. It’s still worth a look.
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