A first look at the return of the dark '90s hero Darkhawk

Darkhawk: Heart of the Hawk #1
(Image credit: Marvel Comics)

With one Marvel Falcon reaching new heights by co-starring in his first TV series, Marvel's other falconer - the dark falconer, if you will - is preparing to return to the scene.

In April 14's Darkhawk: Heart of the Hawk #1, the cult-favorite '90s hero returns with three stories - one from the past, one from his recent cosmic days, and the last about possibilities for the future.

"The intention of this story is to close the door on one era and crack open another one, for something new," writer Kyle Higgins tells Newsarama. "Hopefully, that will make more sense when you see the book. It's tough-talking about it without huge spoilers!"

Check out this unlettered preview from Darkhawk: Heart of the Hawk #1:

Higgins and an unnamed artist are doing a story portending Darkhawk's future, while Guardians of the Galaxy writer Dan Abnett is writing the second story - about Chris Powell's comic days.

"Though his powers were cosmic in origin, Darkhawk started out very much as an 'Earth' hero, a setting in which he flourished and in which great stories were told. When I was writing Marvel’s cosmic titles like Nova and Guardians of the Galaxy, it seemed like a great idea to put Darkhawk in that setting for a change, and explore his cosmic origins," Abnett says. 

"As a cosmic hero, I liked Darkhawk because he was an outsider…  not a rogue, like say Star Lord or Drax, and not a recognized hero and force of justice like Nova - but a mysterious figure on the edge, whose agenda was less clear and whose heroism often want unrecognized."

And as many fans can attest, a cool costume thanks to co-creator Mike Manley - who is returning with co-creator Danny Fingeroth for the story from the character's early years.

Darkhawk: Heart of the Hawk #1 goes on sale on April 14, with a primary cover by Inhyuk Lee and variants by Logan Lubera and Russell Dauterman. Here they are:

Darkhawk: Heart of the Hawk will be available digitally the same day as in print. For the best digital comics experience, check out our list of the best digital comics readers for Android and iOS devices.

Chris Arrant

Chris Arrant covered comic book news for Newsarama from 2003 to 2022 (and as editor/senior editor from 2015 to 2022) and has also written for USA Today, Life, Entertainment Weekly, Publisher's Weekly, Marvel Entertainment, TOKYOPOP, AdHouse Books, Cartoon Brew, Bleeding Cool, Comic Shop News, and CBR. He is the author of the book Modern: Masters Cliff Chiang, co-authored Art of Spider-Man Classic, and contributed to Dark Horse/Bedside Press' anthology Pros and (Comic) Cons. He has acted as a judge for the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, the Harvey Awards, and the Stan Lee Awards. Chris is a member of the American Library Association's Graphic Novel & Comics Round Table. (He/him)