Warning! Spoilers ahead for Heroes Reborn #5
In the fifth issue of Marvel's Heroes Reborn, it's revealed that Marvel's version of Batman, known as Nighthawk, has his own cave and car just like the Dark Knight himself. Thanks to the remade Marvel Universe where the Squadron Supreme of America have replaced the Avengers, the counterparts to the Justice League have created a sort of domino effect where this new reality bears much more of a resemblance to the DC Universe. And that includes Nighthawk being more like Batman than he ever has before. As such, new insights into his character are being revealed, such as his tools and tech being so much like the Caped Crusader's in this new issue.
The biggest difference between Kyle Richmond and Bruce Wayne is what they do during the day. While Bruce Wayne is a billionaire playboy, Richmond serves as a congressman in Washington D.C. However, when the night falls, the resemblance is intentionally uncanny. Just like Hyperion serves as the analog for Superman and The Blur is Marvel's Flash, Nighthawk is meant to be the counterpart for Batman, and that apparently includes using the same tech, vehicles, base of operations, and even having similar trophies. However, one element that is unique is that Richmond's use of a serum gives him enhanced strength and agility at night.
In Heroes Reborn #5 from Jason Aaron, R.M Guéra, and Ed McGuinness, Nighthawk responds to an alert from Commissioner Luke Cage about a riot at the Ravencroft Institute. Despite being mid-speech on Capitol Hill, Richmond is able to swap out with a Life Model Decoy programmed to fill in. Sliding down a pole to his Nightcave directly underneath the Hill, Richmond suits up to become the Nighthawk. Remarkably, his base of operations even features a T. rex, just like the one in Batman's cave in the DC Universe. Additionally, Nighthawk responds to the scene in his Hawkrod (his version of the Batmobile).
Not only does Nighthawk bear all of these similarities to Batman with his arsenal, aesthetic, and actions, but his villains in this changed reality match Batman's rogues as well. Venom and Red Skull operate as a version of Two-Face known as Black Skull, while a short and stunted Otto Octavius is simply known as the Octopus, having no mechanical arms but commanding a group of octopi instead, meant to resemble the Penguin. Also, Norman Osborn serves as the Goblin, Nighthawk's nemesis and analog for the Joker. The Goblin was responsible for killing Richmond's partner Falcon who essentially served as Nighthawk's Robin, mirroring the "Death in the Family" Batman storyline which saw Joker killing Jason Todd's Robin.
Having such a similar base and technology at the ready truly hammers Nighthawk's status as Marvel's Batman home, especially with all of the other aforementioned elements featured in this issue. However, it looks as though Nighthawk has become aware of the Avengers assembling at the issue's end, as a handful of them still remember the world as it should be, indicating that Nighthawk and his allies' time as Earth Mightiest Heroes will most likely be coming to an end once Heroes Reborn concludes.
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June 18, 2021 at 12:06AM
