Marvel's New Darkhawk is Turning Miles Morales Into a Mentor
Miles Morales' growth as both Spider-Man and a hero continues, as he grows into being a mentor for the next generation of heroes--including Darkhawk!
Warning: contains spoilers for Darkhawk #4!
As Miles Morales has grown into the role of Spider-Man, he has found himself becoming a mentor to newer, younger heroes---including the new Darkhawk. In Darkhawk #4, on sale now in print and digital, the new armored hero shares an adventure with not only Miles Morales, but also Captain America, and along the way, Morales has some advice for the new Darkhawk.
Since his first appearance in 2011’s Ultimate Fallout #4, Miles Morales has become one of Marvel’s most popular characters. Initially, the character was part of the company’s now-defunct Ultimate line, and thus existed outside of the regular Marvel Universe. However, he became the first Ultimate character to crossover with the 616 continuity in the following year’s Spider-Men. After the Ultimate universe was destroyed at the conclusion of Secret Wars, Miles Morales and his family found a place in the new universe created following that event. Since then, Miles has been a member of both the Champions and the Avengers—all of which has allowed him to grow not only as Spider-Man but as a hero in general. Now, as Morales begins his second decade, he is assuming the role of mentor to the next generation of Marvel heroes—such as Connor Young, who recently assumed the role of Darkhawk. Darkhawk #4 is written by Kyle Higgins, with art by Juanan Ramirez, colors by Erick Arciniega, and letters by Travis Lanham.
Previously, Miles saved Darkhawk from a beating at the hands of Mister Colt, and as the issue opens, Miles is staying with Darkhawk to make sure he is fine. After Darkhawk returns to human form, Miles realizes he met Connor earlier; he then asks Connor if they can get coffee. At a nearby coffee shop, Connor and Miles (still in his Spider-Man outfit) have a heart to heart; Connor tells Miles of his MS diagnosis, and how it has impacted him. The two continue talking about life, with Miles dispensing wisdom to Connor—all the while texting someone. Readers quickly learn just who Miles was texting: Captain America! The three then share an adventure, taking out renegade AIM operatives, which allows Darkhawk to show off his powers to Miles and Cap; both are impressed, with Captain America remarking the previous Darkhawk was not this powerful. After the adventure’s end, Miles and Connor meet up once again, and Miles tells Connor to stay in touch.
It is clear that the new Darkhawk has a friend in Miles Morales. The struggles Darkhawk is currently facing, with identity and figuring out his place in the world, were some of the same Miles faced when he first became Spider-Man. Miles listened to everything Darkhawk told him, both about his MS and being a hero, with no judgment, and by allowing Darkhawk to come along on a mission with him and Captain America, Miles is letting his new protégé stretch his wings—literally and metaphorically. It shows another stage in Miles Morales’ progression as a hero, that he has the experience and wisdom to begin advising younger heroes. Miles is non-judgmental, a quality a good mentor should possess. As Miles continues to grow in age and wisdom, it is not a stretch to see him being a mentor to many young heroes.
Miles Morales has become one of Marvel’s most popular characters in just a decade, and watching his growth as a hero has been a delight and now fans can see Miles embark on the next step in his career: mentoring younger heroes, such as the new Darkhawk.