Dark Eagle is a fun and inspiring superhero comic, following in the long legacy of big-city teen superheroes like Miles Morales. Created by Miles Silas Biggar, Dark Eagle deftly combines superhero action with teenage angst and joy, creating one of the most memorable indie comic debuts in recent history.
Teenage superheroes such as Dark Eagle can trace their roots back to the introduction of kid sidekicks in the early 1940s, but it was not until the 1960s that they graduated to carrying their own titles - Spider-Man is a prime example of this trend. However, once they did, the success redefined superhero stories, and Spider-Man was followed by a huge roster of teenage heroes, including Nova, Kamala Khan, Static Shock and Sideways, among others. Now, Dark Eagle has arrived, ready to take his place besides the teenage greats.
Dark Eagle is the story of 17-year-old Philadelphia native Trent Taylor. The series opens with Trent’s mother going to the pharmacy to get him some cold medicine. Tragically, she dies in a car accident on the way, and Trent grows up blaming himself. Sent to live in New York City with his estranged father and his family, Trent struggles not only to move past his mother’s death, but also to reconnect with the dad he barely knows. One afternoon, Trent interrupts a group of neighborhood kids accosting Anna, an elderly shopkeep specializing in herbs. Later, the kids seek revenge on Trent, beating him senseless in front of Anna's shop. Anna takes Trent in and not only heals him, but gives him superpowers, including the ability to fly and communicate with birds. She explains that she is an alien, the last of her kind, and Trent has been chosen to carry on her people’s legacy. Now, Trent must balance being the Dark Eagle against the pressures of being a teenager. As the Dark Eagle, he takes on villains such as Death Stone, a former co-worker of his father, mutated by exposure to a mysterious substance.
Dark Eagle Nails the Teen Hero Formula
Dark Eagle is a teenage hero in the grand tradition of Spider-Man and Ms. Marvel. Much like them, he must keep multiple plates spinning: being a hero and learning about his new abilities while keeping his grades up and forging some semblance of a social life. A key ingredient for teenage heroes is they actually sound and act like real teenagers, and Biggar succeeds here with Dark Eagle. Trent and the rest of his cast are believable; they deal with the same concerns as all modern teens... but one of them has superpowers. Biggar introduces another interesting wrinkle to the mix as well: in most teenage hero books, the parents are unaware of their children’s activities, but Dark Eagle’s father knows of his son’s powers and secret identity. There is enormous story potential here, and Biggar capitalizes on it.
Dark Eagle is Taking Flight
Dark Eagle has a bright future in front of him, with artists like Eder Messias (Spider-Man: The Lost Hunt) and David Dace already having graced the series. Comics are only the first step for Dark Eagle, as creator Miles Biggar has expressed interest in exploring the character in other media, including an animated series. While those projects will be far in the future, the audience for teenage heroes such as Miles Morales will find much to love in Miles Biggar’s new Dark Eagle.