Review - Captain Midnight #2

"I assume this Bill Gates you speak of is some sort of mad genius? I need more access to information."

Captain Midnight is the type of hero who could give Captain America a run for his money in the patriotic defense of our country category. The two of them both handle Nazis on the regular and both are revered for their combat abilities. Captain Midnight also happens to be a genius and ace pilot, both of which are on display in Captain Midnight #2 from Dark Horse Comics.

The issue is written by Joshua Williamson, illustrated by Fernando Daguino, colored by Ego and lettered by Nate Piekos of Blambot!.

Captain Midnight is upset and that's putting it mildly. He's incredulous at the notion that a Nazi heiress could become so powerful and so lauded at the same time. What's more is having to deal with a US government that seems almost as hellbent on shutting him down as it is on catching Fury. Obviously, the two goals are shared by the US but opposite ends of the spectrum for Captain Midnight and Fury.

Tapping into another era, Williamson showcases a clashing of values. Captain Midnight is mentally trapped in a time when there were clear distinctions between good guys and bad guys. In the present, the line is blurred heavily, giving pause to what would previously be no-brainer decisions. Fury still has ties to the old world thinking, but she's been incredibly smart about hiding them from the present public. It creates a great tension between the two characters and displays two different eras of morality in a sense.

It's also great to see more of what makes Captain Midnight tick on display. He showcases his ingenuity in multiple realms; it was quite amusing to see him question the intelligence of Bill Gates, someone he clearly isn't aware of. There are also displays of his combat and pilot prowesses, both of which he relies on to get himself out of dangerous situations. This is a complete hero who doesn't really seem to be bad at anything. He'll need those talents to keep fighting the good fight.

Daguino's pencils are very strong. There are quite a few solid panels showcasing individual characters and many of them could even double as pin-ups. Action sequences are given full attention and are easy to follow, with many of the scenes peppering the book. The dogfight scene in particular is very well done, offering the reader a complete glimpse into what aerial combat is like.

Captain Midnight #2 is another fun book in a fun series. The characters are believable and the motives easy, making it a series that readers can pick up and enjoy without having to be steeped in history or anything. It's currently a bit lighter than a lot of stuff out there, but the undertones could easily make the book a lot more intense. For the time being though, just revel in the fact that there's a book on shelves full of aerial dogfighting, ingenuity and megalomaniacs trying to rule the world.

Captain Midnight #2 is available in stores August 28.