Every comic book hero needs a rogue’s gallery, and the Hawk of Death is the first for Johnny Cloud. This adventure shows that villains are timeless, and vengeance stretches across generations such that a son can restore honor to the father.
Not only did Cloud vanquish the evil Hawk, but also, he got an opportunity that his father did not – namely, he was able to save his junior pilots by sending them away while he engaged the enemy. He reversed the narrative.
And what a great nail-biter ending it was: Cloud was cornered. He had no weapon. But a quick flick of this wings insignia saved the day -- quite a shot!
Or ...
Did Cloud see what he wanted to see – that is, a black bandit with white stripes became the Hawk!
Either way, a new Johnny Cloud emerges – he is decisive and bold. He saves his young pilots. And, he wins a challenge that stretches across generations.
This one is a harbinger, as we shall see, the rogues are lining-up to challenge Cloud.
Despite his shine, Cloud loses the cover shot on this issue for the first time, and he does not regain it completely until six issues later. An outrage!
Of note, Ace of Vengeance was the only Cloud story written by Bob Haney. Maybe this is why the cover shot shows another story (a story that Kanigher wrote). He is the boss, so he gets to choose. Nonetheless, Haney does a great job!
We will review Bob Haney's work in more detail later, but for now, well done!
Image Credit:
AAMOW#88 (December 1961): Art: I. Novick; Writer: Robert "Bob" Haney.
Johnny Cloud TM DC Comics
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