WARNING: The following contains major spoilers for Darkhawk #3, on sale now from Marvel Comics.
One of the strangest cosmic superheroes in the Marvel Universe is Darkhawk, with various figures that have taken on the armored alter ego able to transform into the winged figure through the use of an extraterrestrial amulet. The latest figure to acquire this amulet is New York City teenager Connor Young, taking on the superhero mantle after discovering the mysterious Raptor Amulet first claimed by original Darkhawk Christopher Powell. As Connor decides to embrace his crimefighting destiny and put his newfound powers to good use, he quickly finds himself in over his head leading to a surprise team-up with a fellow teen superhero Miles Morales.
For Connor, the surprise opportunity to become a superhero, much less one that swapped bodies with a powerful, alien android, couldn't have come at a more appreciated time. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Connor faced the uncertainty and anxiety of developing a chronic condition with progressive symptoms just as he was on the cusp of graduating from high school and affecting his promising basketball aspirations.
And as Connor learns some of the drawbacks that come with mixing his condition with the super-powered potential of being the new Darkhawk, he embarks on a mission for vengeance that places him directly in harm's way, reminding him just how much of an amateur in the superhero he still is and necessitating some conveniently timed backup in Darkhawk #3 by Kyle Higgins, Juanan Ramirez, Erick Arciniega, and VC's Travis Lanham.
The reappearance of the Raptor Amulet and Darkhawk armor in the greater New York area has not gone unnoticed by the city's criminal underworld. A local gang specializing in illegal weapons trafficking has taken a deadly interest in his cosmic armor and is more than willing to kill anyone who gets in their way of obtaining it. This, unfortunately, includes Connor's best friend Derek, who is murdered, with Connor being informed of the tragedy shortly thereafter. Hungry for revenge and to use his new abilities to bring Derek's killers to justice, Connor eventually tracks the gang behind Derek's murder to their headquarters at the docks until to stumble into an entire ring of season supervillains ready to take the Darkhawk armor from him by force.
While Darkhawk puts up a valiant effort, despite being vastly outnumbered and outgunned, he still isn't entirely familiar with the capabilities of the armor. Furthermore, Connor learned that his condition prevents significant health risks if he physically overexerts himself, creating an added concern in the fight. As Darkhawk is soundly defeated and tossed out into the nearby water, it's Miles Morales that rescues the armored superhero from drowning.
If there ever was a teenage superhero in New York that was perhaps best-suited to teach Darkhawk the ropes and responsibilities that come with the gig, it's Spider-Man and Miles has arrived just in the nick of time. Judging by advance solicitation information for the next issue, the two teen heroes will similarly be joined by Captain America to help turn the tide against the supervillain gang. And with the stakes more personal and close to home than ever these veteran heroes helping Connor come at a pivotal moment in the new Darkhawk's rise, with an impromptu team-up helping ensure Connor's superhero career gets a chance to take off rather than crash and burn.