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Nighthawk is a comic book superhero in the Marvel Comics universe, and a member of the Squadron Supreme. There are actually several different Marvel incarnations of Nighthawk, one of whom was briefly a supervillain, but quickly became a hero. Nighthawk was created by Roy Thomas as part of an homage to the Justice League. All incarnations are essentially based on the DC Comics character Batman. Editors at DC were so impressed with Squadron Supreme that Thomas actually got to write stories for the Justice League comicbook later on.

Various incarnations of Nighthawk
There are four versions of Nighthawk from three different dimensions in the Marvel Universe, none of which come from the normal Marvel continuity, although Nighthawk II did come to reside in the normal Marvel Universe. The version of Nighthawk that arguably had the most development was the version who was a member of the Squadron Supreme (Nighthawk I), who was replaced by his adopted son Neil Richmond (Nighthawk III), after his death. The version of Nighthawk in the "Supreme Power" comic (Nighthawk IV) is a rebooted version of this character.

Unlike most other members of the Squadron Sinister, Nighthawk II was not evil and when he escaped into the normal Marvel dimension he joined the heroic Defenders. Although the Squadron Sinister Nighthawk (Nighthawk II) preceded the Squadron Supreme version (Nighthawk I) in appearance, the former is considered the original as the later was revealed to be a copy.

Nighthawk I and III (Squadron Supreme)
In Avengers #85-86 (March-April 1971), Thomas created the Squadron Supreme, a group of heroes from a parallel world who were a more direct homage of the Justice League than their Squadron Sinister predecessors. This group had its own version of Nighthawk, with a human secret identity of Kyle Richmond.

Nighthawk I of the Squadrom Supreme was similar to his counterpart, Nighthawk II, in the Squardron Sinister who later joined the Defenders in the mainstream Marvel continuity. However, this version was a closer analogue of his original inspiration, Batman. He did not, however, lose his parents to crime; they died of natural causes. Nevertheless, Richmond vowed to use his money and skills to fight evil. He became friends with his earth's champion, Hyperion, and the two of them were among the Squadron's founders.

When the Squadron (including Nighthawk) were brainwashed by the Over-Mind, Kyle Richmond became the President of the United States at the Over-Mind's behest. After the Defenders defeated the Over-Mind and freed the Squadron and their world, the Squadron began the Utopia Program, intending to become the leaders of the reconstructed Earth. Although Nighthawk was not alone among the Squadron members in his opposition to the plan, he was the only one to quit the team over it. He briefly considered shooting Hyperion with a bullet that he had carved from Argonite (analogous to Kryptonite), but couldn't make himself do it.

Nighthawk then formed a group called the Redeemers from unknown superhumans and former supervillains. Hyperion's nemesis Master Menace (a Lex Luthor analogue) supplied the Redeemers with a way to reverse the brainwashing technology that the Squadron had used on its captured foes, who had been allowed to join the Squadron after their brainwashing. The formerly brainwashed Squadron members remained in the Squadron as double agents until the Redeemers confronted the Squadron, at which point a battle broke out that resulted in the deaths of most of the Redeemers and several Squadron members. Nighthawk was one of the last to die, killed when the rotting power of Squadron infiltrator Foxfire was used on his heart. His death prompted Hyperion to surrender and formally disband the Squadron Supreme. To confuse matters, for a brief time both Nighthawks I and II switched worlds. So, Nighthawk I was also briefly a member of the Defenders.

Some time later, the new Nighthawk, Neil Richmond, was introduced. This Nighthawk was the adopted son of the original Nighthawk who had gone underground and assumed his father's identity after the death of the original. Neil Richmond was actually the biological son of Nighthawk's old nemesis, The Hukster. He joined the Squadron to fight the "New World Order" that had taken over following the dissolution of the Utopia Program.

At last note, Nighthawk III and a reformed Squadron were fighting to free their world from a global dictatorship which had taken it over while the team was stranded in the main Marvel Universe.

Powers and abilities
Both Nighthawk I and III had no superhuman abilities. Both Kyle and Neil Richmond were all around olympic level athletes, and were masters of many forms of martial arts. Both men were highly intelligent, specializing in forensic science and various forms of applied technological science. The original Nighthawk was a genius and his successor may have been as well. Both characters wore costumes that incorporated various hi-tech weaponry similar to that used by the DC character, Batman.

Nighthawk II (Defenders, Squadron Sinister)
As Kyle Richmond, he was an egotistical and wealthy playboy who, unlike comics' archetypical playboy Batman, actually drank and womanized too much. Indeed, his father had to pay hush money to protect Richmond's name after a drunk-driving accident that injured a woman.

Nighthawk began as a supervillain, a member of the Squadron Sinister, who fought the Avengers. Later he repented of his villainous ways and joined the super-team The Defenders. He was from an alternate reality that had been destroyed.

Unlike Nighthawk I of the Squadron Supreme, Nighthawk II actually had superhuman powers. He was also not as disciplined or intelligent as his alternate reality counterpart.

Despite his unusual powers and his leadership role in the Defenders, Nighthawk never found widespread popularity with comics readers. He did get his own self-titled series in 1998, but it didn't last very long. To confuse matters, for a brief time both Nighthawks I and II switched worlds. So, Nighthawk I was also briefly a member of the Defenders.

He was killed in an explosion in Defenders (vol.1) #106.

Powers and abilities
Nighthawk's main superhuman ability was superhuman strength, with the uncommon limitation that this strength remains only from sundown to sunup; he had the strength of a normal man who exercises regularly in the daytime. His strength was derived from a potion he discovered in a book on alchemy; the potion was meant to cure his weak heart, the super strength being only an unintended albeit very welcome side effect. He flew with the use of a jetpack concealed under artificial wings, and usually used some kind of projectile weapon under them as well.

Nighhawk IV (Supreme Power)
In Supreme Power, J. Michael Straczynski's update and revamp of the old Squadron Supreme characters in Marvel's mature line, MAX, Nighthawk (still Kyle Richmond) is an African American entrepreneur. Having lost both his parents in a hate crime at a young age, he takes revenge on criminals --- at least for the beginning of the series, however, solely on those criminals who prey on black victims. Like his inspiration, Batman, Nighthawk uses a combination of high-tech weaponry, stealth and fighting prowess to overcome his foes. Also like Batman (as depicted by most writers since Frank Miller's seminal The Dark Knight Returns), Nighthawk keeps his distance from and feels some disdain for the Squadron Supreme version of Superman, Hyperion.

Upcoming spin-off mini-series will be produced in September of 2005, featuring Nighthawk (written by Daniel Way).

Powers and abilities
Nighthawk IV has no superhuman abilities. He is an all around olympic level athlete, and a master of many forms of martial arts (probably he is one of the greatest hand-to-hand combatants on his Earth). His reflexes and agility represent the pinnacle of human physical ability. He is easily a genius, specializing in forensic science and various forms of applied technological science. He wears a costume that incorporates various hi-tech weaponry similar to that used by the DC character, Batman. One characteristic of his costume is night vision.