Nite Owl is the everyman when it comes to the Watchmen. He’s the Batman, without the attitude (Rorschach has that), just a genius with gadgets and vehicles he uses to distribute justice. This is the story of Danny, the heir to the cowl left behind by Hollis Mason written by J. Michael Straczynski and drawn by Andy Kubert.
Danny grew up in an abusive home and he’s witnessed it firsthand. His hero is Nite Owl a crimefighter with the corniest of lines and gimmicks. Everything is Owl related (Owl Car, Owl Sleep, Owl Justice…) and Danny end up following Hollis to his umm… Owl Cave and leaves him a note to meet him. Eventually, Danny’s dad dies and Hollis takes him under his wing to train him. Hollis retires and Danny becomes the new Nite Owl who eventually teams up with Rorschach and are both recruited to The Crimebusters, a group of heroes teaming up to stop crime.
Straczynski does a good job of setting up Danny’s story. The pacing is a little fast but there’s not too much time so he does get right to the point. He starts off as a teen and ends up in a super team all in one issue. I remember the Kuberts drawing a series as being a big thing but since their move to DC they haven’t been the same. Andy draws Danny as a kid but in actuality he’s a teen or even in his 20s. It’s hard to say. This is the first meeting of the Watchmen characters and knowing where this is headed creates an uneasy feeling. Dr. Manhattan and Silk Spectre’s first meeting is sweet and strange at the same time and the creative team does a good job of that. Overall, Nite Owl isn’t the best of the releases so far but it certainly isn’t the worst.
Final Rating: 6/10
