Mighty Love

by Howard Chaykin

Combining elements of romantic comedy and superhero adventure, MIGHTY LOVE is Howard Chaykin's (BITE CLUB) edgy examination of relationships in the world of costumed adventurers. As a conservative police officer and a liberal public defender, Delaney Pope and Lincoln Reinhardt are staunch adversaries during the day. But when night falls, the two courtroom rivals become Skylark and Iron Angel, two crimefighting vigilantes who have fallen madly in love. Now with their true identities unknown to each other, the two masked defenders begin a heartfelt romance fraught with obstacles of differing views, double lives, and hidden truths. SUGGESTED FOR MATURE READERS.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Fiction, Crime, Superheroes

96 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Howard Victor Chaykin is an American comic book artist and writer. Chaykin's influences include his one-time employer and mentor, Gil Kane, and the mid-20th century illustrators Robert Fawcett and Al Parker.

Reviews

[Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Juxtaposing the bitter daytime rivalry of a defense attorney and a conservative police officer with their respective nighttime exploits & budding partnership as masked vigilantes, and combining a plot revolving around the heist of an armored car, murder, the disappearance of persons involved & the investigation surrounding these - all with that distinctive Chaykin style! - help make Mighty Love a really fun book to read. Chaykin even leaves the door open for a sequel or two - the potential certainly is there - and considering this book came out in 2003, I'd say it's about time we got a new book with these characters. So what do you say, Howard?

The 'lawyer/cop rivalry VS. vigilante partnership' is admittedly formulaic, but no less fun. The fact that they don't know each other's secret identity - even by the end of the book - breaks the formula a tiny bit. Chaykin's trademark art and dialogue are as great as ever, and Dave Stewart worked on this project as colorist and separator.

Also: This title, while being a DC Comics publication, is suggested for 'Mature Readers' and would've been a better fit under the Vertigo banner.

[Ted Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Glorious Chaykin art can't save a slight story with quite two-dimensional characters and some dubious dialogue.

Not sure where this was supposed to sit really, though its billed as mature, it's really not, apart from some unnecessary nudity.

Bit of a missed opportunity, but oh that wonderful, wonderful art.

[Reyel2107 · Rating 4 out of 5]

ironic superheroe action !!!!!

[StrictlySequential · Rating 2 out of 5]

*2.5 Stars* NOT bad read this for fun CHEESE!

[Norman Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is fun cross between noir and romcom featuring costumed "superheroes". Nothing too deep about it, but it does have the caper feel to keep it moving. Chaykin's art is excellent. Although it's suggested for mature readers, apart from some brief nudity there's not much to get excited about. The gore factor is actually rather low for a Chaykin project. I wouldn't mind reading more about these characters, but it looks like this is strictly a one-shot.

[Sean · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 really

[Alex Sarll]

Minor Chaykin based around the rom-com staple of enemies unwittingly romancing each other. He's a defence lawyer who's not picky about his clients; she's a cop in a brutal, dirty department. And they start flirting when they meet in their nocturnal vigilante identities. Might have come off better if a) there had been a bit more rom-com pastiche to the styling and b) it didn't feel as if it ended before the final act.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad. I personally think there are loopholes in their interaction. But, fun nonetheless.