Marvel’s ‘Darkhawk’ Reboot Features Hero With Multiple Sclerosis (MS) | MyMSTeam

Connect with others who understand.

sign up Log in
Resources
About MyMSTeam
Powered By
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
NEWS

Marvel’s ‘Darkhawk’ Reboot Features Hero With MS

Written by Torrey Kim
Posted on September 23, 2021

The Marvel Universe is growing, and the company’s latest title “Darkhawk” features a titular hero living with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Fans of Marvel’s “Darkhawk” may be aware that the original hero’s journey ended in April in “Darkhawk: Heart of the Hawk,” in which the hero’s alter ego Chris Powell dies. Darkhawk first debuted in his own series in 1991, following the adventures of a 17-year-old Powell who finds an alien amulet that lets him harness a super-powered, armored mechanoid body. That series ran through 1995, after which Darkhawk has made cameos in various Marvel titles over the years. Following the original Darkhawk’s final battle in “Heart of the Hawk,” it was unclear whether Marvel would put the character to rest or revive it.

Marvel has answered the question, announcing a reboot of the “Darkhawk” series, with the first issue dropping on Aug. 25. This time around, the hero’s alter ego is a high-school senior named Connor Young who plans to attend college on a basketball scholarship. Those plans are upended by an MS diagnosis — following Young experiencing common MS symptoms including headaches, vertigo, and mobility challenges. With his future in question, Connor happens upon an alien amulet, granting him access to the armored android body that transforms him into Darkhawk.

Kyle Higgins, the writer behind the new version of the “Darkhawk” series, said it was important to him to authentically represent people with MS on the pages. To ensure he met that goal, he sat down with people who live with MS to get the character just right.

In a conversation with artist Brooke Pelczynski, who has MS, the pair touched on a few topics related to the condition. Pelczynski said her overarching excitement about the new Darkhawk involved seeing MS portrayed realistically and more broadly. “It’s very, very cool to see MS in the mainstream where it’s not portrayed as some super-debilitating disease,” Pelczynski told Higgins. “Because I watch television, and a character will come in with MS and they’ll have a wheelchair. And they’ll have a caregiver. And they’ll be very ill looking. And that is OK, because I do understand that down the line with MS, people do become very ill looking. And I do understand that with some people, that’s just the hand they’re dealt. But that’s not everybody with MS.”

Posted on September 23, 2021
All updates must be accompanied by text or a picture.

Become a Subscriber

Get the latest news about multiple sclerosis sent to your inbox.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Torrey Kim is a freelance writer with MyHealthTeam. Learn more about her here

Related Articles

In this video, Dani explains that one of the most important lessons she’s learned since being dia...

How I Learned To Listen to My Body With MS

In this video, Dani explains that one of the most important lessons she’s learned since being dia...
Raising awareness about multiple sclerosis (MS) helps contribute to the well-being, support, and ...

MS Symbols: Ribbons, Butterflies, and Why Awareness Matters

Raising awareness about multiple sclerosis (MS) helps contribute to the well-being, support, and ...
Lea este artículo en españolWe all respond differently to information about our health. After lea...

Just Diagnosed With MS — Now What? 9 First Steps

Lea este artículo en españolWe all respond differently to information about our health. After lea...
People living with multiple sclerosis (MS) again face the choice of whether to get an updated mes...

MS Symptoms and COVID-19 Vaccines: Is There a Relapse Risk?

People living with multiple sclerosis (MS) again face the choice of whether to get an updated mes...
In a recent survey, 81 percent of MyMSTeam members reported that multiple sclerosis (MS) negative...

Stress, Affording Treatment, and Quality of Life With MS: See Survey Results

In a recent survey, 81 percent of MyMSTeam members reported that multiple sclerosis (MS) negative...
This is a short guided meditation by Dr. Christiane Wolf on self-kindness, which gives you more s...

Self-Kindness When Struggling: 6-Minute Guided Meditation

This is a short guided meditation by Dr. Christiane Wolf on self-kindness, which gives you more s...

Recent Articles

Meet Dani, Todd, and LaTasha. Real stories from real members.

MyMSTeam Stories: Real Stories From Real Members

Meet Dani, Todd, and LaTasha. Real stories from real members.
Dani works as the music program coordinator at a youth center. Watch this video to see how she fi...

Music and Community: How I Fight MS

Dani works as the music program coordinator at a youth center. Watch this video to see how she fi...
Dani had just started a new job when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.“I had to advocate...

My Advocacy Tips: Taking Care of Future Me With MS

Dani had just started a new job when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.“I had to advocate...
Your race or ethnicity can influence many aspects of your life, including how you’re affected by ...

MS Prevalence by Race and Ethnicity: In the Black Community and More

Your race or ethnicity can influence many aspects of your life, including how you’re affected by ...
Diphenhydramine — sold under many brand names including Benadryl — is a type of antihistamine tha...

Why Is Benadryl Given With Some MS Treatments?

Diphenhydramine — sold under many brand names including Benadryl — is a type of antihistamine tha...
Relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable disease, and most people living with it sw...

How To Switch MS Treatments

Relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable disease, and most people living with it sw...
MS News
MS News

Thank you for subscribing!

Become a member to get even more:

sign up for free

close