Back in black, with hints of red including some on his face by this issue’s end, Marvel’s skateboard kid returns. No, I’m not talking about Rocket Racer, but to be fair bits of Dwayne Taylor’s story never felt completely original. Given the resurgence of some other Marvel’s 90’s series, I was wondering when the rest of NWArriors would make the rounds. Especially with all the heat Firestar has been taking since “betraying” the X-Men. However, J. Holtham’s series seems to be bringing Night Thrasher out of the shadows for more personal reasons.
Night Thrasher #1
Remix Part 1: Don’t Call It A Comeback
Writer: J. Holtham
Artist: Nelson Daniel
Color Artist: Matt Milla
Letterer: VC’s Travis Lanham
Night Thrasher # 1 begins with Dwayne coming home for a very personal homecoming. The day of Andrew Chord’s funeral is one I’m sure Dwayne – despite their history – wishes had never arrived. How do you say goodbye to your father figure, trainer, confidant who was also responsible for your parents death? For those unfamiliar with Dwayne’s story it may sound similar to someone else’s. At a young age Dwayne witnessed his parents murder. Young Mr. Taylor was left in the care of Chord and his wife Tai, who together managed his family’s fortune. Though they operated the Taylor Foundation as a legitimate company, it also had dealings with companies like Roxxon and GeneTECH. Add in his fighting skills, the suit of armor and the fact he is black, and it wouldn’t be an insult to call Thrasher a remix himself.
Opening the current series at Chord’s burial allows Holtham to spend this first issue with a reflective tone. But even before they exchange words, as Silhouette – Chord’s daughter – delivers the eulogy, you can sense there are things in Dwayne’s life that he needs to bury. After all, cheating death has given everyone a new outlook on things these days. Much like the mutants, Dwaye’s resurrection came with the memories of his past. This includes Stamford, Connecticut which is the sole piece of his story that no one else wants to claim responsibility for – not even the Skrulls.
Matt Milla lays down an artistic aesthetic in Night Thrasher # 1 that reminds me a lot of Dwayne’s fist solo series. However, this doesn’t mean Mr. Taylor looks like he is still playing dress up. Both Milla and Nelson Daniel do a good job of reminding readers who don’t already know they don’t call his friend Kid Nova over in X-Men Red. An aged Dwayne arrives in New York, his stern face foreshadows a man done with this business. Unfortunately there is a new player in the Bronx whose business is booming. A run in with a few of his young crew members is enough to get Dwayne to kick it old school one more time. Especially since he senses something familiar from the way the teens he encounters fight.
There are a variety of scenarios I would have liked for the return of The Night Thrasher. He could have chosen to show up at the Hellfire Club since he still has his fortune unlike Stark or could have helped Luke and Spidey with Gang War. The problem with either of these options may be why Holtham is taking it from the top. Choosing to focus on the very reasons why Dwayne enlisted the aid of five other teens in the first place.
During the Time And Time Again event, Dwayne has a solo arc which concludes in Night Thrasher #12. A time displaced Dwayne frees one of his ancestors who was a slave. Night Thrasher #1 from Marvel Comics may finally offer Dwayne’s character his chance to follow in his family members footsteps on the day he was freed.
Creating the type of name you can build a foundation on.
Score: 8.6