Dark Horse Comics unveiled their Project Black Sky line of comics last year creating a new focus on classic superhero types to go with their eclectic array of interesting titles. Always being students of history, Dark Horse created the Project Black Sky line utilizing Golden Age heroes within the public domain, creating something completely new based on titles of old. They started with Captain Midnight and have added others. There are still others on their way as well. It looks like Project Black Sky is beginning to cook. And judging from what I read in issue #2 of Skyman, it might be time to strap yourself in as it is going to be one hell of a ride. Skyman, or at least a version of Skyman appeared in Captain Midnight Issue #4. It was not a very good portrayal of this program of super secret soldiers who were created to replace Captain Midnight after he disappeared in 1944. Lots of destruction ensued and if not for Captain Midnight, there would have been loss of life. Now known to the public, the Skyman Program is in seriously in need of some positive publicity. Enter Sergeant Eric Reid, an Afghan War veteran with no use of his legs, but with an indisputable amount of heart and grit. He's the new face of Skyman, but the other soldiers in the program aren't too keen with Reid, especially Leiutenant Sharp, his handler.

Skyman #2 begins on Day #63 of the Skyman Goodwill Tour in Cairo, Egypt. Reid is impressing as always, but something is bothering him. He is having flashbacks relating to an incident in his past and it is starting to affect his concentration. He's beginning to have doubts about his purpose as Skyman, and events happening are adding some foundation to those doubts. A decision will have to be made that puts Reid in a very delicate position. What will happen remains to be seen, but Issue #2 does a phenomenal job of building things up, not to mention that it shows us who Sergeant Reid is, not only as a hero, but as a man too.

Joshua Hale Fialkov has written a great tale filled with all the action and drama that you would want in a story of this caliber. Fialkov takes the writing a step farther however as he delves deep into the man that is Eric Reid. Reid truly is a hero with heart and worthy of the Skyman suit. The added dimension brought out through Fialkov's writing though is that he depicts the very people within the Skyman Program as ones who see themselves as the worthy ones and not Reid. These two beliefs are going to collide and we will see what happens. I know it is going to be interesting.

When I read the first Skyman installment, I was not very familiar with Manuel Garcia’s art, but I was impressed nonetheless as he gave total respect to a grand character of the Golden Age that was featured in over one hundred stories. In Issue #2, Garcia begins to make Skyman his own drawing Reid with an inner strength that matches his outer, while depicting Liutenant Sharp in the Skyman suit and without as shady. He almost urges the reader to be on our guard with this guy. There is also an action sequence here in the heart of Cairo that is just unbelievable. I don't wish to give anything away, but I will say that the artistic detail rendered by Garcia is just amazing. A big time talent Mr. Garcia is.

My only real complaint is that Skyman is only four issues. I know all the Project Black Sky titles are building a whole new universe, but there is no doubt that Skyman can hold his own with any of the old time heroes. Can't wait for more on this one or the others.

Score: 5/5

Writer: Joshua Hale Fiakov Artist: Manuel Garcia Publisher: Dark Horse Comics Price: $2.99 Release Date: 2/19/14