Cloak & Dagger: Monthly Series, Please.

The recent Cloak and Dagger one-shot from Marvel Comics reminded me why I love these two characters. Although they've been unsuccessful in holding their own in a monthly series, given the proper writer, artist, and storylines, I bet they could surely succeed where they've failed in the past. The dynamic between them is unlike any other. Dagger is an extrovert and full of light, life, and spirit; Cloak is an introvert full of darkness, dread, and despair. They're platonic friends who feed off one another; Dagger gives Cloak her light to keep his "hunger" satiated.

In the past, they've dealt with drug dealers and drug addicted youth a lot, so the storylines were heavy and not always -- for lack of a better term -- "superheroic." The latest one-shot release by Marvel (April 2010) really delves into the personalities of each character and introduces them (hopefully) to a new generation of readers. The two have their individual storylines and then come together again at the end. Dagger undergoes testing to see if she's really a mutant (and, therefore, could become an X-Man). For her, it was comparable to finding out your pregnancy or paternity test results. Sadly, the results are negative and we feel sympathetic right along with her. Cloak, on the other hand, is caught up in a romance with an old flame and ignores Dagger's efforts to reach him. Unfortunately, his old flame is up to no good and he gets into trouble over his head. In the end, both Cloak and Dagger realize that they need one another and the readers notice the ongoing sexual tension between the two. Cloak becomes a little jealous seeing Dagger with Anole (of Young X-Men fame) to which Anole replies, "Uh, hello. Gay." I appreciated the fact that there was such a casual reference to Anole's sexuality.

For readers unfamiliar with Cloak and Dagger, as well as those of us who haven't read about them in many, many years; the writer, Stuart Moore, also offers flashbacks to Cloak and Dagger's origin. It's not a cheerful one, but it sets the tone for the rest of their lives.

I give this comic 5 stars (out of 5). The writing was superb, the art was beautiful, and the storyline was absorbing. Now if only Marvel would give writer Stuart Moore and artist Mark Brooks a monthly comic starring Cloak and Dagger.

p.s. I guess Dagger's more revealing costume is now trying to compete with the likes of Emma Frost or Power Girl? See for yourself: