Many superhero comics can be summarized as “ordinary people with extraordinary abilities”. This statement can apply to many Marvel characters, such as Spider-Man, Captain America, and the Fantastic Four. One day, they were regular, unassuming individuals with no discernible qualities that set them apart from everyday citizens, and the next, they were superhuman beings with the sudden power to make a difference. They could have chosen to use these powers to their own benefit in pursuit of their selfish goals and ambitions; however, they chose to use their abilities to protect the innocent and help those in need. Having the power to do something and choosing to use it selflessly is why we admire superheroes and root for them to succeed. It’s a hopeful and inherently optimistic view of humanity that we want so desperately to hold on to, and is an ideal that we should strive for.
Two heroes that exemplify the ethos of Marvel’s approach to superheroes are Tyrone Johnson – Cloak – and Tandy Bowen – Dagger. First introduced in Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #64, Tyrone and Tandy were two teenage runaways who were captured by a man named Simon Marshall who was developing a new synthetic drug for the crime boss Silvermane and the Maggia. Simon used runaway teens like Tyrone and Tandy as test subjects for the drug, with many of these experiments having fatal consequences for the test subjects. Not only did the pair survive the experiments, but they emerged from their captivity with awesome superhuman abilities.
Tapping into light and darkforce control, Tyrone gained the ability to teleport and become intangible through manipulation of the darkforce. Meanwhile, Tandy learned how to heal using daggers of light. Tyrone and Tandy are also able to draw power from the emotions of those they touch, with Tyrone drawing power through fear and Tandy through hope. As Cloak and Dagger, Tyrone and Tandy have vowed to help runaway teens like themselves and have often fought to bring to justice those whose actions lead to the pain and suffering of teens and innocents like themselves.
With Tandy representing hope and light, and Tyrone representing the darkness and fear, the superhero team up of Cloak and Dagger create a dichotomy that makes for a unique pairing in the Marvel universe. This dichotomy also links the two characters and makes them inseparable, as both characters have greatly relied on one another throughout their publication history. For example, at times Tyrone’s connection to the darkforce has led to Tyrone developing an insatiable hunger that can only be soothed and satiated by Tandy’s healing light powers.
Another recurring theme in Cloak and Dagger’s publication history is confusion about whether Tyrone and Tandy are mutants. At one point, Cloak and Dagger were believed to be mutants whose X-gene was activated through exposure to the synthetic drug while they were experimented on. The pair also starred in a book titled The Mutant Misadventures of Cloak and Dagger, which would suggest that they are mutants; however, since then, Marvel has gone to great lengths to establish that Tyrone and Tandy are mutates and not mutants. Despite not being mutants themselves, Cloak and Dagger have frequently crossed paths with mutant superhero teams such as the X-Men and the New Mutants. Tyrone and Tandy’s relationship to each other, as well as the mutant community, is explored in the new “Age of Revelation” event.
Credit: Marvel Comics
In Cloak or Dagger #1, Tyrone and Tandy are now canonically mutants after exposure to a gene bomb that transforms non-mutants into mutants and enhances the abilities of existing mutants. According to series writer Justina Ireland in an interview with AIPT, Tyrone and Tandy were exposed to the X-virus while trying to help evacuate those trying to escape from the fallout of the gene bomb. Tyrone and Tandy continue to assist in the evacuation efforts while adjusting to their new status as mutants. The first issue in this new mini-series throws us right into the action as Tandy and her allies work to evacuate people out of the Revelation Zone. In the issue, we learn of a sanctuary called Haven, which was formerly Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, and is the last outpost before the Revelation Zone. Led by Colonel Ramirez, Haven is staffed by soldiers and newly created mutants like Tyrone and Tandy, all of whom are dedicated to the mission of helping the refugees and remaining survivors find sanctuary.
In this issue, we learn that Tyrone and Tandy are now married and have a daughter named Ayla. However, Tyrone and Tandy’s marriage is complicated by some unfortunate developments as a result of their exposure to the X-Virus. In addition to gaining new abilities, such as Tandy’s eclipse blades and Tyrone’s taster cloud, the pair also gained the ability to communicate with each other telepathically. But that is not all. The X-Virus also made it so Tyrone and Tandy cannot exist on the same plane at the same time. As Tandy explains in the issue, “We can’t spend much time together in the same space. A few minutes at most”. When asked what happens when they do, Tandy responds by saying, “Nothing good, trust me”. While the issue somewhat explains that something bad will happen if Tyrone and Tandy are in the same plane of existence for too long, the details are a bit vague in terms of why they are unable to share the same plane of existence, and how this leads to catastrophic results if they do.
Tandy and her allies assist with the rescue efforts and leading refugees to the sanctuary site known as Haven. Credit: Marvel Comics
Tyrone and Tandy being unable to occupy the same plane of existence at the same time creates a fascinating complication to not only Cloak and Dagger’s relationship as a superhero duo, but also their relationship as a married couple with a daughter to raise. Cloak and Dagger, being unable to share the same plane of existence, also puts tremendous limitations on how they can use their powers. Tyrone and Tandy’s powers have always been so intrinsically linked that not only did their powers complement one another, but they relied on one another in order for their powers to be used most effectively. This forced separation of Tyrone and Tandy creates a wrinkle that is very disruptive to Cloak and Dagger as a unit, a partnership, and their dynamic as superheroes.
A final note worth mentioning about this issue is that the primary villain of the mini series is Andrea and Andreas von Strucker aka Fenris, the incestuous twin children of the Hydra supervillain named Baron Wolfgang von Strucker. Similar to Cloak and Dagger, Andrea and Andreas’ bio-energy powers work when the two make physical contact, such as holding or clasping hands. The pair can also fly, but only when holding hands. Much like their father, Andrea and Andreas believe wholeheartedly in white supremacist ideology, and frequently espouse Nazi rhetoric, typically right before getting their asses kicked by the X-Men. In Cloak or Dagger #1, Andrea and Andreas are rounding up civilians and forcibly turning them into mutants and taking them to a place called New Elysium, which they promise is “A better kind of place for better mutants”.
Both the Fenris twins and Cloak and Dagger are promising safety and security during the events of the Age of Revelation; however, only Cloak and Dagger are guaranteeing true safety for everyone, whereas the Fenris twins are only promising safety for those they deem worthy of receiving the gift that New Elysium has to offer. “A better kind of place for better mutants” implies that there are two categories of mutants: regular or average mutants and “better mutants” who outclass those whom Andrea and Andreas view as inferior. Only those “superior” mutants are valid in the eyes of the Fenris twins. As a foil to Cloak and Dagger, the Fenris twins are the perfect villains for this mini-series.
Cloak or Dagger #1 is a great first issue that establishes the new status quo for Cloak and Dagger as part of the “Age of Revelation” event. Often mutant-adjacent characters, Cloak and Dagger now find themselves firmly situated in the latest major X-Men franchise-wide event. Hopefully, Cloak and Dagger leading their own mini-series, as well as their newfound popularity following their inclusion in the video game Marvel Rivals, will lead to Marvel giving Tyrone and Tandy their own ongoing series after the conclusion of the “Age of Revelation” event, regardless of whether Tyrone and Tandy will remain as X-Men characters once the event has wrapped up. The solicits for the next issue tease that new details will be revealed surrounding Cloak and Dagger’s latest evolution as the Fenris twins make their assault on Haven. All of this and much more is what we can expect when Cloak or Dagger #2 hits shelves in November 2025.
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