Pulp heroes don’t always translate well onto glossy paper, but Dark Horse’s new “Captain Midnight” may have the right fuel mixture of gee-whiz gadgets, can-do attitude, and the sturm und drang of modern relationships in order to fly.

Retro glider suit? Check.

Sneaky first-page exposition as to Captain Midnight’s penchant for striking at 0000 hours? Check.

Skull-faced time-traveling Nazis? Check.

Nazi-eating polar bears? Check.

Main character Jim “Red” Albrecht is a man out of time, an inventive aeronautical genius transported from the dark days and secret missions of World War II into the present day. In Marvel character terms, this patriotic super-pilot is equal parts Steve Rogers, Tony Stark, and Carol Danvers.

It could be corny, but darned if it doesn’t seem to work.

Joshua Williamson’s dialogue propels the first issue forward with sufficient thrust. There’s even time enough for some meet-cute, post-divorce double entendre between future Secret Squadron mates Rick Marshall and Air Force Maj. Charlotte Ryan. (Pick up the previously published issue No. 0 for more nice-to-know background.)

In his layouts, artist Fernando Dagnino rightly takes dramatic advantage of the available swooping and climbing and diving. Meanwhile, colorist Ego subtly recasts moods and scenes via palette changes between pages.

Together, they’ve delivered a quick take-off and a potentially engaging run for this title.

Let’s light this candle!