I liked Kyle for different reasons -- but he was never near Batman level-- aside from being loosely based on that character. Even though in hindsight his contributions mostly amounted to lodging and a meeting space, he liked being part of that group. I think Englehart and Gerber were fond of the character as well. Even David Kraft wrote some nice stories using Kyle.I guess it was Dematteis who had no use for the character and 'killed him'.

Too many readers just dismiss Nighthawk for not being Batman (unlike the Supreme Power version), but I think they are selling him short - especially in terms of adding interest to the group dynamics. Also, he and Patsy played well off each other. I think they may have become a pair had David Kraft stayed with the series.