Retro Thursday: Hawkman

Given Hawkman’s appearance as a semi-regular in “Trinity” and his (SPOILER WARNING) probable demise in Final Crisis #7, now seemed a good time to look back at Hawkman’s rebirth.  Geoff Johns and David Goyer fixed the confused continuity of the character in “JSA.” Then Johns and James Robinson launched him in his own series in 2002.  That series ran with Hawkman as the star until issue #50, when it became “Hawkgirl.” The series was cancelled in 2007 with issue #66.

Here’s my article on the character and the Johns-Robinson series launch, from March 8, 2002:

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The Winged Wonder, Hawkman, is back, in DC’s new “Hawkman” No. 1.

The archaeologist known as Carter Hall was known as Prince Khufu in the days he lived in ancient Egypt.

He’s been reincarnated into many lives, each time reunited with his true love, Hawkgirl.

Hawkman recently returned in the pages of “JSA,” in which he helped the Justice Society of America defeat an ancient evil. He met Kendra Saunders, the JSA’s Hawkgirl, upon his revival. But Kendra has no memory of past lives and wants nothing to do with Hawkman.

As “Hawkman” No. 1 opens, Hawkgirl finds that the deaths of her parents may have actually been murders. She’s forced to enlist the aid of Hawkman as they investigate the mystery in the Southern city of St. Roch, a humid metropolis with a web of corruption and intrigue.

Hawkman was introduced in late 1939 by writer Gardner Fox in “Flash Comics” No. 1. His first adventure was penciled by Denis Neville. Later artists on the title included Sheldon “Shelly” Moldoff and Joe Kubert.

Hawkman’s flying powers came from an antigravity belt made of “ninth metal,” later called “nth metal.”

Hawkman and Hawkgirl – introduced in “Flash Comics” No. 24 – fought crime using ancient weaponry, including crossbows, maces, axes, shields and spears.