Hawkman: Difference between revisions

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'''Hawkman''' is one of the oldest of [[DC Comics]]' superheroes, having been created in 1940, during [[The Golden Age of Comic Books]]. He's also one of the most infamous cases of [[Continuity Snarl]] in the world of comics.

As originally envisioned, Hawkman was really archeologistarchaeologist Carter Hall, who discovered that he was actually the reincarnation of an Egyptian prince named Khufu, and that he had been murdered long ago by an evil priest along with the woman he loved. Furthermore, both the priest and his lover had also been reincarnated, and the former had now captured the latter! Arming himself with equipment found at a museum, as well as using an anti-gravity metal called "Ninth metal" (later renamed Nth metal) to fly, Carter created the costumed identity of Hawkman to go rescue her. She would later join him in his adventures as "Hawkgirl". Hawkman would also become one of the founders of the first superhero group, the [[Justice Society of America]].

During [[The Interregnum]], Hawkman's series, as with most other superheroes of the time, was canceledcancelled. During [[The Silver Age of Comic Books]], he was reinvented, this time as Katar Hol, a law enforcement agent from the planet Thanagar (conveniently inhabited by [[Human Aliens]]) who came to Earth (along his partner and wife Shayera) to study Earth's crimefighting techniques, and they assumed the identities of museum curators Carter and Shiera Hall. They also acted as superheroes (using their Thanagarian uniforms) and became known as Hawkman and Hawkwoman. They soon joined the [[Justice League]], the modern version of the Justice Society, and even met the ''original'' Hawks during the League's team-ups with the Society (which was established as having existed in the [[Alternate Universe|parallel universe]] called Earth-2.)

(At around this time, Hawkman appeared on ''Challenge of the [[Super FriendsSuperfriends]]''. Since no one on that show was allowed to throw a punch, his prowess was portrayed as ... somewhat less than stellar. Basically, he could fly, and that's it -- which for a super hero is like being able to tie your shoes.)

Up to this point, there was no real confusion over the Hawkman characters. It all started after DC decided to [[Retcon]] their universe with the [[Crisis Crossover]] called [[Crisis Onon Infinite Earths]]. All of DC's titles were supposed to undergo a [[ReContinuity BootReboot]] afterwards; but due to poor editorial overseeing, some titles were rebooted but others were not. The Silver Age Hawkman was reinvented as a [[Darker and Edgier]] character who had only recently arrived on Earth--but Hawkman was STILL''still'' supposed to have been a member of the League for years! They explained this by claiming that the winged heroes in the League were actually the Golden Age Hawkman and Hawkgirl (since all DC characters now existed in one universe) and, later, that a Thanagarian spy had joined the team as Hawkman.

When DC decided to fix its post-Crisis mistakes with ANOTHER''another'' reality-changing crossover, (''[[Zero Hour]])'', somebody came up with the idea of having the various Hawks... ''merged'' into a single being, known as the "Hawk-god". This idea was poorly received and his series was soon cancelled. DC was so desperate over the mess that they actually ''forbade'' anybody from using the character for years.

When the ''[[Justice League]]'' animated series was made, it was decided that Hawkgirl, rather than Hawkman, would be a member. A Hawkman [[Expy]], Hro Talak, was introduced in the series as her former lover AND''and'' a bad guy! Even later, an actual Hawkman character (Carter Hall, following a variation of the Golden Age reincarnation origin) was also introduced in the cartoon.

Back in the comics, DC tried to exploit Hawkgirl's popularity by having (a variation of) her take over the new Hawkman comic book, but it didn't work and it too was soon canceledcancelled. Hawkman was ''finally'' brought back in the pages of the then-new ''[[Justice Society]]'' comic series, with a new origin that explains that both Khufu and his mate have reincarnated many times, including as Katar and Shayera.

* [[Animal Talk]]: Silver Age Hawkman and Hawkwoman can talk to birds as a result of side-effects from using the Absorbascon. Unlike [[Aquaman (Comic Book)|Aquaman]], they can't command them but rather use them as spies and snitches.

* [[Armed Withwith Canon]]

* [[Catch a Falling Star]]: Or a falling ''Batmobile!'' (In an episode of [[The Batman (Animation)|The Batman]].)

* [[Dirty Cop]]: Virtually the entire Wingmen force (especially post-''Hawkworld''), except for Katar and ([[Depending Onon the Writer]]) Shayera Hol.

* [[Doing inIn Thethe Wizard]]: Reinventing Hawkman as a [[Sci Fi]] hero instead of a supernatural one.

* [[Exiled From Continuity]]

* [[Jerk Withwith a Heart of Gold]]: Carter Hall, especially in recent years.

* [[Legacy Character]]

* [[Double Standard Rape (Female Onon Male)|Rape Is OK If It's Female On Male]]: {{spoiler|Forerunner on Golden Eagle.}}

* [[Sealed Evil in Aa Can]]: Thasaro in Elseworlds ''Legend of the Hawkman''.

** The Nth metal was inspired by [[HGH. G. Wells|Cavorite]].