Hawkman: Difference between revisions

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During [[The Interregnum]], Hawkman's series, as with most other superheroes of the time, was canceled. 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.)
During [[The Interregnum]], Hawkman's series, as with most other superheroes of the time, was canceled. 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 Friends]]''. 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.)
(At around this time, Hawkman appeared on ''Challenge of the [[Superfriends]]''. 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 On Infinite Earths]]. All of DC's titles were supposed to undergo a [[Re Boot]] 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 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.
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 on Infinite Earths]]. All of DC's titles were supposed to undergo a [[Re Boot]] 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 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 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 DC decided to fix its post-Crisis mistakes with 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.
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** The Gentleman Ghost is often Carter and Shiera/Kendra's archenemy.
** The Gentleman Ghost is often Carter and Shiera/Kendra's archenemy.
** Byth to Katar and Shayera.
** Byth to Katar and Shayera.
* [[Armed With Canon]]
* [[Armed with Canon]]
* [[Artistic License Chemistry]]: Nth Metal (sometimes called "Ninth Metal")
* [[Artistic License Chemistry]]: Nth Metal (sometimes called "Ninth Metal")
* [[Ascended Fanboy]]: Charley Parker, he became Golden Eagle.
* [[Ascended Fanboy]]: Charley Parker, he became Golden Eagle.
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* [[Canine Companion]]: In one issue, Shayera Hol has a pet poodle.
* [[Canine Companion]]: In one issue, Shayera Hol has a pet poodle.
* [[Captain Ersatz]]: The angel Zauriel was a stand-in for Hawkman in the League during the time the latter was not usable.
* [[Captain Ersatz]]: The angel Zauriel was a stand-in for Hawkman in the League during the time the latter was not usable.
* [[Catch a Falling Star]]: Or a falling ''Batmobile!'' (In an episode of [[The Batman (Animation)|The Batman]].)
* [[Catch a Falling Star]]: Or a falling ''Batmobile!'' (In an episode of [[The Batman]].)
* [[City of Adventure]]: Midway City, the second Hawkman's Earthly base of operations.
* [[City of Adventure]]: Midway City, the second Hawkman's Earthly base of operations.
** St. Roch, Carter Hall and Kendra Saunder's base of operations.
** St. Roch, Carter Hall and Kendra Saunder's base of operations.
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* [[Cult]]: The followers of Thasaro. {{spoiler|However, their god kills them because he does not like to be used, despite the priest's pleas that that was not the case.}}
* [[Cult]]: The followers of Thasaro. {{spoiler|However, their god kills them because he does not like to be used, despite the priest's pleas that that was not the case.}}
** Also the followers of Onimar Synn on Thanagar.
** Also the followers of Onimar Synn on Thanagar.
* [[Dirty Cop]]: Virtually the entire Wingmen force (especially post-''Hawkworld''), except for Katar and ([[Depending On the Writer]]) Shayera Hol.
* [[Dirty Cop]]: Virtually the entire Wingmen force (especially post-''Hawkworld''), except for Katar and ([[Depending on the Writer]]) Shayera Hol.
* [[Doing in The Wizard]]: Reinventing Hawkman as a [[Sci Fi]] hero instead of a supernatural one.
* [[Doing in the Wizard]]: Reinventing Hawkman as a [[Sci Fi]] hero instead of a supernatural one.
* [[Drop the Hammer]]: DCAU Hawkgirl's primary weapon is an energy mace.
* [[Drop the Hammer]]: DCAU Hawkgirl's primary weapon is an energy mace.
* [[Eagle Land]]: The ''Hawkworld'' comics tend to portray America in either Flavor 2 or Mixed Flavor, while Katar Hol (inspired by the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution) embraces the Flavor 1 idealism and hope Thanagar would follow.
* [[Eagle Land]]: The ''Hawkworld'' comics tend to portray America in either Flavor 2 or Mixed Flavor, while Katar Hol (inspired by the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution) embraces the Flavor 1 idealism and hope Thanagar would follow.
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* [[I Just Want to Be Special]]: Charley Parker
* [[I Just Want to Be Special]]: Charley Parker
* [[Instant Messenger Pigeon]]: Commissioner Emmett's pet bird, sent to Hawkman when he's needed.
* [[Instant Messenger Pigeon]]: Commissioner Emmett's pet bird, sent to Hawkman when he's needed.
* [[Jerk With a Heart of Gold]]: Carter Hall, especially in recent years.
* [[Jerk with a Heart of Gold]]: Carter Hall, especially in recent years.
* [[King Arthur]]: One of his knights was an incarnation of Khufu/Carter as well.
* [[King Arthur]]: One of his knights was an incarnation of Khufu/Carter as well.
* [[Legacy Character]]
* [[Legacy Character]]
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* [[The Power of Love]]: Hawkman and Hawkwoman/Hawkgirl
* [[The Power of Love]]: Hawkman and Hawkwoman/Hawkgirl
* [[Race Lift]]: George Emmett gone from white (pre-Crisis) to black (post-''Hawkworld'').
* [[Race Lift]]: George Emmett gone from white (pre-Crisis) to black (post-''Hawkworld'').
* [[Double Standard Rape (Female On Male)|Rape Is OK If It's Female On Male]]: {{spoiler|Forerunner on Golden Eagle.}}
* [[Double Standard Rape (Female on Male)|Rape Is OK If It's Female On Male]]: {{spoiler|Forerunner on Golden Eagle.}}
* [[Redheaded Hero]]: Hawkwoman
* [[Redheaded Hero]]: Hawkwoman
* [[Reincarnation]]: Carter Hall and Shiera Sanders/Kendra Saunders
* [[Reincarnation]]: Carter Hall and Shiera Sanders/Kendra Saunders
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* [[Romantic False Lead]]: Hawkman is reduced to this in the animated series.
* [[Romantic False Lead]]: Hawkman is reduced to this in the animated series.
* [[Screw Destiny]]: Kendra Saunders
* [[Screw Destiny]]: Kendra Saunders
* [[Sealed Evil in A Can]]: Thasaro in Elseworlds ''Legend of the Hawkman''.
* [[Sealed Evil in a Can]]: Thasaro in Elseworlds ''Legend of the Hawkman''.
* [[Secret Keeper]]: Commissioner George Emmett (he's gave Katar and Shayera their Earth names and jobs as museum curators)
* [[Secret Keeper]]: Commissioner George Emmett (he's gave Katar and Shayera their Earth names and jobs as museum curators)
** Charley Parker (before becoming Golden Eagle)
** Charley Parker (before becoming Golden Eagle)
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* [[Shape Shifter]]: Byth Rok
* [[Shape Shifter]]: Byth Rok
* [[Shout-Out]]: In the JSA storyline ''The Return of Hawkman'', one of the members of the Talon of Truth looks like a [[X-Men (Comic Book)|Shi'ar]].
* [[Shout-Out]]: In the JSA storyline ''The Return of Hawkman'', one of the members of the Talon of Truth looks like a [[X-Men (Comic Book)|Shi'ar]].
** The Nth metal was inspired by [[HG Wells|Cavorite]].
** The Nth metal was inspired by [[H. G. Wells|Cavorite]].
* [[Something Person]]
* [[Something Person]]
* [[Space Police]]: Katar and Shayera are often referred to as "alien cops", usually by Green Arrow.
* [[Space Police]]: Katar and Shayera are often referred to as "alien cops", usually by Green Arrow.

Revision as of 18:49, 8 April 2014

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 archeologist 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 canceled. 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 parallel universe called Earth-2.)

(At around this time, Hawkman appeared on Challenge of the Superfriends. 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 on Infinite Earths. All of DC's titles were supposed to undergo a Re Boot 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 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 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 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 canceled. Hawkman was finally brought back in the pages of the 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.

In 2011, the entire DC Universe was rebooted, erasing all the history (good or bad) of most characters including Hawkman, hopefully ending the confusion for good. Hawkman has his own self-titled book, and Hawkgirl (Kendra Saunders again) is to feature in James Robinson's Earth-2.

Tropes related to this character:

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