How to add Hawkman and Hawkwoman to the DCU

  With Superman getting a successful kickoff to the DCU, there will probably be a lot more DCU news coming in the next few months. Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced) got enough screen time to make fans want more. Currently, there is no news, rumors or anything else out there that involves the Hawks. The only thing we've seen is that Merced mentioned the desire to see Hawkgirl/Kendra Saunders get involved with GreenLantern/John Stewart. What's the best way to get the Hawks involved in the DCU? 

Art by Fernando Pasarin, Bryan Hitch, Amancay Nahuelpan

   There are currently three Hawks in DC Comics. Hawkman/Carter Hall has been around since he was rescued from the Dark Multiverse and discovered his true origin in the Hawkmana series by Robert Venditti (2018-2021). Hawkwoman/Shayera Hol is currently the leader of Thanagar and back together with Hawkman. The reincarnation curse has been lifted off of them and they are living their last life (if there is such a thing in comics) together. Hawkgirl/Kendra Saunders was separated from the other two Hawks and living her own life. She is currently in the JSA series with Hawkman but they appear to think of each other as brother and sister. 

Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl

   First, Hawkgirl. Where could she be headed next? With Aaron Pierre appearing in the upcoming Lantern series as John Stewart, many fans have started wondering if it is a possibility for Hawkgirl to finally end up with John Stewart. Fans of the DCAU and the Justice League cartoon series have been wanting to see them together again. Sure, it's Kendra and not Shayera, but I doubt the fans who liked the Hawkgirl-GL romance would care or even notice. Checkout my article on that situation. 

   James Gunn appears to be of the generation who liked the Hawkgirl-John Stewart romance in the cartoon, so that could be the direction he is going in. Probably most likely. Merced might even show up in the Lanterns series. 

Art by Bilquis Evely, Bryan Hitch

   Where does that leave Hawkman and Hawkwoman? If they even exist in the DCU, where could they end up? I asked the Hawkfans on the Hawkworld media sites over the last few days and most seem to think that Hawkman could show up in either the Supergirl or the Brave and the Bold movies. Why Supergirl, you might ask. It was revealed in the last Hawkman series that Catar-Ol (a former life of Hawkman) was Kara's tutor up until Krypton exploded. So there is a connection there. 

From Green Lantern Corps No. 1 (April 2025)

   Hawkwoman and Thanagar could end up in the Supergirl movie as well since her story appears to be set in space. That would make for a very interesting confrontation. With the no-nonsense, head-strong Shayera and the Supergirl that showed up in the Superman movie, sparks could fly. I'd pay movie for that. 

From DC Love is a Battlefield No. 1 (April 2021)

   The one thing I would ask James Gunn as a long-time Hawkman fan is to keep Carter Hall and Kendra Saunders apart. Don't try to make them a couple or turn Carter into some creepy stalker like the writers did in the Justice League cartoon. Let Kendra fly off with John Stewart if she has to, but keep Carter and Shayera together. Put them on Thanagar or on their spaceship and let them appear in some of the movies or even appear in their own movie. 

   All of this is a long ways away, but who knows? James Gunn might come across this article and get some ideas for the direction he wants to go with the Hawks. Whatever he comes up with, I hope the Hawks are included in some way and not cheapened by turning Hawkman into a stalker with a split-personality. They are great heroes worth a good story and I hope they are kept that way.