The Universe of Hawkman: Single or Multiple Timelines

The Hawk Universe by Tim Board

   "Hawkman is confusing." "Hawkman is complicated." "Hawkman is convoluted." The three Cs of Hawkworld continuity. Each statement has become a tiring cliche but articles about Hawkman often start with one of the three statements. Over the years, DC has tried (and failed repeatedly) to streamline their universe for whatever reason. Crisis on Infinite Earths, Infinte Crisis, New 52, Flashpoint, Rebirth, Dawn of Dc and on and on it goes. 

   As a Hawkman fan, I have fully gotten on board with this idea of everything having to be continuous and connected. "Less important" heroes and other characters have often gotten the short end of the stick in these fix-it crisises, and stories like "The Last Days of the Justice Society," Zero Hour Crisis in Time," and "Metal" have been used as quick fixes to plug the holes that the Trinity-favored crisises left behind. 

   Admittedly, it has been a challenge to connect everything. I've used every trick and angle in the book to find ways to connect all the stories. In 2018, Robert Venditti did a masterful job in using the reincarnation story that is unique to Hawkman in the DC Universe and tied it all together with "Across Time and Space." In issue No. 5, Hawkman is runited with the Atom, and Ray Palmer explains to Carter how his timelines are not flowing in one line, like a river, but like an ocean's surface, each lifetime is a drop on the surface and rippling into each other. Sometimes the lifetimes are not even in chronological order. 

   Reincarnation has been a tool that has been extremely handy in connecting all of the Hawkman versions over the years. But it has not been the only one. The Hawk Realm (Hawkman Vol. 3), the Well of Spirits (JSA No. 23), and the Dark Multiverse (the Metal series) have also been used to explain how Hawkman is connected to the current storylines.  

   But here's another thought. Do they have to be connected? Why do they all have to explain the other, or what is the reason for entire continuities being wiped out? Some of the best stories from the past have been non-continuity stories. A good example is Legend of the Hawkman, a 3-issue mini-series by Benjamin Raab that came out in 2000. It is obviously a Silver Age story, but there is never any attempt to place in a particular timeline. It's just a solid, heartwarming, uplifting Hawkman and Hawkgirl adventure that is a favorite of many Hawkfans. 

   Another is Hawkman Vol. 2 by Tony Isabella (Jenny Blake) in 1986-87. DC Comics had a bit of a problem on their hands back in the 80s when The Shadow War of Hawkman was a surprise hit. They decided to have Isabella start his five-year plan for a Hawkman story in 1986. The problem was that the Crisis on Infinite Earths was in full swing. The Hawkman series pretty much just ignored the whole crisis going on and went their own story. No body cared. It is one of the best Hawkman series in the history of the characters and is still beloved by Hawkfans. 

Art by Dakota Randall

   The story of Hawkman and Hawkwoman is not a continuing soap opera. It is a series of stories with a common theme. Take the Japanese anime Gundam as an example. It started in 1979 and while it has a central story in the so-called Universal Century, the story covers numerous timelines and different characters. But there is a thematic center to the stories. The human cost of war and the social and political implications of advancing technology are two of the major themes. And it works. Gundam is not one character or one mobile suit, it is a universe of different stories based on the theme of Gundam. 

Art by Mikel Janin

   What is the thematic center of Hawkman (and Hawkwoman)? Eternal love, destiny, flight, weapons, friendship, and atonement are the themes we have seen in Hawkman stories. There are several things that are basic to the stories about Hawkman and Hawkwoman.

    Their image is striking. They stand out, even in the gaudy world of superheroes. The huge helmets, bare chest (Hawkman), and the massive wings make them stand out in any comic. Personally, the image of Hawkman flying out of the page with the other heroes was what immediately caught my attention and made me a fan for life.  

   The love between Hawkman and Hawkwoman, and their destiny with each other is, to be blunt, non-negotiable. This is the core of their stories. Their love, partnership, familiarity, history, and knowledge that they share is what makes their stories come alive. Without this, they are just two heroes dressed up like Hawks and standing in the background. Which is what DC Comics currently seems to be doing with them. 

Art by Neal Adams

   When DC began their superhero stories in the 30s, each hero had a theme. Superman was strong (he couldn't fly at first), Batman had gadgets, Green Lantern had a magic ring, Flash was fast, and Hawkman could fly. He was the first hero to have flight as his main power. It has evolved over the years, and many other heroes can now fly (Superman started flying because it was convenient on the radio.), but one look at Hawkman and you know what he represents. 

   Their love for each other is the center core of their stories. Take this away, and the soul is gone. This is where so many writers and now movie directors have missed the mark. This is why Venditti, Isabella, and Raab's stories are favorites among true Hawkfans. 

   Their choice and abiities with their weapons is a fun part of their stories. It could be their mace, a spear, a katar, a gauntlet and any other weapon of the day. The Golden and Silver age stories centered on this, but they have fallen away from it. Bring it back. 

   The friendships that Hawkman and Hawkwoman have made over the years can't be ignored. Hawkman's friendship with the Atom is one of the best and longest-lasting friendships in DC history. Their friendship and bond through war with Adam and Alanna Strange is also one of the best storylines in their comics. Hawkman used to have a connection to the birds. He formed a bond with the birds, they considered him a friend and a leader and often assisted him in battles. That was fun to see. That has been long forgotten by current writers.  Venditti started a friendship network of the descendants of his friends from past lives. We saw brief but loyal friends in England, Greece, Indonesia, and Kenya. That was a cool angle to his past lives and should be used more. 

The Origin of Hawkman and Hawkwoman

   Hawkman was created as an evil being, controlled by a demon god, but eventually realized what he was doing and with the help of Hawkwoman, was able to break free, defeat the evil demon and live a life of atonement through reincarnation. His desire to save life instead of taking it has been his ultimate goal since the beginning of his reincarnation cycle. Saving life, not taking it, is why he exists. 

Art by Michael Sta Maria

   This brings me to my main point. Why does all of the Hawkman stories have to be connected? Why does Hawkman have to be a part of the DC Universe? The DC Universe should be a part of Hawkman's universe, not the other way around. As in the story of Gundam, make a central universe of Hawkman on Thanagar. Hawkman and Hawkwoman are protectors of their planet with their spaceships, Nth metal, and alien villains like Byth. Manhawks, and Onimar Synn. Then there are their friends who they work with at times, Adam Strange, Captain Comet, Green Lanterns Vath Sarn of Rann and Isamot Kol of Thanagar. 

Art by Adam Kubert

   Then there are the other timelines and dimensions of Hawkman. They don't have to be related except the core themes of the characters. Keep the general look and the core themes intact, and you could have amazing heroes recognized and loved by many fans. 

   It feels like DC is finally startin to break out of this continuity fever with their Absolute series. The themes remain but it\'s something entirely new and exciting t the same time. The characters of the various series don't have to overlap, nor do they need to be connected. The heroes are loved for what each represents, not because the continuity makes sense. I hope DC can start reaching out more with their heroes instead of limiting their stories with a meaningless goal of keeping everything streamlined. DC can be bigger and grander than that.