Thanks but Enough with the Geoff Johns Hawkman Collections

 In the current barren age of no Hawkman comics series, it's always appreciated when we get something, anything, that features Hawkman and Hawkgirl. And the last couple of weeks have given us not one but two Hawkman collections. However, the repeated releases once again reminded me of what we continue to wait for. It's not hard for a Hawkman fan to be a Debbie Downer, and this is another of those times. 

In August, Hawkman- Wings Across Time was released. The contents are as follows:
     The Brave and the Bold #34-36, #42-44
     The Atom #7
     Mystery in Space #87-90
     Hawkman Vol. 1 #1-16

This is much appreciated, but only if they actually follow this one up and give us a second book with Vol. 2 #17-27 and The Atom and Hawkman #39-45. We've been given similar collections before. 

The first ever Hawkman trade came in 1989 when they released the six Brave and Bold issues that eventually launched the first Hawkman solo series. It is a beautiful book and every Hawkfan should have a copy. Between 1989 - 2014, we got a beautiful hard cover series of Golden and Silver Age books. Hawkman was also lucky enough to get three books during this time but it was imcomplete. The Flash Comics collection ended at No. 22 (with 82 stories still to go), and the Silver Age collection got us up to Hawkman Vol. 1 No. 8 (with 25 issues to go). It's a real shame that this was discontinued. They are my favorite collections and look great on the shelf. Somebody, anybody, if you see this post on this teeny tiny blog of a somewhat minor DC character, please continue these. I will sing your praises to the high heavens. 

The Showcase books have everything of the 1960s Hawkman, and I do mean everything. The only catch is that it's all in black and white. Small price to pay to have everything in two books, but comics fans are an insatiable lot and we need color! 

So with Wings Across Time we got the 1960s collection going again. If Hawkfans want to see volume two, we're going to have to pick up volume one. Re-re-releasing the same issues in different formats doesn't seem like such a great strategy, but it seems like every decade or so we get new leadership in DC and they keep trying the same thing. Time will tell if the fans answer and they actually come through with a complete series this time. 

Next up is Geoff Johns Hawkman collection. You may be thnking that you've heard of this before and yes, you have. Repeatedly. This is actually not the first, nor second, nor third, but fourth time the Geoff Johns Hawkman books gave been released. Yes, we understand why; Geoff Johns books sell. So DC is going to slap a not-so-new-looking coat of paint on this and go for it again. And being the poor mindless collective-buying shmoes that we are, we'll buy it. But these Hawkman Vol. 4 collections are really weird. 

First, from 2003-2006, we got four trade paperbacks of Vol. 4. The first three books took us up to issue No. 22, right before the Black Reign story with the JSA. But then we get the fourth book that starts with issue No. 37, and ends at No. 45. Where did issues #23-34 and #46-#49 go? It's just weird and it's a real shame because Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray's stories, along with a couple of great one-issue stories by other writers are fantastic. It actually started to steer away from the Kendra "It's not my destiny" melodrama that permeated the Geoff Johns stories and I really enjoyed them. 

Then in 2012, we got an absolutely beautiful hardback omnibus of Hawkman Vol. 4, but only up to issue No. 25, which is where Geoff Johns left the series. It's titled Vol. 1, so because the fool that I am, I anxiously waited with credit card at the ready for Vol. 2. It never came. 

Next up were the Hawkman Vol. 4 trade paperbacks Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 (yes!) that came out in 2017-2018 but again, these stopped at issue No. 25. So, more of the same, just lighter and a bit cheaper. At this point, I didn't expect a Vol. 3. 

And now we get another collection, THE Hawkman Omnibus by Geoff Johns. again covering up to issue No. 25. At least they had the courtesy to not name it Vol. 1 because we know that isn't coming. Prove me wrong DC, and release THE Hawkman Omnibus by Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray. I'll gladly snack on crow while I gaze upon the beautiful books lining my Hawkman shelves. 

This thing that gets me is that there are still many Hawkman series that have not been released in any collections. For example:

Showcase Presents Hawkman No. 101-103 (1978)
The Shadow War of Hawkman No. 1-4 (1985)
Hawkman Vol. 2 No. 1-17 (1986-87)
Hawkworld Vol. 2 (No. 1-32 plus 3 annuals)
Hawkman Vol. 3 (No. 1-33 plus 2 annuals) 

They actually announced a release for Hawkworld Vol. 2 a few years ago but then it was canceled. But the one that DC Comics really needs to jump on is The Shadow War of Hawkman and Hawkman Vol. 2. This series by Tony Isabella (Jenny Blake) and later Dan Mishkin is often quoted as the series that converted many comics fans into Hawkfans. It is a beautiful series that really centers on what makes the story of Hawkman and Hawkwoman great. I've wanted this one so bad that I even started a petition for it. Go sign your name to it if you would like to see it happen. 

So, while I hate to complain when we are getting two Hawkman collections during this barren era of no Hawkman comics (now entering year six), we are getting the same issues of which I have five versions sitting on my shelf. But DC puts it out because it sells. I understand that. As Hawkfans, we need to speak up on our social media sites about the collections we want to have and actually pick them up when they come out. That's the only language publishers understand. That's why we're getting yet another Geoff Johns release. 

A good place to start is The Shadow War of Hawkman/Hawkman Vol. 2. Let's make it happen. 

Here's the link to the petition. Hawkman Omnibus (Isabella-Mishkin-Howell Collection)