DC Comics' Destruction of Hawkman

This is my reaction to Absolute Evil so if you liked the issue, and many did, it might not be worth your time reading this article. Straight upfront, I did not for various reasons. Just call it a theraputic ketchup-throwing rant and we'll buckle up for tomorrow's release of the first issue of DC KO. 

DC Comics destroys Hawkman. Again. They just wrecked him for the current generation of comic book readers. They ruined Hawkman for a generation back in the 2000s with the Justice League cartoon by making him a schizophrenic stalker who intruded on Hawkgirl and her romance with GL John Stewart. The kids who grew up hating Hawkman are now writing the comics and articles for comic book sites. It's rare when you come across an article that looks favorably at Hawkman now. I realize there will be many who disagree with my take on this development and will advise me to calm the heck down. I'm calm but it's a simmering calm, and after numerous stories by writers who have made Hawkman a character to hate, this is my current state.

Your favorite color is teal. You could eat Korshin oysters every day, even though they give you heartburn. You get up early because you love the sunrise. And I'm a delusional stalker who has an enemy called Shadow Thief who actually comes out of my schizophrenic mental hallucinations. 

 

The first live action Hawkgirl came out a decade ago in The Flash/Arrow/CW's Legends of Tomorrow and the same thing happened. Hawkgirl (played by Ciara Renee) had something going with Cisco when Hawkman shows up. The forced destiny thing, bullying her in her training, killing him off, Hawkgirl getting together with Atom, then Hawkman showing up again, etc. The whole show was badly written and completely ignored what makes Hawkman and Hawkgirl work.

Around the same time, DC does it again in the Injustice Gods Among Us. Hawkman appears to be a wife-beater and tries to control Hawkgirl but just gets the crap knocked out of him. Another blackeye. (Injustice Gods Among Us Year Five #4) 

Justice League America #72 and #74 (April 1993)

Even before the 21st century, DC made Hawkman absolutely brutal in Justice League America #72-75. In a dream-induced reality caused by Dr. Destiny, the heroes have become fascists and are running the world as they please. Hawkman is the chief of security and is by far the most brutal character in the story. He smashes Sinestro's face in, steals his power ring, and then has both Sinestro's arms amputated. Later in the story, Hawkman uses Sinestro's ring to blast Green Arrow to ashes. Where's Batman, you ask? Why, he's the moral voice during this whole episode of course! 

So DC went and did it again.

The Absolute Universe comics kicked off last year and from what I have heard, they are a huge hit for DC. I checked out a couple of issues of Superman and Green Lantern but it didn't really appeal to me. I thought a version of Hawkgirl would show up in the Absolute universe before Hawkman, so I was rather surprised when they announced Hawkman would be showing up in an issue called Absolute Evil. It didn't sound good, and boy was I right. 

The first scene we saw was from 1951. In the mainstream universe, the Justice Society refused to reveal their secret identities to the Congressional Un-American Activities Committee, so the heroes disappeared and went into retirement. However, in the Absolute universe, the same event happened, but Hawkman offered his services to betray and turn in his fellow heroes. What a guy. 

So this Hawkman will rat out anyone he doesn't agree with. From his comments, I suppose he's some sort of ultra right-winger with fascist tendencies. Anyone would dislike the guy right from the git-go. 

Side-note: In mainstream comics, Hawkman was offered to be the dictator of Thanagar but he despised fascism so he turned his back on Thanagar and returned to Earth. This happened twice; World's Finest Comics #278 and Hawkman Vol. 2 No. 12. 

The next scene we see is Veronica Cale calling in Mr. Hall, and Hawkman (at least we think it is) walks in with a dead Ollie Queen over his shoulder. He throws Ollie on the table, blood everywhere. 

It's pretty clear that Hawkman is working as an assassin for the villains of this universe. His appearance has change drastically. His face is mummified (who knows what's underneath), his wings look metallic, his costume resembles the Blackhawks' uniform, and his mace is honkin huge. He looks like the love child of Zauriel and a Predator. If this is the evil version of Hawkman, then Hawkworld Vol. V in 2019 did it better. 

By better I mean the look, because that whole Year of the Villain thing and the "Secret Six" was a complete wash. Hawkman/Sky Tyrant didn't even show in the last two issues of Hell Arisen. Just completely wasted. Robert Venditti worked him into the Vol. V series pretty well though. 

Art by Tyler Kirkham

So we have a completely evil version of Hawkman in the Absolute universe. Of course, Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman are altered, but they are still heroic in their own way. And yes, there have also been evil versions of them in the past. The Injustice Gods Among Us series made Superman and many other heroes into despicable characters. 

But here's the difference. In the mainstream universe, there is a good version that the readers know about. We all know that Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman are great heroes, some of the most famous ever created. We know about the good versions, so when we see evil versions, we know that the real versions are still there. The evil version is just a side show to enjoy. We can go back to the good versions and read about their heroics. 

Not so with Hawkman. Hawkman has not had a regular series in five years. The DCEU version was wiped out immediately, ending any chance for a solo shot. He's killed in almost every DCAU movie that comes out. Kids don't know who he is. Comic book readers have no idea what makes Hawkman one of the greatest heroes in DC Comics history. The mainstream version is currently in the JSA series, but he has been made to be weak and rather stupid. In the issues that he actually shows up that is. 

There is a good possibility that DC completely forgets that Hawkman is actually in the Absolute universe, just like they did in Hell Arisen. That wouldn't be such a bad thing. Althought we could get a Roy Harper showing up and getting revenge. 

So a new comics reader, a casual reader, or fans of other heroes, especially Green Arrow, are going to see this version as their first impression of Hawkman. And he is ruined. Another generation that thinks he is murderous traitor. They will not know the practically immortal hero who has lived thousands of lives, has vast knowledge of the universe, knows more fighting techniques than Batman will ever even sniff, flies back and forth between Thanagar and Earth in an awesome spaceship, and has a strong, loving, equal partnership with one of the most badass woman heroes in comics. 

All they will see is ....this. DC Comics might have a hit on their hands, but it's at the expense of many characters in their mainstream universe. All Hawkman fans can hope for now is for DC to find a good writer to write a redemption story for Hawkman. I hope it's sooner than later. Because I don't have much desire left to watch this generation of writers destroy the character I have followed, enjoyed and suffered with for 50 years. 

Every superhero fan has their grievances, and there will be comic book readers who disagree with everything I've said here, but I've watched the gradual decline of DC Comics' portrayal of Hawkman, especially since the Justice League cartoon's Hawkman came out in 2005. This Absolute Evil comic is just a continuation of that. I look forward to when DC can find a writer who can actually build up characters on their decades of legacy instead of just coming up with another "shocking" way to tear down the character. Or they could just bring Robert Venditti back. He did better with Hawkman than anyone has this century. 

If you want to read good Hawkman comics, here's a list. 
DC Finest Hawkman Wings Across Time (1961-1966)
Showcase #101-103 (1978)
The Shadow War of Hawkman / 1986 Hawkman Special / Hawkman Vol. 2 (1985-1987)
Hawkworld / Hawkworld Vol. 2 (1989-1993)

Legend of the Hawkman (2000)
Hawkman Vol. 4 (2002-2006)
Hawkman Convergence / JSA Convergence (2015)
Hawkman Vol. V (2018-2021)
For a full list of Hawkman comics and trades, you can find it here.

I still have hope that DC will bring us a Hawkman worth reading. If I didn't, I wouldn't still be here. But I will admit it's getting rather hard. But hey! DC KO is coming out soon! Who knows what could happen! Right?