Reviews Across Time and Space: The Shadow War of Hawkman No. 1

Comic

The Shadow War of  Hawkman No. 1
Cover Date: May 1985

Release Date: January 15, 1985

Script: Tony Isabella (Jenny Blake)
Pencils: Richard Howell

Inks: Alfredo Alcala
Colors: Michele Wolfman

Letters: Milt Snappin

Editing: Alan Gold, Dick Giordano

Cover: Richard Howell, Don Heck, Todd Klein

Note: This was the first Hawkman title since The Atom and Hawkman ended 15 years and 5 months prior. 

Bird's Eye View

   After helping Thanagar defeat Hyanthis, Katar and Shayera Hol reject Thanagar's move to fascism. They have said goodbye to Thanagar and made Earth their permanent home. They are happily married, successful curators of the Midway City Museum, and respected in the city as the superheroes Hawkman and Hawkwoman. The Thanagarians arrive on Earth to prepare for an invasion of Earth, and their first goal is to steal Hawkman and Hawkwoman's anti-gravity belts and other Nth-metal equipment. Hawkman's first encounter with Commander Fel Andar ends with a horrifying conclusion. 

Pinions

   Reading this issue makes me realize how much I miss the Silver-Bronze Age Hawkman and Hawkwoman. Midway City, museum curators, the Absorbascon, Thanagar, anti-gravity belts, and no Kendra or endless reincarnation stories. Just pure superhero fun with a solid foundation for a story and interesting characters around them. The love and equal partnership between Katar and Shayera are what drew me to the Hawks when I first discovered them as a kid, and writer Tony Isabella (Jenny Blake) captures it all perfectly. 

   We get a quick review of Katar's beginnings, his proposal of marriage to Shayera at the Veil of Valmorra, their first trip to Earth to capture Byth, the Equalizer disease, their battle with Hyanthis, and, finally, their exile to Earth. When this issue came out, it had been 15 years since their last title and even seven years since their 3-issue mini-series in Showcase #101-103, so it was much needed. We even discover that a Thanagarian lifespan is much longer than a human's (three times, to be exact). 

   Despite DC Comics' continuing failure to collect this series in a trade or omnibus of any kind, this issue clearly demonstrates why this series remains one of the all-time favorites of Hawkfans and comic readers in general. It's a shame that it is so hard for newer comic readers to find this classic. It's never too late to correct this wrong, DC! DC Finest would be the perfect format to bring The Shadow War of Hawkman, Hawkman Special 1986, Hawkman Vol. 2, and Action Comics #588 together in one or two volumes. That would be a dream come true. 

Avian Artistry

   Hawkman and Hawkwoman have been blessed with some of the best artists in comics' history, and Richard Howell is one of them. He gives the readers plenty of chances to see how awesome the Hawks look in their helmets and wings, but he also draws Katar and Shayera as one of the most glamorous couples ever. When the Thanagarians appear, Howel, along with inker Alfredo Alcala and colorist Michele Wolfman, adds a foreboding and dire atmosphere to the story. And the last page still makes me stop and stare in horror. 

   I've said this about Joe Kubert and Rags Morales in the past, but I'll say it again here: Richard Howell was born to draw Hawkman and Hawkwoman. 

Memorable Wheet

"By all that's holy, you treacherous cur...you'll pay for that man's death. By Polaris, how you'll pay!"

Pecking Order

Verdict: The absolute best of the best!