Introduction to Hawkworld

Welcome to Hawkworld! With 86 years of history, understanding and following Hawkman and Hawkgirl can be a bit daunting for new readers and fans. This will hopefully help you get started in the amazing world of Hawkman, Hawkgirl, and Hawkwoman!

The current mainstream DC Universe’s Hawks are:

Hawkman / Carter Hall

Base: Midway City
Team: Justice Society
Partner: Hawkwoman (Shayera Hol)
Civilian Identity:
     Dr. Carter Hall, Archaeologist and Curator of the Midway City Museum

Art by Bryan Hitch

Hawkgirl / Kendra Saunders

Base: Metropolis
Team Justice Society
Partner: None
Civilian Identity: Kendra Saunders

Art by Amancay Nahuelpan

Hawkwoman / Shayera Hol
Base: Thanagar
Team: None
Partner: Hawkman (Carter Hall)
Civilian Identity: Empress of Thanagar 

Art by Marco Castiello

   

The Story of the Hawks

   Hawkman, Hawkgirl, and Hawkwoman have lived for millions of lives. When they die, they are reincarnated. Sometimes they remember their past lives, and sometimes they don't remember until they come across a person, place, or object from a former life. At the end of his first life, a god-like entity gave Hawkman a choice to go into the afterlife or to be reincarnated. He chose to be reincarnated and Hawkwoman, who was a herald angel who served the god, chose to go with him and be reincarnated. 

   When Hawkgirl (Shiera Saunders-Hall) died a few years ago, her soul was split in two by a power source; Hawkwoman (Shayera Hol of Thanagar) and Hawkgirl (Kendra Saunders of Earth). Shayera continued to love Hawkman (Carter Hall) and desire to share her destiny with him, while Kendra felt no romantic attachment to him. She thinks of Shayera as a sister and Carter as a "big brother."

   At the end of the most recent Hawkman series (2018-2021), Hawkman and Hawkwoman defeated an evil entity and thereby ending their reincarnation cycle. They shose to live one last life together and the god-like entity gave them an extremely long lifespan. In a scene from the future, they would still be living together in the 40th century.

Hawkgirl also ended her reincarnation cycle during the Death Crisis event by drinking from the Vase of Mortality. She is now also living her last life, with no more reincarnations ahead. 

The Different Versions of Hawkman Over the Years

Hawkman and Hawkgirl have had several versions come out over the years. The current versions are the 6th mainstream versions. The versions have been the following: 

Carter Hall I and Shiera Saunders (1939-1994)
Katar Hol I and Shayera Hol I (1961-1988)
Katar Hol II and Shayera Thal (1989-1996)
Carter Hall II and Kendra Saunders I (1999-2011)
Katar Hol III and Kendra Saunders-Munoz (2011-2017)
Carter Hall III, Kendra Saunders II, and Shayera Hol II (2018-present)

Over the years, they have had different versions, but through reincarnation, they are all connected and began from the same people; Ktar the Deathbringer General and Shrra the Herald Angel. 

Ktar and Shrra
Art by Fernando Pasarin

Currently, Hawkman (Carter Hall) and Hawkgirl (Kendra Saunders) are members of the Justice Society. In a recent comic, Carter Hall was shown to be the curator of the Midwest Museum. In the most recent Hawkgirl series, Kendra Saunders relocated to Metropolis to find her own way. Hawkwoman (Shayera Hol) is the leader of Thanagar, but the planet was destroyed and she is currently trying to find a new Thanagar to call home. She is the partner and lover of Hawkman, but they are currently in different locations. 

Art by Mikel Janin

Art by Pablo Villalobos

Powers and Weapons

   

   They have similar powers and some differences. The Nth metal gives them the power of flight, super-strength, super-vision, and healing. Their Nth metal maces are almost indestructive and can repel magic. Hawkman and Hawkwoman's costume and wings come out of the harness or medalions that they wear, while Hawkgirl's wings are organic. 

   Hawkman usually uses his mace or a morning star. Hawkwoman and Hawkgirl usually use a mace as well, but they are also very skilled with the spear. Hawkman has an extremely powerful weapon called the Claw of Horus, but it is rarely used. 

 

   Hawkman also has a spaceship called the Soarship. It has an Nth metal engine, has Zeta Beam transportation abilities and can also shrink to microscopic size to the enter the Micro Universe. It holds most of Hawkman's weapons, records, armor and weapons of his past lives, and many other extremely valuable artifacts of the universe.

   You can read up on a more detailed version story of the current Hawkman, Hawkgirl, and Hawkwoman here. 

A Complete Guide to the History of Hawkman and Hawkgirl (1939 to present)

A picture chart of the Hawks’ history (1939 to present)

Current Comics:

 
They currently do not have their own title, but Hawkman and Hawkgirl are regular members in the JSA series by Jeff Lemire.

Here is a list of comics that the Hawks have been featured in since 1939. (Over 600 issues)

Here is a complete list of trade paperbacks, collections, and omnibuses of Hawkman and Hawkgirl. 

Some of the best Hawkman comics that every Hawkfan should read! 

DC Finest Hawkman Wings Across Time (Includes much of the Silver Age Hawkman and Hawkgirl) (1961-1966)
The Shadow War of Hawkman / Hawkman Special 1986 / Hawkman Vol. 2(1985-1987)

Hawkworld Vol.  1 (1989)
Legend of the Hawkman (2000)
Hawkman Vol. 4 (2002-2006)
Hawkman Vol. V (2018-2021) 

Live Action Hawkman and Hawkgirl

   Since the first appearance of a live action Hawkman in 1979, there have been several versions. While there are others in shorter roles or cameos, there have been four Hawkmen and two Hawkgirls to appear in a TV show or movie. 

Here's a more complete listing of all the actors who have played Hawkman and Hawkgirl.


The articles I have written about the Hawks over the years.

The Basic Foundation of Hawkman
A Flashcard Walk Through Hawkman's History
The History of the Live Action Hawkman and Hawkgirl

The Story of Shayera Hol/ Hawkwoman and Kendra Saunders/Hawkgirl

The Greatest Hawkgirl/Hawkwoman Stories

Discovering Nth Metal

Putting Hawkman Back Together Again   
13 Things You didn't Know About Hawkman 
Hawkman's Ultimate Weapon: The Claw of Horus
The Life of Hawkman as a Japanese Samurai
The Extended Hawkman Family
The History of Kalmoran
Hawkman in Superman/Aquaman Adventure Hour
All About That Mace 
Why Hawkman Matters 
Hawkman and the Atom: An Enduring Friendship 
With Hawkman, Time is Relative
Finding Hawkman and Hawkgirl in the Bronze Age
Shadow Thief: The Villain of Darkness 
Ktar Deathbringer: Hero or Genocidal Murderer 
Hawkman and Black Adam: Egyptian Connection 
Hawkman Refused To Be A Dictoator. Twice. 
Hawkman Was Set Up Beautifully, and DC Comics Put It Away
Hawkman's Super Spaceship; The Soarship
Shayera Thal: The Most Tragic Heroine in DC Comics History 
Finding Hawkman and Hawkgirl After Each DC Crisis Event
The Universe of Hawkman; Single or Multiple Timelines
Who's Wealthier: Hawman or Batman
How Long Have the Hawks Existed
The Writers With the Most Hawkman/Hawkgirl Stories
Ten Best Hawkman Moments of All Time

A list of the writers, artists, editors, and others involved in comics and other media forms who follow Hawkworld.

All the social media sites where you can find Hawkworld:

Facebook
Bluesky
Reddit
Instagram
Threads
Mastodon

If you have any questions about Hawkman, Hawkgirl, Hawkwoman, or anything else concerning Hawkworld, feel free to post them in the comments section below. 

Enjoy discovering the Hawks!