The Guide to the History of Hawkman and Hawkgirl/Hawkwoman: Origin

Cover/Center page by Bryan Hitch / Art on right by Fernando Pasarin

The Origin of Hawkman and Hawkwoman

   Before we start with the first appearance of the Hawks in 1939, I want to explain the origin that was revealed in the latest Hawkman series by Robert Venditti. This origin is vital because it helps us understand the story of the Hawks as we go through their history. The true origins of Hawkman and Hawkwoman are revealed in Hawkman Vol. V No. 7 and No. 25. 
At the beginning (beginning of man), Ktar (Hawkman) was created by an evil entity called the Lord of the Void to conquer planets and sacrifice lives to his lord. He was the general of the Deathbringers, an army of winged soldiers and giant robots that killed and destroyed as they went. They conquered many planets; Thanagar, Earth, Rann, Krypton, Qward, Starhaven, and countless others. Ktar and his army murdered billions and billions of people as a sacrifice to his lord. But then two things happened. First, Ktar suddenly began to question his existence and why he was endlessly killing innocent lives. Although he had been created to serve his lord, he was starting to question it. Second, a red-haired woman named Shrra (her name is revealed in Hawkman No. 22) mysteriously began to appear before Ktar on each planet. Her presence was what pushed Ktar away from the control of his master and made him realize that the killing must be stopped. In issue No. 25, it is revealed that Shrra (Hawkwoman) was a herald angel who served a being that appears to be God. She saw something good in Ktar and interfered with God's plans by helping Ktar defeat the Deathbringers and send them into another dimension, preventing the Lord of the Void from entering their universe and destroying it. 

Art: Bryan Hitch / Writer: Robert Venditti

   During the battle with the Deathbringers, Ktar was mortally wounded. With Shrra at his side and holding his hand, he died and awoke to find himself standing in a vast field of skulls, all his victims. A god-like entity (identity is never revealed) appeared before him and said that he had sensed something good in Ktar, so he gave him a choice; pass into the unlife or receive the power of reincarnation. He would live to save lives and he would continue to reincarnate until he had saved as many lives as he had taken, no matter how long it took. Ktar accepted the power and his cycle of reincarnation began. 
Note: writer Robert Venditti has mentioned in interviews that he thought of Ktar as a "reverse-Lucifer," Instead of being made to serve God and then turn evil, Ktar was created to serve a demon-god but rebelled and turned good. 

Art: Marco Castiello / Writer: Robert Venditti 

   Hawkwoman appears in the Hawkman Vol. V series in issue No. 18 and her true origin is finally revealed in issue No. 25. Shrra was a herald of God and she had been assigned to watch over Ktar so that he would not interfere with God's plans. However, Shrra saw something good in Ktar and helped him find the will to go against the Lord of the Void and defeat the Deathbringers. As punishment for disobeying God, she was stripped of her wings and turned into a mortal. She was also condemned to follow Ktar through reincarnation, dying over and over again, until he atoned for all the death he had caused. Shrra vowed to complete the task with Ktar and stand before her God once again. This is how the reincarnation cycle of Hawkman and Hawkwoman began. 

The Ocean Theory and Memory Triggers

   Over the years, there have been times when there were two different versions of Hawkman in the same story. There have also been times when there were new revelations about his past lives, or Hawkman never made any reference at all to his past lives. How can this be? Why wouldn't he remember? How could there be two Hawkmen talking to each other? There are two theories to keep in mind as we read Hawkman's stories. 

Hawkman Vol. V No. 5 (2018)

   In Hawkman Vol. V No. 5 (2018), Atom (Ray Palmer) explains how Hawkman is able to visit with his past selves. Instead of the river theory, where time flows in only one direction, Atom describes the Ocean Theory. Basically, each life is on the surface of the ocean and an event or trip back in time can cause ripples in the water so that the two lives interact with each other. This theory would explain how the Golden Age Hawkman and Silver Age Hawkman met each other during the JSA/JLA crossovers. Atom even says that Hawkman's lives may not have happened in chronological order. Let that bend your mind. 

Hawkman Vol. V No. 5 (2018)

   Atom also describes how Hawkman has left behind a part of his consciousness in each life which explains why he can't remember some of his lives. An item or a place would act as a memory trigger and help him remember a past life. We saw this happen in the very first story of Hawkman in Flash Comics No. 1 (1940) when Carter Hall remembers his past life as Prince Khufu when he comes into contact with a Nth metal knife.
   With these two theories in mind, let's go through the histories of Hawkman and Hawkgirl/Hawkwoman. There have been six main stages of the Hawks over the years. 
Note: In the article, I have placed links to the comics where certain events happened. The link logo is (*). Clicking on the (*) link will take you to the issue the event happened in. 

Click here to go to the other chapters. 
Prelude: The Origin of Hawkman and Hawkgirl/Hawkwoman
Chapter 1: Carter Hall I and Shiera Sanders (1939-1994)
Chapter 2: Katar Hol I and Shayera Hol I (1961-1987, 2015)
Chapter 3: Katar Hol II and Shayera Thal (1989-1996, 2003-2005)
Chapter 4: Carter Hall II and Kendra Saunders I (1999-2010)
Chapter 5: Katar Hol III and Kendra Munoz-Saunders (2011-2018)
Chapter 6: Carter Hall III, Shayera Hol II, Kendra Saunders II (2018-present)