"New Origin of the DC Universe": Screwing Up Hawkman. Again.

 

Back in March, DC Comics announced a new 4-issue series called the "New History of the DC Universe." DC "superfan" Mark Waid would write the history and several top artists would be doing the artwork for the series. This would be a massive undertaking and I wondered how they would handle Hawkman and Hawkgirl's history, if they even cover it at all. 

The first issue came out on June 25. And wow... I was shocked at several things  as I read the book. I don't know about the other charcters, but if Hawkman and Hawkgirl are any indication, this book is an absolute mess. The art is great but they totally screwed up or tried to change the history of the Hawks and even contradicted themselves with their own endnotes. As a Hawkfan, I have questions and also need to set some things straight for those who were as confused as I was and came here for some clarity. There are spoilers ahead and if you still want to read it after that intro, come back after you have read it. 

The History of the Live-Action Hawkman and Hawkgirl.

Since 1979, Hawkman and Hawkgirl have gradually entered the live action scenes of superheroes. While they have yet to get their own mainstream feature, they have have several versions over the years. In my opinion, they have yet to get it right, but maybe someday we will get a movie studio, director, producer, writer and actor who love the characters and do their best to bring us an accurate version that will thrill true Hawkfans. We haven't seen that happen yet but I'm sure it will happen someday.  In the meantime, I've gathered together all of the versions that I've come across over the years. I hope you enjoy the flight!

Thirty-nine years ago, on January 19 and 26, 1979, NBC broadcast "Legends of the Superheroes", a two-part special with several DC heroes and villains. This was also the show that gave us our first live-action Hawkman. Do you know how many men and women have played Hawkman and Hawkgirl over the years? While live-action Batman actors are almost too numerous to count, the number who have played the Winged Wonders on silver or small screens have been few and far between. Let's take a look at the actors who have played the Hawks over the years.

Hawkworld Reddit Reaches 800 Followers!

 

Hawkworld Reddit just started 4 months ago and we have already hit 800 followers! Many thanks to all who have already joined! We post stuff over there daily, so if you often come over to Reddit, please share your Hawkman/Hawkgirl stuff with on the Hawkworld subreddit! LINK 

Have a Question about Hawkman or Hawkgirl?

Have a question about Hawkman or Hawkgirl?
Ask me anything about Hawkman, Hawkgirl, Hawkwoman, or anything else related to Hawkworld! I’ll do my best to answer and post the question and answer here on Hawkworld.org!

jgarmann99: Hi, the Johns run is about to be omnibussed (is that a word?),is that a good starting point? Thanks.

The Geoff Johns run has been released several times in different formats over the years. Not sure why they are doing it yet again. The best starting point is Robert Venditti's Hawkman series. It's in 28 issues or 4 trades. Here's a list of all the trades and ominbuses with all the contents listed. 

Jet-Let4606: Whats your favourite Hawk story? Do you prefer the alien warriors or the reincarnation origins? Do you like where the franchise is currently?

I have many favorite stories; Hawkworld Vol. 1 (1989), Legend of the Hawkman (2000), The Return of Hawkman (JSA No. 23-25, 2001), and the entirety of Hawkman Vol. V (201802021).
I have no favorite version, but I wouldn't mind seeing the current Carter Hall set up his base onThanagar. Best of both worlds. 
I love where Venditti left Hawkman and Hawkwoman back together in Hawkman Vol. V. And with Kendra far, far away. Currently, for reasons unknown, Carter is back with Kendra as members of the Justice Society and Hawkwoman on her own at Thanagar. I hope they put Hawkman and Hawkwoman back together soon. 

 More questions and answers below! 

Hawkman among Worst Ever Retcons

Hawkman Vol. 3 No. 13

Zero Hour: Crisis in Time No. 3

Retcons in comics are as common as fleas on a dog. They've been doing it forever and it seems like they need to do it once every two or three years lately. Hawkman has been a part of, and often a victim of that process. He has been retconned numerous times over the past few decades and it takes a comics book fan with a doctorate in Hawkology from the University of Thanagar to sort it all out. Seven hells, that's part of the fun of being a Hawkfan. 

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

By Tim Board

   Since the release of the Dark Nights Metal series in 2017-18, Hawkfans have been wondering when Hawkman and Hawkgirl were going to get back together. The current Hawkman series kicked off in June 2018, but Hawkgirl was not a part of the series. We saw her in some of her past lives; Chay-ara, Shayera Thal, and Sherra, but we never saw her as Hawkgirl in the first 18 issues. That all changed in the final 11 issues. We also saw Hawkwoman and Hawkgirl face off in the Justice League series (#14-16). This article is to explain who Hawkgirl and Hawkwoman are and their connection to Hawkman.

Hawkworld Continues to Grow!

Hawkworld continues to grow! Hawkworld started back in January 2016 on Facebook, and today it reached 15,000 members! This is an amazing accomplishment that we never thought possible! The Hawkworld blog continues to increase its daily views, receiving anywhere from at least 500 views a day to over 800 or more!  Bluesky has also continued to grow, reaching 1500 followers this past week. Reddit was just started back in February but we already have over 700 followers there as well.
Many thanks to everyone who has joined and followed Hawkworld to follow Hawkman, Hawkwoman, and Hawkgirl! Give the blog a follow as well if you can. You can join from the web version of the blog. 

Thank you for helping Hawkworld continue to soar! 

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Celebrating Gardner Fox

Gardner Fox, the creator of Hawkman, Hawkgirl, and s many other characters, is one of the greatest writers in comics' history! Share your thoughts about Gardner Fox in the comments section below or on the threads on Bluesky, Reddit, or Facebook!

Tributes below!

DC Comics August 2025 Solicitations for Hawkman and Hawkgirl

DC Comics' solicitations for August 2025 are out. I managed to find three comics with the Hawks. If I come across more, I'll add them to the list.

  

JSA #10 Variant Cover by Jorge Corona

JSA #10 Cover by Leonardo Romero

JSA No. 10 
Release Date: August 6 

Movie Scenario for Hawkman and Hawkwoman by Tim Board

 CHARACTERS

Hawkman /Carter Hall (Earth)
Location: Midway City
Job: Archaeologist / Symbologist
Powers: Flight / Enhanced Strength, Vision, Hearing / Healing Powers
Communication with Birds
Weapons: Mace, Net

DC's 45 Strongest Chracters: Where Does Hawkman Rank

   CBR recently put out a list of DC's 45 strongest characters in the DCU. To be honest, I wasn't expecting to see Hawkman ion this list but he just snuck in at No. 44. That's pretty impressive, considering all the powerhouses that the DCU has. The Nth Metal added with Hawkman's expertise with the metal is a pretty potent mix. The article doesn't even mention his ultimate weapon; the Claw of Horus. If you add that, he would probably move up even a few more spots. We recently saw Hawkman give Black Adam (No. 6 on the list) a good fight in the latter's movie, and Hawkman also sent Superman hurtling into a mountain back in Superman Batman Public Enemies (2009). Let's hope we get to see Hawkgirl showcased just as well in the upcoming movie. 

A Thing of Beauty is a Joy Forever (Hawkman Comics)

 Doing some spring cleaning and decided to line up most of my Hawkman Comics for a group photo before putting them back on the shelf. A thing of beauty is a joy forever! 

Back on the shelf! 

Trades, too! 

Bonus! Signed Hawkman Vol. V issues 1-29! (Gift from Robert Venditti!)

 

DC Comics Solicitations July 2025

 The solicitations for DC Comics' July 2025 were released. Hawkman and Hawkgirl show up in four releases. One new issue and three trades. 

Screen Rant: DC’s Most Surprising Familial Relationships You Won’t Believe

    

   With all of his reincarnations and past lives, Hawkman and Hawkgirl have some surprising family connections with other Superheroes. Screen Rant put out an article this week of the top ten most surprising and Hawkman made the list twice. You can check out the article here. 

   A few years ago, I made a famly map of Hawkman. If you don't know much about Hawkman's history, this may be a lot to take in, but here it is. 

DC Finest: Hawkman - Wings Across Time

 News for another trade for Hawkman Comics! The Silver Age Hawkman will get a collection of his earliest stories from 1960-1966! It will include the following:
The Brave and the Bold #34-36, #42-44
Mystery in Space #87-90 
The Atom #7 (Hawkman and Atom's first meeting) 
Hawkman Vol. 1 #1-16 (of 27 issues) 

It will be 560 pages and cost a reasonable $39.99!  It comes out on August 19, 2025!  Here's an announcement about the book on Penguin Random House.

Check out the other trades that are available for Hawkman here!  

Come join the Hawkworld communities! 

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Hawkman's Powers in The Batman (2004)

 

        Hawkman made a few appearances in DC cartoons back in the 2000s. Some were pretty bad (Justice League Unlimited), but his appearances in The Batman series were fun to watch. Hard to understand why an awesome looking character with so many cool powers continues to be used so sparingly. Enjoy the highlight video by Rafael Ridolph! 

DC Comics Solicitations June 2025

Art by Scott Knoblish

   DC Comics June 2025 solicitations are out! Hawkman and Hawkgirl continue their run in the JSA series, but there is no mention or sighting of Hawkwoman in the Green Lantern Corps this month. There is a new series by Mark Waid called The New History of the DC Universe. It appears to be the history or DC through the eyes of Barry Allan, at least the first issue is. Not expecting much from this, but we'll see what happens. Here are the details for the three comics, including Green Lantern Corps. 

CBR: This Controversial Green Lantern Corps Romance Needs to Be Avoided at All Costs

 

   The fan backlash against Hawkwoman (Shayera Hol II) apparently being paired up with John Stewart continues in another great article by Timothy Blake Donohoo. Shayera recently has appeared in the Green Lantern Corps series by Jeremy Adams and Morgan Hampton. When Shayera went to the Green Lanterns for help after Thanagar was destroyed, it was apparent that she has some sort of history with John Stewart. No details have been given, but John Stewart appeared to dread seeing her again. Shayera seemed a bit flirty with him in a couple of scenes. Donohoo focuses on John Stewart's position in the DC universe, or lack of one, but also reminds readers how great the Hawkman series by Robert Venditti was for the Hawks and how it brought them back together. 

DC Has Their Own Wolverine (And It’s Not Who You Think) - ComicBook.com

Art by Bryan Hitch

 

   Since he hit the mainstream 25 years ago, Wolverine has often been compared to Hawkman. There are similarities and this article by David Harth does a pretty good job of describing the two heroes and how they match up. Personally, I think Hawkman could be a combination of several Marvel characters, Wolverine (healing, fighting), Thor (hammer- mace), Archangel (wings), and maybe even Moira MacTaggert (reincarnation). Take a look at the article and see what you think of the comparisons! LINK

There really doesn’t seem to be any character who fits the Wolverine mold, but actually DC has had their own Wolverine for much longer than Wolverine has existed — the leader of the Golden Age Justice Society of America known as Hawkman.

Hawkman first appeared in Flash Comics #1 from 1940, his hawk mask, giant wings, and morningstar mace setting him apart from the other early heroes of DC. Looking at Hawkman’s history, there are many, many parallels between him and Wolverine. Hawkman is one of the most complex characters in comics, much like Wolverine, and just needs to find the right portrayal to reach the heights of Marvel’s ol’Canucklehead.  

Check out the article! LINK  

If you want to know more about the history of Hawkman, here you go!

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Why Hawkman and Hawkwoman Matter: A DC Comics News Article by Matthew Lloyd

 

   Matthew Lloyd wrote a great article for DC Comics News about the apparent return of the Shayera Hol and John Stewart's relationship and why Hawkman and Hawkwoman belong together. 

Ok. I’m going to TRY to make this POSITIVE. Unfortunately, it’s inspired by the recent appearances of Hawkwoman in Green Lantern Corps. The first two issues have teased something…terrible for fans of the Hawks. It’s easy to get upset and come out swinging with criticism…don’t worry, it’ll come. Eventually. I’m trying to start with lauding the most significant aspect of Hawkman and Hawkwoman/ girl (she shall be Hawkwoman for the remainder of the article as it’s a name change and not necessarily a different character being referenced- unless it is!). So, what’s unique and special about the Hawks? What’s the one thing about them that is significantly different from other characters and why does it set them apart and why does it matter?

   He also graciously included some of my article on the history of the Hawks. Check out the full article here and leave a comment for if you can!