The History of the Live-Action Hawkman and Hawkgirl.

By Tim Board (Hawkworld Facebook and Hawkworld Twitter) Updated!

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.

The Hawks Set to Return in a New Justice Society Series

After years of teases, cameos, and even a canceled Geoff Johns/Bryan Hitch project, it appears that the Justice Society is finally returning. DC Comics announced the solicitations for November 2022 and the JSA was in the lineup. There will be a one-shot issue released on November 8. Details below the cover art!

And then two weeks later, a regular series by Geoff Johns kicks off. 

The New Golden Age #1
Script by Geoff Johns 
Art by Steve Lieber, Jerry Ordway, and Diego Olortegui
Cover by Mikel Janin, Variant covers by Gary Frank, Todd Nauck, Michael Allred, Dan Hipp and David Talaski
$4.99 US, 48 pages
On sale 11/8/22

From the Justice Society of America to the Legion of Super-Heroes, The New Golden Age will unlock DC's epic and secret-ridden history of heroism, launching a new group of titles set firmly in the DC Universe. From the 1940s to the 3040s, heroes take on the great evils of their time. But in the aftermath of Flashpoint Beyond, those heroes and villains will have their lives turned upside down. DC's future…and its past…will never be the same again. But how are Mime and Marionette connected to this? Why are Rip Hunter and the Time Masters the most unlikable heroes in the DC Universe? And who or what is…Nostalgia? Don't miss the start of the strangest mystery to have ever plagued the DC Universe.

Justice Society of America #1
Script by Geoff Johns
Art and cover by Mikel Janin
Variant covers by Yanick Paquette, Joe Quinones, Jerry Ordway, Steve Lieber
$3.99 US, 32 pages 
On sale 11/22/22

The JSA returns in this monthly series by writer Geoff Johns and artist Mikel Janín with "Justice Society of America: The New Golden Age Part One"! The world's first and greatest superheroes return! Or do they? A long-lost hero from the JSA crashes into our era with a grave warning… but it's too late. A mysterious and malevolent enemy has invaded the entire history of the JSA, and an all-new team must come together to defeat it. But what deadly secret does this messenger from beyond keep? Where are they from? And why is all of this happening now? Only the Time Masters know…

 It's been a long wait, but it appears that the JSA is finally coming back. Let's keep our fingers crossed for no cancelations or changes of plans. Let's hope Jim Lee can resist changing the series' name to Batman and the Justice Society before it comes out! Here are some more articles from other sites:

CBR.com 
Newsarama 
Gizmodo 
ICV2 

Hawkman on Six covers in October 2022 Solicitations

 The solicitations for October 2022 were released and Hawkman and Hawkgirl appear on six covers. Most are promotion variants for the Black Adam movie coming out on October 21. 

Multiversity: Teen Justice #5 

Black Adam movie variant cover by Lee Bermejo
Comes out on October 4

 

Review of Black Adam The Justice Society Files: Hawkman No. 1

Script: Cavan Scott
Pencils: Scot Eaton
Inks: Norm Rapmund
Colors: Andrew Dalhouse
Letters: Rob Leigh
Cover: Haare Andrews
Editor: Katie Kubert

   I had no idea what to expect for this issue, and it's supposed to be a lead-in to the movie, so I approached it as a completely elseworld story. This Hawkman looked almost nothing like the Hawkmen we've had in the past, so I expected a lot of changes. However, Cavan Scott has written Hawkman and Hawkwoman before, and he has been "loyal" to the basic idea of Hawkman. He picked up very nicely (DC Love is a Battlefield, 2021) where Robert Venditti left off so I wasn't TOO worried. 

A Guide Through the History of Hawkman and Hawkwoman/Hawkgirl (In Progress)

   Hawkman and Hawkgirl are two of the most iconic characters in American comics history. In the 80+ years since their first appearances, there have been over 600 comics that featured one or both heroes. They have also been a part of many superhero teams and numerous crisis/crossover events that DC Comics has specialized in over the last few decades. They have been through many reboots, rewrites, and restarts. For a new comic book reader, it's natural not to know where to start with a character that has been around for 80+ years. That's where I come in! I have been a Hawk fan since 1977 when I discovered Hawkman on the back of an out-of-date 1976 DC Calendar. I have followed the twists, turns, flips, and flops over the years to keep it in order. This article is to help you see the amazing journey that these two characters have been on. I'll post a link to the list of comic books that they have a prominent role in, so if you want to look for something and the dates, you'll probably find it there. Enjoy the journey! 

Link: Hawkman and Hawkgirl/Hawkwoman Comics Lists 

Talking about Hawkman and Hawkwoman!

 

Here are the times Yours Truly has been invited to a podcast, zoom chat, YouTube interview, or website article to talk about Hawkman over the years. It's been an honor each and every time. 

13th Dimension: Why Hawkman Matters 

13th Dimension: 13 Things You Didn't Know about Hawkman

13th Dimension: 13 Colorful - And Often Weird - Hawkman Designs 

Bleeding Cool: Hawkman's Ultimate Weapon: The Claw of Horus 

Bleeding Cool: ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas on Hawkworld 

13th Dimension: Winging It: 13 Great Batman and Hawkman Moments 

13th Dimension: 13 Things We Want to See in the New Hawkman Series 

DC World: Confessions of a DC Geek: 

The Angrygeeks Show Podcast: Hawkworld

The Comic Source Podcast: Talking Hawkman with Robert Venditti 

The Comic Source Podcast: Hawkman Day with Robert Venditti
Comic Book University: Spotlight on Hawkworld 
DarkKnightNation: Let's Talk Comics with Hawkworld 
ComicManJake: Hawkman Day with Tim Board
Pop Culture Squad: Winged Passion – Tim Board’s Hawkworld 

Thinking Critical: Hawkman 80th Anniversary Special with Hawkworld's Tim Board 

The Kilted Lantern Podcast: A Hawkman discussion with Tim Board
The Comics Lair: A Hawkman Celebration with Robert Venditti, Tim Board, and Nancy Northcott 

I'm always up for a fun chat about Hawkman and Hawkwoman so send me a PM, DM, or email (houseofhawkman@gmail.com) to let me know when and where! 

Black Reign (JSA/Hawkman 2004)

 In 2004, Geoff Johns wrote a six-issue story that crossover over in the JSA and Hawkman series. It told the story of how Black Adam took over Khandaq and how the Justice Society went to stop him. It was one of the highlights of both series. The upcoming Black Adam movie (July 2022) will probably take its main storyline from this series. It's a fantastic story that is well worth picking up. You can find the collection of the six issues in the JSA #8 trade paperback. Another official Black Reign trade is scheduled to come out in June. Definitely worth picking up!

#1 JSA No. 56	#3 JSA No. 57	#5 JSA No. 58
#2 Hawkman No. 23	#4 Hawkman No. 24	#6 Hawkman No. 25

Robert Venditti Article on Thinking Critical

 Wes of Thinking Critical interviews Robert Venditti, the writer of X-O Manowar, Green Lantern, Hawkman, Freedom Fighters, Superman '78, and many other great books. Rob even mentions my reaction when they announced that he was writing Hawkman. (I was thrilled!) Check out the interview for lots of background stories about how he approached the character of Hawkman and others! 

Collection of Hawkworld Figures!

The Hawkworld Report Podcast: Finding Hawkman and Hawkgirl in the Bronze Age

 In this episode, we'll look at the current comics with the Hawks, check the most recent Black Adam movie news, and look at where to find Hawkman and Hawkgirl during the Bronze Age (1970-1985). LINK

Hawkworld 6th Anniversary!

January 15 is the 6th anniversary of Hawkworld! Thank you for all the support! To celebrate, I'm giving away one copy of Robert Venditti's Hawkman! The winner can pick the volume of their choice (1-4)! To enter, go to Twitter (like and retweet) or Facebook (like and share)! The winner will be announced on January 15! Thanks to everyone for all their support over the years! 

The Hawkworld Report Podcast: What's Going On With Hawkgirl and Hawkwoman?

Check out my podcast The Hawkworld Report! LINK

1. Current Hawks in the Comics
2. Black Adam Updates
3. Explaining the Hawkgirl/Hawkwoman Situation 

Hawkman Review 2021: A Year of Cameos, Flashbacks, Teases, Deaths, and Waiting

 The Year 2021 was a typical between-series year for Hawkman; cameos, flashbacks, unfulfilled teases, panel fillers, several deaths, and solicitations that delivered nothing. Hawkgirl had a bit more this year in the Justice League series, but Hawkwoman made only one appearance. Hawkman also made appearances in two DC animated films but both were massive disappointments. Below is a summary of all the appearances the Hawks made this year. 

'Tis the Season to be Freezin': A Hawkman-Harley Quinn Story

'Tis the Season to be Freezin' 
"A Change of Heart" 
Script: Tara Roberts 
Art: Eric Battle 
Colors: Eva De La Cruz
Letters: Ferran Delgado
Editor: Katie Kubert

 It's been exactly 10 months since we got a Hawkman story where he is not a cameo, flashback, or panel filler. They announced the issue in the September solicitations, but there has been very little talk about the issue since, and since Hawkman is not even listed on the contents page, most fans will probably miss this one. It's the sixth story of eight in the issue and told over ten pages, which is actually two more than we got back in February's "DC Love is a Battlefield." 

Hawkman by Alex Ross

 Over the years, Alex Ross has given us some truly magnificent works of Hawkman. Although his work is out of my price range, I was fortunate to get a signed print of the cover of Justice No. 7. Here are the pieces that Ross has given us over the years. Here are the links to Alex Ross' websites: Official Website / Twitter / Facebook / Instagram

Hawkman and Hawkwoman/Hawkgirl's History in Comics!

 Celebrating Hawkman's 82nd Anniversary! Hawkman made his first appearance in Flash Comics No. 1 on November 20, 1939! To celebrate the greatest winged hero in comics' history, I've put together some information to help old and new fans to find Hawkman and Hawkwoman/Hawkgirl's comics! The pictures are color-coded to make it a bit easier:
Red: Golden Age Carter Hall I and Shiera Sanders I
Blue: Silver/Bronze Age Katar Hol I and Shayera Hol I
Yellow: Modern Age Katar Hol II and Shayera Thal
Green: 1999-2011 Carter Hall II and Kendra Saunders I
Orange: New 52 Katar Hol III and Kendra Munoz-Sanchez
Light Blue: Rebirth-Present Carter Hall III, Shayera Hol II, Kendra Saunders II
Purple: Two or more versions.

Collecting Hawkman Comics! What to do?!

 
It's been a year since the last Hawkman series ended! What's a Hawkfan to do when Comic Book Day has nothing to offer? The answer is Back Issues! Collecting all of the series, mini-series, one-shots, guest appearances, and backup features is always fun. 

I keep track of everything I have with CLZ. It's a great site to keep track of what you have so check it out.

I often go to MyComicShop.com to look for what I'm missing. You can also tell them what you are looking for and they will email you when it comes in so it's pretty handy. 

Win a Copy of Hawkman Awakening Signed by Robert Venditti!

 Hawkman Day 2021 is coming soon! November 20 is the 82nd anniversary of Hawkman's first appearance in Flash Comics No. 1! The cover date is January 1940, but according to Grand Comics Database, the actual release date was November 20, 1939. So Hawkworld has always celebrated Hawkman's anniversary on this day. 

This year, we have a special giveaway contest to celebrate! Here's your chance to get a copy of Hawkman Awakening (issues #1-6) of Robert Venditti and Bryan Hitch's Hawkman! And it will be signed by Venditti himself! One winner will be randomly chosen on November 20! To enter, just come over to Twitter and retweet the contest tweet and leave a comment! Hawkfans will be posting a bunch of things to celebrate Hawkman's birthday so come over and join! See you there! 

Introducing My Hawkman Collection in Japanese

 I don't often post stuff on YouTube, but I made a short video introducing my Hawkman collection in Japanese. Hawkman is not very well known in Japan, but that may all change after next year's Black Adam. 

Special Announcement Coming Up for Hawkman Day 2021!

Hawkman's 82nd anniversary is coming up in November! I've got something really cool to announce on October 20th! No, not a new Hawkman series. Not that cool but still pretty darn cool! Stay tuned.