The Greatest Hawkgirl/Hawkwoman Stories

By Tim Board

Art by Ed Coutts

On April 25, 1941, in All-Star Comics No. 5, Shiera Sanders became Hawkgirl for the first time, and so began the story of one of the most famous and recognizable characters in the history of DC Comics. Hawkgirl may have been a sort of sidekick to Hawkman in the beginning, but she is no man's sidekick now. She is one of the most interesting and powerful characters in comics, with her own set of powers, abilities, and history. I could have gone into her history to celebrate Hawkgirl Day 2020, but this year I thought I would list my favorite Hawkgirl stories. I'm sure every Hawkgirl/Hawkwoman fan has their own favorites, so my apologies in advance if they aren't on the list. I also tried to do a countdown of best stories, but that proved to be difficult since I like them equally. So here are my favorite Hawkgirl/Hawkwoman stories in chronological order. Let us know which is your favorite in the comments!

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. 

Celebrating Hawkgirl Day! (April 25)

 Since we started Hawkworld back in 2016, we have celebrated Hawkgirl Day on April 25. Shiera Saunders first appeared as Hawkgirl in All-Star Comics No. 5, which was released on April 25, 1941. Techincally Shiera didn't become Hawkgirl until Flash Comics No. 24, but even then she didn't officially become THE Hawkgirl until later. But she dressed up as Hawkgirl for the first time and helped Hawkman so we consider April 25, 1941 as her debut as Hawkgirl. 
This week, from April 20 to April 25, we'll be putting the spotlight on the different versions of Hawkgirl and Hawkwoman that we've seen over the years. 

The History of Hawkman and Hawkgirl 

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

Shiera Saunders (1941-1994) 
First Appearance: Flash Comics No. 1 (January 1940)

Review of Green Lantern Corps No. 3 (Hawkwoman!)

    

   Green Lantern Corps No. 3 came out on April 9 and Holy Horus. I wasn't expecting something like this to happen out of nowhere in a non-Hawkman book, but seeing how things how gone in DC Comics lately, I wasn't all that surprised. Short-term gain, long term chaos seems to be the road map for DC now. This review of GLC No. 3 will be full of spoilers, so go read the first three issues of the series before you scroll down. By the seven hells, you've been warned. 

Hawkwoman in Game Rant Rankings: Best of All-Time and Most Powerful

Art by David Finch

   Game Rant put out a couple of DC heroine rankings this past week and Hawkwoman/Hawkgirl is on both so I thought I'd share! Nothing much is said in the articles, but it's nice to know she is still recognized. I guess that comes with her appearance in the upcoming Superman movie. I'm sure there will be more spotlights coming her way this year. Click the links for the article! 

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. 

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! 

Review of Green Lantern Corps No. 2 (Hawkwoman!)

Green Lantern Corps No. 1

Green Lantern Corps No. 2

    Hawkwoman has finally made her return to the DC Universe in the Green Lantern Corps series. As far as we know, this is still the version we saw in the Hawkman series by Robert Venditti (2019-2021, issues No. 18-29). She is Shayera Hol, the Empress of Thanagar and the eternal love of Hawkman (Carter Hall III). They were finally freed from their reincarnation curse and chose to live their last life together. We've seen them in short stories during the past few years, traveling the universe together. 

DC's Love is a Battlefield (2021)

Wanted: Hawkworld Ambassadors!

 

Wanted: Hawkworld Ambassadors!
I've loved Hawkman since I was a kid and the Internet has given me many opportunities to keep him soaring when he doesn't have a book. Please share the Hawkworld links with your friends and help me keep Hawkman and Hawkgirl/Hawkwoman soaring! 

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Hawkwoman is back in Green Lantern Corps No. 2!

 Hawkwoman (Shayera Hol II) is back! Check out Green Lantern Corps No. 2! Review coming later! 

LINK (One Spoiler Panel)

DC Comics Solicitations May 2025

JSA #7

    DC Comics' solicitations are out! None of the Hawks are mentioned in the solicitations in anyway this month, but there are two series where they MIGHT show up. There is also a tiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnyyyyy Hawkman on a Superman variant cover so I'll list that as well. Sadly. still no news or rumors of a Hawkman series yet. Keep soaring! 

P.S. I've started a Hawkworld community on Reddit, so come on over! 

Hawkworld is now on Reddit!

   Hawkworld is now on Reddit! I've been meaning to do this for a while, but since I have deleted Instagram, Threads, and TwitterX, I thought now is a good time as any. I thought a fellow Hawkfan had started a community a few years ago but I could not find it so I decided to start my own. Feel free to come over and join. Tell your friends and let's build the community together! 

Hawkworld Reddit link: https://www.reddit.com/r/Hawkworld/

Hawkwoman appears in Green Lantern Corps No. 1!

Variant by Ariel Olivetti

Cover by Fernando Pasarin

Variant by Gavin Guidry

  We knew it was coming but not sure when. Well, it finally happened. Hawkwoman (Shayera Hol) made a last-page appearance in Green Lantern Corps No. 1, which was released on February 12. Spoilers ahead, so if you haven't read the issue yet and don't want me to spoil it, come back after you have read it. 

Dear CBR, Hawkman and Hawkwoman are not over!

   DC's Lex and the City was released on January 29 and we got a bit of a surprise with a 10-page Hawkman story at the very end. I've already written my own review, but I saw a CBR article and I have to give my two cents on that article as well. 

   The CBR article is titled "DC's Most Popular Relationship Is Over" and it pretty much jumps to the conclusion that Hawkgirl (Kendra Saunders) and Hawkwoman (Shayera Hol) have both abandoned Hawkman (Carter Hall), leaving him alone and pining for Shiera. 

   But reading the article, it's not that conclusive. It just states where things stand now. We all know that nothing in comics is ever permanent, so the title is just a bit of a clickbait, but I have to disagree with a couple of things. 

Hawkman Story in DC's Lex and the City

From DC's Lex and the City (March 2025)

   We got a bit of a surprise last week when Hawkman unexpectedly appeared in a story in the issue titled DC's Lex and the City.  The book is a collection of eight anthology stories and Hawkman's story is the last story in the book. Below is a spoiler-rich review of the story, so if you haven't read it yet, go check it out! 

Jeremy Adams Hints at a Relationship between Hawkwoman and John Stewart.

JSA No. 6

Green Lantern Corps No. 3

   In the current Green Lantern Corps series, Hawkwoman will be making an appearance in March. She will be fighting alongside John Stewart and some of the other Green Lanterns to save Thanagar. First, here are some comments that Jeremy Adams made about Hawkwoman in a recent interview (from Newsorama):

DC Comics Solicitations April 2025

   The DC Comics solicitations for April 2025 are out! The big surprise is that there are, not one, but two comics with Hawkwoman on the cover! After being missing in action for so long, it's nice to see her making something of a comeback. In JSA No. 6, there's the ominous note that one JSA member will not make it out of the Tower of Fate alive. (Better not be Hawkman...)

Predictions for Hawkworld 2025

Predictions and Hopes for Hawkworld 2025

   It's been a slow few years for Hawkman and Hawkwoman. Ever since the end of the Hawkman series in 2021 and Justice League in 2022, it's been a long run of cameos, cover art appearances, and a few sudden appearances here and there with a line or two at best. Hawkgirl has had it a bit better, with her continued appearances with the Justice League, and the announcement of her role in the upcoming Superman movie. We'll ignore that disastrous Hawkgirl mini-series and just move on like it never happened. 

   So what will we see for the Hawks in 2025? Here are a few bold predictions for 2025. 

Debunking a Hawkgirl Article

   Screen Rant came out with an article today titled "DC Flips the Script on Hawkman and Hawkgirl's Dynamic." Here is the link to the article. I have some things to say about the article.  

ScreenRant Article Heading