Summary

• Longstanding DC hero Hawkman didn't receive a definitive origin story, or a character-defining solo run, until 2018, when author Robert Venditti crafted one of contemporary comics greatest arcs.
• Throughout Venditti's Hawkman run, the character – along with Hawkwoman – was given a new cosmic importance, with a history spanning space and time.
• Hawkman was full of impactful action, lore-altering character moments, and gratifying nods to the character's past for those readers who recognized, like Robert Venditti, that Hawkman was overdue to become one of DC's most exciting characters.

Since the Golden Age, Hawkman has remained among DC's most underrated superheroes. Initially based on the Hawkmen from Flash Gordon comic strips, the hero has evolved into one of the industry's most complicated origins. In 2018, Robert Venditti and Bryan Hitch revitalized the character, giving him his own solo ongoing series for the first time in years, and set out to definitively establish his continuity once and for all.

The 2018 Hawkman series follows Carter Hall on a journey to learn about his past lives in a bid to save the world from a cult of winged warriors, the Deathbringers, and the Lord Beyond the Void.

However, this army of cosmic terror is just one of many challenges the hero faces along the way, with everything from alternate versions of himself to old enemies making an appearance. The series is a true modern classic for DC fans, and has plenty of great moments for fans to enjoy.

10 Hawkman's True Origin Was The Ultimate Heroic Sacrifice

Featured In Hawkman #7

While the past lives of Hawkman have been the subject of numerous comics, it wasn't until the 2018 series that his origin story was finally explained in full detail. Here, Carter Hall discovers that in his original life, he was the leader of a cosmic cult, the Deathbringers, who were devoted to bringing the Lord Beyond the Void to their dimension. In order to do this, they had to sacrifice billions of beings to the Void.

Ktar Deathbringer came to regret his actions, as Shayera was sent to his side by a deity. Deeply affected by her presence, Ktar sabotaged the efforts of his cult, and was challenged by his friend, Idamm, for control. After being killed in the process of trapping the cultists in a dark dimension, Ktar found himself before the deity, who gave him his power of immortality, which would last until he saved as many lives as he took. The origin made for a compelling one, adding even more meaning to the eternal romance between the Hawks.

9 The Defeat Of Sky Tyrant Proved Carter Hall's Incredible Willpower

Featured in Hawkman #22-23

In the dramatic climax of the storyline, Carter was finally able to wrestle control of his body back from his villainous personality, proving the strength and fortitude of the hero's willpower.

Along with many other titles, the 2018 Hawkman series became part of the "Year of the Villain" event, a DC Comics crossover story that saw several heroes corrupted into the army of the Batman Who Laughs, a version of the Caped Crusader corrupted by Joker venom. Chief among those who fell prey was Hawkman himself, who was transformed into his Earth-3 counterpart, Sky Tyrant. As the villain took over Carter's body and caused chaos, the hero's consciousness lingered, desperately fighting Sky Tyrant for control.

In the dramatic climax of the storyline, Carter was finally able to wrestle control of his body back from his villainous personality, proving the strength and fortitude of the hero's willpower. Considering that even Batman was unable to overcome Jokerization, this remains one of Carter Hall's most impressive feats.

8 The "Hawkman" Series Kicked Off With A Fight With A Winged Gorilla

Featured in Hawkman #1

In the first issue of the 2018 Hawkman series, Carter Hall makes his way to Greece, where he recovers a lost artifact, the Nautilus of Revealment. However, as he retrieves the relic, he wakes a giant gorilla, identified as Ooahk Kung, who attacks the hero in pursuit of the Nautilus. In one of the series' most epic fights, Carter flies through the underground caverns of the area known as Ape's Paw, evading the King Kong-sized beast.

Hawkman's battle with the giant winged gorilla was the perfect opening for the series, capturing the science fiction fantasy adventure combination that was yet to come. The battle reached its peak when the hero was stunned to see the ape sprout wings and give chase in the air, showing the hero didn't have his typical advantage of flight. When enough was enough, Hawkman reluctantly destroyed his attacker, noting in classic Indiana Jones fashion that he regretted the destruction of history.

7 Hawkman Formed An Alliance With The Shade

Featured in Hawkman #15

Shade is one of DC's most gentlemanly, reasonable and least malevolent villains, one who has past associations with Hawkman.

After his battle with the Deathbringers, Hawkman continued his search for answers about his past lives, leading to a fight with his arch-enemy, Shadow Thief. After being upgraded by Lex Luthor during the "Year of the Villain" event, the master thief was able to best his enemy, sending him on the retreat In a bid to fight the master of shadows, Carter sought the assistance of the Shade.

As surprising as a team-up with one of DC's most underrated villains may be, it's actually reminiscent of Shade's mentorship of Jack Knight during the early days of his career as Starman. After all, Shade is one of DC's most gentlemanly, reasonable and least malevolent villains, one who has past associations with Hawkman. Together, they attempted to escape Shadow Thief -- only for him to shock everyone by using the shadows of the criminal's mouth to trap Carter.

6 Hawkman's Reunion With Atom Restored A Fan-Favorite Friendship

Featured in Hawkman #5-6

Putting [Hawkman and Atom] back in action together was an act of great fan service from writer Robert Venditti, while also delivering an epic fight.

As Hawkman investigated his past lives, one journey led him to the Microverse, the domain of his close friend and former partner, Ray Palmer -- the Atom. The pair returned to Hawkman's ship, where they reminisced and discussed the hero's investigation into his past lives. When they realized Hawkman had stored a weapon that could defeat the Deathbringers in the Microverse, the pair set off for its most dangerous world: Moz-Ga, the living planet.

Hawkman's reunion with Atom restored one of the Silver Age's greatest partnerships, as well as offering an opportunity for Palmer to fill in some gaps for Carter's understanding of his reincarnation. Putting the two back in action together was an act of great fan service from writer Robert Venditti, while also delivering an epic fight as the heroes took on the machinations of their living planet foe.

5 The Hawks' Love Ended A War

Featured In Hawk #13

Hawkman #13 follows Hawkman and Hawkwoman as they're incarnated as soldiers on the opposing side to one another, locked in a cycle of being killed and reincarnated endlessly.

Arguably one of the best single issues in Venditti's run of Hawkman is issue thirteen, thanks to its exploration of one of the Hawks' most tragic past lives. The issue is retold by Carter from his journal, and documents a centuries-long war between two factions, the H'Gris and Malanite forces. Hawkman #13 follows Hawkman and Hawkwoman as they're incarnated as soldiers on the opposing side to one another, locked in a cycle of being killed and reincarnated endlessly.

Hawkman #13 concludes when Carter's old self risks his life by walking into no man's land, throwing down his guns in the name of peace. When Hawkwoman's past self, Sherra, takes a chance, the pair meet on the field of battle, with their gesture of love bringing a dramatic, heartfelt end to the H'Gris-Malanite War.

4 The Hawks Vanquished The Lord Beyond The Void

Featured in Hawkman #26

It made for a great moment of satisfaction for the Hawks to finally vanquish their enemy in Hawkman #26.

The Lord Beyond the Void proved to be the main, looming threat in the 2018 Hawkman series, with Carter's origin being tied back to his time in the Deathbringer cult, which revolved around the villain. Upon attempting to harvest the life force of the Hawk heroes, the entity got more than he bargained for when they decided to give him everything, overwhelming him in the process.

After fighting the Deathbringers in several issues, as well as taking on the Lord Beyond the Void himself in issue twenty-five, it made for a great moment of satisfaction for the Hawks to finally vanquish their enemy in Hawkman #26. Their victory was all the more satisfying, considering it finally relieved Hawkman of his reincarnation curse, showing he had fulfilled his promise to save as many lives as he had taken.

3 The Hawks Reunited With Their Golden Age Friends

Featured in Hawkman #27

Hawkman #27 itself remains one of the best modern JSA comics, and could work as a brilliant entry point to the DC Universe's first team.

The Justice Society of America were the original team on which Hawkman served, so it made all the more emotional of a reunion when Carter was sent back in time to the Golden Age. After having their mortality restored, the deity sent the Hawks to the 1940s, where they were at their happiest. There, they fought alongside their old friends, such as Jay Garrick and Alan Scott.

Something that made this issue all the more important is the fact it was the first return of the JSA in its prime since before the New 52.

The original Justice Society finally reuniting in their Golden Age setting made for a great callback to DC's past, and paved the way for a new, happier future for them. The scene gave newer readers a short tour of the best heroes and villains from DC's 1940s era, highlighting characters like Wildcat, Brain Wave, Degaton and Sandman. Hawkman #27 itself remains one of the best modern JSA comics, and could work as a brilliant entry point to the DC Universe's first team.

2 The Hawks Were Given A Happy Ending

Featured in Hawkman #29

Allowing the Hawks to move on with their lives, now gifted with an extended lifespan, made for the perfect conclusion to their story.

After being sent back to the Golden Age, the Hawks were pursued by their enemy, Hath-Set, now reincarnated as Anton Hastor. After the Hawks battled a train full of zombies under the control of the villain, the now-mortal heroes defeated their enemy and start edtheir new lives. Readers were then shown a brief montage of their further adventures, reuniting with the JSA to battle the likes of Wotan.

Allowing the Hawks to move on with their lives, now gifted with an extended lifespan, made for the perfect conclusion to their story. The added knowledge that the duo became integral to the Legion of Super-Heroes in the future made it even better, revealing Hawkwoman to be a mentor to the heroes, as Hawkman keeps the history of the DCU.

1 Hawkman Fought Alongside His Past Selves

Featured in Hawkman #10-11

After teasing so many of these older identities throughout the series, seeing everyone united in one battle made for the title's Avengers: Endgame moment.

In the climax of Hawkman's battle with Idam and his Deathbringer army, the hero seemed hopelessly outmatched. With the giant, planet-killing machines positioned around the world, Carter was almost beaten. However, before the villain could claim victory, the hero was ed by dozens of his past lives, who took on the Deathbringers in direct combat. After teasing so many of these older identities throughout the series, seeing everyone united in one battle made for the title's Avengers: Endgame moment.

Seeing all of Hawkman's past lives in action made for one of the best moments of any DC comic post-Rebirth, even if just for the variety of character designs on display. The page is a veritable who's who of throwback Hawkman designs, from a Rocketeer-inpsired pulp hero to the old cowboy version of the hero, Nighthawk. Every new viewing of the fight delivers something new, and the more attention readers pay to the details, the more easter eggs to classic comics they see.