The Many Lives of Hawkman :: Catar-Ol

Hawkman #8

"Cataclysm" Part I: "Requiem"

Cover by Bryan Hitch and Alex Sinclair

Catar-Ol is the Kryptonian incarnation of Hawkman

A historian and keeper of Krypton's most precious artifacts

Kara Zor-El (Supergirl) was one of his students

He was on-planet during Krypton's destruction

Artwork by Bryan Hitch

Inks by Andrew Currie and Andy Owens

Colors by Jeremiah Skipper

DC Rebirth Book of the Week [83]

Book of the Week: Dark Nights - Hawkman Found

Release Date: December 27, 2017

Writer: Jeff Lemire

Artist: Bryan Hitch

Inks: Kevin Nowlan

Colors: Alex Sinclair & Jeremiah Skipper

Dark Nights: Hawkman Found (2017)

Cover by Jim Lee, Scott Williams, Alex Sinclair

Dark Nights: Hawkman Found (2017)

Cover by Liam Sharp, Jason Wright

  

Savage Hawkman #9

Writers: Rob Liefeld & Mark Poulton

Artist: Joe Bennett

A new era begins for the winged wonder with "Nth Ways To Die" led by comics personality Rob Liefeld. With only a couple of references to previous storylines, this next phase starts on a blank slate and feels like a #1 issue for its accessibility and simple premise. Somewhat formulaic, the story has a few good things in its favor that make the title worthy of a second chance. Although the dialog is a bit clichéd, the internal monologue does a great job in summarizing who Hawkman is in this new continuity, and where his recent dilemmas have taken him. The issue also jumps right into the action, saving readers the suffering of a slow set-up chapter. Joe Bennett's art is an immediate breath of fresh air for a series that sorely needed it. Finally, the seeds are planted for the introduction in the DCnU of a character very dear to my heart. Overall, a good start.

Savage Hawkman #4

"The Savage Hawkman vs. The Black Plague" by Tony Daniel marks the conclusion of the series' first arc as the winged wonder fights the terrible menace of Morphicius.  This issue was 100% action, no dull moment, no interludes, and as a result, is the best of the run so far.  Even the art by Philip Tan, which I have been so critical of, found its groove in the fight sequences, and the explosions, and the crashes.  The colors by Sunny Gho were great as well; there is this panel in page 15 that I just loved for its simplicity -see below.  Story wise, we see Hawkman make some new acquaintances -wouldn't call them allies- and the layers of the proverbial onion let themselves be seen as a development regarding the hero's identity is revealed.  If there is a lesson to be learned, is that the book works best when there is more focus on Hawkman and less in Carter Hall.

Art by Philip Tan and Sunny Gho

Savage Hawkman #3

The adventures of The Savage Hawkman take a turn for the worse in "Razing Kane" by Tony Daniel and Philip Tan, and I don't mean storywise, I mean the series itself.  My biggest problem with the title at this point is the art; while Philip Tan had done a somewhat decent work on the first two installments, he left himself go on this one.  With the possible exception of a couple of panels featuring Hawkman, the art hits a low point here, and the bland coloring doesn't help either.  The plot itself does not fare much better either; it seems to be throwing things at a wall just to see what sticks, and that scene with Morphicious' laughing head on a table is a true eye-roller.  Next issue will mark the final confrontation with Morphicious and the conclusion of the first arc for this title, and most likely I'll  be dropping the title after that.

Savage Hawkman #2

Tony Daniel and Philip Tan present "Wings of Darkness", the second chapter of a new beginning for the Savage Hawkman.  The first part of the issue is an all-out fight between the winged wonder and new menace, Morphicius.  Tan does a fantastic job here; there is this splash image in page 4 where Hawkman looks absolutely incredible, and Sunny Gho's colors just add to that.  Daniel takes Carter Hall and us through this new journey in learning the new capabilities of the Nth metal, while leaving Hawkman's past and origin in the backburner for a later time.  The second part of the issue is not as exciting or well executed, and it seems to get lost in itself.  The art is not as good, the big baddie is an underwhelming revelation, and his connection to Morphicious doesn't make much sense.  If I were to split this issue in two, I'd say that #2 was excellent, while #2.5 was not so.

Savage Hawkman #1

Aright, this one makes me nervous.  Two heroes share the privilege of having the most convoluted continuities this side of Crisis:  Donna Troy and Hawkman.  Since we don't know what the status of Ms. Troy in the DCnU is, all eyes are on the Winged Wonder.  Written by Tony Daniel, and pencilled by Philip Tan, Hawkman gets a new beginning and a huge opportunity to clean up the hot mess that has been his history.  Five years after the debut of heroes in our world, Carter Hall is giving up the Hawkman mantle for unknown reasons, but the mantle doesn't want to give him up and drama ensues.  Sunny Gho's colors do a lot to enhance Tan's pencils, which at times can be somewhat iffy; however, in this first issue, the art is very good.  Daniel does a great job writing a haunted Carter Hall and a strong Hawkman.  I am curious enough to get issue number 2 and then we'll see.