Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Read: Hawkman v.4:no.19

Issue: Hawkman v.4:no.19 (Collected in Hawkman v.3: Enemies And Allies)
Title: "Hunting For History"
Published Date: Nov 2003
Generation: Modern Carter
Retcon Status: In Continuity

Summary:  In Khandaq, Carter Hall and Daniel Evans have arrived in order to consult on an archeological dig being undertaken by an American University professor.  Once on the site, the party is attacked by an anthropomorphic bird man and Black Adam!  Carter quickly ditches his work clothes and dons the wings, taking to the skies to defend his friends.  Adam and Hawkman brawl a little bit, but Adam tells him that he is protecting his history -- the site is the tomb of Adam's family, who were killed while Adam was in Egypt helping Prince Khufu wage a war.  Adam tells Hawkman that he wants him to join the group he is putting together to liberate Khandaq, and proactively bring justice to those who need it.  Hawkman refuses to join, but honors Adam's request.  When inquiring about the bird man, Adam tells Hawkman that he is Northwind, Carter and Shiera's godson, who has now further changed into an avian form, and has joined him on his quest.  Adam uses his super breath to recover the site in sand and leaves.  Hawkman suddenly finds himself bleeding, as back in St. Roch, a mysterious figure stabs a Hawkman voodoo doll...

Review: Not much to recommend this issue, unfortunately.  It serves primarily as a transition from the Thanagarian storyline to set up both the Headhunter storyline as well as the big Black Reign crossover with JSA which was on the horizon.  In the end it makes for unsatisfying reading, offering little more than a quick introduction of Northwind and a little glimpse into the history between Khufu and Theo-Adam.  The art by Scot Eaton is pretty standard, neither especially good nor bad.  Safely skippable.

Image: Hawkman v.4:no.19, 2003, John Watson.

2 comments:

Mr P said...

Yeah, not a bad issue, but definitely one of the weakest. It's main strength is as a prelude to Black Reign and would make more sense if it had been collected with that trade.

Luke said...

The only reason I can see collecting it in this volume as opposed to Black Reign is the stuff with the Hangman and his voodoo doll. Frankly, this issue serves double duty and neither one particularly well in my opinion.