Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Waiting In The Wings -- 06/22/2011

In this strange intermezzo, will Hawkman or Hawkgirl appear on the shelves this week?  Let's see.

Brightest Day Aftermath: The Search #1 -- I passed on this series when it was initially solicited since it didn't sound like it had much at all to do with Brightest Day.  So of course when they updated the solicits to include Hawkman, it was a bit too late for me to order it.  So I am going to hold off and just buy the trade at this point.  Because you know there is going to be a trade, there always is.  Although, knowing DC I might have to get this in HC if I want to read it at some reasonable point in the future, but hey that's why DCBS is here.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Hawkman to Pick Up After Brightest Day

Thanks to commenter Ryan, we have the following little tidbit from Bleeding Cool via the DC Retailer Summit:

...DCU Presents, Green Arrow and Hawkman are picking up where Brightest Day left off.  

Which is not surprising at all.  I would add Firestorm and Aquaman to that list, most likely, from what we have seen from the early information.  And as I said, its not surprising at all considering that Johns sketched all of these arcs out for the Brightest Day guys (and Krul wrote the BD stuff for Green Arrow).  Again, as I have said before, I wasn't sure about how to take Hawkman after the end of Brightest Day, I am glad that my initial concerns of "why did I buy Brightest Day?" are evidently baseless.

Also interesting to note:

Most of the released solicitation images for the DC Relaunch are not the covers for the first issue – so look forward to all those being announced soon as well.

Interesting!  Some of those more iconic images not being the covers to the #1s is a strange approach, but who knows?  Maybe the actual covers will be even more iconic.

Thanks again, Ryan!  

Read: Hawkman v.4:no20

Issue: Hawkman v.4:no.20
Title: "The Headhunter, Part 1"
Published Date: Dec 2003
Generation: Modern Carter, Kendra
Retcon Status: In Continuity

Summary:  During a tenement fire in St. Roch, Hawkman and Hawkgirl save a trapped family from the flames.  The next day, Carter Hall is filling in at the University for the missing History professor, much to the delight of the starry-eyed female students.  After class, Kendra tells Carter that she is re-enrolling in school... and going out on a date with a fellow film student.  She is apprehensive, but Carter encourages her to go.

Later, Hawkman patrols the city with The Atom, and winds up at Kendra's favorite diner, claiming that he "felt like a burger."  Later, Hawkman sits perched in the rain keeping watch over Kendra's apartment.  When he spots a man in another apartment beating his wife, the Winged Wonder swoops in and takes him down.  But he suddenly finds himself racked with pain as the Headhunter makes his appearance, stabbing a Hawkman voodoo doll.  They fight up to Kendra's apartment, and Hawkman counterattacks, but ends up hurting himself as he his the doll.  Headhunter retreats, biding his time, while Kendra returns to find Hawkman bleeding out!

Review: The new story arc kicks off with a bang this issue, as Johns and Rags bring their A-Game to this issue.  Headhunter is a dangerous and evil new foe, and reading this story makes me super eager to read the next installment (even though I have read the arc several times at this point).  This is the sort of story I like to read in modern superhero comics, in that it takes the basics of the heroes involved and pits them against a new threat, which fits in well with what has already been established.  The Indiana Jones reference made me laugh, and was a nice juxtaposition with the grim scenes later on.  After a few low key issues, this one is a winner.

Interesting note, the cover image actually does occur in the issue, a novel twist in the modern comics scene.  Also, the wife beater is wearing a Strong Bad "Fhqwhgads" shirt!

Image: Hawkman v.4:no.20, 2003, John Watson.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Waiting In The Wings -- 06/15/2011

As we roll on towards the September relaunch, is there any Hawkmerch in stores this week to help keep us occupied?  Let's have a look and see.

Flashpoint: Wonder Woman And The Furies #1 -- Judging from the cover, Hawkgirl is one of the Amazing Amazon's Furies.  Which, considering her predilection for bashing people's brains in, makes sense to me. I may pick up the mainline Flashpoint title but these periphery books don't hold much interest for me.  And even that potential of the main book is only because it's rebooting the entire freaking universe.

Justice League: Cry For Justice -- Now, I made no bones about the fact that while this series initially turned me off, after getting a few issues for free (my brother had bought them and let me have them after reading them), I started to warm up to it.  By the end I was really digging what Robinson and friends were doing here.  Hawkgirl has some appearances as part of the Justice League but the main star here is Hawk Frenemy Green Arrow, who takes center stage.  Let me put it this way: this comic made me buy a Green Arrow comic, something nothing and no one had been able to do prior.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

CBR Interview With Tony Daniel

Yesterday on Comic Book Resources, we got an interview with Tony Daniel, where he discusses his new Batman title as well as The Savage Hawkman.  You can read the entire interview right here.

The copy for the first issue reads very much like an origin story. Is that the case? And if so, was it necessary to do an origin due to the character's long, and sometimes convoluted, backstory?

It's not an origin story, but the approach is, as if we're meeting this guy for the first time. He's already Hawkman. He's already lost the love of his life. It took me several months to work through his initial arc. It was very, very hard work. He's setting up new roots in NYC. I'm establishing a supporting cast of characters. Some are human, some are more than human. Some friend, some foe. I didn't feel I had the luxury of a great rogues gallery, such as the likes of The Flash or Batman. I need to make challenges for Carter Hall/Hawkman from the ground up.

My first priority was to introduce a character who will eventually be his nemesis. His arch-enemy. I'm very excited about that.

Another arch-enemy?  I understand the desire to rejigger everything and introduce new characters.  But a newly introduced nemesis seems a bit excessive, and they never seem to work out.  But if Shiera is not there then having someone other than Hath-Set as the Big Bad makes sense.

Regarding the Rogues Gallery, yeah, Hawkman doesn't have the strongest or most recognizable band of baddies, I still think that some of the old school foes need to stick around.  shadow-Thief, for one.  I.Q. is still around and availbe now that Doom Patrol is over.  Lion-Mane would be great, especially considering the new "savage" approach.  Can't you see the two of them tearing into each other?  And of course the Gentleman Ghost.  Everyone loves Gentleman Ghost.  The solicitcations seem to suggest that his new foes will be alien in origin, which is fine with me.  

My main hope is that Daniel keeps some of the stronger characters from older stories.

You mentioned he's already lost the love of his life. So may I ask, what role, if any, does Shiera Saunders/Hawkgirl/Hawkwoman play in this series?

For now I can't say a whole lot. People will have to wait and see how things develop this fall.

Expecting any information on this development in this interview is silly.  Sooner or later we'll get Hawkgirl, but for the time being the Winged Wonder is going to be flying solo.

We have to wait and be patient.  I feel like I am talking to my 2 year old.

As an artist yourself, can you break down the strengths of Philip Tan? As the book's writer, what do you feel he brings as a collaborator?

I'm very excited about Philip Tan's incredible artwork. People are about to have their socks knocked off when they see what this kid is doing. He's come of age here. Philip has been dying to do a Hawkman book for a long time. He has so much built up energy and excitement for this book. He's worked many, many hours working on character designs, layouts, cover ideas and that was way before he even had a finished script.

The passion he has is definitely translating onto the page. He's doing a great inkwash technique that is mind blowing. So he brings a lot to the table as an artist. This is important to him and he's working his butt off with the art. I'm happy I have him as my artist.

I really dig Philip Tan's work.  Very dynamic and very energetic.  I have said it before but my main issue is his timeliness.  Hopefully he can get ahead enough that we can avoid too many fill-ins like we did on Outsiders (before they just said the hell with it and brought in Kieth Giffen).  His take on the Savage Hawkman looks good in the single image we have seen, and Tan is very good at detailed costumes like this one, so I am definitely eager to see his sequential work.

What else can you tell us about "The Savage Hawkman" as it appears much more Indiana Jones in style than the gritty Bat-books you're known for?

Maybe a bit more Sherlock Holmes, the Robert Downey Jr. version, than Indy, but some of that too. Plus some savage beatdowns. It's going to be very exciting. Lots of adventure. Lots of fun characters being introduced.

Is it sad that I own the Robert Downey Jr. version of Sherlock Holmes and have yet to watch it?

So we should take note of the word "Savage" in the title?

He'll be savage when he needs to be, which could be a lot.

I suspect that he'll be Savage quite frequently, yes.

Overall, a good interview.  Daniel saying that this was not his pitch suggests that this was Johns new direction for Hawkman as planned by Brightest Day.  Just that Daniel is actually performing the story.  I enjoyed Battle For The Cowl, but have never read his stuff on Batman.  I feel pretty good about him taking on Hawkman because I think Tony Daniel will write straight forward, earnest superhero Hawkman stories, which is what I am looking for in this title.  And Philip Tan will definitely bring a visual flare to the character which will certainly be unique amongst the lexicon of Hawkman comics.  So now the waiting game begins, as we anticipate September 28th and the bowing of the fifth Hawkman series.

Monday, June 13, 2011

A Thanagarian Green Lantern Toy?

I was at Walmart the other day, and on a whim, decided to flip through the new Mattel Green Lantern toys.  Mostly, I was looking for a Larvox, since I have it on good authority that he is in the film, and he is a favorite mine from the days when I collected the DC Cosmic Teams trading cards.  While I was out of luck on that front, I did come across this reptilian looking guy, and read the back of his card.  

So needless to say I was surprised that this Isamot Kol was in fact a Thanagarian!

One quick trip to Wikipedia revealed that Isamot is a Lizarkon, and a veteran of the Rann-Thanagar War.  Which is odd to me, because a Lizarkon would most likely be a Downsider, and I don't know that we have ever seen Downsiders actually fighting in a Thanagarian military force, only Wingmen.  So who knows.  The character was introduced in Green Lantern Corps: Recharge and has been a minor character since.   But having a Thanagarian Green Lantern is such a novel thing for me, that I may go back and buy his toy.  

Can you imagine Hawkman with a Green Lantern ring?  Yeah, me neither.  With the way things went down at the end of Brightest Day I am thinking Red Lantern, personally.

Image: Isamot Kol toy, 2011, image retrieved from ToysRUs.com.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Classic "Hombre Aquila" Pog

Hawkman is back!  In POG form!

Image: "Hombre Aguila" Pog, ????, image obtained from eBay.  

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Read: Flash Comics #20

Issue: Flash Comics #20 (Reprinted in The Golden Age Hawkman Archives v.1)
Title: "The Mad Bomber" (suggested title)
Published Date: Aug 1941
Generation: Golden Age Carter
Retcon Status: In Continuity

Summary:  A remote-guided bomb strikes at a high rise in New York.  The next day, a notice appears from the bomber, saying that he can strike anywhere he wants at any time.  As Hawkman patrols the skies, he is nearly struck by one of the remote bombs!  Following it to its target, he is able to save the intended victim -- Big Frenchy, a gangster boss.  Frenchy agrees to work with Hawkman to find out who tried to kill him.  As the Winged Wonder and the racketeer investigate, they discover that the bomber, a madman named Sathan, is working with Frenchy's men to eliminate the boss so that he can take over his racket.  

Independently, Shiera has tracked down Sathan and tries to take him into custody.  She is subdued by his men and thrown into the incinerator chute!  Just then, Hawkman and Frenchy arrive.  While Frenchy faces off with Sathan, Hawkman saves his lady.  Together the heroes take down the bomber.  On Hawkman's suggestion, Frenchy gives up a life of crime and becomes a policeman, helping with the interrogation of Sathan which leads to his conviction.

Review: Oh boy, this is definitely a lesser entry in this series so far.  Despite the title, the remote bombs disappear very early in the story, and the main plot revolves around Frenchy and his eventual redemption.  It's not exactly thrilling material.  The main strength I can give the issue is Moldoff's art, as usual.  I have really grown to appreciate his style and it continues to impress.

Insanely, when Hawkman is saving Shiera from falling to a burning death in the incinerator, he calls her an "idiot" and considers letting her fall as a punishment!  The Golden Age, ladies and gentlemen...

Image: Flash Comics #20, 1941, Everett E. Hibbard.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Waiting In The Wings -- 06/08/2011

Is there any Winged Wonder swag available today?  Let's find out!

Brightest Day Series 1 Hawkgirl Action Figure -- Seeing as I just got the DCUC Hawkgirl, I don't think I will be picking this one up any time soon.  Although I have to to ask the questions (as opposed to asking The Question): why the heck is "Series 1" of the Brightest Day toys only coming out now?  We've been seeing advertisements for these guys for a LONG time, and it's not like the Blackest Night toys which had endless Black Lantern variants to keep folks interested.  I mean, yes, there is the potential for White Lantern variants but are those going to sell nearly as well as Black Lanterns?  I doubt it.  Seems like DC should have gotten these to market during Brightest Day in order to maximize their exposure.  Still, at some point I will pick this figure up in order to increase the pathetic amount of Hawkgirl merch I own!

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Acquired: DCUC Hawkgirl vs Gentleman Ghost

In all the Savage Hawkman and "DCnU" (ugh) news over the last few days, a personal item from me slipped through the cracks.

Picked up at Walmart for a cool $21 on clearance, I got the DCUC Hawkgirl versus Gentleman Ghost two-pack!  What I find amazing is that I found this set on clearance, yet never actually saw them for sale normally.  How does that work?  

In any event I have not had a chance to open them up, but for that price I was not going to pass them up.  Hawkgirl especially seems to go for Big Bucks (Big Bucks Big Bucks No Whammies STOP!) online.  Plus they both just look so darn cool!

Thursday, June 2, 2011

New Poll on Being Carter Hall... Again.

Okay, the poll has been updated following the release of information on The Savage Hawkman. Click through and vote!

The Savage Hawkman by Daniel and Tan!

Looks like we got SWERVED!

Straight from The Source:

Batman writer Tony Daniel will team up with artist Philip Tan (GREEN LANTERN: AGENT ORANGE, THE OUTSIDERS) for THE SAVAGE HAWKMAN #1. Carter Hall's skill at deciphering lost languages has led him to a job with an archeologist who specializes in alien ruins – but will the doctor's latest discovery spread an alien plague through New York City? No matter the personal cost, Carter Hall must don his cowl and wings and become the new, savage Hawkman to survive. The cover to issue #1 is by Philip Tan.

Tony Daniel instead of James Robinson, huh?  Interesting!  I don't have a particular problem with Tony Daniel, as I have only ever read a handful of his stuff, but he seems well suited to writing straight superheroics.  This pretty much confirms that we'll be sticking with Egyptian Prince and not Space Cop, too.

And the title, The Savage Hawkman?  Certainly an evocative name!  Phillip Tan's mega-macho depiction certainly fits with it.  Although I am not sure what the heck is going on with that axe -- no culture from Earth that I am aware of had weaponry like that!  Maybe the "alien ruins" bit is a hint?

Let the anticipation begin, folks...

Also, I guess my poll is outdated now.  I'll put a new one up later.

More on the Hawkman "Movie"

Wackiness continues related to the "start of production" on the Hawkman feature, including this log line, via Gammasquad (itself via The Playlist):

"Part INDIANA JONES/DA VINCI CODE, part GHOST tentpole about the fictional superhero that appears in D.C. Comic books. He used archaic weaponry and large, artificial wings attached to a harness made of the Nth metal that allows flight. Most incarnations of Hawkman work closely with a partner/romantic interest named Hawkgirl or Hawkwoman in his fight against supervillains. Based on the DC comic."

Indiana Jones I'd buy.  Da Vinci Code?  Not so much.  But that may be because The Da Vinci Code was a brain-damagingly bad movie.

All of this is too amusing to me, since none of this will ever amount to anything* and it's all going to be for naught.



*I reserve the right to deny making these claims if this movie is actually made.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

New Poll on Being Carter Hall

Check it out folks, here's a new poll: Would you buy an ongoing Hawkman series by Robinson and Tan?

Just (click through if necessary and then) head over to the right and vote!

Robinson and Tan on Hawkman Post-Flashpoint?

With yesterday's announcement, it looks like the rumor mill has begun cranking once again!

From Comic Book Resources:

Hawkman #1 - While fans have known a "Hawkman" series by James Robinson has been in the works since the writer mentioned it on a panel at New York Comic Con, Bleeding Cool's Rich Johnston has been reporting the rumor that the book will be drawn by "Batman & Robin" and "Outsiders" artist Philip Tan.

We here at Being Carter Hall have long suspected that this series was in the works, and Robinson and Tan is a team I can get behind.  Only concern from me for this pair is Tan's tendency to run behind schedule, which was what necessitated Kieth Giffen's entry into Outsiders.  Still, another shot for Hawkman in a solo title is nothing to sneeze at, especially if this reboot is as far-reaching and as absolute.  It would give Robinson a clean slate continuity wise to just tell good Hawkstories.  

And hopefully Hawkgirl/Hawkwoman will be along for the ride too.

So what do you folks think?  Is this rumor reason to be happy?