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Issue: Hawkman v.2:no.3 Title: "Secrets, Shadows, and Sinners" Published Date: Oct 1986 Generation: Silver Age Katar & Shayera Retcon Status: Changed Generations? Out of Continuity? Summary: As the story opens, the Hawks are flying back to the Hyathis Corporation's campus, where they were set up last issue. Hawkwoman recollects how they were arrested, but the facts didn't add up. Namely, the police were called to the scene before the Hawks arrived! Held over as long as possible, the Hawks and Captain Frazier find relief in the form of retired Midway City Police Commissioner George Emmett, fresh back in town from DC. He has a package from the White House which he thinks will convince the Hyathis group to drop the charges. The mysterious package does that, and Hyathis asks for the Hawks help in taking down Shadow-Thief, whom they had "unwittingly" employed. Back in the present, the Hawks's arrival is spotted by one of the Thanagarians enslaved employees. He remembers back to a meeting earlier in the week where Emmett presented the CEO with a case full of government contracts if they would drop their complaint against the Hawks. Amazingly, the CEO accepted and the charges were soon dropped... Back once more in the present, Hawkman and Hawkwoman attack Shadow-Thief, who is more than a little surprised to see the Hyathis rent-a-cops leaving him out to dry. Hawkwoman plants several traps for the Thief -- gassing him, then temporarily blinding him. When Shadow-Thief tries to use his death touch, Hawkman uses an electric shock from his gauntlets to shut down Thief's Dimensiometer and end the fight. While the Shadow-Thief is taken into custody, Emmett reveals to the Hawks that he has been asked by his superiors in DC to quietly investigate Hyathis. This leads the Hyathis CEO to threaten the Hawks's friend if they don't leave them alone. Meanwhile, it is discovered by our chain smoking unwilling Hyathis employee that the Thanagarians cannot read the mind of George Emmett... Review: The opening story arc ends on a weird note, with too many flashbacks derailing what could have been a solid issue and otherwise just confusing the proceedings. The fight between Hawkman and Shadow-Thief is the definite highlight, including Hawkwoman's clever traps which all but negate the Thief's advantages. There's a great line in there about how of all the foes the Hawks are facing, at least the Thief is honest about being a sinner. Even the surrounding story of George Emmett is not bad. But the way in which Isabella chooses to present the story is the big undoing here, and makes this issue a let down for me. Don Heck's inks over Howell's pencils is not nearly as eye pleasing as it could be, but the art still looks sharp some 25 years after it was published, at least. Image: Hawkman v.2:no3., 1986, Richard Howell.
Will there be anything with Hawkman or Hawkgirl on the racks today? Let's find out. Flashpoint #1 -- As we saw in the preview yesterday, it looks like Hawkman and Hawkgirl will at least pop up in this series. Again, I am not sure how exactly that jives with the end of Brightest Day. I would chalk it up to editorial confusion except Geoff Johns wrote both issues. So go figure. I believe I ordered the first issue of Flashpoint, but I am withholding judgment until I read it. I am certainly not going whole hog with all the minis and one-shots. Alternate reality stories leave me feeling cold lately, especially when they are the basis for big summer blockbuster events. I mean, what's the point? That having been said if the first issue impresses me I might continue. And hey, it seems a Hawkgirl will be hanging out with Wonder Woman so there's that!
One of the freebies from this past weekend's Free Comic Book Day was a Green Lantern movie preview book which features a preview of Flashpoint #1. And who is there front and center but Hawkman and Hawkgirl! ... Uh, what? It's clearly the Modern Shiera (look at the harness straps across her chest), so what's the deal here? Is Shiera back already, or does this take place during Brightest Day, or at some indeterminate point in the future after she is resurrected? Or is this all part of the wacky timeshifting which seems to be the whole kit and kaboodle of Flashpoint? Yeeeargh, too many options! We'll have to wait and see what this all means, I guess. Thanks to Bearer of the Honor Wings Shag for the image! Image: Flashpoint #1 preview, 2011, Andy Kubert.
Issue: Brightest Day #24 Title: "Brightest Day" Published Date: Apr 2011 Generation: Modern Carter, Modern Shiera Retcon Status: In Continuity Summary: At the forest in Star city, the Dark Entity is on the offensive, attacking and attempting to destroy the forest along with the four elementals. The White Lantern helpfully informs Dove and Boston that they are protecting The Green, the mystical center of the Earth, and that Swamp Thing is no longer connected to it. To that end, he resurrects Alec Holland, who promptly is merged with The Green and battles his dark counterpart. With the Dark Entity defeated, The Green/Swamp Thing spews out the Elementals, bringing them back to life once more -- except for Shiera. Hawkgirl is gone, and as Hawkman attacks Swamp Thing demanding her return, he is simply told that she is not here. Later, in at the Stonechat House in St. Roch, Carter holds up Shiera's helmet which she discarded during their lovemaking after defeating Queen Shrike. The helmet evaporates to nothingness, and Carter's rage is unleashed... Review: Man, what a downer. After the rollercoaster of the first 24 issues, in the end it all culminates in a big Swamp Thing on Swamp Thing fight, with the main characters essentially shuffled off to the side. From a narrative standpoint this makes sense, but emotionally it is disappointing to me to have these 5 characters play second banana to a character who has been exiled to Vertigo for the better part of 2 decades. It's a good wrap-up (and I like that Johns and Tomasi address those who finished their missions in other titles) but ultimately it falls flat as a finale to the stories of these heroes whom we have followed. Now I need to dig up all the back issues and read this in one massive, butt endurance testing session. Image: Brightest Day #24, 2011, Gary Frank.
Issue: Brightest Day #23 Title: "Rise And Fall" Published Date: Apr2011 Generation: Modern Carter, Modern Shiera Retcon Status: In Continuity Summary: As natural chaos erupts all over the Earth, at the Star City Forest, the Entity has gathered together Firestorm, Martian Manhunter, Aquaman, Hawkman, and Hawgirl -- and with the power of the White Lantern, they are transformed into the Elemental champions of the planet Earth. The Hawks are now the avatars of Air, appearing as misty cloud creatures. Outside of the forest, only those chosen by the Entity, such as Captain Boomerang, may enter. The Dark Avatar is rising up, and is revealed to be the muck creature Swamp Thing. The creature's connection with the Green -- the life force of the Earth itself -- has been lost, and now it is embodying the spirit of Nekron. As the Elementals attack the giant plant-based monster, The Entity reveals to Boston Brand, Hawk, and Dove the champion of Earth: Alec Holland. Review: Well, I have to admit that I did not see the Elemental thing coming. Given the Elemental angle, Swamp Thing is not too big of a logical leap, but still, had you told me that this was the Endgame a year ago I would have thought you were crazy. There's a lot of maneuvering and fiddling to get everyone where they need to be for the big finale in the next issue, but there is some nice stuff in here as well. The giant Dark Swamp Thing looks fantastic, for instance, as do the Elemental depictions of our heroes. Unfortunately, the Hawks have little to do other than blow strong winds at the monster this time out. And I am still a little confused as to what exactly the deal is with Swamp Thing, but overall this issue moves along nicely. Image: Brightest Day #23, 2011, Gary Frank.
So, will there be any Hawk merchandise in stores this week? Let's find out. Brightest Day HC v.2 -- The curse of the Hawks continues to play out in this volume, as we learn more about the mysterious Hawkworld and its origins. At some point I would like to read this entire series in one sitting, although when that will happen is anyone's guess given my schedule. Superboy #7 -- Who is the New Titan known as Hawk Lad? And what, if any connection, does he have to any of the previous Winged Wonders? All these questions and more will probably not be answered in this issue. Although I suppose one can infer that Conner survives the Reign of Doomsday, huh?
Finally got to read Brightest Day #23 and #24 last night. So needless to say, I am going to have a lot to say about the conclusion of this epic maxi-series. So keep your eyes peeled this week for write-ups of both issues and then a critical commentary on what this all means. So consider this a preview of coming attractions here at Being Carter Hall. Beyond that, home life is starting to settle down a little bit so I am going to try to get back on track with the blog. It's an interesting time to be a Hawkfan and I want to document it! So watch this space!
