Normally, not being on Facebook is a good thing. I tend to avoid the numerous annoying attributes of the service which folks who use seem to complain about endlessly. By contrast, Twitter (follow
@ljacone!) allows me to get the word out about things and keep up with folks in a substantially less bloated, more streamlined manner, and forces me to think of what I want to say before I say it. So, no, I don't mind not being on Facebook.
Except at times like this. Bearer Of The Honor Wings (and Twitter buddy) Matt Orr (follow
@HawkmanFans) pinged me with a message over on Twitter about how
Savage Hawkman artist Joe Bennett had posted some character designs on
his Facebook page, including Shayera Thal! (or, "Princess Shayera" as the sketch is labelled.) But, being as I don't belong to Facebook, I couldn't see them! Argh!
So here comes Matt to the rescue by reposting the pics over on his account, which, for some arcane and sure magical reason, I can access. So everyone head on over to the album on
Matt's Facebook page and check 'em out! (In fact, check out all the albums, as Matt is constantly posting sweet Hawk images for everyone to enjoy.)
Now then: Shayera. (Click to Savage-Ize!)
Wowzer! She certainly has a Savage look to her, doesn't she? This is one lady who will fit the "Warrior Princess" motif nicely. I love the armored gauntlets and boots, plus the detail on the tops of her wings. Her helmet is in the same vein as Hawkman's helmet, with all of the extra lines and detail, but I can still see a suggestion of the swoop of the classic Hawkgirl helm. The belt buckle further connects her costume to Hawkman's currently look as well.
I also heartily approve of her choice of weapons! Fans who primarily know Shayera from
Justice League know that she always carried her trusty Nth Metal mace on that show, and she is sporting the same here, plus a sword, for times when a bludgeoning weapon just won't due.
I do want to talk about her breastplate as well. The two hawk symbol plates over her breasts at first blush seem suggestive. But then it hit me as a nod to a Valkyrie-esque armored breastplate. Looking at it now, if anything, it de-emphasizes her bust and makes her look more fierce. Combined with the Hawk emblem between them and the look is one which definitely says the ornate armor of a royal blooded warrior moreso than superheroine or adventurer.
The only thing I really don't like is the bared midriff. I didn't like it on Kendra, I didn't like it in
Brightest Day, and I don't like it here. But I imagine I am in the minority on this front! And the design does use the same busy, almost fussy design aesthetic that Hawkman has in this New 52 Universe, whilst I usually picture Hawkgirl/Hawkwoman as more sleek. I'm willing to go with it, however, because what we know about the Nth Metal is that it is used as
armor (in
Savage Hawkman #9, Xerxes refers to the metal as the "armor" on several occasions), and thus it follows that someone who uses the Nth Metal would be armored up.
It seems from the little tease that we got in
Savage Hawkman #9 and these design sketches that Shayera will be playing a big role in the series new direction, and I for one am eager to see her fully inked and colored and ready to kick butt.
But enough about me, what do you folks think? Are you ready to see this new Shayera take flight? Or would you prefer to see her grounded? What do you think of Joe Bennett's character studies? And what about the other pictures linked in the album, such as a Thanagarian Soldier (*coughcoughWingmancough*) and the Thanagarian ships? Leave me some comments and let's talk about it!
Big thanks once again to Matt Orr for passing these along to me so that I can pass them along to you!