Waiting In The Wings -- 10/15/2008

Is there any Hawk-related stuff coming out this week?  Let's find out!

DC Universe Decisions #3 -- I don't even know if Hawkman is in this or not, but a series about politics in the DCU pretty much is going to feature him at some point.  Don't wait up looking for a review here, folks.

Justice Society of America #19 -- This is more like it!  As the Gog storyline proceeds, it's clear that Geoff Johns has plans in store for the Winged Wonder.  What will go down this month?

DC Identity Crisis Hawkman

One thing DC Direct is pretty good at doing is reproducing a good likeness of an artist's work in three dimensions (some artists better than others, obviously).  That's what we have here with this toy, from the Identity Crisis line, based on the cover artwork of the miniseries by the late Michael Turner.  I never cared all that much for Turner's sequential work, or for his female form, honestly, but as far as doing pinups and covers, he had a good style which really looked unique, and the DCD boys do a good job of capturing that unique style here.

This is a tall figure, standing about 7" at the tips of his Honor Wings, which are about even with his actual wings.  Between that and his base, he easily stands head and shoulders above a lot of other toys.  The sculpt itself is very nice, reproducing the lean and musclular look which Turner was known for.  I like the broad chest tapering down to the narrow waist -- an uncommon look for Hawkman, but put to good use here.  The helmet is overstated and a bit exagerated, with very tall Honor Wings and piercing red eyes peering out from the slits.  But, like the covers, this look works for him, making Hawkman look inscrutable and not a little ticked off at the world.  His colors are bright and vibrant, and the morningstar accessory well-proportioned, though I would have liked a wrist loop.

I want to specifically talk about the wings, which are my favorite part of this toy.  Though not the broadest set of Hawkman wings ever, they are extremely well sculpted, with the details of each individual feather pulled out very nicely from the paint and wash applications applied to them.  They mount on ball joints, and thus are very posable.  The sleek look of the wings does a lot to sell the Turner look for the figure, which to me is a big selling point for lines like this.  If it's based on the artwork of an artist, it should look like the artwork of the artist.

This is a good representation of both the character and the artist.  So I would recommend this toy for both Hawkfans as well as Turner fans (along with the rest of the Identity Crisis line), but be forewarned -- these can be pricey, as I paid $15 for Hawkman.  But if that price doesn't make you balk, this is a good purchase.

Image: Indentity Crisis Hawkman, retrieved from DC Direct.

Read: Flash Comics #4

Issue: Flash Comics #4 (Reprinted in The Golden Age Hawkman Archives v.1)
Title: "Thought Terror"
Published Date: Apr 1940
Generation: Golden Age Carter
Retcon Status: In Continuity

Summary: A man has his future foretold by the Thought Terror, and is informed that he will become intoxicated and then die when he is hit by a car.  Later that evening, the man begins to feel drunk even though he has not had anything to drink.  As a car bears down on him, the man is saved by passer-by Carter Hall, who takes the man home, thinking it strange that he acts drunk but has no alcohol on his breath.  Carter figures that the Thought Terror was hypnotizing his clients and then making the predictions come true.  Hawkman flies off to investigate, first interrogating the driver and then going after the Terror himself.  He runs into trouble with the Terror's mesmerized guards, who in their hypnotized state are unstoppable.  He is captured and thrown in the dungeon.

Shiera finds the dungeon, and then brings Hawkman a blowtorch by which he manages to escape.  Hawkman then tries to find his shield, which he will use (like Perseus and Medusa) to avoid the hypnotic stare of the Terror.  Finding his weapon, Hawkman uses the shiny shield to reflect the Terror's hypnotic stare back on himself, changing him mentally into a harmless kitten.  With the Terror's mind no longer able to control those he hypnotized, his victims and henchmen return to normal.

Review: Much better than the previous Golden Age adventure, this tale of hypnosis and extortion was a lot of fun despite being a fairly quick read.  The Thought Terror makes for an interesting villian (who sadly never re-appeared), and his come-uppance at the end was well deserved and amusing.  This is the first time that artist Sheldon Moldoff would provide art for Hawkman, and he is a good fit, building upon the Alex Raymond look which Neville had in the previous installments but starting to move away from the science fiction look into more of a fantasy style.  It fits the characters very well, especially here with the hooded and robed baddies and Hawkman wielding an ancient shield.

Image: Flash Comics #4, 1940, George Storm.

Heading To Midway!

No, not Midway City (which is in Michigan), but that OTHER Midway, Chicago!  Of course, the Hawks have been known to take wing over the Windy City as well, so it's still thematically appropriate.  

I came into work yesterday to discover that I was booked on a trip to Chicago, uhm, today, so I'll be offline for a couple of days.  I'm armed with Showcase Presents Hawkman v.1, so I should have some nice stuff for you guys when I get back at the end of the week.  Until then, I hope you all have clear skies.  (Oy that was a bad pun.)

Image: Superman And Batman Magazine Hawkman Strip

Another batch of awesome Hawkman artwork, once more courtesy of Honor Wings recepient rob! (whom you can check out at The Aquaman Shrine, and lotsa other quality comic book blogs) from Superman And Batman Magazine #5.  Our story is written by Phil Kupperberg, with art chores handled by Rick Burchett.  It's a fun story, the basic bones of which would not have been out of place as a Bronze Age backup tale or what-have-you.  Hawkman musing on the nature of the Declaration of Independence versus the strict totaltarian rule on Thanagar is a good hook for this version of the character.  The art does a good job of emulating the "Adventures" animated look, and the Hawkworld Hawkman once more looks pretty dang cool in this style.  

I like that Hawkman switches from high-minded intellectual concerns about freedom and liberty to calling out punks and smashing their faces in so easily.  That's how we roll... Thanagarian Style!

Yeaaaah boyeee!

Ahem.

Do you have something neat which is Hawk-related?  Some cool images or rare finds?  Send them along and you too can earn your Honor Wings!

Read: The Brave And The Bold #36.2

Issue: The Brave and The Bold #36 (Reprinted in Showcase Presents: Hawkman v.1)
Title: "Shadow-Thief of Midway City"
Published Date: June/July 1961
Generation: Silver Age Katar
Retcon Status: Changed Generations

Summary: Hawkman and Hawkgirl are recalled to Thanagar by their superiors, but before they can head home, a strange shadowy creature robs the Midway Bank right in front of the helpless security guards!  The Hawks give chase, but the two-dimensional Shadow-Thief is able to escape since they can't lay a hand on him.  With their sharp vision, though, they are able to see his profile, and identify him as Carl Sands, convicted burglar recently released from prison.  Conveniently reminiscing, Sands recalls how he became interested in shadows and light while in prison, and how he accidently discovered another dimension by messing with a color-disk projector.  A being in the other dimension, Thar Dan, was in trouble, and was saved by Sands' meddling.  Rewarding his savior, Thar gave Sands a device known as the Dimensiometer, which gives Sands his two-dimensional abilities.  Unfortunately, if over-used, the device will destroy the Earth by creating another Ice Age -- a fact Sands was unconcerned with.

The Hawks spring a trap on Shadow-Thief when he commits his next job, trapping him in the air.  Realizing that he needs to become three-dimension to escape, Sands tears the Dimensiometer from his wrist, but that is his downfall, as the Hawks are able to catch him in that moment.  As for the device itself, it is now ruined -- just one activation away from causing a new Ice Age.

Review: The most well-known of Hawkman's Rogues Gallery (admittedly not a huge feat, considering) makes his first appearance here, and Shadow-Thief is so well realized, that while some of the details changed, his basic motif has remained the same ever since.  A thief makes a great foe for a museum curator, and when you have heroes who rely on weapons, making him a shadow who cannot be touched is brilliant.  Definitely the "A" story from this issue, with lots of action, police work, and the always-awesome Kubert art, especially on the strangely proportioned Thief.  So far, this has been one of my favorite stories in the first Showcase volume.  

Image: The Brave and The Bold #36, 1961, Joe Kubert.

Hawkman Infant T-Shirt

While searching the Intarweb for a Hawkman t-shirt (of which there are sadly very few!), I came across this little gem.  Get this though: It's a shirt for infants!

That's right, The Retro Baby sells actually sells retro, "Junk Food" style clothes for infants up to 24 months of age.  How bizarre is that?  With the geeks and nerds of the world going out and reproducing, I suppose it was inevitable, but still, this seems a little strange to me!

You can check out the listing for the Hawkman shirt here.  They have other superhero styles, although I feel I should point out to some of my fellow bloggers that there is no Aquaman, Green Arrow, or Martian Manhunter stuff available at this time, while Hawkgirl shows up in a group shot with Batgirl, Wonder Woman, Supergirl, and Mary Marvel.  Neener!

Image: Hawkman infant t-shirt, and detail, retrieved from The Retro Baby.