REVIEW: ‘Hawkman,’ Issue #10

The Hawkman #10, published by DC Comics, kicks an ancient war into high gear. This Armageddon is brought to you by the talented writing of Robert Venditti, the art of Bryan Hitch, Andrew Currie and Bryan Hitch on ink duty, and Jeremiah Skipper painting the colors. Lettering is provided by Richard Starkings and Comicraft.

The last issue brought the Deathbringers to London. Hawkman, with his pal Madame Xanadu and no other weapon in his arsenal, mostly stands alone. He faces off against a cadre of indomitable beings who casually murder billions over eons for the satisfaction of a dark god. Carter Hall, Hawkman, has lived countless lives trying to redeem himself, but now, it all seems pointless. Idamm, now the leader of the Deathbringers, has brought the hate. Cooped up in another dimension, by Hawkman, for ages has left him more than a little vengeful. He’s out for murder. All of the Earth. And, after that, any planet Carter once lived on.

Naturally, when the hero meets the villain, that issue is a climactic battle, and Hawkman #10 is just that. Hawkman is down for the count throughout, whooped, insulted, and guilt ridden. Idamm has but to give the signal, and the giant Deathbringers hovering above will reign down destruction. It’s the perfect time for Carter to surrender, die, and maybe be reborn again elsewhere. Fat chance of that.

He knows nothing stands in their way except for him. Heck, there isn’t even a superhero guest star, not a single one. We’ve got Carter Hall reduced to a low state I’ve rarely seen him at, and an uncounted number of enemies. So what is he to do? Fight!

The creative team that has been bringing such splendid work to this series does just that. This entire issue is not only a mindless battle, but it represents a beautiful ballet of aerial combat. From Hawkman’s clawing his way up from doom, lots of swooping ups and downs, and some amazing acrobatic rescues, this issue really exemplifies Hawkman’s main power: flight. I read this and was reminded of the Battle over Britain, but with winged men in the place of Spitfires and Messerschmidt fighters. Bryan Hitch does a gorgeous job yet again, and the colors and inks continue to make the green in Carter’s pants, the yellow in his bandoleer and Xanadu’s purple powers stand out. Everything looks sunny for such a drastic storyline.

Hawkman has to manage these terrors while saving the people of London, and this allows Venditti to give us the softer, humane side of Carter Hall. This is a do-or-die issue. It puts forth why Hawkman is my favorite superhero. He is a balls to the wall, serious character with an incredibly long pedigree who simply refuses to give up.

And then, that ending. Right when all is lost, Robert Venditti whips out something from his writing arsenal that simply made me sit up and cheer. It was shocking to say the least. I can’t give it away. Get to know this character! Buy a copy. Buy two and give one to a geek friend. This is a great title of self exploration with exemplary pacing, masterful art and a complex hero who is acquiring some very neat new layers. I haven’t had too many thrills the last several years with the New 52. Too much of the DC lore I loved most was wiped away. But Hawkman is definitely one of the great comebacks.

Grab Hawkman #10 for the fine art, the fighting, and for the surprise at the end. Then, tell a friend. Tell a lot of friends.