REVIEW: ‘Hawkman’, Issue #28

As Hawkman draws closer to a close, it is still expertly maintained by writer Robert Venditti. Fernando Pasarin is the series artist, with Oclair Albert and Wade vonGrawbadger inking his work. Jeromy Cox is the colorist for this series and Rob Leigh is its letterer. This team has been doing phenomenal work on the title character and his supporting cast. This series is published monthly by DC Comics, until next month, when it sadly ends. But, we still get this fantastic issue to enjoy for now. The Hawks found one another, are in love, defeated the Lord Beyond the Void and even took a trip. Of sorts.

But all is not well. Hawkman and Hawkwoman died, only to awaken the last issue in the 1940s. But, they were with their pals in the Justice Society of America, so all is right in their world. Hawkman and Hawkwoman gave up all of their reincarnation prowess a few issues ago, and now find they are, like everyone else, very mortal. The time travel back to revisit old superhero pals is short-lived, as the Hawks react quite differently to being mortal. For Shayera, the Hawkwoman, life is meant to end, she simply had a much longer run. But Carter Hall, Hawkman, finds mortality frightening. He is terrified of dying, and this has Shayera concerned about his effectiveness in a fight.

As if things couldn’t be more mysterious or dramatic, enter an age-old enemy in a new form. Hastor, inhabited by Hath-Set, the man who killed Carter and Shayera back in ancient Egypt when Carter was Prince Khufu, and Shayera was Chay-ara. That murder, using a dagger made of Nth Metal (which reincarnates our heroes…and their foe) has linked this trio down through the ages. But now, the villain has sensed that that link is broken, and he needs to know why.

With Shayera’s tough love and encouragement, Carter seeks out Hastor, and the Hawks fly off to face him. Having finally gotten back together, even slaying a god, one might think Hastor would be old hat, an easy victory for the Hawks to notch on their belt. However, Carter is afraid to fight now, Shayera, as usual, is all too eager. This offers an imbalanced coupling and throws a spanner in the works. No spoilers, dear readers, but the follow-through for this issue is never a dull moment.

Venditti has built up the best Hawkman since he was redone in the Silver Age by creator Gardner Fox and artist Adam Kubert. This is said with knowledge of the excellent work done on the character in the 1980s with The Shadow War of Hawkman and later on with Hawkworld (even the New 52’s Savage Hawkman, a great initial start that unfortunately fizzled out). This is the best example of Carter Hall and Hawkman, of Shayera and Hawkwoman yet conceived, and it would be shameful to not have this storyline continue on in some form as DC reworks its lore in the months to come. Hawkman is continually given new character layers to put under the lens, and even as the series is ending, this particular writing gem never slows down.

The art team works wonders once more. As usual, Hawkman is a book worthy of glaring at each and every panel. From a simple page of a couple in discourse to dramatic fight scenes, everything shines. The ink work was a little light this time around, but to be expected for the amount of daylight scenery. The book is illuminated by Cox’s color choices and Leigh’s lettering. It would also be a boon if this team moved on to another book as one unit so that other fans might enjoy the collective work they put out.

This issue is brilliant from start to finish. As depressing as it is to wait for what will be the final issue in this character-defining series, it is also going to be hard to wait around for how the end to the battle against Hath-Set plays out, and what the future holds for DC’s Winged Warriors.

Hawkman #28 is available wherever comic books are sold.