Comic Review: Hawkman #2

Hawkman #2

DC Comics

Writer: Robert Venditti

Artist: Bryan Hitch

Hawkman’s origin makes no sense.  Characters like Batman and Superman appeal to the masses not only because they are great characters, but because their backgrounds and motivations are easy to understand.  If you had to explain who Batman was to a person who never heard of him before, I’d imagine it wouldn’t be that difficult.  On the other hand, if you could explain Hawkman’s origin to a friend or family member, you deserve a Nobel Prize.  Archaeologist Carter Hall is one of the many reincarnations of the Egyptian Prince Khufu.  To make matters more complicated, sometimes he is an alien (and sometimes he’s not), there are multiple Hawkmen (but sometimes there’s not), and sometimes the multiple Hawkmen fight one another (even though they are sometimes the same person).  Confused yet?

Hawkman suffers from what I call The Wonder Woman Problem.  Even though Wonder Woman is a great character, her origins and supporting cast are not clearly defined.  This leads to many Wonder Woman writers trying to “fix” the character instead of telling interesting stories with her.  Hawkman suffers from a similar problem.  Because many authors try to untangle Hawkman’s origin, few actually provide meaningful character development.  This is why I tend to avoid Hawkman books.  However, Robert Venditti’s Hawkman addresses the character’s origin while adding elements of intrigue and exploration that a Hawkman book hasn’t had in quite some time.

Hawkman #2 picks up directly from the first issue, with Hawkman en route to the British Museum to uncover mysteries from his past.  While other Hawkman writers had to choose between whether or not Hawkman was a reincarnated prince or an alien from the planet Thanagar, Robert Venditti adds a new twist to the character’s past.  Apparently, Prince Khufu was not the first in the line of Hawkmen.  Dr. Hall explains that he has spent many lives on other planets including Thanagar, Rann, and Krypton.  Unlike previous explanations of Hawkman’s past, Venditti’s explanation drives the story in a new direction, spinning directly out of the Dark Knights: Metal series.  While looking for clues at the museum, Carter teleports back to ancient Egypt.  After a brief altercation with Prince Khufu, Hawkman returns to the present with a map that will hopefully provide him with some answers among so many mysteries.

Venditti embraces Carter’s archeological background, creating an adventure not unlike those of Indiana Jones.  In fact, Hawkman throws out enough quips to make you forget you’re not watching an Indiana Jones movie.  Venditti must be used to writing Hal in Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps because his Hawkman has an unfortunately similar voice.  Although Hawkman’s characterization might be slightly out of place, the story is still top notch.

Complimenting the story is Bryan Hitch on pencils and a variety of artists on inks.  Hitch’s art is serviceable but fails to make a noteworthy impression.  In particular, Hitch’s fight sequences are lackluster.  This is specifically a problem in this issue where almost half of the book is a fight between Hawkman and Khufu.  Even though Hitch’s art isn’t exciting, it won’t stop me from picking up this book in the future.

Despite a few problems with Hawkman’s characterization, this issue promises a great run full of action and adventure.  I’m looking forward to seeing what Venditti and Hitch have planned for the future.  This is a series that I hope continues for a long time, as it poses many interesting questions that I can’t wait to find out the answers to.  If Venditti’s future issues are just as good as Hawkman #2, he might just write one of the best Hawkman series in years.