There are few characters in comic books with a more convoluted history than Hawkman. The character has a life that is notoriously confusing and messy, with origins as wide as his wingspan. What is known about the character, is just how awesome he is at his full potential, and how much his Nth Metal mace can pack a punch.
Hawkman has seen a debut in live-action before with a few CW show appearances, but the character finally hits the big screen with DC Comics’ latest DCEU adventure with Black Adam. The film features Hawkman as one of the many Justice Society characters, with only comic readers knowing just how exciting it is to see the character on the big screen.
7 Carter Hall, Reincarnated
The philosophy and religion behind reincarnation is the belief that an individual can persist after the death of their body. DC Comics allows for such a philosophy to come to light when it comes to Hawkman, who has been reincarnated across both time and space in the comics. Although, it makes tracking his identity a rather convoluted one.
The most famous Hawkman is Carter Hall, who is often the latest in a long line of reincarnations. Carter Hall was an archaeologist who regained the memories of his first life in Egypt. These reincarnations originate from the ancient Egyptian Prince, Khufu Kha-Tarr. This ancient Prince knew Teth-Adam, so it will be interesting to see if Hawkman and Black Adam recognize each other in some way for Black Adam.
6 Nth Metal
A native metal to the planet Thanagar, Nth metal is regarded as one of the best metals in the universe. Nth metal is capable of negating gravity, making it an excellent material to allow users to fly. In Carter Hall’s case, that comes with his mighty wings. The power of Nth metal also makes for great weapons, like maces, as well as armor that can speed up the healing process of wounds.
Nth metal has not yet been revealed in full, but it is greatly used by Carter Hall’s Hawkman and was even the product of a multiverse calamity in DC Comics’ Dark Nights: Metal. There is great power to be found in Nth metal, including the ability to activate one’s reincarnation, thus the many lives of Hawkman.
5 Father To A Future Doctor Fate
Sharing the same team as Doctor Fate, Hawkman is a founding member of the Justice Society of America. Since Doctor Fate is a mantel, and the Helmet of Nabu is what allows a vessel to become Doctor Fate, it is no surprise that Hawkman has encountered many of the mystical arts superheroes. However, one such Doctor Fate would be his very own son.
Hector Hall was the son of Carter Hall and adopted the vestments of Doctor Fate. Becoming the powerful sorcerer, Hector Hall encountered many battles and hardships, all the while, Kent Nelson’s soul was within the Amulet of Anubis. It’s interesting to see that characters seem ever entwined in the DC Universe.
4 Dragon Of Barbatos
Within the pages of the journal of Carter Hall, was his story. In the reboot of DC Comics, there was a notable absence from Hawkman. That was, until the recent line of DC Comics Rebirth, in which the character featured more prominently, and in very important ways. Hawkman had been missing and sought The Forge, the place of creation, of beginnings.
It was here that Carter Hall was transformed from Hawkman, into the demon Barbatos’ dragon. Carter Hall became the keeper of the Dark Forge and promised that there were only endings to be found here. Such corruption shows the power and potential of Hawkman, even if it was at the hands of the Dark Multiverse.
3 Thanagar
Thanagar is a rather important location in the cosmos of the DC Universe. It is the homeworld of the Thanagarians and the location and source of Nth metal. Pre-Crisis, Thanagar was a highly advanced science-based world, originating as a utopia with no need for police forces. However, in the Post-Crisis era of comics, Thanagar was a slave world.
The point of interest of Thanagar is that Katar Hol, the first Hawkman, fled Thanagar and crash-landed on Earth. From here, nothing would be the same, and the character would see many reincarnations from his origin point of the homeworld Thanagar.
2 Hawkman And Hawkgirl Forever
Many characters in comics have a great love story. Whether it be Aquaman and Mera, Green Arrow and Black Canary, or Superman and Lois Lane. Yet, none seem quite so equal as Hawkman and Hawkgirl. The two are bound by an eternal love, which has them seek each other in every reincarnation. They are the definition of star-crossed lovers, as time and space cannot stop them from finding each other.
The two have a rich history in the comics, and Hawkgirl is used as a legacy name by the female counterparts of Hawkman. Carter Hall’s wife, Shiera Sanders, was the first to use the name. Yet, Katar Hol’s wife, Shayera Hol, also used it before becoming Hawkwoman. Currently, Kendra Saunders, a reincarnation of Shiera, holds the title of Hawkgirl.
1 Green Arrow Rivalry
Green Arrow and Hawkman have had a known dislike for each other in the comics for years. Part of this hatred stems from politics, where Hawkman is an ancient man with conservative values, and Green Arrow has very liberal views. The two argue, but one of the final straws for their hatred stemmed from the comic Identity Crisis.
After a despicable crime committed by Doctor Light on the Justice League satellite, he was subdued by members of the Justice League. Hawkman not only suggested erasing the crime from Doctor Light’s mind but to alter his personality forever. This violation of human rights made Green Arrow punch Hawkman, and the two have never been on good terms since.
Black Adam is scheduled to release in theaters on October 21, 2022.