Now Just a Hawkworld Minute! #003: It's All in the First Story

#003: It's All in the First Story   

   Hawkman and Hawkgirl first appeared in Flash Comics No. 1 (released on November 20, 1939), and they have evolved in many ways over the years. Yes, their costumes, weapons, and even origins have changed in some ways, but if a comics fan ever wants to understand the basics of the characters, they can go to the very first story by Gardner Fox. In this very first story, we can find the origin and keys to every Hawkman story. Carter Hall (Prince Khufu) and Shiera Sanders (Chay-ara) appeared together and reincarnation was introduced as a focal point of their story. A variation of similar-sounding names has continued to connect them to the silver age of comics and beyond. Carter Hall was introduced as a wealthy research scientist and archaeologist who owned a huge collection of ancient weapons and artifacts. We were also introduced to the origin of Hawkman's costume, powers, and weapons. Hawkman was the first DC Comics hero to fully have the power of flight, even before Superman or Green Lantern. The Nth Metal (Ninth Metal) which gives Hawkman his powers also made its first appearance in the very first story. It served as a memory trigger that would later be used in future stories. Their very first villain made his debut here as well. Hath-Set (Anton Hastor) would continue to show up and battle the Hawks over the years. Seeing how the foundation of Hawkman has remained mostly intact throughout the decades, you can see the genius of the creator.

Flash Comics No. 1  (January 1940)

Golden Age Archives Hawkman No. 1 (February 2006)

Famous First Edition (August 1975)

Secret Origins No. 11 (February 1987)

CBR Article: Writer Gardner Fox May Have Been DC's Version of Stan Lee.

   CBR put out an article about who would be DC's Stan Lee, and it basically concludes that Gardner Fox contributed just as much or even more to the world of superhero comics as Stan Lee did. The multiverse, the first superhero teams, and many superheroes are just a few of Gardner Fox's contributions to comics. He may not have created a character as big as Spider-man, Superman, or Batman, but his many creations continue to appear in the comics and movies today. Hawkman, Flash, Doctor Fate, Sandman, and Zatanna are just a few of his creations. There is no doubt that the world of comics would look very, very different without Gardner Fox. I think it's high time he gets the recognition that he deserves. This article is a small step, but very needed. Here's the link to the article.

    If you want to read about Gardner Fox, Jennifer DeRoss wrote a fantastic biography on his life and work in 2019. "The Forgotten All-Star: A Biography of Gardner Fox" is a great account of not only Fox's life, but also a great record of the history of comics itself. Every comic book fan should own a copy. She even managed to mention yours truly in the book as well! An honor I'll never be able to wrap my head around! Here's a link to order the book! 

Hawkman Vol. 1 No. 1 was released 56 years ago today!

Art by Murphy Anderson

Hawkman 80th Celebration: Hawkman: The Flight Continues

Art by Adam Kubert

“I am Carter Hall. I am Hawkman.

I am made to soar.”

                  From Hawkman Vol. V No. 1 (August 2018), Writer Robert Venditti

Hawkman 80th Celebration: The Best Comic Book Series

Hawkman first appeared in the comics on November 10, 1939, in Flash Comics No. 1. Since then, Hawkman has been featured in eight regular series and several mini-series, back-up features and one-off issues. The Winged Wonder has been written and drawn by many of the greatest writers and artists in comics since the very beginning. Whenever I'm asked to come on a podcast or YouTube video, I'm always asked which series is my favorite. This question is always a tough one because it's impossible to choose just one. As comic book fans, we all have those issues that stay with us through the years. It can be for any reason; the writing, the art, or the characters. But when that special comic comes at a certain time in our lives, it stays with us and becomes a part of our own history. Comics have that kind of magic when it all comes together. As a Hawkfan, there are issues that stand out in my memory. There are series that I enjoyed more than others, and when I want to read my favorite hero again, I instinctively reach for those favorites. For this article, I've chosen the five series that have stayed with me and have remained my favorites over the years. In chronological order;

Gardner Fox Biography!

If you're a comic book fan, you know who Gardner Fox is. He's one of the most prolific writers in the history of comics. From the 30s until his death in 1986, it is said that he wrote over 4,000 comic book stories, including 1,500 stories for DC Comics. He is the creator of Hawkman and Hawkgirl, as well as the Flash, Doctor Fate, Zatanna, and Sandman. He also created the very first superhero team, the Justice Society of America, and then the Justice League of America two decades later. Amazingly, there has never been an official biography or book about one of the greatest writers in Comic book history, but we finally have one.

Being a Hawkman and Justice League fan, I was looking forward to reading the first biography of Gardner Fox, the man who created so many iconic heroes and superhero teams. As I read the book, it became clear that the history of Gardner Fox is the history of comics. Jennifer has gathered all the information available on Gardner Fox (no small feat!) and put it into an easy-to-follow course on not only the father of the Justice League but also on the history of comics itself. If you are a fan of comic books, this is one book you will want to read! Amazon Link 

An Open Letter to Gardner Fox

Photo by courtesy of Terri Fox

Dear Gardner Fox,

                On the occasion of your 108^th birthday, I wanted to write an eloquent article, describing your amazing abilities and the work you left behind. After several rewrites, I finally gave up. I’m afraid I’m not eloquent enough to do a proper article to mark the occasion. So instead, I’m writing this letter to express what your work means to me. This I think I can do.

"Origin": Board Review of Hawkman No. 7

Hawkman (2018) No. 7

Writer: Robert Venditti

Penciller: Bryan Hitch

Inkers: Hitch, Andrew Currie

Colorist: Jeremiah Skipper

Lettering: Starkings and Comicraft

Cover: Bryan Hitch, Alex Sinclair

Variant Cover: Julian Totino Todesco

Assistant Editor: Andrew Marino

Group Editor: Marie Javins
Released December 12, 2018

In Hawkman No. 7, we finally get the origin of Hawkman that we have been promised for months. In an interview before the series began in June, writer Robert Venditti told us he had thought of a way to bring all of the Hawkman versions together. In the very first issue, we found out that Hawkman reincarnates across time and space. In issue No. 7, we discover how it all happened.