Robert Venditti’s HAWKMAN: A Modern Comic Book Masterpiece

Support Thinking Critical at Ko-fi. Monthly subscriptions receive bonus content and early access to some channel content.
Ko-fi.com/thinkingcritical
Thank you for supporting the channel!
Thinking Critical Discord: / discord
Twitch Channel
/ thinking_critical_yt
Hawkman & Hawkwoman's FINAL Fate Teased By DC Comics
Via screenrant.com
Hawkman and Hawkwoman's final adventure will take the pair of DC heroes to the edge of time and space as Hawkman's ongoing series ends.
The life of a superhero is never boring. For Hawkman, that’s been even more true of the last few months. He met and defeated an evil doppelganger, learned about his original life, defeated the Lord of the Void, got rid of the curse of his immortality, chose to spend one last lifetime with Hawkwoman instead of going to Heaven, and appeared in the Justice Society of America conference room. But things are going to get even more harrowing for Hawkman in November when the final issue of Hawkman will be released.
Hawkman has always had a complicated history, especially since the 1980s. Since he was a character in both the Golden and Silver Age of comic books, he was a character on both Earth-1 (Katar Hol, space cop) and Earth-2 (Carter Hall, Egyptologist). When the multiverse collapsed in Crisis on Infinite Earths, there continued to be two Hawkman's and two Hawkwomans with the same name and identical costumes who were never fully reconciled. Adding to the confusion was the addition of a vastly different Hawkman that attempted to contemporize Hawkman into a 90s comic book sensibility in Hawkworld that completely disregarded everything in the Silver Age, and the revelation in the pages of Justice Society of America that, in addition to Carter Hall, Katar Hol was also a reincarnation of the ancient Egyptian prince, Khufu. Hawkman’s continuity was a mess. But that all changed in the pages of Hawkman #27, where Hawkman was given one--and only one--more life to live. And it all comes to a conclusion in the pages of Hawkman #29.
The final issues of Hawkman include a trip to JSA headquarters and a final showdown with Hath-Set, the murderer of Prince Khufu and priestess Chay-Ara, looking to end Hawman’s final life once and for all. It is assumed that all the loose threads of the series will be tied up by the time November rolls around.
It’s always a sad day when your favorite series ends. Hopefully, what is happening to Suicide Squad is also true for Hawkman. It just finished a storyline that has been over two years in the making, since the first issue. It also had a major shift in Hawkman’s status quo with him losing his immortality. Now is the perfect chance to start again with a new direction for the title. Hopefully, we’ll hear from the winged warrior again soon.
Hawkman and Hawkwoman Choose Each Other Over Heaven
Via scrrenrant.com
Romance can be a hard thing to capture in superhero comic books. For some heroes, it’s impossible to keep a healthy work/life balance where they’re able to give an appropriate amount of attention to the relationships in their lives. For others, remaining single is intentional; if anyone ever discovered their secret identity, their loved ones could be put in mortal danger. There have been a few romances that have stood the test of time, namely Superman and Lois Lane. But only Hawkman and Hawkwoman, whether they be the Halls or the Hols or completely different people, have had a love that has lasted lifetimes.
It looks like an interesting path forward for Hawkman and Hawkwoman, but even if it closes a long-time plot hole in the legend of Hawkman, it also raises more questions. Since they are returning to lives they have already lived, will this timeline be different from before? Will their 2020 versions be remembered at all? We’ll have to wait another month to find out. Hawkman #26 by Robert Vendetti, Fernando Pasarin, and Oclair Albert is available now.
Contact Thinking Critical:
Twitter: / wes_from_tc
Email [e-mail]

[@kalkella8822]

All the good runs are ending. Other than Hawkman, the other series that has been really awesome is Tom Taylor's Suicide Squad and that ends after one more issue as well.

[@ashleighhahn5476]

Accurate though-My three favorite books that I’m currently reading are ending this month

[@CoolCATs2814]

I couldn't get past two issues of Suicide Squad, horrible stuff.

[@kalkella8822]

@@CoolCATs2814 I can completely understand why you would say that, but trust me, the run gets a lot better and those cringe characters introduced in the first couple issues actually get some decent character development. The run is nothing groundbreaking but each issue is a lot of fun. That is something I can say about fewer and fewer comics as time goes on.

[@nightwishfan1991]

A bad writer will walk into an established story and want to change everything because of laziness and wanting more freedom. A good writer can walk in an established story they love and create something that is a love letter to the series. But a great writer is one that can walk into an establish story with no knowledge prior, do the research, stick the landing, and fool everyone into thinking they were a fan from the start.

[@bldsts]

That’s what I try to do as a pro. Not enough editors are seeking these qualities out. But some do.

[@PubeStache]

Robert Venditti will do good when he inevitably crowdfunds his own comic.

[@Improbi]

I certainly hope so. His talents are wasted with the mediocre two & his work at Valiant will be undone by SJWs working there eventually.

[@franklanse]

I was thinking that also since DC is almost over

[@zachryder3150]

That Hawkman writing reveal was such a great revelation in the final issue. Really sucks it was cancelled

[@davidpulipati2865]

This Hawkman series has been really great. I liked the concept of Ktar Deathbringer and Shrra being the original beings cursed to reincarnate because it finally helped me make sense of the fact that Kendra and Shay are reincarnating separately

[@CoolCATs2814]

That's where he lost me. Didn't like the Deathbringer stuff at all.

[@mdizzle999872]

@@CoolCATs2814 I loved it!

[@texasscifi3431]

Vendetti is an amazing writer. I love almost anything DC he has done.

[@ferrm1992]

His run on Damage and the Hal Jordan & the Green Lantern Corps were amazing

[@tasan215]

Hawkman became my favorite DC character during Geoff Johns run. I will purchase this run if it can be collected in a trade, ohc, or omnibus.

[@danielreichstein1868]

Loved this Hawkman series! It would be pretty awesome if Robert Venditti got to take a crack at the New Gods. Basically let him do what Kirby couldn’t, create an epic Lord of the Rings styled series with a beginning, middle and end.

[@TheNickcone]

Oh this is a good idea. I would dig it.

[@TevyaSmolka]

I agree Robert vendetti hawkman is fantastic

[@AL-ws5yi]

I hear good things about this comic. I’m glad to hear that there are still some good books out there. It’s sad that it was cancelled.

[@soar123]

This and Josh Williamson's Flash have been my jams @DC

[@TheNickcone]

Same, both were really solid. I wish Hawkman wasn't cancelled, but I'm happy we got what we did.

[@carrion_man3700]

They need to do an omnibus for his run. Include original scripts, art, and Venditti materials that reveal where he was going with it.

[@azrael1045]

It's been finished for a while now but Dan Abnetts Aquaman Rebirth run was utterly fantastic and no one talks about it

[@ericbreen4340]

We talk about that run alot on I Love Comics . Englentine is a huge fan of Abnett's Aquaman ( I'm a pretty big fan myself ) Let's just say that Kelly Sue taking over was not well received .

[@kevinnorth6125]

He did great with Hawkman and hate to see it end. Next I’d like to see him take on Dr. Fate, The Spectre or Phantom Stranger.

[@cmleibenguth]

Venditti's Hawkman is awesome.

[@michaelbleckler9072]

Fantastic read Wes. I haven't read the final issue yet. Said that not enough people read it

[@scottbech173]

Hawkman was my favorite DC title and my favorite character. Keeping fingers crossed for JSA.

[@ea_gaming]

I’ll read whatever he writes next- he’s one of the few good writers out there anymore, and I loved his GL run.

[@MrIllMind]

One of my favorite comic runs period. It wasn’t as good with that whole year of the villain thing but it’s was still really good. Takes talent to work through that kind of top down meddling.

[@aimilioscomics]

Glad to see that someone is praising this run on its whole. Pretty solid in my opinion! I would like to see you reviewing Morrison's Green Lantern because for me it is a masterpiece and I don't see many people talking about it

[@CoolCATs2814]

It's definitely a piece of something.

[@devanbarrios9216]

I got into Robert VendittI's Hawkman run this year. I picked up the first two trades and was blown away with how amazing the writing was. Now, I REALLY hope that Venditti gets to write Superman or Action Comics.

[@diegola-bella9375]

Love Hawkman, such a complex, great and underrated charactar. Batman, Hawkman and Lee Falk's Phantom are my personal trinity.

[@charlesbaer3507]

This is my first ever post on You Tube. I regularly listen to the Thinking Critical videos but this subject forced me to respond. Robert Venditti’s Hawkman was one of the few books I looked forward to over the last two years. I did not pick this title up at first but kept reading great reviews. Finally I picked up the first three issues. Two days later I went back to my comics store and picked issues 4-6 and was hooked. Hawkman’s quiet ending speaks volumes over the type of stories currently favored by DC. Most superheroes are not dark but DC tries to make them all dark and brooding. Most superheroes are intended to be inspirational. They are not perfect but they should be inspiring. I agree with Mr. Breen’s assessment of this 29 issue run. Like Breen, I go back awhile and this is the best rendition of this character ever. Venditti took Hawkman’s often disjointed and confusing history and knitted it all into one nice package. The art was very good early and then again at the end. Even in the middle issues the art was better than average art compared to a lot of the terrible work I see elsewhere. This story line had adventure, courage, virtue, romance and even an ending where the heroes live happily ever after. Heroes with happy lives are normally taboo in the DC universe especially under Didio. Just ask anyone in the Bat family… Venditti gave us a salute to the Silver age when Hawkman teamed up with his long- time friends the Atom and Adam Strange. Eventually Shayera and Carter are reunited. Finally the Hawks are back with the Justice Society for one more run. The writer showed it is possible to stay within the framework of the character’s mythos and still write wonderful creative stories that build on that history, not tear it down. If there isn’t going to be a new JSA book then Venditti has to resurrect the smoldering dumpster fire that used to be known as Action and Superman comics. Yes he would be good with Nightwing or the Justice League but the priority has to be rehabilitate DC’s cornerstone character.

[@Wes_From_TC]

Thanks for sharing Charles!

[@chrisgoll4853]

Thanks, Wes and Breen, for some great content.

[@Wes_From_TC]

Our pleasure!

[@jerryrichards8172]

Hawkman has been on of my favorites since being a kid in the 60s. I started reading a Hawkman series about 3 yrs ago but my comic shop shut down. I just had them collect all my reads in a comic box that I would pick up once a month. So not sure if I got the complete series. I have several collections to read through. Mostly reading old comics from eBay. But I just heard someone is opening up a new comic shop 😊 Also I just watched black adam last week and it was wonderful to see hawkman on the big screen. I'm 60 now and I was hoping one day to see hawkman & submariner on the big screen. I enjoyed hawkman haven't seen Waconia yet but I get the feeling they may have ruined submariner? My biggest hero is captain America and has been since the 60s. In black adam it seem they tryed to make the hawkman there DC captain America. Hopefully he will be in more movies to come. Thank you both on the insightful view on one of my heroes! HAWKMAN!

[@bobbybrown5497]

So sad this is ending. Great run and my favorite comic at DC. Venditti is my favorite writer, all read anything he does.

[@renzomonero]

Excellent bittersweet video! I never been too deep on Hawkman books, BUT now, I really gonna take a look to this great character! Extra kudos for having Mr. Erick Breen!! Excellent chat!

[@billypowermax2264]

Loved this run ! Great character . Rob Liefelds new 52 run also went away too early . Gonna miss it

[@Spiderweb444]

Bro do one retrospective for the flash by Williamson too pls it's like 105 issues total

[@sketchasaurrex4087]

I haven't bought DC in years but you jerks sold me on Hawkman and if that's even half as good as you two drooled over then I'm going to buy his next comic run too.

[@Wes_From_TC]

You won't be disappointed!!!

[@BizarroIrishman]

Thank you for doing a vid on Hawkman!!!!! The series was very good. I have been a fan since the John's run and which was beyond great. This one is very close. The ending of the series was about as perfect as you can get this day and age. Highly recommended...

[@Kazukidavidart]

I just finished reading it and holy i love it and the art.

[@tasan215]

I think a live action series of Hawkman would be fantastic

[@TheSnapdad]

I read the last issue today and bitter sweet is the right word for this ending. I started buying this around #6 on Wes's consistent praise. I read those on one Saturday and was hooked. #7 is a stand out issue for key issue collectors. That is the issue where the history of HM is wonderfully put together in a succinct manner. I will give this a while then read it again. Great video guys. Other than Superman, I would love to see RV on FLASH but there is a suggestion in here for DR FATE, that would be compelling.

[@kurumais]

i cant love this run enough.

[@cliffwoodbury5319]

I think this is the Hawk-Man run another KZbin content creators also said was an amazing run (other than the end) and that creator said he thought it could have been one of the all time great runs for any character if it wasn't for the end - some of that might have been do to company shinnanigans.

[@richardhuppertz3487]

This series was great and a great ending for me of the main DC Universe. Now I can walk away from DC content.

[@you2449]

Wow. I'm lookin fwd to reading it now.

[@franklanse]

Hawkman was one of my Favorite Series. It's so well done. Venditti would be amazing on Batman or Superman.

[@ignatiusklepto5136]

I loved this title. It was so good.

[@fishin4bass2002]

When it comes to reading comics I noticed you need to read the entire run by that writer to fully understand the story.

[@TheNickcone]

This was such a great run, even with the Year of the Villian stuff slowing its momentum (like every other dc book with that event ugh). I really enjoyed this, it really did so much for Hawkmans character and lore. I was hoping this would lead to a JSA book as well.

[@kurumais]

i loved the skytyrant storyline.

[@billybarnett2846]

The Venditti and Johns' runs are my favorites cause they put some effort into it instead of dialing it in.

[@timgonzales2891]

I'm one of ten people who absolutely loves hawkman/hawkgirl. He has huge potential, as shown by venditti and johns, and as not shown throughout the decades.

[@Wes_From_TC]

Robert Venditti interview on Monday. We talk about Hawkman!

[@timgonzales2891]

@@Wes_From_TC I'll be there. Id love to see Ostrander talk about his hawkman. He's said some stupid things on Twitter, doesn't take away from his past work. Now the reality rad interview to land would be geoff johns lol

[@losely451]

It is a great run! I just hope DC doesn't try to bring back Kartar Hol as the regular Hawkman again. I know he's been assimilated into the entire Hawkman linage now, but you never know with DC. They love to rotate the two incarnations in and out but at the end of the day the Golden Age Carter Hall incarnation is just way more interesting and original than the Silver Age Kartar Hol space cop version.

[@salamitommy9939]

I would have loved for this run to continue to see more of the Doctor persona in the 1800's as well as others like Nighthawk. Fernando Pasarin is one of my favorite artists and I was glad when he came on board. I also think if DC ever wanted to give Hawkman a new look, Sky Tyrant had a pretty sick design and they could just switch out the chest emblem and helmet and it'd be perfect for regular ol' Carter.

[@kurumais]

i loved this book i would buy an omnibus in a second. i love his shayera. she just jumped off the page. i would like to see kendra come back. fernando pasarin hawkman was fantastic. if hitch was a 10 than pasarin was a 12. this book was GREAT!!!! my favorite book by far right now

[@BronzeAgeBryon]

I didn't see it as a kid, but Hawkman was such a stooge as he was presented in most of the Superfriends cartoons. But I guess they had to keep it basic back then.

[@andrewduitsman8780]

X-O Manowar..... I'd love to see him on that.

[@derekgreen7319]

Can vendetti get a another shot at flash ? That would be dope . I thought his flash was super underrated

[@stephen8805]

You’ve convinced me to buy this in trade. Vendetti is a great writer and he deserves to be writing JLA, not Bendis.

[@azrael1045]

If you haven't reviewed Dan Abnett's Aquaman can you do a series review for the channel I would like your opinion on it

[@kevinstreetgaming]

Hawkman was terrific. I've never really cared for the character, but that just shows you great Venditti is.

[@jerryrichards8172]

So I don't know if this is the series I was read about 3 yrs ago that I have saved up to read in one run. But comic shop closed so is this run the one I was buying or did it come out right after but I missed it do to no comic shop?

[@YTLawnGnome]

I am so angry that this was something that I missed. I think I may have to pick up some back issues but, the question is, should I try and get my hands on all 29 issues or is the last story arc just worth it. I believe that is issues 24-29?

[@Wes_From_TC]

You definitely want issues 1-13. Simply perfect.

[@YTLawnGnome]

Cool!

[@andymartin3957]

I bought Hawkman and tried to support it. I hope Venditti has another project without too much DC meddling. I just hope it’ll be a character that’s not one of the big three. He writes tales of courage and strength, which I haven’t seen in comics for years. If he doesn’t continue, I’ll follow his work wherever he goes, as I’ve followed him since X-O Manowar.

[@shainips32]

Robert venditi is one of the great modern writer don't medicore his talent DC

[@kurumais]

i want vendetti on captain america.

[@jawnsushi]

If someone wanted to get these individually, can they be ordered from somewhere? Assuming they couldn't be found in back issues collections locally. Edit: I mean, starting with #1.

[@Wes_From_TC]

I imagine getting ahold of these at a well stocked LCS is pretty easy. If not, I'll be shocked if mycomicshop.com doesn't have every issue available.

[@jawnsushi]

@@Wes_From_TC awesome. Thanks!

[@jawnsushi]

@@Wes_From_TC I know I could easily get the trades but I find some books are almost better read as individuals and this looks like it might be one of those.

[@Wes_From_TC]

@@jawnsushi It's really good. Classic heroes journey.

[@jawnsushi]

@@Wes_From_TC I decided to check it out digitally first and just finished the second volume. 😁 Lol

[@sergioacosta9712]

Better than Geoff Johnes hawkman run?

[@wladimir.Quiroz]

I liked this run, specially because working with hawkman is so difficult due to the whole mess origin story he has.

[@jmaddy6086]

I don't think this kills Hawkman if anything i think all new hawkman content can be considered filler. Because we know how it ends. And we know it goes on 2000 years thats 2000 years of story arcs and filler

[@patrickmoreau7592]

Dan Didio last stab at positivity at DC Year of the Villain🤮

[@kurumais]

if he does show up in the black adam movie what happens in thecomics?

[@DzustComics]

So it gets much better after the first 4 issues, right? Cause those were really boring!

[@TheNickcone]

Yes I would give it a shot. It really gets going although year of the villain slows the momentum when it happens it picks up again right after.

[@DzustComics]

@@TheNickcone are you saying a mandatory event forced by editori8 made a book worse for a few issues? IMPOSSIBLE! That NEVER happened before! 😂😂😂

[@reddbutton2711]

Never been a fan of Hawkman. Potential and interesting, but the art always turned me off from reading.