The FAKE Hawkgirl Origin - Justice League’s Biggest Secret

[@dcauwatchtower]

Forgot to credit at 20:15 - Art by Phil Cho! www.deviantart.com/phil-cho

[@batman200]

How many video and sound issues do the hbo max versions of dcau have or have they all been corrected finally? other than static shock missing two episodes and the zeta project not being up on hbo max yet.

[@srstriker6420]

I didn’t expect this to happen even after Dan Riba gave the answer and I have seen Phil-cho before, have you seen Tiny Toon Adventures where they did a Justice league parody short and 18:07 I wonder if there is a connection between him, Ebon and the Shade?

[@AndreNitroX]

Awesome video. Funny enough I was just making a hawk girl video of my own when this popped up

[@srstriker6420]

@@AndreNitroX so are you going to do it then?

[@dcauwatchtower]

@Onyi Ononye W...what?

[@saikanzen1762]

The way they decided to both pay tribute to the actual lore and do something new was so well executed. The DCAU was more than we deserved.

[@lewis3853]

No. The DCAU mindset in the DCEU is EXACTLY what we need.

[@mayanboricua]

"More than we deserved" WRONG. It is exactly what's needed. DC used to wipe the floor with Marvel, way back when.

[@megatamerernie513]

Dcafu was pretty well done as well, in my opinion. Im just waiting for the next interconnected universal story.

[@MisterEvvvSymphoenix]

Indeed ... and I just realised that Hawk Girl is pretty much a Viltrumite ... sort of ...

[@TheAyanamiRei]

DCAU has had a lot of Quality. In fact the Modern DCAU is BETTER than their Live Action. It's why I'm so sad that it's been cut.

[@arjunwali9885]

Easily one of the best characters in the show. While she did betray earth, she thought it was to save Thanagar. IMMEDIATELY when she realized that Thanagar planned to destroy the planet, she turned on her homeworld to save humanity.

[@caffreydavis218]

"Hawkgirl studies Earth's heroes and defenses" Omni-man: "that's cute and all, but unlike you, I brutally murdered our version of the Justice League."

[@JayJayM57]

but unlike him, she succeeded in her invasion.

[@deadmagenta7042]

Ah but he just moved his goalposts.

[@JayJayM57]

@@deadmagenta7042 spoilers He gave up on conquering earth and will try to offer another planet. He couldn't bring himself to kill his son.

[@deadmagenta7042]

@@JayJayM57 I've read ahead already lol.

[@silverdays2909]

@@JayJayM57 so basically he gave up half way unlike Hawkgirl who helped the League after they lost

[@Snowy84557]

I didn't predict she was a spy but as a kid I called her transport beam story ridiculous and claimed to other kids at school that she must be lying. They were like "why would she lie?" and the consensus was 'bad story writing' until we saw the twist and learnt why she had been lying.

[@steelydyl]

Really hoping for more Shayera in JL Infinity. First time in my life I’ve ever been this excited for the release of a comic book.

[@kingkong9892]

Hope they finally show how her and John got back together

[@aprilpatlan1539]

literally same.

[@someonewhocommentsonyoutub3779]

"Aired 20 years ago" gee thanks for making me feel old, James.

[@dcauwatchtower]

It’s only because I AM old

[@aurahoneydew9607]

Meanwhile in a parallel universe the DCAU instead went the tower of babel route.

[@srstriker6420]

Yeah imagine if Batman did do it, I guess that he and Hawkgirl both get kicked out of the league

[@pauocampo4666]

‘ I love how we’re talking about hawkgirl more and more cuz honestly she’s my favorite character and she’s the one who got me hooked in the Justice League franchise

[@Enigamis]

When I was a kid I missed the star crossed episode and jumped into unlimited and was very confused as to where hawk girl went. When I recently rewatched it all I was pretty suprised on the twist, so even after 2 decades it was still a good twist.

[@JuggoJuggo]

Fooling Batman is one thing, but fooling Martian Manhunter and the real Dr Fate is astounding.

[@ingvarsuigin609]

Agents of Shield didn't tell the actors that one of them is a traitor, so until that moment happened, everyone, including the traitor, played a spy hidden perfectly - by not knowing they're a spy.

[@joykwansiri1767]

First time watching your video channel, this really bring back my childhood, that time I was 12 just like you too, I'm really happy that someone still love this show, now I'm grown up and have a job, and now I realise that this wasn’t a kids show. It was an adult show in a kids format.

[@dcauwatchtower]

Welcome! We’ve got hundreds of other videos to help take you back too!

[@paulstrathern4309]

@ 0:29 'When it premiered 20 years ago...' --------- JESUS! Has it been THAT long?! I'm old as fck!

[@skullninjaraptor]

This is Awesome! Shayera is my wife's favorite. she has a large model of her hanging above her desk. :)

[@payableondeath7]

As someone that basically read every DC comic between 1991 and the beginning of the JL cartoon, I did think it was odd that they didn't delve into Thangar or their presence in the galaxy, especially with Superman and GL having so many space shenanigans going on. When she said Thanagar was unknown to the Guardians/GL corps is when I thought something was up, but I didn't have any idea that she (the real Hawkgirl) would be a spy; I thought it would be a replacement/shape shifter of some kind that was trying to keep Earth from reaching out to Thanagar for help at some point. So I was still shocked by Starcrossed.

[@danielrestrepo1119]

Oh my goodness, I saw your website when I was a kid! When I was like four years old, I asked my mom to Google stuff about the justice league, and I distinctly remember that website! I don’t know why that memory stuck with me, but now, 20 years later, I saw it here. This is seriously incredible for me!

[@dcauwatchtower]

Awesome! 😁

[@highlightshighlights4339]

4:34 Batman and Hawkgirl worked together to fight against Bane in the Book "Wing's of War". It might have mentioned how they first met. But it's been 15+ years since I've read that book so I might be wrong.

[@dcauwatchtower]

Mattie read that on livestreams not too long back! Pretty sure that came up in our notes for this video but there wasn’t anything concrete enough.

[@BrickChick]

Oh that's a fun fan comic to draw ! Batman meets hawkgirl....

[@WarmLillie]

Hawkgirl is good but way more to her

[@bdr113080]

This is the best DCAU KZbin channel ever!

[@dcauwatchtower]

*only?

[@bdr113080]

@@dcauwatchtower let me reword it….. this is the best damn DC comics content channel EVER! Past present or future it doesn’t get any better than this!

[@giornogiovanna845]

Honestly. I think the whole reincarnation characterization in the comics is stupid and I prefer the alien war race better🤷🏾‍♂️

[@sammacphee990]

Not only did I not predict the twist, but I had forgotten it was coming on my years later rewatch, so it surprised me twice.

[@4nnih6]

Man, was anybody going to tell me that the Justice League source I always went to was maintained by another 12-year old like me at the time or was I just supposed to find that out in the early 2020s myself? did not see that coming! Great video, this twist and story direction always left me wondering about how far ahead the crew planned and great to see how much of a well-kept secret it was, but done well and kept well. But man... finding out the site I went to was always updated by a person my own age is a shocker. Back then always thought you were some 30+ year old comic fan! 😂

[@dcauwatchtower]

Ha! Well, let’s confirm, here…are you talking about the Justice League Watchtower (aka “JLW”) from around 2003-2006? Or are you thinking of the Batman-Superman.com website from the late 90s? Because I modeled my original JLW site after that site. The one I showed on screen here wasn’t the final version-that version was more blue-tinted and included way too many animated gifs and mouseovers. 🤣

[@4nnih6]

@@dcauwatchtower Pretty sure it was the JLW site that I remember :D

[@nolan6137]

Loved the 'Star Crossed' Toonami open from back in the day.

[@Leadeshipcoach]

I watched this and was like “Wait... there was a Justice League pilot short?... Oh I gotta look this up!” And I did? Cool!

[@indigoyarkindell968]

I did. Well to be fair, Starcrossed was the first episode I watched. Saw it it during one of my deployments.

[@lonewanderer_9312]

As a kid I didn't care about the fakeout I was just so invested in this universe.

[@notstonks432]

Hawkgirl's arc in Justice League and Unlimited made her one of my favorite Justice League members

[@russakasuperman]

I knew the week of because cartoon planet hinted at someone betraying the Justice League and I thought, we don't know anything about Hawkgirl's past, I wonder if it'll be her?

[@Rightbackatcha1313]

Almost reminded me of Tara Markov when she wormed her way into the New Teen Titans hearts , and ours, onlt to betray everyone.

[@notoriouslego8204]

They fixed her backstory in Dark Knights Metal which now matches with the backstory of this version of Hawkgirl The original Hawkman and Hawkgirl Katar Hol and Shayera Saunders are reincarnations of the original Hawk people to crash land in ancient Egypt and would constantly reincarnate. After several deaths and years she was reincarnated into Shayera Hol who was an actual space cop from thanagar. Who then died before she could be reincarnated Kendra Saunders committed suicide but the reincarnation cycle saved her: then in dark knights metal the chain was broken and Shayera Hol split into her own character. This Hawkgirl just shouldn’t have been wearing Shayera Saunders costume. Her actual costume is more reminiscent of the costume she wears in Star Crossed. Then Shayera Thal was retconned as being a Thanagarian Princess who was actually evil

[@SmolTerribleTornado]

7:23 I wish current year writers had this respect for their audience

[@dennisswaim8210]

Hawkgirl had a great character arc. One of the many many factors that made The Justice League animated series the best portrayal of the DC universe outside of the comics. I highly doubt there will ever be something like this again. The whole thing was superb, not perfect but damned good.

[@MsKambul53]

I'm a fan that started in the silver age of the comics. I remember the reincarnated Egyptian back story for Hawkman and Hawk Girl as well as they will always be reincarnated and destined to find each other again. Didi not know this undercover aspect of her history but I appreciate that they did something unique with her.

[@douglashawk]

The silver age Hawks did not have the reincarnation aspect in their origin until it was retconned a few years ago.

[@MsKambul53]

Okay....I've come back to clarify my previous sentence but with better phrasiology. I begun my fandom in the early 1960's. I recall the variety of recons for Hawkman a d Hawk Girl, the reincarnations were interesting, the officers in the police force....I'm happy to see that Hawk Girl's character had received some attention and more illumination.

[@MsKambul53]

Hope that makes my position more clear, "Douglashawk".

[@lirolo8343]

The craziest thing is that batman didn't know. Or maybe she's the reason for the hiden protocols

[@abm_mik6945]

I thought they forgot about her first origin story & just fixed in “StarCrossed” that’s just my opinion seen done b4 in shows & in comics

[@randywolford3476]

I did not at all internalize that faux back story at all so . . . Naw, totally in the dark. I do, however seem to have this special taped on VHS! I stumbled upon it a few weeks back and had a fun time watching it!

[@samwright6853]

This was masterfully played, because can you really blame hawkgirl? She is sent to a strategic planet to report to her homeland on the efficacy of staging an assault on thier mortal enemies in a war where one side or the other will face total annihilation. Then once she learns that certain victory in said war would cost an entirely separate and unrelated civilisation that had no stakes in thier conflict everything, she backs out and gives the earthlings the info they need to counteract the thanagarian plot. Hawkgirl is the main reason I've rewatched this series so many times, because what the hell are you supposed to do in her shoes?

[@sharp52092]

Too bad they never even did a flashback or comic for how Batman and Hawkgirl knew each other. I guess they wanted us, the audience to trust her by having Batman know her and never gave it a second thought.

[@srstriker6420]

Yeah because it would have been interesting

[@trinipayne3827]

Is that sad scene where she flew away from green lantern... how did she put on that Tshirt?😆 Fake back story? Was she bitten by a radioactive hawk?😆

[@MattDustyParker]

Great video! Hawkgirl was an outstanding character. Just recently watched all of JL/JLU

[@cruztastrophe]

I had that coloring book! Oh my god I've never heard it mentioned any other time besides right now!

[@tuschman168]

Did at least The Question have a theory about Hawkgirl being a spy? I mean, the guy has a theory about everything.

[@Devilot109]

Oh, geez, did you just brush up against the Hawk-Snarl?

[@Crow_Rising]

I've seen the video before, but given the recent popularity of Invincible I thought I'd take a moment to share something that's been on my mind. There's a lot of talk going on online comparing Invincible to the MCU and about how Invincible is proof that the animated Superhero genre is evolving. I feel like that's not quite true however, and things like the old animated Justice League cartoons are a big part of why I feel that way. Not just them either, but also Batman the Animated Series, Static Shock, etc. These shows were written with a deep respect of both the audience and source material back then. Invincible isn't doing anything new in being written this way, it's a return to form. The MCU lost its way specifically because it became a corporate cash cow first and stopped respecting the audience and source material, but that was never the standard to begin with. These types of shows have had talented writers working on them for decades, Invincible is just proof that the writing style of not disrespecting the source material or assuming your audience is stupid still works.

[@nunyabiznes33]

I loved Alfred during that event. "I told master Bruce not to leave trash on the lawn!" as he look at an almost braindead Thanagarian.

[@krisk3363]

All characters (the main 6) were incredibly likable.

[@DarkEclipse23]

There were 7 ;0 Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern, Hawkgirl, and J’onn J’onnz. I remember it because of the vote on whether or not Hawkgirl should be kicked out of the league. Flash and J’onn advocated for her, Batman and WW rejected her, and Superman was the tie breaker as GL didn’t participate.

[@JebBushHimself]

She never met the Green Lantern Corps, and yet she knew about their vaunted loyalty?

[@Wolfbane1677]

I never knew about the plot twist with hawk girl, hell I thought the show was going to end with a bigg battle against brainiac or Darkside.

[@LittleSkullyScrub]

Nah I had no idea, that twist messed me up as a kid.

[@HomelessWarfare]

Wait I always thought the wings were like part of them. They can just take them off, how do they attach

[@dcauwatchtower]

They are part of them. Carter Hall (Hawkman) in the DCAU specifically had homemade ones he did attach.

[@RobAlfieInostrozaLindley]

"...but...."............................ LOLOL, nice vid!

[@calebee4205]

One of my favorite justice league members. We need a dope live action Hawk Girl!

[@metal87power]

Yeah, Earth would be uncharted since it'd be destroyed to make an intergalactic bypass/highway (plot seems similar to... )

[@phoenixyo9987]

While its quite a good twist, and its interesting that they had it planned out all along. Its one of those plots that are kind of like a landmine, you don't know its there until you step on it. And it doesn't exactly matter if you placed it down 10 months ago, or 2 weeks ago. The effect is the same, which honestly is a good way to go about writing these style of plot changes. Because having all these complicated changes in a overarching plot without writing them to be clunky and unbelievable can be hard to do, unless you write the show to reflect the hidden possible future episodes. Continuity is such a huge deal that some (especially certain famous franchises like star wars) fail to maintain to their own determent. Sometimes its because they forget that doing this screws up their continuity, and other times its because they are so bad at writing, they think they can write themselves out of a series of plot holes. Plot holes that could of been solved if they just had thought about this potential change, and wrote the show with it in mind. Foresight and planning makes for better plot twists the farther back its done.

[@jvbutalid8316]

10:09 dang, optimus prime had a gig as an ad announcer

[@dcauwatchtower]

One of the best!

[@haylieamygoth3407]

Hawk girl was always my favorite member even now she’s my favorite DC character.

[@NeightrixPrime]

I do doubt part of the Thanagarian infiltration plan included her cheating on Hawk-Man.

[@melomet3789]

Those "buts" though...

[@fuzzybuddybay]

The big secret hit me hard. Had no idea. Now a big question - Were Hawkgirl's wings just Technology or were they part of her???

[@dcauwatchtower]

Part of her for sure

[@Trev794]

No one could have predicted the betrayal. It still hurts when I watch it now.

[@mementomori5580]

The biggest reveal for me with Hawkgirl was that she was catually wearing a helmet... considering that she never took that of in the beginning, I always thought that that's just how Thanagarians looked like ^^

[@dcauwatchtower]

Next time I watch the show I’m totally imagining it this way

[@spifebreadfriend6791]

Same bro XD

[@littenfire3563]

when I was a kid, I totally thought that was just her face too

[@RustyNips]

I also wondered if it was helmet or head jumping back and forth between the 2 cause you couldn't really tell lol

[@chargestone96]

This video is how i found out it wasnt just a weird hawk mutation lol

[@Zazzy235]

I realized the mom in Wizards of Waverly Place was Hawkgirl when in one episode she was carrying a heavy box and she grunted and I was like oh that sounds like Hawkgirl

[@rickysalgado1623]

I also paid pretty close attention to the grunts too 👀😏🤤

[@pablothecoffeelover2551]

So honestly I was surprised I have no idea she voiced her

[@fabulousmeatpotato5987]

@@rickysalgado1623 my god you are freaky

[@chcltroses]

I had no idea she was Hawkgirl, lol.

[@Rpikachu]

She also voiced She-Hulk in marvel vs capcom 3

[@JayTVIndia]

The moment you get utter respect for Hawkgirl when you realise she fooled even the Batman

[@omnientertainment5852]

@@paulpolpiboon9535 but it did happen, no excuses.

[@shadowofthenorthstar989]

If I remember correctly Batman said he knew she was a spy

[@allstardawn6062]

@@paulpolpiboon9535 Wat someone getting the leg up on batman that's never happened in the history of dc comics ever 🤣, jokes aside it's been established that shayera is just as good as batman when it comes to strategy I mean she used to regularly beat him at chess for crying out load

[@asher7535]

@@paulpolpiboon9535 you must be fun at parties

[@paulocuento9949]

@@paulpolpiboon9535 haha ok boomer.. denying DCAU's legitimacy doesnt prove youre argument.. as far as im concerned, people involved in DCAU have more credibility than some old head, try-hard, wannabe expert, ranting about it :))

[@chrisanderson2204]

The Hawkgirl face reveal was my favorite Hawkgirl moment

[@MisterTwit]

I always thought it was goofy how her eyes changed when she took the mask off but I got over it quickly

[@fictionverse7292]

I wanted to see the full picture of Hawkgirl without the mask and old costume

[@tombondcrispy6585]

The part where she asks batman about her son from the future was good too..

[@ttun100]

It was for GL, John Stewart too.

[@charlesintune]

My favorite moment was "They can't TALK all they like" 😡 from Legends... LOL

[@RedWolf777SG]

Now there's a strong DC female character done right. Actually a lot of DC female characters were done pretty well in this series.

[@JaharNarishma]

I usually put a lot of weight on the characterisation when I (subconciously) judge stories. This series passed the bar. The characters were great even if the story line was questionable because the powers of the heroes weren't on a consistent level.

[@jortharob3406]

@@JaharNarishma This is so true. If their power were more consistent and Superman or Man hunter were just way stronger than everyone else I don't think it would have worked as well.

[@nonenone4461]

So let me get this straight. Betrays multiple peoples, her own, earth. Stabs love interest right in the back, largely to cover up the fact that he is "the other man" she cheated on her husband with. Note....genocidal consequence due to her mating with criminal sociopath (what could go wrong). Genocide you say? Why not change your mind and betray your own people, stab husband in the back. Now subjects her own people to genocide by an unrelenting enemy. Note, does nothing to defend homeworld. Acts surprised later when survivors try to bring her to justice. Cheats on the green lantern, why? Largely because black men are good for the night but not for life, so why not get a white guy. Mmmmm....lovely sentiment here. Time travel reveals she went to black, dumping white (unknown). Implied, father of baby is not what she claims. Yes, YESH...Hawkgirl. Strong. Empowered role model for young girls. How about no.

[@JaharNarishma]

@@nonenone4461 the story line is questionable, but the character is a strong role model if you disregard the "special" story. Generally, all specials are changing stuff from the core. Do not take them too seriously. They are made for extra tension, which stabbing lovers provides.

[@furnfangs7648]

Unfortunately this video had to include a couple single frame derriere shots of HG. Good video, very informative, but editing dept had to give us that slice of cheesecake!

[@Tiberon098]

Man, the “aired 20 years ago” line hit me too hard, f*** am I old.

[@dcauwatchtower]

Yyyyyyyup

[@themediachannel353]

@@dcauwatchtower you are great 👍 and guys would you please let us know what is the correct order for episodes of batman the animated series, I just start watching it and it's confusing, Wikipedia says that Christmas with joker is episode 2 but robin suddenly appears out of nowhere and in the next episode (based on Wikipedia) that scarecrow comes, robin is just gone! The order from imdb is also wrong, would you please tell me what is the correct order? I know you guys are busy but I really can't find the right order and I think I am not the only one. So it would be very nice of you guys to explain it, sorry for the long letter

[@Leadeshipcoach]

DUde! I thought pretty much the same thing "That was 20 years ago?!!!"

[@dcauwatchtower]

@@themediachannel353 The best we have so far is a small chunk seen in our “The DCAU Timeline So Far” video. Past that, production order is always gonna be better than airdate order. There is no “Robin introduction episode” (though we do eventually see his origin in “Robin’s Reckoning”) so there’s not any right or wrong way in terms of that aspect.

[@themediachannel353]

@@dcauwatchtower ok thank you for your answer 🙏 keep up the good work, you guys are awesome 👌

[@comicfan1324]

I didn’t know about this fake origin as a kid I just thought “Oh she’s an alien bird lady? Okay.”

[@srstriker6420]

Or some people would think she was an angel

[@twigs5020]

@@srstriker6420 I mean... she is (technically)

[@srstriker6420]

@@twigs5020 especially when you first see her

[@srstriker6420]

@The Krimson Kommander and that’s they should have brought them in the Snyder cut

[@dr.calibrations7984]

@Will N Rule of Cool my friend. And X-men made it work.

[@Pikanjo]

It was probably the best cover. Shayera seemed shoehorned in as everyone knew Hawkman more so I never questioned anything. She became one of my DC favorites, also unexpected.

[@lewis3853]

She became, and still is for me. Shoot, I prefer her over Hawkman real talk.

[@NostalgicGamerRickOShay]

I met her before I ever even heard of Hawkman, so I saw Hawkman as an ugly usurper.

[@benjohnson9224]

I remember being bummed that Hawkgirl was chosen over Aquaman because I was a purist as a child. However, Hawkgirl was one of the best characters of the DCAU. I came to really like her and was glad they went with her instead of Aquaman by the end of the first season, which made her betrayal even more shocking and hurtful. I, like James, was torn up when she flew away and could not wait for her to come back. DCAU Hawkgirl>>>>DC Comics Hawkgirl

[@srstriker6420]

@shut up yeah you think they should have used in the Justice league over Cyborg?

[@kingkong9892]

@@srstriker6420 they should have used john stewart.

[@srstriker6420]

@@kingkong9892 yes both him and the Hawks

[@bloody4558]

@@kingkong9892 Not me. The only people who like JOhn Stewart so much are the ones who grew up wiht the cartoons without ever reading the comics. The only problem I've always had with the cartoon was the absolute lack of anything about Kyle. Justice League was based in a comic book whose Justice League had Kyle Rayner as one of the founders. John Stewart was only ever chosen for the cartoon, because, upon becoming Ion, Kyle read the minds of all humans and saw how selfish the vast majority were. With him doing his best for the planet, and yet people could only thing on themselves, felt envy towards their neighbors, harbored ill intent. Kyle left the planet for good and asked John to fill his place in the Justice League, because John Stewart was his closest friend and the person he trusted more above all other candidates. At the same time John only returned to the Corps because Kyle helped him overcome his depression, and get over his guilt. And yet Kyle is pretty much inexistent in that series. What we have is a Hal Jordan that makes art for the Daily planet, with Kyle's name but completely lacking in what makes Kyle a Green lantern

[@RedXlV]

I don't know how well they would've been able to pull off the betrayal plotline without Hawkgirl. If it had instead been Aquaman in the League, he would've had to be the traitor but in that case it would be Atlantis vs the surface world. In which case since Aquaman is the *king* of Atlantis, you can't really make him conflicted the way Hawkgirl was since he would've been the one who decided to wage war against humanity in the first place.

[@ComicBookNostalgia]

"less talking more hitting" -Hawkgirl

[@ghostface9652]

"there's a time for words and there's a time for action" - hawkgirl

[@kingkong9892]

The fact she says both of these lines to green lantern.... Feel like shes trying to tell him something

[@dcauwatchtower]

@@kingkong9892 I think the first was to Lex?

[@nonenone4461]

Sounds like my last date.

[@edwinstovall3334]

Now, let me get this straight: Hawkgirl assumed an Earthian identity, able to do so by ... hiding her natural wings in a KNAPSACK!? WTF??

[@thahirshibu5042]

That musta hurt those first few weeks.

[@TheMsLourdes]

Would have crippled her from flying and been the most uncomfortable thing to wear.. Imagine wearing basically a straight jacket everywhere you go...

[@edwinstovall3334]

Kinda reminds me of the early days of Marvel's X-Men. Warren Worthington III, aka the Avenging Angel, then the Angel, THEN Archangel, wore a restraining harness around his wings while he was maintaining a secret identity. I can't imagine he'd like that either, so that might have figured into his decision to come out.

[@chancegoode173]

Lol I was saying the same thing when I heard that line she assumed an earth Ian identity. That’s kind of hard to do when you have a pair of super long wings on your back

[@michaelandreipalon359]

Well, breast binders are a thing, so this isn't exactly far-fetched in hindsight.

[@wanderlustwarrior]

Maria Canals did an amazing performance of the character in general, and really is Hawkgirl/Woman/Shayera/Shiera for me. I wonder if she reflected on the role, or what she thought about the twist at the time, if anything!

[@srstriker6420]

Yeah she deserves more credit

[@barblake9230]

So cool that they used Hawkgirl rather than Hawkman for the show. Ever since I've always wanted more Hawkgirl specific comics and she continues to be one of my favorites :D

[@charlesintune]

She was the reason I bought Injustice 1. "taste the mace" is still a line I use way too often in my head. So badass..

[@jfduug4994]

I loved her so much as a kid, still do. She was a fun role model for girls

[@DSan-kl2yc]

In a perfect world we'd have both. Like in young justice, where they are both utterly wasted. But not in that cartoon, I mean some future one. Justice league was good as is

[@bloody4558]

Not cool, Hawkman doesn't deserve the hate. The guy is constantly ignored in everything.

[@Greg12839]

He was in the show

[@TheInkTank]

Great video! Was always curious about the story of this reveal but haven't had time to give JL a watch-through yet.

[@dcauwatchtower]

Oooooo boi you spoiled it for yaself! Ya gotta watch it!

[@stefansauvageonwhat-a-twis1369]

You guys here too? Wow

[@michaelrhett4958]

Hi ink tank!!!

[@VunderGuy]

Please watch Justice League! And the rest of the DCAU! You'll appreciate the origins of Ben 10 a lot better since Ben 10 can trace it's lineage all the way back to it and appreciate how much better even okay episodes are than the slightly above average doggerel that is the Ben 10 franchise at its best!

[@ComicDrake]

Thank you so much for having me! It's always a pleasure working with y'all!

[@skarloey1214]

Hi Drake.

[@badboi6247]

I love crossovers

[@srstriker6420]

@@badboi6247 you do? well then what do you think about the Flash meeting Sonic the hedgehog?

[@adrianvelante8014]

Sup Drake

[@skarloey1214]

@@srstriker6420 I Can't Speak For Bad Boi But That Sounds Awesome To Me.

[@darwinxavier3516]

This twist hit me particularly hard because Hawkgirl was my favorite member of the JL. She was snarky, confident, passionate, and fun. The way she blew up and called out(and beat the snot out of) the Lantern Corp for abandoning one of their own made me really admire her.

[@rainmaker9715]

Now that I think about it…hawk girl really was everything. Like even her aggressive nature paid off. She could talk to any of the league members and have good dialogue.

[@TheMsLourdes]

Yeah you know once showing up in, 'In Brightest Day' Parts 1 and 2, Its astounding to me that Shayera never asked around to anyone about Thanagar... not once was she ever curious if she could find a way home... and the GL's I mean if not them then the freaing Guardians of the Universe would have easily known. SO at least three opportunities to show her how to get home and not even a single ask from her or anybody in the league.... YEap big red flag entirely missed at the time... until the christmas episode, then it adds up.

[@bobtherandomguy805]

ComicDrake makes a really good Bruce Timm Rich Fogel and Dan Riba on the other hand do a decent job as Rich Fogel and Dan Riba

[@skarloey1214]

They Should Have Had Rich Play Dan And Dan Play Rich That Would Have Made More Sense.

[@aliciagentile1857]

I am glad I am not the only one who cried when she left. Like you said, you just accepted her as part of the team. My sister was extremely upset because Hawkgirl was her favorite. Goes to show you what good writing can do for a show.

[@rayvenkman2087]

What did she think of her return in Justice League Unlimited?

[@aliciagentile1857]

@@rayvenkman2087 Estatic. I also liked how they showed her face instead of just wearing her helmet all the time.

[@PhantomObserver]

Batman’s first case with Hawkgirl … sounds like something for Batman The Adventures Continue Series 3, doesn’t it?

[@srstriker6420]

I wish that was true and I guess you have or haven’t seen Tiny Toon Adventures?

[@Deoxys911]

Sounds like something for that rumored Batman: TAS continuation on HBO Max to me! But maybe they can bring the Penguin's new henchpeople from that comic series in for her episode just to make the Databaes smile.

[@chrisstetsko5020]

I miss these old JL cartoons. They were incredible stories.

[@StarGazer0352]

Considering I was barely a year old when Starcrossed aired, no I did not see the twist coming. Didn't learn about the fake origin either until now. Learn something new everyday

[@forastero54321]

This was epic back in the days. Left a hole in my little heart.

[@anonymous36247]

I was a young adult. I'm 39 now. I didn't know about any of this.

[@oldmanlogan9616]

Yes lol I was 1 year old

[@Mary_Studios]

I was two years old so yeah I didn't know about it either.

[@oldmanlogan9616]

That scene of Flash hugging Shayera always breaks my heart.

[@duckie730]

That twist surprised me and I was not expecting it at all. Her story even got more complicated when it was reincarnation in justice league unlimited.

[@ChangedMyNameFinally69]

@LilHeinz94 He's the genuine article I think, they just were pairing her up with John instead

[@michelleann1910]

That was her original origin back in the Golden Age of comics, which had a Justice Society instead of the Justice League that was invented in the Silver Age. In the Silver Age that Golden Age Hawkgirl was from the Earth 2 reality, while the Silver Age Thanagarian Hawkgirl was from the Earth 1 reality.

[@michelleann1910]

The Golden Age Hawkman and Hawkgirl were Carter Hall and Shiera Saunders, American archeologists who were the present reincarnations of the ancient Egyptian Prince Khufu and his consort Chay-Ara. Their souls were linked magically so that they would always be drawn to each other in each of their many lives throughout history. As you know, the Silver Age characters are instead Katar Hol and Shayera Thal, aliens from the planet Thanagar and no reincarnation is involved. And of course both origin stories have been tweaked repeatedly in all the retcons to the DC universe that have been done in the last 40 years, beginning with Crisis on Infinite Earths in 1985. Wikipedia has a good summary of all this in its article about the Golden Age Hawkman. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawkman_(Carter_Hall) The Wiki article on Katar Hol gives a review of all the retcons Hawkman and Hawkgirl/Hawkwoman have gone through since COIE. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawkman_(Katar_Hol)

[@zerodiamond4206]

I finished Justice League last night and there's been subtle hints since Episode 1. I think Comfort and Joy was the biggest giveaway when she and John went to "a planet she would go to celebrate on when she was on Thanaguard." You would think she would know how to get back to Thanaguard if she's been there and back multiple times

[@doctorcardio1559]

Awesome obersavion.

[@awesomeatronik]

Huh I never considered Hawkgirl as a sidekick, her and Hawkman were always together as a team.

[@Shadow-kd2ot]

thats also how i saw it their stories were always focused on their love for each other

[@savvassavvides6681]

HawkGirl did what Omni-man did before it was cool..

[@allanthomaz2260]

Actually, Invincible did It first, Invincible Issue 7 is from December 2003(This is this the Issue when OmniMan betrays the Guardians), Starcrossed is from May 2004

[@Shadow-kd2ot]

@@allanthomaz2260 starcrossed is based on the invasion comic from the 80s so checkmate

[@allanthomaz2260]

@@Shadow-kd2ot Huh... Im not sure If you didn't read the Invasion comics or you have no Idea what are we talking about, maybe both.

[@camerongrow6426]

I remember reading Hawkgirl's fake origin in a comic or some other kids' magazine when I was little. It broke my heart when I found out she betrayed the League

[@chcltroses]

I thought this was an amazing reveal. I loved her because she was basically the opposite of Wonder Woman. I was kinda glad there was another woman in Justice league, I just wonder why they never thought to add her to the live movies

[@macmay3042]

Rainbow Robbers: Hardened criminals who exclusively steal pots of gold from leprechauns.

[@kwayneboy1524]

Please tell this is true.

[@kronemerj]

Given the dc universe it probably could be....

[@dr.calibrations7984]

Does that REALLY make them villians though?

[@omnientertainment5852]

I thought they were talking about a certain group...lol i kid i kid.

[@KairuHakubi]

@@omnientertainment5852 i couldn't help but think 'fanny bandits'

[@questions2493]

Dude don't I know it I was a kid like 7 when I saw Starcrossed and I jumped when she psyched Jon and was in such disbelief and I cried when she left too it doesn't help that Alfred said his final lines in the show and they were so heartwarming

[@bortmaximus]

My favorite bit of trivia dialog is how Shayera could *regularly* beat Batman at chess.

[@jazzmyn5804]

20:19 My biggest question was how did she hide her wings if she had a civilian identity. Thank you for answering that important question

[@srstriker6420]

Yeah I wish we could have seen that before Starcrossed but we don’t or even meeting Batman before the Justice league

[@monicadoe9760]

I read thanagarians have pills to transfigurate their bodies. I guess that's the solution.

[@Mr_Yod]

@@monicadoe9760 It depends on the continuity, I think: I often saw them removing their wings in comics, so in those cases they are only some sort of bionic "implant" (that's not implanted).

[@dariakey5318]

@@Mr_Yod i guess Shayera'e wings were pretty much real in the cartoon, unlike Katar's. At least, she felt pain when got hit with the spike in last episodes of unlimited. And she had her wings "on" even for a date. Anyway, I love to think that hee wings are natural 😆

[@Mr_Yod]

@@dariakey5318 Yes: in the cartoon they are real.

[@JaretOnYoutube]

So that’s who voiced Hawk-Girl. I knew her voice was familiar.

[@the1withthepen]

If my math is accurate, Hawkgirl and Batman's initial meeting would take place around the "Lost Years" era of DCAU Batman lore. Would have been / might be an interesting thing to explore in the "Adventures Continue" comic if the writers of "Season Two" want to take another swing at that mostly unexplored point in time.

[@dcauwatchtower]

Yep! 1997, DCAU time.

[@dcauwatchtower]

Well, that’s when she got to Earth, anyway.

[@brunofernandes3298]

Hawkgirl and Martian Manhunter are my favourite heroes EVER. Love them

[@Merennulli]

It honestly struck me as a spur of the moment "Let's make this character betray everyone!" story idea, not something planned. We had seen Superman one day happen to be brainwashed by Darkseid, and plenty of other stories had these sorts of twists thrown in with no foreshadowing at all, so I never expected the writers knew prior to drafting the episode itself. I'm impressed that they went so far into making her a beloved, 3-dimensional and integral character while knowing the whole time they were going to do this. The twist itself was cliche, but they humanized it so well afterward with her withdrawal afterwards and slow reintegration rather than Superman's "nothing will ever be the same...for about 3 random episodes but everything will be the same otherwise" after his mind control. (Don't get me wrong, I liked when Superman dealt with it, but JLU dealing with Hawkgirl's betrayal was miles better.)

[@prometheusmodelow8322]

Yeah with Superman it felt like it didin't matter but i think it's because the show was meant to have more seasons showing what happened after Legacy, but alas, that never happened and we skipped to after he regained the public's trust in JL.

[@Merennulli]

@@prometheusmodelow8322 I really like where they went with Cadmus in JLU. They made the Justice Lords the central argument for it instead, but in some respects it did give us the consequences we were missing from Darkseid's mind control and did explicitly reference that as the origin of the project (even if that was just a throwaway line). And they did a good job of showing Cadmus wasn't entirely wrong with the JLU. They gave us a version of Green Arrow that gave voice to why blind anti-authoritarianism isn't good but also that "trust us, we're the good guys" isn't a safe thing to accept when immense power is involved. It's a nuance we rarely get to see in media.

[@lilhypnotique]

@@Merennulli When one of your team mates has a whole contingency plan for “we the good guys, trust us” side, you would think there would be some discussion in that.

[@Merennulli]

@@lilhypnotique Which did you mean? Batman's leaked contingency plan or Cadmus's plan?

[@lilhypnotique]

@@Merennulli Batman leaked contingency plan. When you have a whole kryptonite bullet ready to shoot into Supe’s heart, I think a conversation needs to be had.

[@Akursedtime]

Its sad that Hawkgirl in current form of movies and cartoon is regulated to background character when she was in Justice League/Unlimited a fan favourite. The fact that she had the most overarching plot and character development showed that the writers put a lot of effort in her as a whole. DC forgot they could have pushed Hawkgirl into the mainstream after the cartoon ended.

[@cjarmon76]

Hawkgirl’s arc was a perfect way to close Justice League to me. Like you said in the video, her whole story arc was very much a well done surprise. I definitely didn’t see it coming, but loved it when it played out! The writers did her storyline justice by making her well-liked before having her “betray” the league, and still giving the audience a reason to sympathize with her. It was, in my very humble opinion, the best overall “movie” associated with the Justice League outside of the Cadmus arc.