DC Continuity Broke 1 Iconic Superhero (& Actually Made Him Better)

by

Hawkman is a classic superhero, debuting in 1940 in *Flash Comics* #1. He quickly became a key figure in the DC universe and even led the first team, the Justice Society. The original story – that Carter Hall was a reincarnated Egyptian pharaoh – was compelling, and his winged, hawk-masked appearance was instantly memorable. However, Hawkman faded from comics in 1951 when superhero popularity declined, largely due to concerns raised in Frederic Wertham’s *Seduction of the Innocent*, and this marked the beginning of a long series of challenges for the character.

Hawkman first became popular as a DC hero in the 1940s, and when comics shifted again, he was reintroduced in 1961 in *The Brave and the Bold* #34. Like many classic heroes being updated, Hawkman received a new backstory, becoming Katar Hol, an alien police officer from the planet Thanagar. The original Golden Age Hawkman eventually reappeared on Earth-Two, and things were relatively stable until the *Crisis on Infinite Earths* reboot. This event merged all DC universes into one, resulting in two different Hawkman origins. A third origin arrived with the *Hawkworld* series, making Hawkman’s history incredibly complex. But as a fan, I believe that confusing continuity is actually part of what makes Hawkman so enjoyable!

Hawkman Wouldn’t Be as Interesting Without the Wonky Continuity

I’ve always found Hawkman fascinating, and people sometimes compare him to Wolverine, which I can see! He’s always been portrayed as a really forceful hero, and I think it comes down to his backstory. Whether it’s Carter Hall, the ancient prince, fighting like royalty of old with weapons and a brutal style, or Katar Hol, the no-nonsense police officer always ready to deliver a knockout blow, he’s never shied away from a fight. But what *really* sets Hawkman apart isn’t just that he’s tough – plenty of heroes are! It’s something deeper that keeps me coming back to his story.

Hawkman is a compelling character largely because of the complicated history surrounding him. Some of the best Hawkman stories happen when his origins are reimagined. His resurgence in the 2000s attempted to clarify his backstory, connecting the different versions of the character through the idea of reincarnation and a shared connection to the planet Thanagar. This approach allowed both versions to coexist logically, which was satisfying for readers. And when a new origin was introduced in the 2018 *Hawkman* series – that he’s reborn throughout time and space to atone for past mistakes – it added another layer to his already rich story, rather than contradicting what came before.

Hawkman, whether you know him as Carter, Katar, or a combination of the two, has always been a bit of a lackluster character. But the idea of a Hawkman who journeys through time and space, constantly being reborn on different planets? That’s a really compelling concept. It’s something we hadn’t seen before, and it only emerged because the Crisis on Infinite Earths event completely altered his backstory.

Hawkman used to be seen as a complicated character, but his confusing history is actually what sets him apart. While many heroes use traditional weapons, Hawkman’s constantly changing backstory is truly unique. Despite the different versions, all Hawkmen share some consistent elements – a romance with Hawkgirl or Hawkwoman, and the use of Nth metal technology. But it’s this strange and varied history that’s most interesting. Currently, there could be several different versions of Hawkman existing simultaneously.

It’s amazing how many different versions of Hawkman can exist within the DC universe – we already have Nighthawk, a gunslinger from the Old West! This wouldn’t be possible without the character’s complicated history, which is really interesting. Hawkman could have simply been a strong leader who fought with the Justice Society, died, and returned as an alien with a tendency to argue – and that would have been perfectly acceptable. However, the fact that there are multiple versions of Hawkman makes him much more special and enjoyable to read about.

Hawkman Being So Complicated Is What We Love About Him

Hawkman is a surprisingly important figure in the history of superheroes, yet he’s often overlooked. He was a key member of one of the very first superhero teams, and their adventures helped build a huge fanbase. Though his popularity has waned and resurfaced over the years, and a major event called *Crisis on Infinite Earths* nearly ended his story, writers like Geoff Johns and Robert Venditti revitalized the character. They took his complicated backstory and turned it into something truly compelling, transforming a perceived flaw into a unique strength.

Hawkman often gets cited as an example of what’s wrong with comics, but I actually think he proves the opposite. He’s a character who, on paper, shouldn’t succeed in today’s comic landscape. He was nearly ruined in the 1990s when writers first tried to streamline his story, but he was ultimately rescued by the unique possibilities that only comics offer. Hawkman demonstrates that even the most complicated and convoluted characters can be revitalized by embracing their confusing history and building something fresh and exciting.

What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!

https://comicbook.com/comics/news/10-most-underrated-dc-stories/embed/#

Read More

2025-10-07 21:13