The I'm really gonna miss Hawkgirl thread

[Floyd The Barber]

:(
I was really digging Walt Simonson's run on Hawkgirl. I liked the artists too. I always love Howard Chakyin of course, and I was taking quite a liking to Renato Arlem's art as well. I know that Hawkman is in JSA and Hawkgirl is in JLA but I'm really going to miss the hawks having their own book. From the really great Johns/Morales run to the Rann/Thanagar War to Simonson's current run I just really enjoyed the whole series and am very dissapointed to see it go. My one gripe is that after all the time and tension that was put into Kendra and Carter getting together, the quick separation after Carter's return seems a little forced. I don't blame this on Simonson though as this seems like probably more of an editorial decision to explain what will probably be their lack of interaction while on their respective teams. Of course there are a few issues left (the last one's solicited for July) but It doesn't look good for Kendra and Carter's relationship. I would love to see them together though. It took so long to get there but it sure didn't last very long. *sigh* I can't believe this is getting cancelled before Aquaman. Hopefully like the Hawks themselves it will only be a matter of time before another series gets "resurrected".

[Suzanne]

I hear ya, Floyd. I've been reading since #15, bought the previous issues, and had been with it since. Honestly, I wasn't enjoying Walt and Chaykin's run that much, but I'm certainly gonna miss having a Hawk book to read every month. Even so, I'm not too down about it. I think it'll be relaunched in the near future too.

[Cayman]

I wouldn't be too surprised if they relaunched a Hawkman series later, or perhaps call it Hawkman and Hawkgirl.

I loved the idea of her having a solo title but didn't care for the execution.

[Hawkman]

Honestly, I've been missing Hawkman for more than a year now. Hawkgirl, though, it hasn't been the same since the title shift. OYL totally sucked the life out of this book. The Hawks are a team and by seperating them, DC went a long way in hurting this title's chances from the outset.

Johns, Palmiotti, and Gray all got the dynamic that made these characters appealing. The dynamic that's made them appealing through all their various incarnations. Now I'm not saying that Walter didn't, but the fact is he was forced to write a book that lacked said dynamic altogether, and then told after the fact to explain why it wasn't there in the first place.

And Chaykin's art didn't help either, I'm sorry to say. I'm sure he has his fans, but he was all wrong for Hawkgirl in my opinion. Aside from his tendacy to draw Kendra as rather well... developed (a depiction that she had previously never before been subjected to), at least get someone who can draw wings. Arlem, though, he was clicking with me. It's just too bad Simonson didn't get art duties as well in the beginning, because at least the book wouldn't have been faltering on both ends of the creative spectrum that way.

Anyway, I just wish DC would've given the book one last shot, like they're apparantly giving Aquaman. Walt does seem to have found his stride since "The Maw," but that story turned off so many readers that I think it would've been too difficult for him to earn them back no matter what he managed to put out afterward. I would've liked to have seen one last creative shift, a title change to either Hawkman again or Hawkman & Hawkgirl, and a return to the status quo of this being a book focused on one of the most stable couples in all of the DCU and their adventuring together. Instead, we're left with a forced fling between Kendra and Roy in JLA that we all know will never last, and a Hawkman that will no doubt be pining away alone in the pages of JSA, assuming he's even addressed enough for such to be noticed.

Argh! I'm just really frustrated at the way OYL screwed this once great title over. And it wasn't even that long ago that it had reached the pinnacle of its greatness. "The Rise of the Golden Eagle" was simply stellar, and despite some of it's misteps (killing Shayera) I even liked Rann/Thanagar. Now, though, all I'm left with is a cancelled book that used to be so very, very promising each month. All I can hope for is that Carter will be prominently featured in the upcoming search for Ray Palmer, that he and Kendra will manage to wind up back together sooner than I expect, and from the pages of Countdown a mini will emerge that may or may not lead to a Hawkman Vol. 5. Fingers crossed, anyway...

For now, though, farewell, Hawkman Vol. 4. You were the best one yet for my money.

[Floyd The Barber]

Honestly, I've been missing Hawkman for more than a year now. Hawkgirl, though, it hasn't been the same since the title shift. OYL totally sucked the life out of this book. The Hawks are a team and by seperating them, DC went a long way in hurting this title's chances from the outset.

I really don't understand why they did this either. What was the point in Hawkman's year-long absence??? Did his return in JSA really require him to be gone for almost a year??? And how the hell was it worth sacrificing a perfectly good series for???


Walt does seem to have found his stride since "The Maw," but that story turned off so many readers that I think it would've been too difficult for him to earn them back no matter what he managed to put out afterward.

I actually enjoyed "The Maw". It was definitely different and I could see how it would have turned a lot of people off. But with what Walt was given I think it was an entertaining (if strange) take on a solo Hawkgirl story. I have long been a Chaykin fan, but his art was definitely a big change from the previous art tone of the series. It was a total 180 for the series that I'm sure had a lot of people scratching their heads. Why DC chose to do this when they should have taken OYL to show people how great the Hawks could be without getting so experimental is bewildering. Definitely a misstep more from an editorial standpoint than a creative one I think.


Instead, we're left with a forced fling between Kendra and Roy in JLA that we all know will never last

This angers me to no end. I really hope this wasn't just so Meltzer could have Roy slobber over a Benes drawn Kendra for the remainder of what so far has been a painfully tediously written JLA. What a waste.


Vol. 4. You were the best one yet for my money.

I agree completely. I liked it much better than Hawkworld even. You really brought up a lot of good points DC should have thought out. Letting this quality series go for what seems like absolutely no GOOD reason is definitely a big misstep and a failed opportunity on DC's part.

[Hawkman]

I really don't understand why they did this either. What was the point in Hawkman's year-long absence??? Did his return in JSA really require him to be gone for almost a year??? And how the hell was it worth sacrificing a perfectly good series for???
I've always assumed it was due to Hawkgirl's popularity on JLU. Too bad no one told editorial that that was a completely different Hawkgirl, one that had more in common with Shayera Thal's Hawkwoman than Kendra's Hawkgirl. You know, the same Shayera DC killed off in Rann/Thanagar.


I actually enjoyed "The Maw". It was definitely different and I could see how it would have turned a lot of people off. But with what Walt was given I think it was an entertaining (if strange) take on a solo Hawkgirl story. I have long been a Chaykin fan, but his art was definitely a big change from the previous art tone of the series. It was a total 180 for the series that I'm sure had a lot of people scratching their heads. Why DC chose to do this when they should have taken OYL to show people how great the Hawks could be without getting so experimental is bewildering. Definitely a misstep more from an editorial standpoint than a creative one I think.
Different folks, different strokes. I didn't hate "The Maw" like some folks did, but I found it kind of slow, and ultimately felt as if it just dropped off at the end with no real sense of resolution. It also seemed like it would have been a poor jumping on point for new readers, something that OYL titles were publicised as being.

As for Chaykin's art, I'm sorry, but I just can't get into it. Maybe for horror comics I would like it, but I've never been much of a fan of those myself. I'm glad you liked it, though. As for me, Joe Bennett remains the high point in terms of art for this book.


This angers me to no end. I really hope this wasn't just so Meltzer could have Roy slobber over a Benes drawn Kendra for the remainder of what so far has been a painfully tediously written JLA. What a waste.
Exactly what I'm thinking. It's as if Brad just likes the idea of Kendra and Roy being together because there are similiar aspects to the characters, and all of the deep rooted history between she and Carter within the context of their origin be damned in the process. Highly annoying. The only saving grace is I'm certain that it will never last.

[Sean Walsh]

Exactly what I'm thinking. It's as if Brad just likes the idea of Kendra and Roy being together because there are similiar aspects to the characters, and all of the deep rooted history between she and Carter within the context of their origin be damned in the process. Highly annoying. The only saving grace is I'm certain that it will never last.

It was my understanding that the reason Roy and Kendra are "together" (or at least cute about each other) is (a) I don't believe they've never met before now so it's literally like a "omg hot guy/omg hot girl" first meeting, and (b) a play on the volatile history between Carter and Ollie, now being reflected in 2 loved ones of theirs being attracted to each other.

[Hawkman]

Obviously Meltzer can't resist the tension that will ensue. But since Ollie isn't in this League, I honestly don't know how much mileage Brad's going to be able to get out of his and Carter's history aside from mere mentioning and more inner-monologues. However, Kendra and Roy do have some things in common besides. They both have kids, they both have troubled pasts, and in comparison to most of the others in the current League, they're both relatively green.

My problem with it, though, is that Kendra was and has been shown to be attracted to Carter for a considerdable time now. She's shown no signs of being interested in anyone else, in fact. Heck, in Hawkgirl she's trying to get rid of Hath-Set so she and Carter can finally be together without fear of winding up dead again. I can totally see Roy persuing her -- which admittedly, up to this point, is basically all that's even been hinted at -- but I can't see her reciprocating his advances.

I'm assuming we'll get a bit more development concerning this in the next issue of JLA. Hoping we will, anyway. Mind you, I'm not completely averse to this, as I think it could be interesting. But I'm also of the opinion that this is a case of not allowing common sense and established characterization to get in the way of "good" storytelling. Kind of like Civil War.:)

[Suzanne]

I don't think she and Roy will stay together either, but I have no problem with it. In JSA Classified, didn't Carter tell Kendra he would stay on Thanagar? If not, then I can understand why she'd drift away from him. He'd been missing for a year without a trace and could've been dead for all she knew.

[Hawkman]

Actually, she did think he was dead, and was extremely relieved (and a little miffed) when he turned up alive. But after a vision from Shiera, Kendra intentially pushed him away, even though she really didn't want to, so as to settle things with Hath-Set first. And that's my problem. At this point, it just seems out of character for Kendra to get involved with Roy when outside of JLA she's only been shown to want to be with Carter.

However, I'm still willing to see how it plays out. If Meltzer doesn't use JLA #11 like I think he's going to to build on this proposed relationship, then I predict it will fizzle very quickly when the new writer takes over. If he does, then it'll last a bit longer, but still ultimately go nowhere. Either way, it's the same result. I've always equated the Hawks as kind of the Reed and Sue Richards of the DCU; one of the few stable superheroic partners in romance. I can't imagine them ever being split up in any long-term capacity, and this case is no different. It could be a fun ride while it lasts, though.

[Hawkman]

So did anyone pick up the final issue besides me? I thought it was okay, but I absolutely despise that the fated lovers angle has seemingly been thrown out the window. I feared that's the road Walt was headed down, what with the way he wrote Shiera as almost a separate entity inside Kendra. But in actuality, from what had been established, Kendra should've fallen over dead when Shiera's soul left her body. This really, really bothered me.

However, the story was nevertheless pretty decent, and at least the whole Hath-Set portion of the reincarnation cycle has been put to bed. And I did like how Kendra didn't simply tell Carter to get lost, instead having them flying together hand-in-hand into the sunset at the end. In other words, the romance between them is still going to be played up apparently, which is a good thing in my opinion. Plus, with a new series reportedly going to show up in '08 featuring both of them, I'm not very worried that they'll be split up in any long term capacity, which went a long way in making this finale more acceptable to me.

Anywho, the once great Hawkman series went out with a whimper in the form of Hawkgirl. With what it had become, I wasn't exactly disappointed to see it go, but I wasn't thrilled with the conclusion either. I'm going to be miffed over the fated lovers aspect being kicked to the wayside for a long time, I'm sure, but I suppose I'll just have to get over it...

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Hawkgirl should always be with her Hawkman. Thats how I always feel. The one great thing about the Palmotti and Grey run was the fact Kendra finally admitted she loved Carter and his sorta old school warrior ways.

I do like how she keeps him on his toes. And how Johns had them tell Carter when he returned "Have you ever had to court a girl ? Well your gonna have to do it here."

[jadrax]

Apparently when asked Didio said there will be a new Hawk book launched in 2008

[Chiroptera]

I'm pretty sad to see Hawkgirl going myself, I honestly never cared for Carter all that much, but I always loved Kendra; very sad to see her title is going the way of the dodo, still if a new book launches I may pick it up but atleast for now it means one less comic for me to have to pay for each week... But since it's one of my favorite's it means one less to look forward too...

[Captain Jim]

Apparently when asked Didio said there will be a new Hawk book launched in 2008

First I'd heard that. Is it referenced in an article anywhere?

[Hawkman]

First I'd heard that. Is it referenced in an article anywhere?
It's mentioned in the last paragraph of this article (http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=11409) featured here at CBR. I don't know if it was DiDio himself that made reference to it, but it nevertheless seems legitimate.

[Suzanne]

I knew it! Given the stuff I've been going through lately, this is great news :D

[Captain Jim]

It's mentioned in the last paragraph of this article (http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=11409) featured here at CBR. I don't know if it was DiDio himself that made reference to it, but it nevertheless seems legitimate.

Thanks. And I'm glad that the series is supposed to feature Hawkman AND Hawkgirl.

[EnDwiGast]

It's mentioned in the last paragraph of this article (http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=11409) featured here at CBR. I don't know if it was DiDio himself that made reference to it, but it nevertheless seems legitimate.

Excellent news. :D

I'd expected/hoped as much since I saw the promo poster DC put out with the DC legends on it. The one where some people were worried it meant he would die.

If DC would publish better than decent Hawkman and Orin/Aquaman titles, then I really couldn't ask for anything more from them. (I can already count on a near-monthly dose of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash & Hal Jordan.)

[40yearoldnovafan]

I am a big time Marvel fan, however, I loved HAWKMAN! I am one of those people who enjoy character dynamics, which Hawkman had. Hawkgirl did not. I was happy when Kendra admitted she loved Hawkman. I was ecstatic when Hawkman and Hawkgirl did the deed. The Golden Eagle storyline rocked, when Carter came back. This used to be one of those titles I could not wait for.

Then DC screwed everything up with their editorial caused shake up. I hated Chaykins art on the title. I hated Carter's exile. I hated the loss of the dynamic between Carter and Kendra. I kept purchasing the title, waiting for Carter's return. And it occurred only to see the title canned.

DC SCREWED UP BIG TIME WITH THEIR ONE YEAR LATER CRAP. Marvel's editor in chief has become heavy handed also. But one year later has been the worst.



ONE YEAR LATER SCREWED DC BIG TIME!!!!

Jimmy

[Captain Jim]

Actually, I think DC may have made the right decision, canceling the current book and coming back with a strong new start several months later.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Actually, I think DC may have made the right decision, canceling the current book and coming back with a strong new start several months later.

They put Grey and Palmotti back on this and Dan Didio will get my eternal thanks. :D

[Hawkman]

Thanks. And I'm glad that the series is supposed to feature Hawkman AND Hawkgirl.
Ditto. Personally, I'm hoping that for once both characters are featured in the title.

And who's with me in having the two of them getting hitched when the book kicks off? This pursuit and withdraw romance between them has been going on since Carter came back. I breathed a huge sigh of relief when they finally consummated their relationship during Rann/Thanagar, only to see it all thrown out following OYL. The time is long overdue to make them a staple couple in the DCU again, in my opinion.

[HotRod_Tim]

Well, if Hawkman has a big role coming in Final Crisis (and he is one of just the 5 characters on the poster) then he might just be getting another series.

[Suzanne]

I have a feeling this book will go in a different direction than before. Maybe Carter & Kendra will finally be an item Who knows, with the multiverse back, maybe it'll be Katar & Shayera instead....

[CBikle]

I really don't understand why they did this either. What was the point in Hawkman's year-long absence??? Did his return in JSA really require him to be gone for almost a year??? And how the hell was it worth sacrificing a perfectly good series for???

That never did pay off, did it ? Kind of was forgotten about the same way the "Harvey Dent filling in for Batman" storyline was.