Hawkman I & Hawkgirl I

Created by Gardner Fox & Dennis Neville • Shiera by Gardner Fox & Sheldon Moldoff 

NAME + ALIASES: Carter Hall KNOWN RELATIVES: Shiera Saunders Hall (Hawkgirl, wife, deceased, Hector Hall (Dr. Fate, son), Hippolyta Hall (Fury, daughter-in-law, deceased), Daniel Hall (Dream, grandson), Norda Cantrell (Northwind, godson) GROUP AFFILIATIONS: Justice Society of America, All-Star Squadron, Justice League of America FIRST APPEARANCE: Flash Comics #1 (January 1940)

NAME + ALIASES: Shiera Saunders Hall KNOWN RELATIVES: Carter Hall (Hawkman, husband), Hector Hall (Dr. Fate, son, deceased), Hippolyta Hall (Fury, daughter-in-law, deceased), Daniel Hall (Dream II, grandson), Cyril "Speed" Saunders (cousin), Kendra Shiera Saunders (Hawkgirl II, grandniece) GROUP AFFILIATIONS: All-Star Squadron, Justice Society of America, Justice League of America FIRST APPEARANCE: As Shiera: Flash Comics #1 (January 1940). As Hawkgirl: All-Star Comics #5 (June-July 1941). DEATH: Hawkman v.3 #13

The lives of Hawkman and Hawkgirl began millennia ago, as the lovers in 19th Dynasty ancient Egypt, Prince Khufu and Chay-ara. They lived during the prosperous reign of Ramses II and defended Egypt alongside other great champions like Nabu and Thet Adam. Their powers were generated by the anti-gravity metal called "Nth Metal," which was scavenged from a crashed Thanagarian spaceship. Once, Chay-Ara was even paid a visit by her future self, Kendra Saunders (Hawkgirl II). She, Mr. Terrific and Captain Marvel had been thrust back in time and helped the Egyptians battle Vandal Savage and the Metamorph.

Khufu and Chay-Ara were murdered by Hath-Set with a blade made from the Nth metal. The mystical properties of the metal cursed Khufu and Chay-ara's souls to eternal reincarnation. This cycle also afflicted the soul of Hath-Set. They were both forever blessed: to meet and love again for eternity; and forever doomed: to die at the hands of Hath-Set.

Eventually, one pair of reincarnated souls would repeatedly break this cycle. That pair met in late 1939, when archaeologists Carter Hall and Shiera Saunders became lovers and began adventuring as Hawkman and Hawkgirl. Hawkman was a founding member of the Justice Society and Hawkgirl a frequent ally. Both also served extensively with the wartime All-Star Squadron. They married in the late 1940s, sometime before the JSA disbanded in 1951. Later, they bore one son, Hector, who later became the hero Silver Scarab. Hector was also cursed by their enemy and was actually born without a soul; like his parents, tragedy would scar his own legacy. Hector eventually married Lyta Trevor (Fury) and they had a son, Daniel.

For a time, Carter and Shiera settled in Midway City, Michigan, and acquired a spaceship. In this era, they became space adventurers as well. (Hawkman v.1 series)

Their enhanced longevity (from exposure to chronal energies in 1942) extended their careers, and they were both also early members of the Justice League. Following one of the JLA's earliest team-ups with the JSA, the Hawks began serving as liaisons between the two teams (JLA: Incarnations #2). They remained active with both teams until the first great "crisis." At that time, they and the rest of the Justice Society willingly entered into Limbo to wage an eternal cyclic battle to prevent Ragnarok (the Norse version of judgment day).

Fel Andar and Golden Eagle — Hawkmen II & IV

Years before Katar Hol (the well-known Thanagarian Hawkman) arrived on Earth, he was preceded by several other Thanagarian hawk-police. Paran Katar was the first, having arrived on Earth in 1939. He befriended Carter Hall and lent some of the secrets of Thangarian technology. Later, in 1947, Andar Nal and his brother Andar Pul touched down. Nal married an Earth woman, Naomi O’Neill and their son, Fel Andar, was raised on Thanagar and idolized the Wingmen police. As an adult, Fel was sent to Earth in advance of Thanagar and the Dominion attempt to invade Earth. (Invasion series) As part of his cover, he married a woman named Sharon Parker and they had a son, who bore both the Earth name Charles Edmund Parker and a Thanagarian, Cha'l Andar.

Fel Andar and Golden Eagle

But a family was not a part of Thanagar's plan for Fel Andar. Fearing that his superiors would discover his family on Earth, Andar brainwashed Sharon and put Charley up for adoption. Then when Carter and Shiera Hall were away at Ragnarok, Fel Andar, began posing as Hawkman II (at times, pretending to be "Carter Hall" and at others, "Carter Hall Jr."). Sharon became the first Hawkwoman. His identity and plot were revealed during the Dominators' alien invasion. (Hawkworld #25) When confronted by the Martian Manhunter (#22), Andar knew he would soon be exposed; he killed Sharon, but not before she recovered her memories and escaped to tell J'onn the truth. (#23) Fel Andar ultimately escaped and returned to Thanagar. He returned again to Earth with Shayera Thal (Hawkwoman II) (Hawkworld #25) but was again remanded to Thanagar. As the son of a Thanagarian statesman, Fel Andar escaped any punishment.

Fel and Sharon's son Charley was orphaned in Midway City and idolized Hawkman. He ultimately took to the streets as a drug runner and later contemplated suicide. As fate would have it, his father was the one who saved him. During Hawkman's absence, Andar posed as Carter Hall and gave Charlie a job as a janitor at the Midway City Museum. When the Shadow Theif appeared, Charley saved the day and was rewarded, with him an ancient battle armor. Fel never revealed his true identity to Charley but trained his son to use the Nth Metal in the armor. Charley never saw Hawkman again and after this, he made his own life in California, joining the Titans West as the Golden Eagle. (Teen Titans #50) This team was short-lived and he went back to working odd jobs. Later, when he helped try to save the New Titans, he was seemingly killed by the Wildebeest. (New Titans #72) In truth, the Nth metal saved his life as he lay underwater, and he eventually surfaced. Again in secret, Charley was saved by his father before Andar was shipped back to Thanagar. (Hawkman v.4 #45)

Golden Eagle returns from the dead,
Hawkman v.4 #37

After his "resurrection," the Golden Eagle learned all about his true heritage. He was greatly angered by Fel Andar deportation to Thanagar, and vowed to reclaim the legacy of Hawkman for himself. He laid relatively low, acquiring wealth and power, planning for the day when he would become Hawkman. But when Carter Hall returned from the dead, Charley vowed to destroy him — this "pretend" hawk-man of Earth. Golden Eagle assembled a deadly coterie of Hawkman's foes and seemingly succeeded in killing him with Thanagarian Manhawks.

In truth, Carter was one step ahead of him. He had planned for this with an illusion cast by his son, Dr. Fate. Carter allowed Golden Eagle to continue with his plan, which included the claim that Charley was Carter Hall's son. (#41) After Carter's "death," Charley became Kendra (Hawkgirl) Saunders' partner for a time, assuming the role of Hawkman (IV) with the pretense of drawing out Carter's killers. But Kendra began to suspect Charley's motives. She was skeptical when he told her that a sample of Carter's DNA proved he was his father, and of the claim that he had no knowledge of how he came to live in an orphanage. (Hawkman #42-43) He crossed the line when, after showing Hawkgirl  a Thanagarian space ship, he forcibly kissed Kendra and incited a fight. His anger came to a boil and he revealed everything. Carter chose this moment to return and defeat Charley. In the fight, Carter put one of Charley's eyes out and in the end, decided to send Cha'l Andar back to Thanagar for whatever justice they saw fit. He included a record of Andar's past for the authorities to discover. (Hawkman #44-45)

Cha'l Andar arrived on Thanagar at the dawn of the second Crisis, just as the planet Rann destabilized its orbit. The Golden Eagle quickly rose within the Thanagarian military and led an army in the Rann/Thanagar war. As fate would have it, Fel Andar chose this time to reveal himself to Charley as well. Andar had long since abandoned his mischievous ways and become rather a pacifist. He lamented how the Wingmen used to uphold the law, but now symbolized only murder, scandal and betrayal. Fel Andar convinced his son to side with the Seven (good) Gods and ally with Hawkman to try to end the war. This was his last act of atonement; Fel Andar was killed in the fighting by Blackfire. (#47-48)

Zero Hour for Hawkman

Two other Thanagarians also came to Earth during the Halls' absence. Katar Hol and Shayera Thal were sent to Earth as goodwill ambassadors and the news media quickly dubbed these two Hawkman III & Hawkwoman II. (Hawkworld v.2 #1) Carter and Shiera did eventually return from Limbo (Armageddon: Inferno #4) and to adventuring. Sadly, they also discovered that Hector had died in their absence. (Spectre v.3 #20) Their return was short-lived: Carter and Shiera were merged, along with all other "hawk avatars" into the form of Katar Hol during the Zero Hour. Shiera did not survive this merge. (Hawkman v.3 #13) Upon her death, Shiera's soul came to rest in the body of her cousin, Kendra Saunders (Hawkgirl II).

Hawkman: Endless Flight trade paperback (2003)

For the first time, as Shiera, Chay-ara had escaped murder at hands of Hath-Set. In addition, her soul came to rest inside Kendra upon the moment of Kendra's attempted suicide. Kendra did not acquire Shiera's memories (or Chay-Ara's for that matter) and it seemed possible that these events might have permanently disrupted the cycle of reincarnation for Chay-Ara.

The matter is more complicated (if that's possible!) for Carter. After his merge with Katar Hol, Hol was transported by the mage Arion to the "realm of the Hawk God." (Hawkman #33) Their physical forms were forfeit and Katar and Carter's souls drifted there until Hawkman was recalled to life on Thanagar by Kendra and the Justice Society. This time, Katar's soul did not survive this reincarnation, but Carter Hall lives again in a young new body (now with Katar's dark hair). (JSA #23)

His new life was difficult without Shiera, especially since Kendra did not return his affections. Regardless, the pair began working as partners in the city of St. Roch, Louisiana, and became fast friends. Around this time, Hector Hall was also reborn as Dr. Fate (IV). (JSA #3) Hector was one of the first to caution the Hawks to be wary of the hands of Hath-Set, and to question the bonds of love that had been their doom for so many millennia.

When Black Adam assembled his own rival team to the JSA and set out to free his homeland of Kahndaq, he called on Hawkman not to interfere (as the two had been allies in ancient Egypt). For his complicity in this mission, Hawkman was asked to resign from the JSA. (Hawkman v.4 #23-25, JSA #56-58)

Infinite Crisis

Kendra and Carter eventually did grow closer together, but cosmic events conspired to obstruct their destiny. When Thanagar went to war with the planet Rann, the Hawks were summoned by Adam Strange to help stop the conflict. (Hawkman #46) Strange hoped the Hawks could successfully mediate between sides, but Carter and Kendra were forced to ally with Adam against Thanagar. There, they were reunited with the Thanagarian Hawkwoman, Shayera Thal, who joined them against her own people. (Rann-Thanagar War #1-2)

In the escalation, they discovered that Thanagar was being led by the resurrected Onimar Synn and Shayera was killed by Blackfire (who sought to claim Rann for her own people). (#5) Eventually, the Hawks and their allies were able to defeat Synn, but they had no time to celebrate. Not only did Thanagar intend to continue its plans of conquest, but a great cosmic rift opened up in the Polaris (Thanagar's) galaxy. (#6) The Hawks enjoyed only a brief rest from battle — at which time they consummated their growing feelings for one another. (Hawkman #49)

Hawkman ultimately decided to remain on Thanagar to help with reconstruction, and Kendra returned to Earth. Carter focused on trying to gather evidence against Blackfire, to expose her maneuvering against the Thanagarian people. He knew that her "alliance" was a ruse to claim the planet for her own people. Carter gathered his evidence in a "Testament Pod" and secretly left it for safe keeping with Kendra in St. Roch. Blackfire learned of the Pod and sent after the Hawks. Together, they captured Blackfire and removed her powers with the alien Absorbascon. (#57-59, JSA Classified #21-22)

Alas, a true reunion was not in the cards for these ancient lovers. Kendra was now being warned by the spirit of Shiera Hall to break the Hawks' pattern of death and rebirth. To this end, Kendra gave Carter the cold shoulder and the couple separated. (Hawkgirl #60)

Also during the Crisis, Carter's son Hector and his wife, Lyta, died (again). After being cast into Hell by the Spectre, Fury called upon their son Daniel to carry them off to the land of the Dreaming. (JSA #80)

Solo

Both Kendra and Carter dealt with their break-up by returning to teamwork. While Carter rejoined the Justice Society (JSofA v.3 #2), Kendra took part in the first case of the newly reformed Justice League and joined thereafter. (JLofA v.2 #1-7)

Carter and Shiera also have a godson, Norda Cantrell (Northwind), and Shiera is the cousin of adventurer Cyril "Speed" Saunders.

The Reincarnation of Khufu

There have been numerous references to Khufu and Chay-ara's reincarnated selves. Those which have been explicitly described include:

1. c. 1260 B.C., Ancient Egypt, 19th Dynasty: Prince Khufu Maat Kha-Tar & Chay-Ara (Flash Comics #1)
2. 5th Century, Britain: Brian Kent (Silent Knight) (Hawkman v.3 #??)
3. 14th Century, Germany (1483-1514): Koenrad Von Grimm, son of a blacksmith (Hawkman v.4 #18)
4. 15th Century, Japan (Ashikaga Bafuku): Unnamed; he had no memories of his past during this life. (Hawkman v.4 #18). Note: The writer, Geoff Johns, explicitly placed this life after Von Grimm, but put John Smith's (next) birth too close to be reasonable.
5. 16th Century, England (1519-1631; this lifespan is incredibly long): Captain John Smith (Hawkman v.4 #18).
6. 17th Century, Japan: Unnamed Ronin warrior; mentioned by the Atom. (Hawkman v.4 #46). Note: Ronin were active in Japan between 1600-1850.
7. 19th Century, America: Hannibal Hawkes and Katherine Manser (Nighthawk and Cinnamon) (Hawkman v.4 #)
8. 20th Century, America (??-1917): James Wright (a detective with the Pinkerton agency) and Sheila Carr; they had no memories of their past in this life (Hawkman v.4 #27)
9. 20th Century, America: Carter and Shiera Hall (Hawkman and Hawkgirl)
10. 21st Century America: Carter Hall and Kendra Saunders (Hawkman and Hawkgirl II)

Others have been depicted in cameo, but not named:

1. Ancient Greece: Icarus (may be a hawk avatar and not a past life) (Hawkman v.2 #??)
2. Ancient Rome: A Christian Slave Gabriel (may be a hawk avatar) (Hawkman v.3 #??)
3. Romans/Germanic/Nordic Warriors: (Hawkman v.4 #15)
4. Asians: (Hawkman v.4 #15)
5. Africans: (Hawkman v.4 #15)
6. 13th Century, France: (Hawkman v.4 #16)
7. 19th Century, America: Revolutionary Soldier? (Hawkman v.4 #15)
8. 17th Century, America: Native Americans (Hawkman v.4 #9)
9. 17th Century, France: "Musketeers" (Hawkman v.4 #9)
10. Europe: Jack (and the Beanstalk) (Flash #191)
11. 16th Century, South America: Incas? (Hawkman v.4 #??)
12. 19th Century, America: two Slaves
13. The Future: Technohawks (Hawkman v.4 #9)

Notes

Some sources incorrectly list Hawkgirl's first appearance as Flash Comics #24, which was her first appearance in costume in the Hawkman strip; All-Star #5 preceded that appearance by about six months.

Shiera Hall never took the name "Hawkwoman" (see the 1992 Justice Society series).

Hawkman may have the most confusing continuity in all the DCU, but the revisions have been quite fully explained. In post-Crisis universe, Carter Hall (the Golden Age Hawkman) was the the first Hawkman, who joined both the JSA and the JLofA. His wife, Shiera Saunders Hall, also served on both teams as Hawkgirl. (JLA: Incarnations #2, JSA Secret Files #2) These two effectively took the pre-Crisis place of Katar and Shayera Hol of Thanagar, who in post-Crisis continuity did not arrive on Earth until many years later.

The Spectre #54 (6.97) erroneously depicts Carter and Katar together in a JLofA/JSA team-up. Possibly an editorial blunder, this story was nonetheless written by John Ostrander — the same writer as the Hawkworld series. Also, Legends of the DCU #12-13 and JLA 80-Page Giant #2 (11.99) both erroneously depicted Katar as the JLA's Hawkman.

"Inside DC" #36 also verifies that in post-Hawkworld continuity, the impostors Fel Andar and Sharon Parker were the pair that appeared in the J.L. International v.1 #10, 19-24 and Action Comics #588.

A Secret Origins letters page claimed that Khater, Power Girl's brother, was a previous incarnation of Carter Hall. This can not be true, since this origin of Power Girl has been revealed as false.

Geoff Johns Says: Hawkman is one of the most visually impressive characters in comics to me. His wings, helmet, mace and blood-stained uniform say it all. Like I’ve said before, he’s a flying Conan. But meaner. It’ll be interesting to see him interact with Hawkgirl…I really like what Brad did in Justice League of America #9. (from Newsarama)

Hawkman and Hawkgirl use the power of the Thanagarian Nth metal to various ends. Most notably, the metal allows the user to defy gravity. The Hawks wear life-like wings to help control their movements during flight. The metal also extends a modest level of strength, invulnerability and healing ability to the user.

They also have the benefit of lifetimes' worth of experience in battle. Both Hawks are expert hand-to-hand combatants and draw upon fighting techniques and weapons from dozens of cultures.

Carter:  Brave & Bold #34-36, 42-44  Detective #428, 434, 445-446, 452. 454-455, 467   Mystery in Space #87-90 Shiera:  All-Star Comics #5, 8-9, 15

Flash Comics, 104 issues (1940-49)  All-Star Comics, 74 issues (1940-51, 1976-78)   Hawkman v.1, 27 issues (1964-68)   The Atom & Hawkman, issues #39-45 (1968-69)   All-Star Squadron, 67 issues (1981-87)   Hawkman v.2, 17 issues (1986-87)   Hawkworld v.1, 3-issue limited series (1989)   Hawkworld v.2, 32 issues (1990-93)  Hawkman v.3, 32 issues (1993-96)  Hawkman/Hawkgirl v.4, current (2002-)  Rann/Thanagar War, 6-issue limited series (2005)  Justice Society of America v.3, current (2007-)

Hawkgirl II  Hawkman III  Dr. Fate IV/Fury II  Northwind  Hawkgirl (Animated)  Hawkworld  Silver Age Hawkman Timeline  Monitor Duty: Hawkman  Full Hawkman Biography

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