What’s different: Well, for starters, Hawkman has turned into Wolverine with wings. Seriously, they must have had a sale on spikes at the Nth Metal store. Just in case the title didn’t tip you off that this Hawkman is savage, he made sure all the edges of his costume were nice and jagged. He’s even got his “angry” wings on for good measure.
If this were a reboot, the first thing I would do is erase every Hawkman story that has ever come before and start over. But DC keeps stressing that this is a relaunch. DC’s editors have run down a list of popular (and mostly bad) stories which are still in continuity. If DC is hanging on to Identity Crisis (seriously?!?), it’s a safe bet that every Hawkman story Geoff Johns wrote is still canon.
So I’m willing to bet that the only things that are different are 1. The name of the book 2. The creative team and 3. That pointy, pointy costume.
Speaking of costumes, Cully Hammer has indicated that the costumes that have been shown to the public are “not final”. So, don’t worry. Maybe Wonder Woman won’t be wearing pants after all.
What’s the same: As with Firestorm and Aquaman, Hawkman was a major player in Brightest Day. They didn’t spend all that time killing him and resurrecting him over and over again just to throw it all away. If Johns wrote it, it ain’t changing. and Johns’ fingerprints are all over Carter Hall. Expect things to pick up exactly where they left off.
For confirmation, let’s roll the solicit:
Carter Hall’s skill at deciphering lost languages has led him to a job with an archaeologist who specializes in alien ruins – but will the doctor’s latest discovery spread an alien plague through New York City? No matter the personal cost, Carter Hall must don his wings and become the new, savage Hawkman to survive! Witness the start of a new action series from writer Tony S. Daniel and artist Philip Tan that will take Hawkman where no hero has flown before!
Yeah, that’s what I thought. Same shit, different book.
Chances for Success: Coming off Brightest Day, Hawkman will do okay. But I don’t like its chances in the long haul. Tony Daniel is a capable artist. But his writing leaves much to be desired. I don’t think too many people are excited about this creative team and Hawkman was never a character who could carry a book.
Final Thoughts: Call me when they bring back Hawkgirl.
Green Lantern: The New Guardians #1
I agree that unfortunately, this character cant sustain a solo series. IMO, the best place for him is in the pages of the Justice Society. Which perhaps now never existed. In which case, they have removed one of the defining aspects of this character. I heard that Warners were keen on developing this property for the silver screen. Well, their storytelling-by-commitee approach did it for Green Lantern and probably means an end to film development of 2nd/3rd tier characters. So perhaps this new title is already redundant? My guess is this will be cancelled within 12 months.
I’m going to give it 2 years tops.
On the upside, I’m hearing the JSA is “on the bench” so hopefully they’ll be back in the game sooner rather than later with Hawkman prominently featured.
Lebeau is more optimistic then I am, I give it six issues before it either gets a rename (Hawkman and the Justice Society perhaps?) or just cancelled.
Which is a shame, as the central idea may have some legs (or wings in this case), and could be a fun series in the right writer’s hands (do I want to make more work for Paul Cornell? This series has Paul written all over it, while Stormwatch doesn’t).
I am trying to remain as optimistic in my predictions as I possibly can. Still, 6 issues should be a walk in the park. I figure 12 should be where the series either sinks or swims.
This series has me most intrigued, much more than the uninteresting firestorm, mr. terrific, animal man, static shock, ressurection man. I also cant wait to see what they do with captain atom. I do wish they gave dr. fate his own solo treatment!