In 2018, Green Lantern mainstay writer, Robert Venditti, was assigned to relaunch the Hawkman series. His three-year run on the titular character proved to be one of the greatest DC Comics series of the last twenty years.
Venditti set the tone of the series in the first issue and made it clear that it would be an action-packed adventure that explores Hawkman's origin. Not only did the story successfully piece together Carter Hall's history, but it also reunited him with Hawkwoman, and delivered on some Golden Age nostalgia. Along with artist Bryan Hitch, Venditti sends the winged hero on his greatest adventure in his comic book history.
The series follows Hawkman's alter ego, Carter Hall, on a journey into his past. Venditti and Hitch show readers the many lives of Hall throughout space and time. The story gave Hawkman a simplified, understandable backstory -- something that past writers haven't been able to accomplish. In the span of 29 issues, Venditti brings together almost every corner of Hawkman's lore, including masterful use of characters like Atom, Shade and Adam Strange.
Hawkman has been shown over the years with many identities throughout just as many eras in history. However, fans have made clear time and time again that their favorite version of the character is the classic Carter Hall of the Justice Society of America. It's no surprise that this version of the hero is typically the version whose title sells the best on the market, and is best received. While the older versions of Hawkman have their charm, the Geoff Johns revival of Hall in 2002 made it clear that the modern alter ego would remain Carter Hall. While Johns' series was essentially a chain of adventure arcs, Venditti's was a more cohesive story with great character and plot developments.
The series begins with Carter Hall in search of an artifact called the Nautilus near Greece, where he encounters a giant, winged gorilla warrior charged with protecting it. He successfully escapes with the artifact, and brings it to the sorceress Madame Xanadu, revealing that he wishes to use the Nautilus to explore his past. Considering Hawkman has existed throughout all space and time, that's no easy task. Using the artifact, he is shown visions of both his past and future, including scenes of a frightening alien attack on Earth. Following his vision, he begins his journey of archeology and self-discovery, uncovering clues and artifacts related to his many lives.
Hawkman finds himself linked to an ancient space-based death cult, the Deathbringers, who worship a cosmic god from another dimension called the Lord Beyond the Void. The cult planned to sacrifice as many lives to the god as he needed to cross the void into the main universe. It's revealed that in his first life, Hall was a Deathbringer, by the name of K'tar but the appearance of Shayera Hall, aka Hawkwoman and his affection for her reignited his conscience. After he turned a new leaf, a warrior named Idamm killed him. However, after his death, he found himself in a strange place where he made a deal with an odd being -- until he saved as many lives as he had taken, he will continue to be reincarnated.
This series was also very well integrated into DC's blockbuster event Year of the Villain, with Carter Hall becoming infected by the Batman Who Laughs, which turns him into Sky Tyrant. His sudden and harrowing transformation necessitates the interventions of Ray Palmer's Atom, Adam Strange and Hawkwoman. Through Sky Tyrant, readers were shown an internal struggle between Hall and his new identity. This story shows fans the true strength of Carter Hall's mind and character, as well as his amazing allies.
While Hawkman has often been at his best as a member of the Justice Society of America, Venditti's run delivered perhaps the character's best story to date. Not only was this Hawkman's greatest adventure, but it was also arguably the best solo comic of DC's post-Rebirth era. It delivered an excellent combination of science fiction, pulp-style adventure and even romance, which can often go by the wayside in action-heavy comics. Venditti masterfully delivered page after page of much-wanted fan service. He also provided a deep romantic story -- the reunion of Carter and Shayera, one of comics' oldest and most underrated couples. This iconic run has left many readers wanting more from the creative team behind the magic of this timeless story.