Hawkman Archives Volume 1

Rating:
Summary: Some of the Best 60s Superhero Comics
Review: The Gardner Fox / Joe Kubert Hawkman stories are among my all-time favorite comics. Each story contains a different science fiction premise, like most of Fox's stories, but here we also get his two best characters, Katar and Shayera (Hawkman, Hawkgirl). Much of Fox's work suffers from some perfunctory characterization and dialog, but his Hawk-folks communicate a unique charm that reminds me a bit of the Thin Man films. I don't think there's a more convincing and effective partnership in a married couple anywhere else in comics.

Of course, it helps that Joe Kubert illustrates most of these stories. Kubert is probably better known for his Tarzan and DC war comics work, but this book contains some of his best. The artwork is comparable to and reminiscent of Alex Raymond's Flash Gordon strips (and you'll notice how much Hawkman's uniform resembles Flash's). I don't mean to slight the Murphy Anderson artwork that appears later in the volume; I like Anderson also, but the Kubert stuff really stands out.

Rating:
Summary: Some of the Best 60s Superhero Comics
Review: The Gardner Fox / Joe Kubert Hawkman stories are among my all-time favorite comics. Each story contains a different science fiction premise, like most of Fox's stories, but here we also get his two best characters, Katar and Shayera (Hawkman, Hawkgirl). Much of Fox's work suffers from some perfunctory characterization and dialog, but his Hawk-folks communicate a unique charm that reminds me a bit of the Thin Man films. I don't think there's a more convincing and effective partnership in a married couple anywhere else in comics.

Of course, it helps that Joe Kubert illustrates most of these stories. Kubert is probably better known for his Tarzan and DC war comics work, but this book contains some of his best. The artwork is comparable to and reminiscent of Alex Raymond's Flash Gordon strips (and you'll notice how much Hawkman's uniform resembles Flash's). I don't mean to slight the Murphy Anderson artwork that appears later in the volume; I like Anderson also, but the Kubert stuff really stands out.

Rating:
Summary: A soaringly good comic collection!!
Review: Though not one of DC Comics' BIG THREE characters (Superman, Batman & Wonder Woman), Hawkman has been a fascinating, enduringly popular superhero for almost 60 years now. As a testament to Hawkman's appeal, DC has given him the ARCHIVES treatment, focusing on arguably the hero's most assured period of publishing success, the 1960's. Indeed, the work of Gardner Fox, Joe Kubert and Murphy Anderson on HAWKMAN is legendary, and DC has spared no expense in the lavish reproduction of their work. The crispness of the stories (featuring such seminal HAWKMAN villains as Shadow Thief, the Gentleman Ghost and others), and especially the vivid artwork, are on full display in this ARCHIVE edition.

For those fans who have regulated Hawkman and Hawkgirl to second-string superhero status all these years, this collection goes a long way towards changing their minds. In the hands of these creators, Hawkman was as exciting and compelling a figure in DC's 1960's era as any other character they published, and that mystique is a primary reason why DC has never completely given up on their attempts to revive Hawkman many times in the years since.

Like all of DC ARCHIVES editions, the HAWKMAN ARCHIVES is a bit of an investment, but a wise one in my opinion. Overall, a fine quality collection celebrating a most unsung DC hero.