Known for his vast reincarnation lore and signature mace, Hawkman is one of the most historically rich characters in DC Comics—though also one of the most confusing. In this blog, we’ll unpack Hawkman full origin story, spotlight his most iconic story arcs, and break down his powers and abilities, as detailed in the comprehensive YouTube video from Variant Comics.
The Many Origins of Hawkman
The Golden Age Introduction
Hawkman first appeared in Flash Comics #1 in January 1940, created by Gardner Fox and Dennis Neville. In this original version, Carter Hall is introduced as a wealthy archaeologist and collector of ancient weapons. He discovers he is the reincarnation of an Egyptian prince named Khufu, who was murdered by a sorcerer named Hath-Set. When Carter finds a mysterious metal called ninth metal—a substance that defies gravity—he crafts wings and medieval-style armor and becomes Hawkman, a winged avenger wielding archaic weapons in the fight against crime.
Modern Retelling from 2002
Things get a lot deeper (and a lot more complicated) in Hawkman Secret Files and Origins #1 (2002). DC offers a more comprehensive look at his reincarnation cycle. The story confirms Hawkman has lived thousands of lives, always reborn to combat evil. It began in ancient Egypt as Prince Khufu and his beloved Shayara. After their deaths at the hands of Hath-Set, they are reincarnated endlessly, unaware of their past lives.
In the 1940s, Khufu is reborn as Carter Hall, who takes on the Hawkman identity and becomes a founding member of the Justice Society of America. Eventually, Carter and Shayara (now Kendra Saunders) are caught in a time anomaly. When Carter finally escapes, he regains the memories of all his past lives, making him a warrior with centuries of experience and knowledge.
This version also dives deeper into ninth metal, a mystical alien alloy originally from Thanagar, which not only grants flight but also immense strength, healing, and durability.
Post-Crisis and Modern Arcs: A Tale of Two Hall’s
Hawkman has one of the most convoluted backstories in comics, especially after Crisis on Infinite Earths. Writers tried to merge the Egyptian and Thanagarian origins—Carter Hall the archaeologist and Katar Hol the space cop. One key series that helped reboot and ground Hawkman’s lore post-Crisis is Hawkworld.
Hawkworld Vol. 1 (1989)
This three-issue miniseries reimagines Hawkman as Katar Hol, a winged police officer from the planet Thanagar. After being betrayed and disgraced, Katar finds his true purpose and becomes the Hawkman we know. It offers a cleaner, sci-fi-leaning origin and was so popular it led to an ongoing series.
Hawkworld Vol. 2
The follow-up series continued the adventures of Katar Hol and introduced Earth-based stories, as Katar and Hawkgirl follow the villain Byth to Earth. This series, while not as famous as the miniseries, delivers solid storytelling—especially the first six issues.
Legend of the Hawkman (2000)
In this three-issue miniseries, Carter Hall and Shayara take up cover identities at the Midway City Museum. There, they learn about a mysterious Thanagarian gateway found in Tibet, which contains a mystical urn imprisoning a child of darkness named The Sorrow. Of course, the urn is opened, and chaos ensues.
The story takes the Hawks on a journey to Thanagar, where they’re advised by three Hawk-Gods (known as the Trinity) to defeat The Sorrow through faith in their love. With this bond, they ultimately overcome the threat, and the urn is safely sealed again. It’s a great blend of mythology, love, and science fiction.
Return of Hawkman (JSA #22–25)
Written by Geoff Johns and David S. Goyer, this storyline is a must-read for any Hawkman fan. It reintroduces Hawkman into the modern JSA lineup, connecting his Golden Age roots to contemporary heroes. It’s an emotional and action-packed arc that establishes Carter Hall as a central figure in the JSA and gives weight to his legacy.
Other Noteworthy Stories
- Hawkman Vol. 4, Issue #27 – “Blackbird”
Written by Ed Brubaker, this standalone issue is brief but poignant, showcasing Hawkman’s inner turmoil. - The Shadow War of Hawkman
A four-issue miniseries involving dark assassins and secret Thanagarian technology. - The Death of Hawkman
A six-issue crossover with Adam Strange as they try to stop interplanetary war.
Powers and Abilities: More Than Just Wings
Hawkman’s most iconic asset is ninth metal, which grants him the ability to fly by sheer mental command. But that’s just scratching the surface.
Strength and Durability
Thanks to the metal fused into his bloodstream, Hawkman has enhanced strength—enough to lift five tons—and incredible durability. He’s survived hits from Black Adam and other powerhouses.
Healing Factor
The ninth metal gives him an impressive healing factor. It’s unclear if he can even die permanently due to his reincarnation cycle.
Enhanced Senses
Carter Hall has heightened senses, including the ability to see for miles and acute hearing.
The Claw of Horus
One of his most powerful weapons, the Claw of Horus, was created by Naboo the Wise and can draw power from Earth’s magnetic core. In Superman/Batman #4, Hawkman punches Superman with it, hitting him with the force of the entire planet and even drawing blood—something few can claim.
Armory and Combat Style
Hawkman is a brutal, no-nonsense warrior. His weaponry includes:
- Iconic mace
- Spears, nets, and shields
- Thanagarian battle gear
- Artificial wings designed for Thanagarian police officers
Reading Recommendations
If you’re interested to learn more about Hawkman, here’s where to dive in:
- Hawkworld Vol. 1 & 2
- Legend of the Hawkman
- Return of Hawkman (JSA #22–25)
- Savage Hawkman (New 52)
- Jeff Johns’ Hawkman Run
- The Death of Hawkman
- The Shadow War of Hawkman
Also Read: The Full Origin Story of Cable: Marvel’s Time-Traveling Mutant Warrior
