the Atom and Hawkman #46 - DC

This was a fantastic book, but . . then again what else would you expect from Geoff Johns and Ryan Sook. This issue was mostly about Ray Palmer dealing with the power and responsibility that he was recently given by the Indigo tribe. He's fighting the Jean Loring Black Lantern, as well as the Hawkman and Hawkgirl Black Lantern. We also learn a little bit about how the Indigo's powers work. 'The ring is able to teleport you to those that need aid. As well as heal them. And when you are within the vicinity of another Lantern you are capable of reconfiguring our light into theirs. Listen for them. Feel them.' Now, on top of all the other fighting, Indigo wants to contact the tribe. With all the Black Lanterns headed toward Earth she wants to tell them whats going on, and get them to contact the homeworlds of the rest of the Corps and bring those armies to Earth. However for such a long message, both in distance and time, it's going to require most of her concentration. While she's out . . she wants Ray to protect her and keep her alive. So he uses what he's been taught and taps into the powers of the other Lanterns. But that's when Jean attacks. She pulls Ray and herself both in to Indigo's ring. Which severely disorients her. However, once he beats her, by tapping into Hal's ring, Indigo is once again able to continue and finish her message. 'Atom. You just saved the universe.' But now he wants something in return. 'Help me figure out how to bring Hawkman and Hawkgirl back to life.' Oh. Is that all? Is that even possible? Well . . we won't know anything else until Blackest Night #7. And that won't be out until Feb 24th. I think this is the last of the Blackest Night final issue books. Oh wait, I'm sorry. I misspoke. We still have the Question out next week. I thought this set of books was a great addendum to the Blackest Night series. Plus . . it was a really original idea. I think this has been my favorite so far. But I always was kind of fond of Ray's character.

Hawkgirl #66 - DC

I'm sad. This is the last issue of this series. I'm sure the Hawks will be back . . in some form or another. But I'm always sad when a series ends. This one in particular I really dug when Walt Simonson was doing the stories and Howard Chaykin was on art. Nobody draws a woman as sexy as Howard does. But a few issues ago Howard left and Renato Arlem came on board to finish the art chores. He's no Howard, obviously, but . . . the guy shows a lot of potential. His style is different. It's unique. And like I said, it shows a ton of potential. We also got to see Walt do the final cover. Anyways, this issue finally puts to rest, after years and years, the Hath-Set storyline. Chay-ara has come back to inhabit Kendra's body, and to help with the final take down of their nemesis. Long story short they finally defeat him, and Chay-ara and Carter have a moment. But then she says she has to go. She has to let Kendra be her own person. "It may be that she loves you, perhaps a little. If you love her for who she is, it may be that, in time, she will come to love you as truly as I do." And it seems that Kendra has some advice for him also, "For a while I was seeing things . . . seeing you . . through her eyes. I almost feel like I'm seeing you clearly for the first time. I'm not sure what it means. But if I'm a mystery to you, well, I'm something of a mystery to me too. And isn't that the way women are supposed to be? So if you want me, you're going to have to get me the old fashioned way. You're going to have to earn me." To which Carter replies, "Deal!" Basically, we've wiped the slate clean with these two. All the old ghosts that haunt them are gone. And they both seem to have a brighter future right now. If that's going to be together . . . well that's another story. And I'm sure it'll be told somewhere. I just hope that they're not gone for that long. These are 2 amazing characters.

Hawkgirl #65 - DC

I know this whole Hath-Set thing is what the Hawks are all about. It goes all the way back to when Hawkman was very first created. But really . . . I'm bored with it. I mean really. Put the guy down and be done with it. He captures Kendra last issue. But when he loosens his grip on his heir, as they're crossing the ocean, he does something stupid and lets Kendra out of the sarcophagus. That's what always happens. Isn't it? Anyways, so they get to Egypt, is ready to go through with the ceremony, and by that time Hawkman has caught up with him. They tumble about a bit, and then, right on cue, Hawkman falls in to one of his traps. He's ready to follow through with his plans again, but this time he's surprised by Kendra. Because she's not in the sarcophagus, but rather has been laying in wait to attack him. There's a little sword play, and then it looks like Hath-Set is ready to chop off her head. But it's a cliffhanger. So we don't know how it'll turn out until next issue. Or do we??? I'm pretty sure that the Hawks will find a way to beat him. They won't have killed him, but he'll be exiled or something. Kendra will realize how much her life is empty without Carter. And the relationship will begin anew. Or will it? Maybe Carter will spurn her, since she shot him down last time. But seriously, when would a guy ever refuse a woman this hot? Would you? I didn't think so. But I guess I'll have to wait until next issue to see how it actually plays out.

Hawkgirl #64 - DC

Well it seems that Kendra is in deep with Hath-Set. She's going to Metropolis to get some more information. But, the Museum is destroyed before she can even get there. Hath-Set is waiting for her, in the form of one of his descendants. But Superman shows up, before he can do much more harm. In searching the remains, he finds a disc that's addressed to her. She takes it to Oracle to decipher only to find out that it's the Turin Kingslist. "An inventory of all the Pharaohs of Egypt. It's virtually unique! But the original document is in pieces. No one even knew it existed!!" She gets a cryptic call from someone to meet her at a bar on the wharf. As soon as she walks in she's directed to the back room where she finds a replica of a 4th dynasty temple burial chamber. What she doesn't know is that it's been set up for her. Hath-Set wants to put her in the Queen's Sarcophagus and take her back to Egypt. He has someone there waiting for her, the girl that died in the museum explosion earlier. She overpowers Kendra and forces her into the Sarcophagus. Hath-Set then packs everything up and gets on the first freighter for Egypt. After waiting for a while, and hearing nothing, Oracle contacts Hawkman to let him know what's happened. But he gets to the dock to late. The freighter is already well on it's way. So next issue he'll be looking for some retribution from Hath-Set. I think this may be setting up the final story-arc for this book. And that's sad. Because I've been diggin' it. I think Walt Simonson has been doing a fantastic job with these stories. But I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens.

Hawkgirl #63 - DC

It seems that Kendra is hot on the trail of Hath-Set. Which has taken her to the museum in Gotham. It seems that they have a lot of old original files, about archaeological digs and finds, that haven't been uploaded to computers yet. So Kendra thinks that she may find something there that will help her to get on Hath-Set's trail. The problem is, Hath-Set knows that she's looking for him, and is doing everything in his power to thwart her attempts. Including possession of a whole bunch of people, including Batman, to try to bring her down by sheer force. And . . . burning down the museum around her. But it seems that our heroes, whom often work together, have back-up plans in place for just such a contingency. So Kendra breaks Batman of Hath-Set's thrall, and in the process Batman knows exactly which file he's been trying to destroy. It's that old, when you possess some one's mind you also give up a bit of yourself, thing. So Batman helps Kendra, she gets further along her trail, and her next stop is Metropolis. Guess who she's teaming up with next issue. I normally really enjoy Walter's stories, but this one, really didn't do anything for me. It was a little sluggish, and forced. And although I've been impressed with Renato's art, in the last few issues, this one, I also didn't feel, was up to the previous standards. So overall, this was a very forgettable issue for me. The only thing that I really did like about it, was the cover. I still think Kendra's pretty hot. Anyways, hopefully we'll get a better issue next time.

Hawkgirl #62 - DC

This issue was the wrap up to the "Gizmoid" storyline from last issue. Walt Simonson really seems to love these Apokolips storylines. He's got the Female Furies running all over St. Roch this issue. And I'm really liking Renato Arlem's pencils. Obviously my first choice would be Howard, but since that's not possible, Renato is a more than adequate fill-in. He's got a good style. His panels flow smoothly. And I can see him getting a little more refined every issue. This guys going to go a long way. Anyways, the Gizmoid has used Kendra as a template. So there's an "Attack of the 50ft Woman" thing going on here. Well . . . a woman that's a killer robot and wants to wipe out all existence on our rock here. But, since it used Kendra, she also has an attachment to it. So she ends up armoring up, and gets wings that generate out of the armor too. Since hers were destroyed last issue. The Furys can't take down the Gizmoid. And Kendra knows she can't do it alone. But, when they all work together they get the job done. The Furys gather up the Gizmoid, head back to Apokolips, and leave Kendra to pick up the pieces in St. Roch. And she's already on to another mystery. She's been looking for Hath-Set, and his urn is in the Gotham Museum. She makes a call to Bruce, and we'll get a nice team-up next issue.

Hawkgirl #61 - DC

Man I'll tell you what, Kendra just cannot get a break. She finally got done with all that crap the last couple of issues, and now she has a Beta-3 Gizmoid chasing after her. Before you ask, a Beta-3 Gizmoid, is some type of alien tech for Apocolypse, that has been on our planet for about 3000 years. The para-demons who pick up it's signal, call it a planet killer. Apparently it's been dormant, until the girl trying to rob the museum last issue knocked it out of it's urn. Also, apparently, it needs a host to function at peak performance. It has chosen Kendra as that host. The Female Furies have found out about it's existence, and have decided to go after it. Mostly to thwart Desaad. So as we go through the book, we think that it's the Furies hunting Kendra, but actually it's the Gizmoid. It starts out by attaching itself to her face, but soon it's transforming over her whole body. The Furies try to stop it, but even they aren't powerful enough. The final splash pages show Kendra looking fully mechanical. I love Walt Simonson's story telling skills. I really like what he's doing with this character. It's to bad that Howard Chaykin couldn't stay on this book longer. But in the last few years, has he really stuck around on any book for more that 6 issues? Anyways, Renato Arlem has come in to pinch hit, and this guy has some serious talent. Parts of his story are awesome, and parts are just "ok". But he shows some serious potential. If he had his consistency through the whole book, he'd be a superstar. And I'm sure he'll get there soon. So I feel like the books in really good hands right now. So Darkseid . . . . bring it on!

Hawkgirl #60 - DC

This story starts out in ancient Egypt. Apparently a para-demon has been sent to earth as punishment. On his way out he stole some on Darkseid's technology. The Pharaoh ends up killing the demon, and storing the artifact in an urn. Well guess where that urn ended up? In the Stonechat Museum. Well Hawkman & Hawkgirl have returned from Rann. And with her powers amping up, probably from Shiera's death, her feelings for Carter have also increased. So she finding it increasingly difficult to not be all over him. But Shiera comes to her in a vision and tells her, "Death is close by, Kendra, ready to reach out and touch you both. Be careful. Remember the past lives of the Hawks! The pattern Kendra! Break the pattern! Remember . . . . remember . . . . ". So all of this happens, as some girl breaks in to the museum, looking for the Urn. She finds it, but as she's trying to get away, she's hit by a car and killed. The Hawks are so worried about the Urn, that they don't see the artifact that falls out of it. But it seems the technology lends itself to fixing itself, and it sprouts some legs and crawls away. Carter and Kendra sit down and have a heart to heart. "Carter, you and Shiera . . . you two were one soul. You went away and left me . . . and now you show up and expect to pick up the pieces as if nothing had happened. I have a life. And I'm not going to give up a part of it again, just because it suits your convenience." And that's it. They're broken up. But as Hawkman flys away, she is balling. Obviously she still has very deep feelings toward him. And as the days go on, we see Carter spying on Kendra when she's out with the Detective, Henri. Great plot twist there, Walt. Nothing heats up the sexual tension like being dumped. Good storyline. It'll be interesting to see how it plays out. Also I really like Renato Arlem's artwork. We don't have Howard anymore, but Renato is a pretty good fill-in.

Hawkgirl #59 - DC

Howard Chaykin hasn't been on this book in a couple of months. Probably while he's doing the Guy Gardner thing. Hopefully he comes back, but, who knows. Anyways this issue our fill in artist is Renato Arlem. Of X-Factor fame. Great art. Has a style similar to Howard's, but, not really. Howard did do the cover though. But I really do like Renato's style. It's got a Howard feel to it, but it also has some Barry Kitson feel also. And he can really draw some sexy women. The panels with Kendra laying in bed, thinking about Carter was . . um . . . moving. This issue we have Blackfire coming after Hawkgirl. She killed Shiera, supposedly killed Carter, and now she wants to finish her collection with Hawkgirl. Kendra also decides to enhance her weapons, to go along with her enhanced powers, by using one of Batman's manufacturers, the Mole. This story is finished up in JSA Classified #21, and I think signals the return of Hawkman. I hope they give him his own book, or maybe feature him in different books. But I really hope they keep Kendra in this one. She's such a strong and interesting character. This book as come a long way in the last 10 issues. I really hope it keeps going that same direction.

Hawkgirl #58 - DC

This issue takes place at Willowbrook Santuary, on the outskirts of St. Roch. It used to be an insane asylum. A long time ago. Right now it is the site of Kendra's trial. She being accused of treason for her involvement in the Rann / Thanagar war. The only help she can try to get is to mentally summon her wings. She feels that with those, and her Nth metal, she may have a chance of escaping. She also discovers that she may have some residual effects of having the Nth metal for so long. Her senses are more acute, she's stronger and she can levitate a bit. Danny has followed her wings out to the Sanctuary, but is quickly subdued. Kendra sees that he's there, when they bring her in to witness her execution. It's going to be a hanging. But, her advantage is her increased strength. She survives the hanging, and gives the executioner a beating. Eventually she overcomes him and he dies in an elevator shaft. I've always liked the action and adventure that Walt Simonson brings to a story. The only criticism I have, and it's actually just a personal preference, is that I much preferred Howard Chaykin's pencils to Joe Bennett's. Joe does a pretty decent job, but Howard is one of my favorites. But he's doing the Guy Gardner prestige book right now. I hope he'll be back, but who knows. Anyways, I think that Walt and Howard and now Joe have really turned this book around in the last 8 issues. Thanks for the ride.

Hawkgirl #57 - DC

Well it looks like Kendra is in some deep doodoo. Some of the Thanagarian prisoners have been released from the prison on Rann. Princess Koriandr's evil sister, has decided that certain people need to be judged and executed for their crimes against their world. Chief on this list is Hawkgirl. So she sends one of the prisoners to earth to get here. He actually takes her down pretty easy. He then sets up a tribunal in an old abandonded asylum on the outskirts of St. Roch. And the hung jury begins. Now the only bad thing about this book is that, I guess, Howard Chaykin has left the penciling duties. Walt Simonson is still writing. So the stories are fantastic, and very action packed. But with this issue Joe Bennett takes over the penciling. I was a little worried about this because Howard is one of my all time favorites. But, Joe did a pretty good job. He isn't Howard, but hey, nobody is. I mean, I knew he was ok. I've seen his work over on Birds of Prey. But I was just worried that it would be such a drastic change from Howard's style. And it is. But that's ok. We're starting a new story arc here, with some different characters, and worlds for that matter. And Joe's style looks very good here. I guess I worried to much. By the way, yet another cover I had to borrow from www.milehighcomics.com . You should check 'em out.

Hawkgirl #56 - DC

Kendra has been having a lot of bad dreams lately. Dreams that have been haunting her and keeping her awake. This issue she decides to do something about it. So she goes down in to the bowels of the museum, and smashes the wall where the tunnel in her dreams should be. Lo and behold, it is there. And it looks exactly like her dreams. Now what she doesn't know is that 2 people are trailing her, Khimaera and Hath Set. Khimaera is just set on killing her, or feeding her to the extradimensional warp, the Maw, that Kendra doesn't know about, but is in the tunnel that she's exploring. Hath Set, in his current incarnation, is looking to do the same, but since he knows that the Khimaera is also after her, he's willing to step back and see how the chips fall before he makes his move. Well the Khimaera attacks Kendra in the hallway, because she's hoping to feed her to her master, the Maw, but Kendra doesn't go without a fight. Hath Set ends up getting a little to close and when Khimaera looks into his eyes, the Maw recognizes that he is a double spirit also, as is Kendra. So it will be just as happy to eat him. Which really works for Kendra. She ends up throwing both of them in, and the Maw explodes and collapses. Now Hath Set isn't gone, because his spirit fled the body before it was completely sucked in. So you know he'll be back. And I can't imagine the Maw and the Khimaera would be gotten rid of so easy. Plus they're probably pretty ticked at Kendra right now too. But it was enough to wrap up the storyline for now. Simonson and Chaykin fit together well. And they especially have a good feel for this book. I'm looking forward to next issue.

Hawkgirl #55 - DC

The Simonson / Chaykin team has struck again. At the end of last issue we saw Carter come back. But, is it really him. Somebody has arranged for Khimaera to be transfered out of the holding cell at the Police Headquarters. You just know how this is going to turn out. They find all the policemen dead and after she's sucked out their life force, they look like they've been dead for weeks. Obviously they want her to go after Kendra again. Whom, is busy talking to Carter to try to figure out what is going on. But she may not have much time left, because he seems to be aging by the minute. But the Khimaera, rather than attack her directly, as she's standing outside of her building, uses her powers to take over and control Carter. And with those powers, sends Kendra into a deep trance and trys to get her to commit suicide in her dreams. Meanwhile Hath-Set is also staking out the Halls. He's a little farther off than Khimaera, so he see's her and decides to let her play out her hand before he trys anything. Meanwhile Kendra has a meeting of minds with Shiera. Sort of. Somehow Shiera's spirit comes to her to try to break the bond with Khimaera. When she does, she finds out that Carter is really some gangbanger from the docks that had been mystically altered to look like him. He taps into Khimaera's powers again, so he can try to take down Kendra, but when Kendra slaps a piece of armor over his head the feedback causes his head to explode. Which really pisses Khimaera off so she decides to go in to take car of her herself. Which is where the issue ends. This is quickly turning in to a must read book every month. Excellent job guys!!

Hawkgirl #54 - DC

Ok, this book has come a long way. It was good when Geoff Johns was writing it. But now, it's just incredible. With the mixture of Walt Simonson's story, and Howard Chaykin's art, it's just sheer perfection. Another thing that I like about it, and I don't think these people get enough credit, but the coloring is just genius. Every page is so vibrant and bright, it's mesmerizing. Michelle Madsen does the colors, as I think she usually always does for Walt. But the two of them together are perfect symetry. What's going on in the story? Well this scumbag Christopher Roderic is trying to obtain financial control of the Stonechtat Museum, where Kendra works. We don't really know why yet, other than there's something under the museum in the catacombs. Somehow he's hooked up with a mystical order that can bring people back from the dead, and is channeling this powerful being from another dimension. So, at the end of this book, somehow they bring Carter back. Kendra get's a call from his office, and when she get's there he's sprawled out on the floor in his Hawkman gear, barely conscious. I really look forward to this book every month now. It's nice to see such a strong woman character that won't take any shit off anyone. I know there's other one's out there, but Kendra just has this certain Ooomph that's intoxicating. She's a fantastic character.

Hawkgirl #53 - DC

Ok, Walt Simonson and Howard Chaykin are fantastic on thier own. Together they are unstoppable. They have taken this mediocre sideline character and really thrust her into the forefront. She's the guardian of St. Roch Louisianna, as well as the museum curator. This issue while on patrol, she decides to follow two detectives that she knows, to find out what they're up to. They're actually trying to stop a gang hit, but that is kiboshed by Khimaera. A woman who been turned into a 1 woman wrecking crew, by some mystical force that needs to life-energy of people to sustain it. So while they're on the stakeout, this Khimaera, jumps into the mist of things and starts killing the bangers. After she kills her 3rd of 4th person, the detectives jump in to try to control the situation. Being seriously outmanned, Hawkwoman shows up as the calvary. Although she herself almost gets killed, but not before most of her clothes are ripped off. Love those Chaykin details. But one of the detectives comes to her aid, and ends up getting killed himself. Typical Simonson and Chaykin style. Lots of action. Lots of intrigue. Lots of sexual innuendo. But I like it! This is seriously turning into a must have book every month. This is the forth issue of thier run and they haven't showed signs of slowing down yet.

Hawkgirl #52 - DC

Ok, first of all we have the team supreme, Walt Simonson writing and Howard Chaykin drawing. The reason they are the team supreme, is because had they switched roles, it would have been just as awesome. Again we're in a 1 year later title, where, Hawkman died or disappeared or something during their space battle. Therefore, Shayera has come back and taken over his role as curator of the museum, and turned the book into a book about a hot chick, which seems to be doing well for everyone right now. There's some kind of mystery going on in the depths of the museum, which is where the conflict comes in because the people that normally finance them are trying to cut them off so they can obtain whatever the item is. Add to this Shayera's anxiety and dreaming about past lives, mostly in Egyptian times. There's also the coy love interest of someone who she seems interested in, but then she's not. And those scene's that Howard draws of her getting out of bed in her nighty, RAWRRR!!! Meow!!!! Walter & Howard are definitely the dynamic duo. Well, so are Frank Miller & Jim Lee over on All-Star comics, but these guys don't get as much recognition. And they deserve it. Fantastic book. This is a must have. Walt & Howard took over with issue #50, so they are 3 issues into their run. If you can get the previous 2, I would definity suggest it.