Run From The Shadows With Hawkman #14
by Josh Davison
[*Mild Spoilers Ahead!]
Hawkman has returned to Kenya, where he lived in a past life. He’s been having endless nightmares, and he hopes to find peace and clarity in the secret ritual chamber within Mount Kenya. Unfortunately, Carter Hall will find no peace even here. The Shadow Thief has taken Lex Luthor up on his offer, and he uses his new equipment to torment Hawkman in this sacred chamber.
Hawkman #14 is a rather brisk read that pits the Winged Warrior against one of his most beloved and classic enemies, the Shadow Thief.
It wastes no time in bringing the two together and starting the battle. Hawkman doesn’t seem to recognize Shadow Thief until some time after the fighting starts, which I suppose makes since considering we’re two reincarnations removed from Carter’s last battle with this particular Shadow Thief (I’m pretty sure).
There’s not a whole lot to say about this one, as it’s a pretty straightforward issue. It does continue to expand on the character and personality of this new more pensive, thoughtful Carter Hall, but it’s mostly a battle issue between Hawkman and the Shadow Thief–and a damn good one at that.
Pat Olliffe brings a classic and somewhat gritty aesthetic to Hawkman, and it suits our Winged Warrior like a glove. Linework and impressionism flesh out the world, and it gives off a vibe that makes the world look vast and full of natural wonder. It’s gorgeous, and the fight scenes flow well too. Olliffe’s work is also very expressive, and it does a good job of showing what goes on in Carter’s head as the story transpires. Tom Palmer’s inking emphasizes this style quite well, and Jeremiah Skipper’s color art sets the perfect tone and atmosphere for the story.
Hawkman #14 shows that this series still has plenty of momentum after the Deathbringers saga. Shadow Thief is back, and the world is just as dangerous for Carter Hall as ever. Olliffe, Palmer, and Skipper make sure this is another visually stunning issue as well. This one definitely gets a recommendation. Feel free to give it a read.
Hawkman #14 comes to us from writer Robert Venditti, artist Pat Olliffe, inker Tom Palmer, color artist Jeremiah Skipper, letters from Richard Starkings and Comicraft, cover artist Roger Robinson, and variant cover artist Bill Sienkiewicz.
Final Score: 8.5/10
