A Bloody Reunion In Hawkman #19
by Josh Davison
Mild Spoilers Ahead
Carter reflects on all his past lives with Shayera as Hawkwoman puts her mace into Sky Tryrant’s face. Carter tries to call out to Shayera, but she can’t hear him. Sky Tyrant lashes out at Hawkwoman, but the villain seems to be completely out of practice. Shayera beats him with little effort and Sky Tyrant is forced to retreat. He is Zeta Beamed to Hawkman’s ship, and he reveals that he is aware of secrets Carter Hall thought truly buried.
Hawkman #19 sees the return of Shayera Hol, aka Hawkwoman. Shade and the Justice League called for her help when it became apparent that Hawkman was losing control of himself. Shayera is aware that she has some connection to Carter, though she doesn’t quite understand it yet.
Most of this comic focuses on the fight between Hawkwoman and Sky Tyrant, such as it is. As previously stated, Shayera completely dominates Sky Tyrant and leaves him bloody and bruised.
Carter susses out the Sky Tyrant’s true motivation. For all the villain’s bluster and boasting, he is petrified of death. He knew of Ktar and the Deathbringers and he decided to extend his line of reincarnations by killing as much as possible.
The ending hints at more secrets from Hawkman’s past in something called the “Black Journal.” It’s something that either Carter or one of his incarnations kept secret in the ship and Sky Tyrant can apparently use it to destroy Carter’s history.
Pat Olliffe puts in some spectacular work in this issue. He crafts great action sequences, and that talent is put to good use in the fight between Hawkwoman and Sky Tyrant. It flows well and we get to see every skilled move Shayera uses to pacify the Tyrant. Tom Palmer’s inkwork compliments Olliffe’s line style well and Jeremiah Skipper brings a well-balanced and lively palette to the proceedings.
Hawkman #19 is a highly enjoyable and action-heavy comic that has the Sky Tyrant brought low by Hawkwoman. The conflict is brought to life gloriously by the talents of Olliffe, Palmer, and Skipper, and the book is a ton of fun thanks to their efforts. This one easily gets a recommendation. Feel free to give it a read.
Hawkman #19 comes to us from writer Robert Venditti, artist Pat Olliffe, inker Tom Palmer, color artist Jeremiah Skipper, letterer Richard Starkings and Comicraft, cover artist Pat Olliffe with Tom Palmer and Jeremiah Skipper, and variant cover artist Dan Panosian.
Final Score: 8.5/10
