What Lies Within The Black Journal? Hawkman #20 Reviewed
by Josh Davison
Mild Spoilers Ahead
Sky Tyrant has begun reading the Black Journal and it comes from Carter’s Rannian life as Katarthul. He hid something of immense power from a group calling themselves the Dread Clergy. In the present, Sky Tyrant and Carter are contacted by the Batman Who Laughs who reveals how he infected Hawkman. Sky Tyrant and Carter then go to where one of the secrets of the Black Journal is buried. Meanwhile, Hawkwoman and the Atom race to help Hawkman.
Hawkman #20 continues the rampage of the Sky Tyrant as he tries to find the secrets of Hawkman’s best lives. The Tyrant wants as many reincarnations as possible and to do so, he must kill as many as possible. The Tyrant knows Hawkman has encountered many devastating weapons over his countless lifetimes and he wants to find them.
Much of this book focuses on Carter’s further efforts to resist the Sky Tyrant, but the villain from Earth-3 has full control right now.
The cameo by the Batman Who Laughs doesn’t really reveal anything earth-shattering other than that Hawkman may not be as observant as we thought.
Seeing the Atom come back, along with another ally of Hawkman revealed at the end, was a pleasant surprise. Plus, we learn of another rather cool alien incarnation of Hawkman.
Fernando Pasarin joins up as the artist on this issue and his work will always be welcomed by yours truly. He has a brilliant and highly-detailed style and it suits Carter Hall well. It also gives a lot of impact and catharsis to the action scenes. Oclair Albert and Danny Miki provide some damn good inking to the book and Jeromy Cox gives the book an explosive palette.
Hawkman #20 is another excellent installment for the Winged Warrior’s book. Carter’s struggle against the Sky Tyrant continues and Hawkman’s friends across the galaxy race to help. It’s a great read with fantastic visual work and it earns a recommendation. Check this one out.
Hawkman #20 comes to us from writer Robert Venditti, artist Fernando Pasarin, inkers Oclair Albert and Danny Miki, color artist Jeromy Cox, letters from Richard Starkings and Comicraft, cover artist Pat Olliffe with Tom Palmer and Jeremiah Skipper, and variant cover artist Paolo Pantalena.
Final Score: 8/10
