DCU Comic Book Reviews

HAWKMAN #21

The Headhunter, Part II:  Taking Off The Mask

January 2004

Written by Geoff Johns

Pencils by Rags Morales

Inks by Michael Bair

Cover by John Watson

Synopsis

As Kendra Saunders (aka Hawkgirl) and her date are walking home after the movies, they notice an ambulance heading for their apartment building.  Kendra runs to investigate and finds Carter Hall (aka Hawkman) in her apartment being attacked by the Headhunter.  Kendra is able to defend Carter and send the Headhunter away.  Afterwards, she demands to know why Carter was in her apartment.  He does not quite know why.  Angry at him, Kendra tells him to leave.  As he does he finds the voodoo doll the Headhunter has used to injure him.  The next day, Ray Palmer (aka Atom) tells carter the doll had traces of the Nth metal as well as chemicals used for embalming fluids and fertilizer.  The doll had recently been to the cemetery.  Later, Hawkman visits the St. Roch cemetery and finds the Headhunter waiting for him.  The headhunter tells Hawkman he must face who he was to realize what he is.  Just then, many of Carter’s past lives stand before him. 

Review

This issue suffers from middle story syndrome in which there is no beginning and no ending, just a continuation of moving from Point A to Point B.  Giving that, this was a good issue and certainly gets us to where we need to be for the finale of this story arc.  Unlike the last issue, we finally get to know a little bit more of the headhunter and what exactly he wants out of Hawkman.  The headhunter is creepy as he seems to be talking to someone who is not there and I am not sure if I mean that literally or just figuratively.  Regardless, it is effective. 

The best part of this issue was Kendra’s explosion when she realizes that Carter was being attacked in her apartment.  I actually chuckled when she asked the question because part of me was not expecting her to react like that, mostly because I would expect writers to just ignore the situation altogether in favor of supplying action.  Yet, given the emotional arc of Kendra and Carter so far in the series, this little bit made perfect sense and confirmed what I suspected in the previous issue, Carter is not ready to let go of Kendra, no matter what he might say.  Just the fact that Carter and Kendra aren’t knocking boots yet speaks volumes about Johns and where he is taking this series.  It shows that tension within a comic book should not be relegated to wondering who the villain is.  Yes, fighting villains and big fights is excited, but if Kendra and Carter are lovers, then all of the conflicts is resorted to outside influences.  Now, Johns has given the two not only conflicts with each other, but also with villains like Headhunter in which they must work together.  I like this dynamic ad I hope it sticks for awhile. 

I still get a kick out of Ray Palmer putting on his Atom costume and shrinking down to size just to make a phone call.  The visual of him standing next to the telephone amuses me.-- MRB

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