DCU Comic Book Reviews

HAWKMAN #30

Fates Warning, Part 3 of 4

September 2004

Written by Jimmy Palmiotti & Justin Gray

Pencils by Ryan Sook

Inks by Mick Gray

Cover by Greg Land & Jay Leisten

Synopsis

At the St. Roch dockyards, Hawkgirl attempts to learn more information about the “Angel killer” from a local criminal. The informant tells her that the first victim had been sick before she was killed.  At the St. Roch police department, Detective Grubs interrogates Hawkman, whom he thinks is the Angel Killer based on circumstantial evidence.  Grubs also thinks Hawkgirl is involved in the killings and orders a warrant for arrest.  While sitting in jail, Ray Palmer (aka the Atom) tries to convince Hawkman to get back on the streets to find the killer.  Hawkman refuses to budge.  At the 88 Keyes Club, Domina Paris, who is feeling a cold coming on, leaves to go home when she is snatched by the Angel Killer.  Luckily, Hawkgirl is there, but she fails to save Domina.  Worse, the cops come to arrest her.  After she is handcuffed and taken away, Hawkgirl breaks free and returns at the scene of the crime to find Officer Isabella inspecting Domina’s damaged car.  Later, Isabella brings Hawkman hsi wings and weapons and breaks him out of jail.  At first Hawkman refuses the help, but when Isabella tells him Domina had been taken, Hawkman gears up, ready to go.  Meanwhile, the Angel Killer has Domina and believes St. Roch has been reborn...in him.

Review

This was a frustrating comic to read.  Luckily it was the third part of the storyline so it some respects can easily be forgotten before the ending, but it was difficult.  Part of that is the character of Detective Grubs, which is played less of a character and more of the sledgehammer plot device from hell.  It is hard to believe that any police officer could act in such a manner to any of the costumed super heroes.  It felt wrong, it read wrong, and I so desperately wanted a policeman with a lick of common sense.  The other aspect is that the nature of the villain was finally revealed and has I had suspected, it is the guy from the beginning of the arc, the one who was blown to pieces in a building filled with virus.  So naturally he is targeting victims who are sick.  And isn’t it just wonderful (sarcasm on) that the police happen to arrive at just the right moment to catch Hawkgirl, but not see what happens.  And why don’t the policeman listen to her about Domina. 

Finally, the defeatist attitude of Hawkman just does not fit the character at all.  I suppose I could buy the reasons why he feels that way, but even so it just doesn’t work.  The DCU does not need a whining, sniveling Hawkman.  Nope, doesn’t work.  The Hawkman we know and love is the one at the end who is ready to bust some heads to achieve justice.  So, overall, it seems as if there are a bunch of different ideas from the writers that just don’t seem to be working for me.  But I think it is this issue; the rest of it is good and even if the villain is predictable, at least it is interesting.  Now, if they could just do something about Detective Grubs. 

According to the monster’s story about the history of St. Roch, the city was originally called La Moyne.  It was not until 1868 when La Moyne was officially changed to St. Roch.  In issue #37, Hawkman (in a previous life)....

When would Hawkgirl have met or talked with Huntress?  Is there something from Birds of Prey that I missed?  I kept thinking a JSA member would have been better, but I could not think of a good name to fit that role.

-- Review by MRB

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