DCU Comic Book Reviews

HAWKMAN #37

Farewell My Enemy

April 2005

Written by Jimmy Palmiotti & Justin Gray

Pencils by Joe Bennett

Inks by Ruy Jose

Cover by Ryan Sook

Synopsis

In the early morning, Hawkman and Hawkgirl track down and a capture a few escaped convicts.  At the Lure in the afternoon, recently escaped convict Viggo Lafontaine returns to his nightclub, but finds that Satana is now the current owner.  Elsewhere, the Fadeaway Man acquires some Delirium for a spell.  At the Stonechat Museum, Carter and Kendra return from their patrol and shared a tender moment.  Carter, however, remains a gentleman and decides to go out on his own to search for the Fadeaway Man.  Seeing a woman in danger, Hawkman investigates.  He is then attacked by Lion-Mane, who is able to knock Hawkman unconscious.  While knocked out, the Fadeaway Man delivers delirium to Hawkman.  While Hawkman is under the influence, the Fadeaway Man withdraws his knife to kill him, but he is stopped by the timely arrival of The Golden Eagle.  

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

This issue was designed to essentially re-introduce the Golden Eagle.  Beyond the last page reveal, there really is not that much of importance that occurs.  The problem I have is that I am not a long time reader of the DC universe so therefore his appearance really has no impact for me at all.  So the final page was met with a resounding thud.  I am, however, willing to wait and see what happens before I judge the necessity of bringing him back. 

Does it really matter that the owner of the club is killed?  No, but it was nice to see The Lure and the character return after their initial appearance early on in Palmiotti and Gray’s run.  Did it really matter to have the scene where the Fadeaway Man bought the drug?  No, not really, although it was a nice touch to show how much the shopkeeper was benefiting from some of the recent events in St. Roch.  Finally, was it necessary to show Hawkman get beat up?  Actually, this one I take umbrage with.  Hawkman should have taken that lion’s head off, not get knocked around like that. 

The only important development was Carter and Kendra’s snuggling.  While the intimate moment between Kendra and Carter shows the two getting closer, they are still far from lovers and thus still far from being killed.  I am guessing, however, that either they are being brought together just so the Golden Eagle can pull them apart or the bad guy pulling the strings for the Fadeaway Man and Santana is really Hath-Set.  This would work and give Carter a good reason to never consummate their attraction (although I would argue love has nothing to do with sex).  It would not work because the core conceit of the series is that they should not fall in love for fear of death.