DCU Comic Book Reviews

HAWKMAN #43

Fly In The Face OF Danger

October 2005

Written by Jimmy Palmiotti & Justin Gray

Pencils by Joe Bennett

Inks by Ruy Jose & Jack Jadson

Cover by Dale Eaglesham & Wade von Grawbadger

Synopsis

Charley Parker (aka The Golden Eagle) recalls his early childhood as part of the foster system, followed by his involvement with local gangs, to his friendship with Carter Hall, to his apprenticeship with Hawkman and then how he almost died when he was a part of the Teen Titans.  It is because of his friendship with Hawkman that he wants to become Hawkman, to lure out the Fadeaway Man and the others and seek revenge for Hawkman’s death.  In Africa, the Fadeaway Man gives to Lion Mane his share of the money for killing Hawkman.  After the Fadeaway Man leaves, Lion Mane senses something in the jungle.  When he investigates, he gets attacked by an irate Hawkman, demanding to know the location of the Fadeaway Man.

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

This was a nice issue and certainly it helps to fill in some of the gaps of Charley’s past, but sadly I think this is just a little too late and just does not add much to the current storyline.  Granted, it helps to explain how Charley did not die and helps to strengthen his relationship with Carter, but it is a litle too late.  This issue should have been done when Charley was first introduced to set the stage for some the later material rather than a method to backtrack and explain things after the fact. 

Ultimately, all this issue is to really cement that, despite last issue’s red herring with Satana, Charley really is the evil master mind of the plot.  You’ll note that the flashback ends with Charley’s “death” and his desire to become a better person, which is translated to:  “I’m going to kill Hawkman.”  Plus, the fact that Hawkman would be Charley’s father is limited only to a DNA test, which only Charley saw the results because he did the test.  I am guessing that this bit of information is just a lie, although I am uncertain exactly why (except meant for the reader to throw us off the track regarding Charley’s real motives). 

Is it real or is it Memorex?  Is it Carter Hall on the final page or is it Charley Parker?  The clue that you need is the body hair, which Carter has but Charley lacks.  Just compare to the final page of the previous issue and you can see the difference.  I am actually surprised I missed it, but then I think last issue I was seeing what I wanted to see, which is the return of Hawkman.  This time, however, there can be no doubt. 

If you have a moment, go back and read the review for the previous issue.  In it, you will note that I lament the inclusion of the Purple Pilgrim into the plot when we should’ve seen some, you know, actual grief over Hawkman’s death.  This issue just hit home how stupid the pilgrim idea really happens to be.  Why?  They aren’t in this issue!  Why introduce something new into the middle of a big storyline and then drop it for an exposition issue?  It just seems as if there was no real planning how everything was supposed to play out other than the broad strokes.

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