DCU Comic Book Reviews

HAWKGIRL #57

Trial...(just because you're paranoid...)

December 2006

Written by Walter Simonson

Pencils by Joe Bennett

Inks by Joe Bennett

Cover by Howard Chaykin

Synopsis

On Rann, an unidentified person liberates six Thangarian criminals for jail.  She then orders on to Earth to capture Hawkgirl.  That night, Hawkgirl is flying towards an explosion when she gets caught by a net that shocks her into unconsciousness.  She wakes up in a prison where she gets shocked if she does not do exactly as she is told.  At the Stonechat Museum, Danny Evans and his father note Hawkgirl’s disappearance and question who they should call for help.  Later, Hawkgirl is brought before a judge dressed in ceremonial Thanagarian robes.  He tells her she will be executed for high treason against Thanagar in the war with Rann.

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

It is amazing how a change in an artist can radically change the look and feel of the book, not to mention how much I liked it.  Joe Bennett is familiar with the hawks, having been the regular penciler in 2004 and 2005, but the reason I liked this issue is because it is drawn without those little talking-head boxes that Chaykin used.  And none of the characters look as if they are grimacing )or clenching their teeth) all the time.  Instead, Bennett sticks to basic storytelling, such as the guards talking on page 2 or even the prison break on page 4 that actually tells the story without the need of the text or dialogue. 

I am a little surprised that the text specified that “an unidentified ally” freed the prisoners, but it was pretty obvious that it was Blackfire.  Perhaps that is a misdirection:  the art was designed to convince us it was Blackfire, but it really isn’t. 

Somehow I am beginning to think that Simonson is intent on making sure that every supporting character in the book knows Kendra’s secret identity.  While I like the idea that these people are not idiots and can figure it out, I am also a little weary about it.  I am hoping that Simonson is leading someplace with this. 

As a small side note, I like the little bit about the museum funds coming from the Wayne Foundation, which follows up a little bit on an plot point early on in Simonson’s run.  It is a little bit and not every important, but I like when writers can build upon small things; it makes the world seem more alive.

 

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