Who's Who in the Superman Comics
Hawkman and Hawkgirl
Two of Earth's greatest super heroes, Hawkman and Hawkgirl have assisted Superman several times throughout his career, and at one time were members of the Justice League of America. However, their origins reach back as far as Ancient Egypt.
Thousands of years ago, Prince Khufu encountered Nth metal, an element originating from the planet Thanagar. Exposure to the metal imbued him and his lover, Chay-Ara, with the knowledge of Thanagarian civilization. It also provided Khufu with the working knowledge to harness the metal into wings, which allowed him to fly, and become a living embodiment of Horus, the fabled hawkgod of Egypt. Tragically, the prince and his lover were slain by an evil priest.
However, in 1940, Khufu was reincarnated as Carter Hall, a distinguished archaeologist. Luck would have it that Chay-Ara was also reincarnated, as Shiera Sanders, a reporter from Chicago. The two realized their past lives, and with Shiera's assistance, Carter was able to successfully test the antigravity powers of the Nth metal wings he fashioned. Becoming Hawkman, Carter Hall was one of the first super heroes, and he used his masked identity to battle saboteurs, mad scientists, and super villains. He was a founding member of The Justice Society of America, and served as its chairman for the duration of its existence. Eventually, he incorporated Shiera into his crimefighting endeavors, and she adopted the identity of Hawkgirl.
When the JSA retired in 1951, Carter and Shiera also retired their secret identities. However, when a new generation of super heroes emerged, both Hawkman and Hawkgirl joined the new Justice League of America, and just as in the days of The Golden Age, the two heroes were shining stars of the American populace.
However, many people often become comfused when thinking about the legend of Hawkman. For indeed, in recent years, Thanagarian lawmen Katar Hol and Shayera Thal came to Earth and served as the identical Hawkman and Hawkwoman. And indeed, during a major time altering event referred to as Zero Hour, the original Hawkman, the Thanagarian Hawkman, and Hawkgirl were merged into one being. This new Hawkman, was a complete almalgamation of the Earthman Carter Hall and the Thanagarian Katar Hol. He was distinguished by his organic wings and birdlike eyes. Tragically, this Hawkman was driven insane as his soul could not contain the merged personas of himself, Carter Hall, and several champions who used the Hawk as their emblem over the centuries. This madness led to a savage persona of Katar Hol's who committed several grisly murders in Chicago. When the Martian Manhunter detected what happened, he and Arion, an ancient mystic from Atlantis, led Hawkman into an interdimensional limbo.
At this point, new facts were uncovered. It was revealed that Shiera Hall had died during the merging of Hawkmen, and her soul found a new home in the body of her niece, Kendra Saunders. Misunderstanding the nature of her true origins, but answering a heroic call of destiny, the young woman became the latest incarnation of Hawkgirl, and was the first to join the reorganized Justice Society of America.
As a member of the new JSA, Hawkgirl was summoned to the planet Thanagar, where The Sin Eater, a terrifying overlord, reigned over the planet. Several Thanagarian mystics led Hawkgirl to a secret chamber, where inside lay a gateway from limbo. With their power, and the psychic bond shared by Hawkgirl, the original Hawkman, Carter Hall, returned to our dimension. His body fully rejuvenated, the youthful Carter Hall once again became Hawkman, and helped the JSA defeat the Sin Eater. Upon his return to Earth, Carter Hall was officially reinducted into the Justice Society, and has lately used his time to acquaint himself with the world he departed from for nearly three years.
Currently, Hawkman and Hawkgirl have made a home for themselves in St. Roch, Louisiana, one of the South's major cities. Here, Carter Hall has resumed his trade as an archaeologist, and Kendra Saunders is slowly becoming the hero she used to be.
Besides allowing Hawkman and Hawkgirl to fly, the Nth metal wings give the two super strength, and regulates their body temperatures. This explains why Hawkman has historically flown barechested in some of the coldest environments. As active members of The Justice Society of America, the Hawks(as they are commonly referred) are recognized alongside Superman as some of the world's greatest super heroes.
For reasons yet to be explained, Hawkman did not return from their journey to space to assist in the Rann/Thanagar War. Hawkgirl has resumed her life as St. Roche's protector on her own.
First Appearance: Flash Comics #1, 1940
Who's Who in the Superman Comics
Introduction
This is a listing of many of the notable characters and a few places that have appeared in the Superman comics from the 1986 revamp up until around 2008.
NOTE: A new, and more current version of the Who's Who is currently being worked on and can be accessed by clicking here.
Although Superman often appears in other DC Comics, this text's information is limited mainly to what has occurred in the regular Superman comics.
Many thanks to Scotty V, Derrick Lyle Coleman, Dean Vanek, Genevieve Clemens and Benjamin Grose who all helped out at one time or another with writing and updating these Who's Who descriptions.
The listings are displayed as follows: - Surname, Firstname - Text describing the character, place, object, etc...
Relevant issues of the Superman comics are listed as such:
- SUP = Superman
- MOS = Man of Steel
- AOS = Adventures of Superman
- ACT = Action Comics
- MOT = Man of Tomorrow
The Issue Number for each of these titles is written in this manner: “#000”. (e.g. SUP #123)
“First Appearance” refers to the issue since 1986 unless otherwise noted.
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