PRE-CRISIS DCU

Katar Hol was born on the planet Thanagar orbiting the star Polaris. The inhabitants of Thanagar were homo-sapien-like in nature and they lived in a world without crime. His father was Paran Katar, renowned ornithologist and inventor. Amongst Paran Katar's various creations are the "ninth metal" belt, constructed of a metal capable of neglecting the effects of gravity, and the Absorbascon, a device capable of absorbing information.

When Katar Hol was eighteen, a force of alien sentient winged birds, called the Manhawks, invaded Thanagar from space and began looting the planet. Paran sent young Katar Hol to infiltrate their nest dressed as a bird and bring back information on the aliens. Using this information, Paran created a hawk-like battle suit containing advanced technology like his "ninth metal." Katar used this hawk-suit and Paran's advanced weaponry to drive the Manhawks away from Thanagar.

That, however, was not the end of the problem. Some Thanagarians had learned of the concept of stealing from the Manhawks. Due to the amount of crime, the Thanagarian government created a police force. In honor of Paran Katar and his achievements, the new Thanagarian police force began using his hawk-suit and equipment. Paran headed this new police force, named the Hawk Police (or later Wingmen), and his son Katar became one of the first recruits.

Katar soon became one of the most skilled of the Hawk Police, fighting alongside such fellow officers such as Andar Pul and Ra Laf. When a group called the Rainbow Raiders began committing crimes, Katar teamed up with rookie Hawk Police recruit Shayera Thal to track down the criminals. During the case, rookie Shayera saved Katar's life, and the two soon fell in love. Katar Hol and Shayera Thal married, working together as partners in the Hawk Police.

Ten years later, when a thief by the name of Byth Rok stole a pill that endowed him with the ability to change shape, Katar and Shayera were assigned to track down and capture him. Byth stole a rocket ship and escaped to the planet Earth, where Katar and Shayera followed him in an experimental Thanagarian starship. The couple entered Earth orbit, cloaked their ship, and used the Absorbsacon to learn all the accumulated knowledge of the planet. They then proceeded to track Byth down. Finding Byth in Midway City in the United States, they contacted the head of the local police, Commissioner George Emmett. Emmett, at first shocked at the news of extra-terrestrials, believed their story and aided the couple in their search for Byth. Commissioner Emmitt arranged for Katar and Shayera to become curators of the Midway City Museum under the names Carter and Sheira Hall. With the help of the Commissioner, the two tracked down and captured Byth. After returning Byth to Thanagar, Katar's commanding officer, Andar Pul, requested that the two remain on Earth and observe Earth's techniques in law enforcement. Endorsed by Emmitt, the two remained and took the simple code-names Hawkman and Hawkgirl.

While on Earth, the two soon found themselves dealing with various threats too difficult for the normal Midway City police force to handle. When chemist Mark Mandrill discovered the element Mentachem and became the super-villain Matter Master, the Hawks stopped him. The Hawks faced an Abominable Snowman from the planet Xardoon and the sorcerer Konrad Kaslak. When thief Carl Sands gained possession of a shadow suit from alien Thar Dan and began a crime spree as the Shadow Thief, the Hawks were there to defeat him.

The two Hawks were soon called back to Thanagar by Andar Pul for their first debriefing. However, upon return, the heroes discovered that Byth had escaped. Hawkman defeated Byth, and was rewarded by Krandor Vat, head of the Hawk Police, with Honor Wings which are attached to his cowl.

Upon the Hawks return to Earth, they met their first human super-hero, Ray Palmer, the Atom. The three became fast friends and allies in battle. Afterwards, the couple faced the threats of three ancient Egyptian Gods, the genius criminal Ira Quimby (alias I.Q.), and a villain known as the Master Electrician.

The Hawks soon met other heroes of Earth and beyond. Both Hawkman and Hawkgirl teamed up with Aquaman and Aqualad. The two heroes also join Adam Strange, the Earthling champion of the planet Rann, and his lover Alanna against the conqueror Oran Dargg.

Over the next months, the Hawks face a number of threats, such as Chac, an immortal Mayan Chief, alien slave masters of the planet Llorth, and the Sky Raiders. At this time the couple, whilst investigating the thefts of relics of different countries, meet for the first time a young lady by the name of Zatanna the Magician. Zatanna is the daughter of Zatara, a master magician and Golden Age superhero. Zatanna stole the artifacts to gain the attention of Carter and Shiera Hall, whom she knows to be the heroes Hawkman and Hawkgirl. She asks for the Hawks' aid in finding her missing father. The Hawks use the Absorbascon to locate Zatara, but fail. The Hawks encourage Zatanna to continue her search and offer any aid if she need it.

Meanwhile, the Earth's premiere super-hero team, the Justice League of America, decides the time has come to nominate another hero for membership. The heroes nominate Hawkman, and the Atom travels to Midway City to extend the offer. Since they can only admit one hero a year, the Atom apologizes to Hawkgirl for not including her in the invitation. After Hawkgirl's understanding, Hawkman accepts, becoming the League's third recruit and meeting such heroes as Superman, Batman, Flash, Green Lantern, Green Arrow, Wonder Woman, and Martian Manhunter. Hawkman also joins in time to aid the League in defeating criminal Joe Parry and to witness the marriage of Aquaman and Mera.

Hawkman, whether with his wife Shayera or with the Justice League, faces a number of threats: the Shadow Thief, Brain Storm, evolved alien animals from Illoral, the Alien-ator, Chac, Doctor Destiny, I.Q., and the agents of C.A.W., the Criminal Alliance of the World. When the Matter Master retrieved his Mentachem wand from the Justice League trophy room, he lures the Hawks to try to capture them. Instead, the two heroes and the villain suddenly find themselves transported to the microverse world of Therol, where they become the captive of the tyrant Tobolon. All three are rescued by the Atom, and afterwards the Atom and the Hawks reveal their secret identities to each other.

In following adventures, Hawkman faces such threats as C.A.W., the despot of Moronon named Boros Bron, warlords of the planet Marrokon, the original Royal Flush Gang, Alvit and her frost giants, and Makkar the Ancient. Hawkman first learned of parallel Earths when, as a member of the Justice League, he met the Justice Society of Earth-2 and aided them in facing the combined threats of Solomon Grundy, Blockbuster, and the Anti-Matter Man. Though Hawkman met the Justice Society, he did not meet his counterpart, Carter Hall, alias the Hawkman of Earth-2, or his wife, Sheira Hall, the Hawkgirl of Earth-2.

After his parallel world adventure, Hawkman faced various earthly threats and threats from beyond, such as the Illoralians, teamed with his wife and Batman, and the Raven flying solo. Hawkman teams up with old friend Adam Strange when the Manhawks try to conquer Adam's adopted planet Rann. The two heroes defeat the Manhawks, and save both Rann and Thanagar in the process.

When archaeologist Ed Dawson was exposed to Mithra, the "Meteor-God," the lion-hunting scientist is transformed into Lion-Mane, a cursed and uncontrollable lion-like human. Katar comes to the aid of his colleague and helps return Dawson to normal. However, Hawkman fears that Dawson has not heard the last of this curse.

Back in Midway City, Hawkman faces such threats as the Falcon, Dr. Malevolo, "Medusa", Queen Elda of the Infinite Empire, and the Snow Fiend. As a member of the Justice League, Hawkman and his superhuman allies tackle Hawkman's old nemesis I.Q. as well as a collection of their greatest enemies, the Key, a time-travelling Dr. Anomaly, and Earth-2 villain T.O. Morrow, where Katar witnesses the android Red Tornado inducted as a member of Earth-2's Justice Society.

Meanwhile, Hawkgirl and Hawkman's friendship with the Atom blossomed. The three heroes teamed together against the Mayan chief Tekla, and "Shiva the Destroyer". With the League, the Hawks faces Neverwas, the living star Aquarius, and evil duplicates of themselves. Hawkman witnesses the admission of Black Canary into the Justice League and attends a mock funeral for Superman about this time. He comes to the aid of the Martian Manhunter when the Martians leave for New Mars. Also about this time, the Hawks first face the reincarnated spirit of "Gentleman" Jim Craddock, who began a crime spree in London under the name Gentleman Ghost. The Ghost, along with I.Q., Lion-Mane, Shadow Man, and Byth, would become longtime recurring menaces to the couple.

When the Justice League's Secret Sanctuary was discovered by the Joker, the League decided to build a new headquarters: one in orbit where they could watch over the Earth that they are sworn to protect. Hawkman volunteered technology from Thanagar, most notably their medical technology and their teleporters, and he, along with Green Lantern and Superman, create the Justice League Satellite.

When Jean Loring goes insane, her boyfriend Ray Palmer, aka the Atom, investigates the cause, which leads him into conflict with the Jimberen, a subatomic alien race. Atom calls on the Hawks for help, and the three heroes defeat the miniature aliens, but Jean remains insane. The Hawks and Atom bring Jean to Thanagar, but, unbeknownst to the heroes, Thanagar is being affected by the Jest-Master, an alien being whose goal is to drive everyone insane. Whilst Atom, Hawkman, and all of Thanagar are rendered insane, Jean, who has been rendered sane, calls in the Justice League for help. Superman, Batman, Flash, and Black Canary respond, and they all defeat the Jest-Master.

Even without his wife, Katar managed to be the hero. When the alien Appellaxians took control of the minds of the founding Justice Leaguers, Hawkman found himself battling a mind-controlled Superman. Though defeated, Hawkman is rescued by Adam Strange, and the two heroes aid the League in freeing their comrade.

When Dr. Light robbed an Indian Museum exhibit in Midway City, Hawkman teamed up with the New Teen Titans to defeat him. When the alien Abjuctor threatened Earth, Hawkman stood beside the League and Supergirl. When Ultraa and Joe Parry began a rampage in Atlantic City, Hawkman broke out of his depression to defeat them. When the Batman was injured whilst repairing the JL Satellite, Hawkman helped save him.

Hawkman had other adventures about this time, such as when Killer Frost took control of New York City and he and the League saved the city. Hawkman, along with the League, the Justice Society, and the All-Star Squadron of 1941 Earth-2, saved Earth-1, Earth-2, and Earth-Prime from destruction at the hands of Per Degaton and the Crime Syndicate. Hawkman was on hand when Wonder Woman almost married Steven Trevor and when Brainiac and an alien armada attacked Earth, requiring Superman, the League, and the Titans to defeat him.

Hawkman, at this time, had learned that the evil Hyathis once again had her sights set on Thanagar. Hawkman, this time, was especially enraged, because his wife Shayera was in danger as well. Hawkman, teaming up with the World's Finest duo of Batman and Superman, rushed to Thanagar. Though Shayera was not there, the three heroes confronted Hyathis and her minions and stopped her plans of conquest. Katar left Thanagar a hero once again in the eyes of its populace.

On the trip back from Thanagar, Hawkman encountered a group of alien space pirates, who hijacked his spacecraft and planned to use the craft to loot other planets. Hawkman thwarted the aliens, but damaged his own ship in the process. Rescued by Hawkwoman, the two returned peacefully to Earth, where they patched up their differences and returned to their normal habits.

Once back, Hawkman joined fellow Leaguers Batman, Black Canary, Green Arrow and Red Tornado in tracking down their missing teammate Atom in the Microcosmos. Hawkman was on hand when Superman defeated a re-awakened Amazo and when Batman left the Justice League to form the Outsiders. When Doctor Destiny takes control of the Sandman's Dream Dimension, the Hawks join the League in defeating him. Hawkman and the League stop rampaging robots created by Professor Ivo, and the League defeat mutated Ani-Men led by the lion-like Rex Maximus. Hawkman was on hand when the League, the Titans, and the Outsiders thwarted the omnipotent alien Zeta; when the Floronic Man used Earth's vegetation to try to conquer the world; when Supergirl celebrated the anniversary of her arrival on Earth; when the Flash was put on trial for the death of Professor Zoom; and when the League in dealt with the Fiatlux Conspiracy.

Both Hawkman and Hawkwoman were on hand when a Martian war fleet arrived in Earth orbit and attacked the planet. The League, forewarned by the Martian Manhunter, retaliated, and the Hawks' spaceship proved invaluable in the battle. However, it was the Martian Manhunter alone who turned the tide, and as a result of diminished League activities, Aquaman disbanded the original Justice League of America. Katar and Shayera, agreeing with his decision, left to reclaim their lives.

After the League's disbandment, both Hawks teamed up with Superman and his time-travelling great-grandfather Var-El in stopping the alien Orgons' conquer of Thanagar. Hawkman was also on hand when the Construct tried to take mental control of Earth.

When a group of aliens broke into the Midway Museum in an attempt to steal the Hawks antigravity belts, Hawkman investigates. A battle ensues, and during it, Hawkman realizes he has been distracted and the real target is Shayera. Upon returning to their home, he finds Shayera apparently vaporized. When a young winged super-hero named Icarus is killed, the aliens are revealed to be Thanagarians. The Thanagarians have begun on a mission to conquer the universe, and have killed Shayera, Icarus, and Museum worker Mavis Trent. Hawkman finds the Thanagarians' Earth base and attacks.

Hawkwoman, who it turns out was not vaporized, rescues her husband from the hands of the Thanagarians. Shiera reveals that, in the aftermath of the Equalizing Plague and the Hyathis War, the Thanagarians have lost most of their self-confidence and their technology. Trying to destroy all Thanagarian equipment on Earth, the Hawks destroy their equipment in Midway City and erase all relevant data in the Justice League computers. However, it is too little, too late, as Thanagarian agent Fell Andar reveals that he has control of the Hawks spaceship.

The Hawks raid the spaceship with the intention to destroy it, and the sabotage is successful. The Hawks escape before the ship is destroyed, but so did Fell Andar. The three battle in the city of Grinder's Bluff, and the Hawks emerge victorious. Together, the couple prepare for a possible second wave of the Thanagarian invasion.

Hawkman, plagued by the deaths caused when he destroyed his spaceship, is brought through his dreams into the netherworld. There, he finds the ghosts of Mavis Trent, Thanagarian Sirrah Jak, Fell Andar, and his old nemesis the Gentleman Ghost. At the end of this journey, Hawkman comes to terms with his recent experiences.

Hawkman, in the wake of his dreamscape adventure, teams up with Superman one last time before the onset of the Crisis on Infinite Earths, with which Hawkman had a minor role, including joining a strike team of heroes which fought on Earth-S.

Hawkman, like all Hawk Police of Thanagar, can fly at high speeds using both the artificial wings attached to his chest strap, and the anti-gravity belt around his waist. By adjusting controls on the buckle of the anti- gravity belt, Hawkman can carry objects with him in flight.

Also, like all Hawk Police, Hawkman's skin has been genetically strengthened to withstand both the friction force of the upper atmosphere of planets and the cold of outer space. Hawk Police can also hold their breath for certain periods of time, allowing Hawkman to travel in space for short periods up to approximately six minutes.

When Hawkman came to Earth, Hawkman used a device called the Absorbascon to gain all the knowledge of the planet. It was through the Absorbascon that Hawkman learned the languages of Earth, and the knowledge gained by the Absorbascon is still stored in his subconscious. The Absorbascon also taught Hawkman to talk to all forms of bird life of Earth, and also gave him the knowledge of all inhabitants of the various microverses of Earth. Since Superman and Supergirl were absent from Earth when Hawkman first came to Earth, Hawkman has no knowledge of Kryptonian languages or cultures.

Hawkman is an expert in all forms of Thanagarian weapons and equipment. He has used a variety of Thanagarian equipment in his career, and most of the equipment in the Justice League Satellite was Thanagarian in origin. Hawkman is one of the most proficient of the Hawk Police when it comes to weapons, and he prefers to use weapons from Earth's past when fighting crime. His favorite weapon is the mace, a spiked ball with a handle. Hawkman also likes to use a spiked ball on a chain, a spear, and a net for capturing criminals.

Hawkman lives in a Thanagarian spaceship in orbit around Earth. The ship is a faster-than-light starship with a cloaking device and advanced weaponry. The ship is also equipped with an advanced monitoring system that can tap into Earth's broadcasts. Aboard the ship are various Thanagarian crimefighting aids, such as the Thermotector (a heat-tracker), the Radiotron (a radiation tracker), the Veracikone (a lie-detector), and the Duplicator.

Hawkman is an expert in archaeology, and, in his secret identity, is a practicing archaeologist. As Carter Hall, Hawkman is curator of the Midway City museum and has access to the exhibits there.

Behind the Scenes

Following the sixties revisions of such heroes as the Flash and Green Lantern, and the revitalization of the Justice Society as the Justice League, it seemed only apropos that JSA chairman Hawkman would soon follow suit. The February-March 1961 issue of The Brave and the Bold starred the new Hawkman, with his wife Hawkgirl. Drawn by the original Hawkman's artist, Joe Kubert, the new Hawkman resembled his counterpart in appearance only: this new Hawkman was an alien police member. However innovative, this new Hawkman did not gain the overwhelming sales that his counterparts Flash, Green Lantern, and Atom did. Hawkman lasted only three issues of the Brave and the Bold.

Hawkman earned a second try in Brave and the Bold, with issues #42-44. Though again not successful, editor Julius Schwartz and writer Gardner Fox decided that Hawkman had enough potential to become a regular backup story in Mystery In Space, then starring Adam Strange. Hawkman was featured in four issues by Schwartz, Fox, and Murphy Anderson replacing Kubert as artist.

In April of 1963, Hawkman finally graduated to his own title two years after his conception, aptly named Hawkman (though Hawkgirl also starred). Hawkman flourished for the next three or four years, but by 1967 was deemed dispensable enough for Schwartz, Fox, and Anderson to leave, taking up the revitalization of another Golden Age hero: the Spectre. Editor George Kashdan, writer Bob Haney, and artists Dick Dillin and Chuck Cuidera took over in Hawkman #22, changing the direction of the book, as well as the personalities of the stars. This began the ultimate decline of the Hawks, and Hawkman was cancelled with issue #27.

Hawkman was immediately picked up in the Atom's book, which was renamed to Atom and Hawkman with issue #42. Hawkman could be found there, as well as semi-regularly in Justice League of America, which he joined five years back with issue #31. Atom and Hawkman didn't last long and was cancelled seven issues later.

From there, Hawkman bounced around the DC Universe, appearing as a League member and starring in a few backup stories in Detective Comics. Then, in 1978, Hawkman was given yet another tryout in the pages of Showcase. The tryout failed, and Hawkman went back to occasional solo stories in Detective Comics and later World's Finest Comics.

It was in the pages of World's Finest Comics #274 that the inseparable couple of Hawkman and Hawkgirl (now called Hawkwoman) broke apart. Their separation lasted eight months, until World's Finest Comics #282, their final story in that title.

For the next three years, Hawkman bumped around the DC Universe, showing up regularly only in Justice League of America, until May 1985, when a four issue miniseries starring the Hawks debuted. Shadow War of Hawkman brought back the Hawks and their supporting cast into the spotlight. Written by Tony Isabella and pencilled by Richard Howard, the miniseries segued into Hawkman Special #1, which was released in early 1986. With Hawkman's popularity on the rise, Isabella and Howard went on to start Hawkman, a continuous series which saw release in August 1986. Hawkman was Katar's first monthly comic and brought back many of the Hawks' villains from the original series.

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