Understanding Hawkman: Part 3.a – The Villains

Welcome to part one of our third installment of the Hawkmanology Project, in which we explore the character and history of DC Comic’s Winged Warrior: Hawkman.  As with every classic comics character there are three essential aspects to cover: their origin and personality; their supporting cast; and of course, their villains.  In our first installment we touched upon the various histories, and how they have been merged by Geoff Johns, James Robinson and David Goyer into the current background and origin of Hawkman.  In the second installment we began exploring the friendly supporting cast of Hawkman, starting with the many loves of his life.  In this installment we’ll begin looking at the many villains of Hawkman through his many incarnations.

While not as well-known as the villains of other heroes, such as Lex Luthor, the Joker, Sinestro, or even Captain Cold; Hawkman is not without an interesting cast of his own foes.  We’re going to begin with some of his better-known foes to the comics-reading community as a whole.  Long-time fans such as myself may not put these foes as high as others, but with this entire Hawkmanology Project I am trying to make it relevant to the character as he exists today.

 The Shadow-Thief

Carl Sands, aka, the Shadow-Thief is probably the most recognizable villain in Hawkman’s rogue’s gallery.  He was a somewhat incompetant saboteur and thief who saw his fortunes changed when he came across Thanagarian technology known as the “Dimensiometer,” or simply the “shadow-vest” for us non-alien types.  This granted Sands with the ability to phase into a two-dimensional shadow-like state.  He can become two or three-dimensional at will, he can travel through shadows and across and through most materials.  He became an accomplished thief after acquiring these abilities, but the vest has had terrible side effects on his mental state as well as having become an addictive property to Sands.  He recently killed Ronald Raymond, who was the former host of the Firestorm Matrix.

 Gentleman Ghost

“Gentleman” Jim Craddock was the bastard son of a British aristocrat who turned to a life of the Highwayman, thieving his way across the ocean to America where he encounted the western heroes, Nighthawk and Cinnamon, who were that era’s incarnation of Hawkman and Hawkgirl.  In a fit of rage, Nighthawk killed Craddock, but due to their Nth metal exposure he became caught up in their curse and has haunted them in every lifetime since.  Sometimes a friend, sometimes a foe…the true nature of Craddock was not known to Hawkman util the past few years where he made it clear that despite sometimes appearing to be an ally, he harbors nothing but hatred for the Hawks and will continue to haunt them through their days.

 Byth

Byth Rok was a Wingman of Thanagar, who’s corrupt ways made him a criminal on his planet.  He acquired shape-shifting abilities through the use of illegal drug, Krotan, which he used to escape Thanagar, eventually hiding on Earth.  It was the pursuit of this criminal that led Katar Hol and Shayera Thal to Earth, where they became caught up in the Hawkman mythos.  When last seen, Byth had been taken down by Hawkman, Hawkwoman, Hawkgirl and Animal Man.  He is rumored to be an intergalactic arms dealer, and his outfitting of Carl Sands with the Dimensiometer fit in with those rumors.

 Blackfire

Kommand’r, Queen of the vagabond remnants of the Tamaranean race, has but two purposes in her life now: to find a home for her people; and to acquire great power and influence in the process.  She inserted her people into the middle of the Rann-Thanagar War, working both sides against each other.  When her duplicity was revealed she murdered Shayera Thal, better known as Hawkwoman.  This made her an eternal enemy of Hawkman, who spent the better part of a year trying to take her down (albeit in an uncharacteristic “by the book” way), which he succeeded in doing, while stripping her of her own solar energy based powers.  The burning animosity between the two all but guarantees that we have not seen their last conflict with one another.

  Onimar Synn

One of the Seven Devils of Thanagarian mythology – Onimar Synn has proven to be all-too real.  His complete mastery of the mysterious Nth metal has made him one of the galaxy’s most powerful beings, with the ego and pride to go with it.  He had conquered Thanagar, which directly led to the rebirth of Carter Hall as Hawkman on that planet.  After Hawkman and Hawkgirl (with the JSA’s assistance) defeated Synn, he waited until the moment was right to strike again, which led to the ongoing war between Rann and Thanagar.  Seemingly banished once again, there is little doubt that Onimar Synn will not only return, but return even more powerful than before.

OK – that’s closing this part of the chapter.  I know that some may question the rhyme or reason for selecting these five when discussing Hawkman’s villains, and not some of his more classic foes, but I will get to them soon.  I wanted to touch on the five that I feel are most relevant to the character as he stands now.