HAKWMAN #4
"Beasts of Burden"
Mildly Recommended (6/10)
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DC Comics
Writers: Geoff Johns & James Robinson
Pencils: Rags Morales
Inks: Michael Bair
Colors: John Kalisz & Heroic Age
Letters: Bill Oakley
Editor: Peter Tomasi
Price: $2.50 US/$4.25 CAN |
And so, the first story arc comes to a close, and I'm struck by a realization: nothing has happened since the first issue, not really. The goal of this opening arc seemed to be to establish the heroes' new home and the chief villain of the series, but that was accomplished in the first issue. What we're left with is just a run-of-the-mill super-hero adventure... fortunately, it's a good, well-illustrated one.
Hawkman and the Shadow Thief find themselves enslaved along with the elephant-like Ganeshans, forced into mining duty by the blue-skinned Shivas in a magical dimension. Even if he can get free, though, they're stuck, as the dimension doorway can only be opened from our side. Meanwhile, Hawkgirl and Danny Evans, while being pursued by a corrupt military batallion, chase after Tigress, who has the key to the afore-mentioned gateway.
The art on this latest Hawkman title strikes me as the strongest I've seen from Rage Morales. He captures the ferocity and grace of the title character nicely, as well as the mythic, strange and beautiful nature of the Hindu god creatures. I have no doubt that Morales's pencils are benefitting from the sleek look of Bair's inks, which I've enjoyed for years, ever since I first saw his stuff on Nightmask, from Marvel's New Universe line in the 1980s. The book is high on action, and Morales conveys the complexity and energy of it all with seeming ease.
There's plenty of action and fun to be had in this story, but ultimately, it lacks suspense. The status quo, new as it is, is maintained. The readers knows the heroes will survive, and that the villains will survive. In other words, the book lacks suspense. Not even the subplot -- the death of corrupt St. Roch officials, apparently at the hands of a certain emerald archer -- is all that suspenseful, as we kow it's unlikely one of DC's most popular heroes at the moment is making an appearance here just so he can commit muder.
Still, this opening story arc was all about setup, and those new to the title character's contrived background will probably be up to speed at this point. Now, we need to see some forward movement. In Hawkman and Hawkgirl's new role in St. Roch. In their uneasy relationship. In the politics of St. Roch, and the investigation of Hawkgirl's parents' apparent murder. Fortunately, we have two talented writers at the helm with a proven track record when it comes to exploring old characters in new ways.
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