Written by Jimmy Palmiotti & Justin Gray
Art by Ryan Sook; Mick Gray; John Kalisz; & Hi-Fi
Cover Art by Greg Land; Jay Leisten; & Justin Ponsor
SUMMARY:
Entitled “Fate’s Warning, Part 2 of 4,” DC Comics published this standard-length issue for August 2004. Raiding the back office of a strip club, Hawkgirl/Kendra Saunders collects some sleazy gangster-sized trash for the St. Roch police. Hawkman/Carter Hall romances enigmatic nightclub singer/psychic Domina Paris, as Kendra inadvertently spies upon them (twice).
Laying low for nearly a month, Hawkman is implicated in an ominous series of slayings, including a woman’s ritualistic homicide and a young man’s four-story window disappearance. In a cliffhanger, Hawkman’s re-appearance publicly coincides with the discovery of the newest victim.
REVIEW:
Similar to a Batman-type plot, this modern noir-ish tale from co-writers Jimmy Palmiotti & Justin Gray makes an intriguing read. The parallel of Carter’s new romance vs. Kendra’s disappointment/jealousy is an inspired touch. The increasing animosity by the St. Roch police direct towards the Hawks adds a further element of depth, as does the ambiguity re: Domina Paris.
In terms of the visuals, the art squad (particularly penciller Ryan Sook) does solid work. Though it appears that Black Canary may well be on the cover, Domina’s unmentioned resemblance to her is a nice twist. Yet, combined with its macabre overtone, the flashy cover image is this comic’s best element. Hawkman # 29, accordingly, is well worth re-discovery.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
An unnamed DC ‘mole’ pens the single-page “DC in Demand” column. Thumbnail cover reveals are for: Manhunter # 1; Outsiders # 13; Challengers of the Unknown # 1; Superman/Batman #11; and Hawkman # 30.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
