DC Comics reviews for 10/10/18

Hawkman #5

How fun is this book? Post-Crisis, Hawkman has traditionally been a tough character for writers to fully wrap their heads around. Between various reincarnations and reboots, making sense of his continuity was a challenge. Writer Robert Venditti definitely seems up to the task by embracing all the various elements of Hawkman’s past and making it part of an elaborate treasure hunt. Venditti’s Hawkman reads like Indiana Jones meets National Treasure in a superhero comic. It’s been a major surprise of 2018 and a lot of fun. That was even before this issue’s team-up with The Atom.

There’s Batman and Superman, Flash and Elongated Man, Green Lantern and Green Arrow, Booster Gold and Blue Beetle, but Hawkman and Atom is right up there with one of the best friendships/partnerships in DC Comics. Don’t bother trying to figure out their connection in the New 52/Rebirth continuity, just appreciate it for the fun ride.

Hawkman is in the microverse and Atom is all too happy to help him figure out his latest quest — determining what part of his past led him to this realm. Venditti totally gets the bond between the two characters to the point I’m thinking DC needs to give Venditti a crack at an Atom ongoing series.

Bryan Hitch’s art has been incredible. Hitch’s pages have so much action and excitement that it’s easy to overlook how well he handles the quiet moments like a long overdue reunion between best friends. Venditti does give Hitch ample opportunities to cut loose this issue with a massive action scene. I’m loving this creative team and hope they have as lengthy a run together as Venditti had with Rafa Sandoval on Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps.

Hawkman has really kind of come out of nowhere to quickly become one of my favorite titles of 2018. It’s taken a fresh approach on a convoluted character and has soared. This is the next era of DC Rebirth at its finest.

Rating: 10 out of 10