Carter Hall is a DC Comics superhero, the original Hawkman. Created by Gardner Fox and Dennis Neville, he first appeared in Flash Comics # 1 (January, 1940). The history of this character is somewhat confusing, due mainly to the fact that his origins were retroactively changed with the Crisis on Infinite Earths limited series as well as the Hawkworld ongoing series. As a result, there are two separate origins for Carter Hall: the Golden Age origin and the Post-Crisis (or current) origin. Both are described below. DC Comics is one of the largest American companies in comic book and related media publishing. ... Batman and Superman, two of the most recognizable and iconic superheroes. ... Cover to Hawkman v4 # 1. ... Gardner Francis Fox (May 20, 1911, Brooklyn, New York – December 24, 1986) was an American writer best known for writing comic books and co-creating numerous comics characters, especially for DC Comics. ... Crisis on Infinite Earths was a 12-issue comic book limited series (identified as a 12 part maxi-series) and crossover event, produced by DC Comics in 1985 in order to simplify their fifty-year-old continuity. ... Hawkworld was a comic book from DC Comics that explored the origins of Hawkman and Hawkwoman. ...

DC Comics is one of the largest American companies in comic book and related media publishing. ... In comic books, first appearance refers to the date or issue of a characters first appearance. ... Gardner Francis Fox (May 20, 1911, Brooklyn, New York – December 24, 1986) was an American writer best known for writing comic books and co-creating numerous comics characters, especially for DC Comics. ... The Justice Society of America, or JSA, is a DC Comics superhero group, the first team of superheroes in comic book history. ... The Justice League, sometimes called the Justice League of America or JLA for short, is a fictional DC Universe superhero team. ... The All-Star Squadron was an American comic book (1981-1987) created by Roy Thomas and published by DC Comics about the adventures of a large team of superheroes which comprised of most of the feature characters owned by the company that appeared in the Golden Age of Comic Books... Nth Metal (also called Ninth Metal) is a fictional metal found in the DC Universe. ...

Character history

Golden Age origin

In the days of ancient Egypt, Prince Khufu is engaged in a feud with his rival, the Egyptian priest Hath-Set. The priest eventually captures both Khufu and his consort Chay-Ara, and kills them. Millennia later, in 1940, Khufu is reincarnated as American archaeologist Carter Hall, and Chay-Ara as Shiera Sanders. Hath-Set himself is reincarnated as a scientist named Anton Hastor. Upon finding the ancient knife Hath-Set used to kill him, Hall regains his memories of his past life and recognizes Hastor as the reincarnated evil priest. Khafres Pyramid (4th dynasty) and Great Sphinx of Giza (c. ... Roman Catholic priests in traditional clerical clothing. ... Hath-Set is a DC Comics supervillain. ... Archaeology, archeology, or archology (from the Greek words αρχαίος = ancient and λόγος = word/speech/discourse) is the study of human cultures through the recovery, documentation and analysis of material remains and environmental data, including architecture, artifacts, biofacts, human remains, and landscapes. ... First and foremost, the term hawkgirl orignates from her being part Hawk, part Girl, and full idiot. ...

Using the properties of "ninth metal" to craft a gravity-defying belt, Hall creates wings and a costume, ultimately confronting Hastor as Hawkman. He also encounters and remembers Shiera during this time. Following Hastor's defeat, the two begin a romance. Nth Metal (also called Ninth Metal) is a fictional metal found in the DC Universe. ...

Hawkman becomes a charter member of the Justice Society of America, and takes the position of permanent chairman, following the Flash and Green Lantern. Shiera, meanwhile, adopts the identity of Hawkgirl and fight beside Hall throughout the 1940s. The Justice Society of America, or JSA, is a DC Comics superhero group, the first team of superheroes in comic book history. ... Jay Garrick is a fictional character in the DC Comics Universe and the first Flash. ... Alan Scott is a fictional hero from the DC Comics universe and the first superhero to bear the name Green Lantern. ... First and foremost, the term hawkgirl orignates from her being part Hawk, part Girl, and full idiot. ...

Hawkman is JSA chairman in 1951 when the team is investigated by the "Joint Congressional Un-American Activities Committee" (based on the real-life House Un-American Activities Committee) for possible communist sympathies. Congress asks members of the JSA to reveal their identities. The heroes decline, and Hawkman and most of the JSA retire for the bulk of the 1950s. HUAC hearings House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC or HCUA) (1938–1975) was an investigative committee of the United States House of Representatives. ... This article is about communism as a form of society and as a political movement. ... For other uses of this term, please see Secret identity (disambiguation). ...

Carter Hall finds the ancient knife connected to his past life. Interior panel of Flash Comics #1 (1940).
Art by Dennis Neville.

The JSA and Hawkman regroup in the early 1960s following the Flash's meeting with his counterpart on the parallel world Earth-1, the JSA being active on Earth-2. Around this time, the Halls, having married, have a son, Hector. Little is known of Hawkman's activities during the 1960s, other than the JSA's annual meeting with Earth-1's Justice League of America. Image File history File links Carter-Hall-knife. ... Image File history File links Carter-Hall-knife. ... Barry Allen is a fictional superhero in the DC Comics Universe and the second Flash. ... Parallel universe or alternate reality in science fiction and fantasy is a self-contained separate reality coexisting with our own. ... In DC Comics, the Multiverse is a continuity construct in which multiple fictional versions of the universe exist in the same space, separated from each other by their vibrational resonances. ... In DC Comics, the Multiverse is a continuity construct in which multiple fictional versions of the universe exist in the same space, separated from each other by their vibrational resonances. ... Doctor Fate, as seen in Justice League Unlimited Doctor Fate is a comic book superhero and wizard in the DC Comics universe, and a member of the Justice Society of America. ... The Justice League, sometimes called the Justice League of America or JLA for short, is a fictional DC Universe superhero team. ...

In the early 1980s, Hawkman is instrumental in denying his son and other JSA children membership in the JSA, leading directly to the formation of Infinity, Inc. Infinity Inc. ...

Following Crisis on Infinite Earths, some of Hall's history was retconned by DC when the parallel worlds were combined into one, but one piece of retroactive continuity was written before Crisis and fills out early Hall history: All-Star Squadron Annual #3 states that during a JSA battle against Ian Karkull, the villain imbued them with energy which retarded their aging, allowing Hall and many others - as well as their spouses - to remain active into the late 20th century without infirmity. Crisis on Infinite Earths was a 12-issue comic book limited series (identified as a 12 part maxi-series) and crossover event, produced by DC Comics in 1985 in order to simplify their fifty-year-old continuity. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The All-Star Squadron was an American comic book (1981-1987) created by Roy Thomas and published by DC Comics about the adventures of a large team of superheroes which comprised of most of the feature characters owned by the company that appeared in the Golden Age of Comic Books...

Post-Crisis (or current) origin

Much of Carter Hall's post-Crisis history is fleshed out in the pages of DC's JSA and Hawkman (vol. 4). These two titles, penned to a great extent by writers David S. Goyer, Geoff Johns, and James Dale Robinson, examine Hall's previous lives - especially that of Prince Khufu. The Justice Society of America, or JSA, is a DC Comics superhero group, the first team of superheroes in comic book history. ... David S. Goyer is a comic book writer, screenwriter, and film director. ... Geoff Johns at a book signing at Midtown Comics East on 24 June 2004 in New York City. ... James Dale Robinson, usually referred to as just James Robinson, is a British writer of comic books and screenplays and known for his interest in old collectibles and memorabilia. ...

According to the post-Crisis origin, Prince Khufu lives during the reign of Ramesses II in the 19th dynasty of ancient Egypt. From birth, he knows that his life will be unique. Khufu believes that his ka, or soul, will not journey on to the land of the afterlife. Rather, his soul and that of his betrothed, Chay-Ara, are fated to remain in the mortal world. Usermaatre-setepenre The Justice of Re is Powerful, Chosen of Re Nomen Ramesses (meryamun) Born of Re, (Beloved of Amun) Horus name Kanakht Merymaa Nebty name Mekkemetwafkhasut Golden Horus Userrenput-aanehktu Consort(s) Isetnofret, Nefertari Maathorneferure Issues Bintanath, Khaemweset, Merneptah, Amun-her-khepsef Meritamen Father Seti I Mother Queen Tuya... Khafres Pyramid (4th dynasty) and Great Sphinx of Giza (c. ... In Egyptian mythology, the human soul is made up of seven parts: the Ren, Sekem, the Akh, the Ba, the Ka, the Sheut, and the Sekhu. ... First and foremost, the term hawkgirl orignates from her being part Hawk, part Girl, and full idiot. ...

As prophesied by the wizard Nabu, a space ship lands in Egypt. Prince Khufu travels across the desert in the company of Nabu and the champion Teth-Adam in search of the wreakage. Finally, they come across the remains of a Thanagarian ship styled with a hawk-like motif. Nabu casts a spell so that the group can understand the strange language of the female space traveler. Just before dying, she whispers the words, "Nth Metal", the name of the substance that powered the downed ship. To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... The Lords of Chaos and Lords of Order are complementary groups of supernatural entities with godlike powers that appear in DC Comics, most notably as part of the back-story of Doctor Fate. ... Ariane 5 lifts off with the Rosetta probe on 2nd of March, 2004. ... The Lords of Chaos and Lords of Order are complementary groups of supernatural entities with godlike powers that appear in DC Comics, most notably as part of the back-story of Doctor Fate. ... Black Adam is a fictional comic book character, appearing in DC Comics, whose morally ambiguous nature has his character fall between the lines of heroism and villainy; as a result, he has associated himself with both superheroes and supervillains in the past. ... Thanagar is a fictional planet in the DC Comics universe. ... Nth Metal (also called Ninth Metal) is a fictional metal found in the DC Universe. ...

Teth-Adam lifts the ship back to Khufu's palace, where it is placed inside the Temple of Horus at Erdu to be studied. The remaining Nth metal is examined, and its most obvious property proves to be its ability to negate gravity. The remaining sample from the ship is melted and used to create several remarkable devices, including a scarab which allows Khufu to fly, a deadly knife, and a battle glove referred to as the Claw of Horus. However, the metal also strengthens the souls of Khufu and Chay-Ara, binding them together in their love and imprinting them with the collective knowledge of Thanagar. Although the villainous priest Hath-Set murders the two with the knife of Nth metal, their souls live on in the mortal plane. They are reincarnated over many lifetimes, always finding true love in each other. However, they are cursed to be repeatedly killed at the hands of a reincarnated Hath-Set. Horus is an ancient god of Egyptian mythology, whose cult survivved so long that he evolved dramatically over time and gained many names. ... Gravity is a force of attraction that acts between bodies that have mass. ... A scarab or scarab beetle may refer to: A beetle which belong to the family Scarabaeidae, or A dung beetle, especially the Scarabaeus sacer worshipped by the ancient Egyptians (an amulet made by that people in the shape of the species is also called a scarab). ... Hath-Set is a DC Comics supervillain. ... According to Hinduism, every living being is an eternally existing spirit (the soul or the self). ...

From Khufu to Carter Hall

After his death, Khufu's soul is reincarnated countless times in markedly different eras and locations. Some of his known reincarnated identities have been depicted in Hawkman (vol. 4) and include:

• Brian Kent (also known as the Silent Knight), alive during 5th century Britain;
• Koenrad Von Grimm, the son of a blacksmith in 14th century Germany;
• Captain John Smith of the 16th century English colony in Virginia;
• Hannibal Hawkes, the Nighthawk, a gun-fighter in the American Old West;
• Detective James Wright, a private eye in the early 20th century.

Eventually, the soul of Prince Khufu is reborn as Carter Hall, an archaeologist active during the 1940's. After regaining the memories of his first life in Egypt, Hall uses the hawk motif of the Egyptian God Horus to inspire his role as the original Hawkman. During the same period, his love Chay-Ara is reborn as archaeologist Shiera Saunders. After the two meet and marry, she becomes Hawkgirl, fighting at Carter's side. They become founding members of the Justice Society of America, and Hawkman even takes the role of chairman. The pair reduce their activities in the early 1950's but became fully active again in the early 1980's when Hall briefly joins the Justice League of America as a mentor. The two have a son, Hector Hall, who years later becomes an incarnation of Dr. Fate. Just following the Crisis on Infinite Earths limited series, Hawkman and the JSA become trapped in a battle in an ever-repeating Ragnarok. Odin tried unsuccessfully to give this repeating Ragnarok to Dream as a trade, knowing that Dream had by this time selected Carter's grandson, Daniel Hall, as his successor. Nighthawk is a fictional character, a cowboy in the DC Comics universe. ... Horus is an ancient god of Egyptian mythology, whose cult survivved so long that he evolved dramatically over time and gained many names. ... First and foremost, the term hawkgirl orignates from her being part Hawk, part Girl, and full idiot. ... The Justice Society of America, or JSA, is a DC Comics superhero group, the first team of superheroes in comic book history. ... The Justice League, sometimes called the Justice League of America or JLA for short, is a fictional DC Universe superhero team. ... Doctor Fate, as seen in Justice League Unlimited Doctor Fate is a comic book superhero and wizard in the DC Comics universe, and a member of the Justice Society of America. ... Doctor Fate, as seen in Justice League Unlimited Doctor Fate is a comic book superhero and wizard in the DC Comics universe, and a member of the Justice Society of America. ... Crisis on Infinite Earths was a 12-issue comic book limited series (identified as a 12 part maxi-series) and crossover event, produced by DC Comics in 1985 in order to simplify their fifty-year-old continuity. ... Look up Ragnarok in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Odin (Old Norse Óðinn) is considered the chief god in Norse mythology and Norse paganism, like the Anglo-Saxon Woden continuing Proto-Germanic *Wōdinaz or *Wōđanaz. ... Dream is one of the Endless, fictional characters from Neil Gaimans comic book series, The Sandman. ... This article or section may need to be cleaned up and rewritten because it describes a work of fiction in a primarily in-universe style. ...

Years after they vanish, Hawkman and the JSA return to the modern day when a primitive superpowered tribe volunteer to substitute themselves for the team in the Ragnarok cycle, allowing the team to return to Earth. Soon after, however, death finds Carter once again during the events of Zero Hour. He and his wife Shiera merge with Katar Hol in a new version of Hawkman, which briefly creates the "hawk god" creature. This individual adventures for a brief time but later loses his sanity and is banished to limbo. Zero Hour was a 1994 comic book miniseries and crossover storyline that ran in DC Comics. ... Katar Hol is a DC Comics superhero, the Silver Age Hawkman. ...

Alive again

Years later, JSA member Kendra Saunders is transported to a ravaged Thanagar by the High Priests of the Downsiders. Seeking a champion to stop the evil Onimar Synn from enslaving the planet, the priests use Kendra's centuries-old connection to Carter to bring him back to the mortal plain. Following this unorthodox resurrection, Hall retains all the memories of his past lives, as well as those of Katar Hol, the Thanagarian Hawkman. First and foremost, the term hawkgirl orignates from her being part Hawk, part Girl, and full idiot. ... Onimar Synn is a DC Comics supervillain. ... Katar Hol is a DC Comics superhero, the Silver Age Hawkman. ... Thanagar is a fictional planet in the DC Comics universe. ... Cover to Hawkman v4 # 1. ...

After defeating Onimar Synn, Hall once again becomes a member of the JSA. In addition, he operates out of the fictional city of St. Roch, Louisiana with Hawkgirl as his partner. However, he has trouble accepting that Kendra rejects his romantic advances, despite the fact that the soul of Chay-Ara now resides in her body. Onimar Synn is a DC Comics supervillain. ... St. ... First and foremost, the term hawkgirl orignates from her being part Hawk, part Girl, and full idiot. ...

After his most recent return, Hall once again takes up the role of hero. Operating both with the JSA as well as with Hawkgirl, Hall embarks on a wide variety of exotic adventures. His quest as a hero takes him from the streets of St. Roch to exotic dimensions and even into outer space as he fights in the Rann-Thanagar War. It is during this event that Carter mysteriously disappears. Rann-Thanagar War #1; cover by Ivan Reis and Marc Campos. ...

In the One Year Later storyline, much has happened since the Rann-Thanagar War. In fact, Hawkman (vol. 4) has changed to Hawkgirl at issue #50. Hawkman remains missing, and Hawkgirl is left by herself to patrol and protect St. Roch. In an August, 2006 Newsarama interview concerning the new Justice Society of America series [1], writer Geoff Johns confirmed that Hawkman would be returning to active status in the DC universe. His whereabouts and the capacity of his return remain to be seen. 52 is the title of a comic book limited series published by DC Comics, which debuted on May 10, 2006, one week after the conclusion of the seven-issue Infinite Crisis. ... Geoff Johns at a book signing at Midtown Comics East on 24 June 2004 in New York City. ...

Powers and abilities

Hawkman, an expert with archaic weapons, on the promotional cover of JSA #23.
Art by Andrew Robinson.

The Nth Metal in Hawkman's belt, harness, and boots is controlled mentally and allows him to defy gravity. His wings allow him to control flight, though they can be "flapped" through use of shoulder motions. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (508x780, 100 KB) Summary This is an excellent picture of Carter Hall, also known as Hawkman. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (508x780, 100 KB) Summary This is an excellent picture of Carter Hall, also known as Hawkman. ... The Justice Society of America, or JSA, is a DC Comics superhero group, the first team of superheroes in comic book history. ... Nth Metal (also called Ninth Metal) is a fictional metal found in the DC Universe. ... Gravity is a force of attraction that acts between bodies that have mass. ...

Hall's Nth metal also enhances his strength and eye-sight, speeds healing, and regulates body temperatue, preventing the need for heavy protective clothing while flying at high altitudes. Nth metal is known to affect electromagnetism as well as the strong and weak forces of the universe. It is also mentioned in Hawkman: Secret Files that Nth metal possesses powers still unknown to Hall. Electromagnetism is the physics of the electromagnetic field; a field encompassing all of space which exerts a force on particles that possess the property of electric charge, and is in turn affected by the presence and motion of those particles. ... The strong nuclear force or strong interaction (also called color force or colour force) is a fundamental force of nature which affects only quarks and antiquarks, and is mediated by gluons in a similar fashion to how the electromagnetic force is mediated by photons. ... The weak nuclear force or weak interaction is one of the four fundamental forces of nature. ...

Due to his multiple incarnations, Khufu/Hall has become proficient in many types of weaponry. As a result, he is an expert with a wide array of archaic weapons from his past lives, including battle axes, maces, swords, spears and shields. As Nighthawk, he was a marksmen with a pistol. In addition, Carter Hall is sometimes depicted handling futuristic technology. He has used a Thanagarian ship called "The Brontadon", and during the Rann-Thanagar War used Rannian hard-light armor. Hawkman is even depicted using technologically advanced laser weaponry in a possible future (Hawkman, Vol. 4, #9). Swedish halberds from 16th century A halberd is a two-handed pole weapon that came to prominent use during the 14th and 15th centuries. ... Assorted maces For its symbolical derivative, see ceremonial mace. ... Swiss longsword, 15th or 16th century Look up Sword in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Hunting spear and knife, from Mesa Verde National Park. ... Statue showing a Gallic shield with a butterfly boss. ... Rann-Thanagar War #1; cover by Ivan Reis and Marc Campos. ...

As a result of his many lives and vast amount of experience, Hall is a brilliant tactician, fierce warrior, and strong leader. At the same time, however, he is extremely intelligent (considered a leader in his field of history and archaeology) and expresses a deeply romantic side in relation to his beloved soul-mate.

He has been characterized in comics as having a quick, fierce temper with adament views and opinions. At the same time, Carter finds it difficult to balance the "savage barbarian" of his past lives with the "gentleman" of his current incarnation.

See also

• Justice Society of America
• Justice League
• Hawkgirl
• Hawkman

The Justice Society of America, or JSA, is a DC Comics superhero group, the first team of superheroes in comic book history. ... The Justice League, sometimes called the Justice League of America or JLA for short, is a fictional DC Universe superhero team. ... First and foremost, the term hawkgirl orignates from her being part Hawk, part Girl, and full idiot. ... Cover to Hawkman v4 # 1. ...

External links

• A Comprehensive index of Carter Hall's (Hawkman of Earth-2) appearance through the mid-1980s