Justice League of America Team Member
Part-time SuperFriends Team Member
Hawkgirl is sworn to protect Earth from evil.
She is a part-time member of the SuperFriends.
Background Information[]
Continuity from Earth-One[]
Earth-One Continuity |
---|
On the parallel-universe of Earth-One, Shayera Hol (phonetically identical to Shiera Hall) was born on Thanagar, a planet in the Polaris system (home of the famed North Star), which had a scientifically advanced civilization in which crime was virtually unknown. Years ago, before Shayera Hol became of age, an alien race called the Manhawks (giant alien birds that wear special human faced masks that shoot eye beams that displace matter) invaded Thanagar and began looting the planet. This left an indelible mark on the Thanagarians – it had taught them to steal! Now, due to the amount of crime, the Thanagarian government created a police force. This new police force began using a hawk-suit and equipment (in honor of Paran Katar) and named themselves the Hawk-Police (or Wingmen).[5] When a group called the Rainbow Robbers began committing crimes, Katar Hol was teamed up with rookie Shayera Thal to track and apprehend the criminals. During the case, Shayera saved Katar's life, and the two soon fell in love. A few weeks later, Katar proposed to Shayera and the two got married, working together as partners-for-life in the Hawk-Police.[6] After eight years of marriage and in the force, Shayera and Katar were sent to Earth to capture the shape-shifting Thanagarian criminal Byth Rok (circa 1972 in the Earth-1A universe). Katar and Shayera use the electric brain on their ship to learn about Earth's cultures and languages. During their mission, they meet George Emmett, commissioner of the Midway City Police Department. They explain that they are alien police officers and that they need his help and a base of operations. This fascinates Emmett, who uses his influence to provide them with Earth identities. With Emmett’s help Katar and Shayera take the names Carter and Shiera Hall and become the new curators for the Midway City Museum. After capturing Byth, and sending him back to Thanagar, they elect to remain on Earth to work with authorities to learn human police methods. The two acted publicly as the heroes Hawkman and Hawkgirl. At first, no one on Earth but Emmett was aware of the Hawks' extraterrestrial origins.[7] Not long after Byth was sent back to Thanagar, they battled a fantastic earth criminal known as the Matter Master.[8] Then their study of earth police methods brought them into contact with a modern day sorcerer[9] and then the strangest criminal ever – the Shadow Thief.[10] Shayera and Katar would be on earth ‘more than half a year’ before returning to their home planet to take some time off from fighting-crime. They of course can’t escape conflict. Together with Thanagarian global police chief Andar Pul, they engage in battle with the Dragonfly Raiders and discover that their old foe Byth has recently escaped from prison. It doesn't take long before the Hawks realize that there is a connection between Byth and the Dragonfly Raiders. Naturally they succeed in defeating Byth, who is taken back to prison.[11] A few months later, the Earth is being attacked by the Manhawks. These are of a same species of Manhawks who once plagued planet Thanagar years ago. Getting a distress call from Commissioner Emmett in Midway City on Earth, Hawkman and Hawkgirl leave planet Thanagar to help their adopted planet. Arriving on Earth, Hawkman and Hawkgirl and soon discover that the weapons that were developed to stop them on Thanagar have no effect on these ones on Earth. Ans so, the Manhawks escape. Coming up with a solution to stop the Manhawks, Hawkman and Hawkgirl track them to a hidden base in northern Canada. Using make-shift Thermite Bombs and dumping coal dust into rain clouds is enough to not only force the Manhawks out of hiding, but obscure the blasters built into the eye slits of their masks. Hawkman and Hawkgirl then easily defeat them and turn them over to Commissioner Emmett.[12] Over the next few years, Hawkman and Hawkgirl, would meet and work with the Atom,[13] Aquaman,[14] Adam Strange,[15] and Zatanna.[16] Eventually Hawkman was invited to join the Justice League of America,[17] (circa 1975 in the Earth-1A universe) however, due to the Leagues’ bylaws, no one with duplicate powers of an existing member can officially join. Formal membership did not dissuade Shayera from participating in many JLA adventures over the years.[18] Exclusive to the Earth-1A universe, Shayera would team up with the Justice League umbrella organization, the 'SuperFriends' from the Hall of Justice to defeat villains. SuperFriends History Coming Soon! After the League's battle with a reborn Construct and saving the Red Tornado, the League has an impromptu vote, and formally admits Shayera in to the League, despite the rules.[19] |
The Equalizing Plague and the Reign of Hyathis[]
The Equalizing Plague and the Reign of Hyathis |
---|
On one noteworthy mission, the Hawks are ordered back to Thanagar. In the wake of this order, Hawkman decides to resign from the JLA.[20] Their home-planet had fallen victim to an alien plague unleashed by a being called the Equalizer that caused all Thanagarians to become ‘average’ – in physical strength, intellect, and even imagination.[21] With the JLA’s aid, Hawkman and Hawkgirl defeated the Equalizer, but the ‘equalizing plague’ persisted, taking a devastating toll on Thanagarian society.[22] This was the last communication the Hawks would have with their home world for few years until they are contacted by Adam Strange. He informs them that his adopted home-world of Rann is under attack. They soon learn that Thanagar received a partial cure for the plague thanks to the exiled alien monarch Hyathis. With her newly found prestige, she took advantage the Thanagarians, and claimed dictatorial control of Thanagar. From her throne, the Queen waged a war against the planet Rann, then under the domination of her old foe Kanjar Ro. The conflict between Rann and Thanagar was finally stopped by Hawkman, Hawkgirl, and Adam Strange. Even though Kanjar Ro was removed as a threat to the Thanagarian people, Hyathis still remained in power, forcing the Hawks to accept exile on earth.[23] A few years later, after defeating an army of flying Bee-Creatures, Hawkman leaves Shayera with the National Guard to round up the Bee-Men horde, and returns to their Hive for one last sweep of their lair hoping to find their leader. He begins to feel dizzy and realizes that he is being affected by a sting he received from a spider-creature a few months before.[24] He is then easily captured by Lord Insectus. Hawkgirl arrives and defeats Lord Insects and finds Kator incapacitated. Realizing there is no cure on earth, she heads to Thangar, despite Katar’s protest and the exile imposed by Queen Hyathis. On Thanagar, they learned that Hyathis was about to launch an armada to conquer Earth.[25] After Katar is cured, he and Shayera stop the attack force by trapping it in hyperspace. During the Hawks victory in deferring ht e armada, Shayera changed her superheroine name from Hawkgirl to Hawkwoman, declaring, "The connotations of the word 'girl' on Earth do not please me.[26] In anger, Queen Hyathis reaches out to the Hawks who are in deep space. She tells them that although the armada may be diverted, her agent on earth is already wreaking havoc! The Hawks realize that the spider-creatures and Lord Insectus and his Bee-Men were all agents of the Queen. This is why Hawkman needed Thanagarian cure. Upon arrival on earth, they find out that the prelude to the invasion (which was defeated by the Hawks in space) was spear-headed by Byth Rok, who has no idea the Thanagarian armada is not coming. He is easily defeated by the Hawks. After the defeat, Hawkwoman asks Katar what they are going to do about the trapped armada and Queen Hyathis. He says that he’ll think about that later. Right now he wants time alone with his wife.[27] The following morning Katar awakens to find Shayera gone and note on her pillow. She tells him that although she still loves him and wants to be his wife, she has been having what earth-people call a ‘crisis of identity.’ She is struggling with his slow reactions and leadership. She asks him to respect her decision to leave as a fellow hero. She takes the Hawkship and heads out to help free the Thanagarian fleet from hyperspace. Hawkman heads to the The Justice League Satellite for help in tracking her. But in the end, after a short debate, Superman and Green Lantern agree with Hawkwoman.[28] Not quite a year after Hawkwoman had left earth, Hawkman receives a message that civil war had broken out on Thanagar between the ‘resistance’ and the forces of Hyathis. He solicits the help of both Superman and Batman to help him overthrow Hyathis and turn her over to the resistance.[29] Hawkman is then offered to become the ‘new’ ruler of Thangar,[30] but refuses and instead searches for Shayera. After a lengthy search the two were reunited. Hawkwoman had succeeded in helping the lost Thanagarian fleet find their way home.[31] |
Justice League Detroit[]
Justice League Detroit |
---|
The Justice League Satellite is destroyed during the Earth/Mars War. With the Justice League splintered, Aquaman addresses the general assembly of the United Nations, announcing that they cannot protect the Earth without complete commitment from all of their members. This new team will be based on earth, in Detroit. The Hawks decide to resign from the League, unwilling to make the full-time commitment Aquaman demanded.[32] |
The Shadow War[]
The Shadow War |
---|
They Hawks return to the Midway City Museum and resume their guises of Carter and Shiera Hall. About three years later, Katar and Shayera discover that not all Thanagarians had given up loyalty to Hyathis and her ambitions of conquest. A group of Thanagarian infiltrators led by former soldier Fell Andar, attempted to neutralize the Hawks to pave the way for a new invasion of the Earth. A group of Thanagarian shadow agents raided the Central City Museum in search of Katar and Shayera's anti-gravity belts. Thanagarian Rab Mekir mistaking Mavis for Shayera, turned their weapons against her disintegrating her on the spot.The Hawks are forced to destroy their own starship to prevent Fell Andar's men from crashing it into the city of Detroit. Katar and Shayera escaped via a relativity beam. Then, inside the caves of Grinder's Bluff, Rab kills Andar. This is Rab's revenge upon Fell for his betrayal. Rab dies immediately after, his body partially fused against the wall of the cavern. Two weeks after the Shadow War, Katar and Shayera are back at the Midway City Museum. The Museum has hired a new art patron to replace Mavis Trent – Ms. Shilak. Little do they know however that Ms. Shilak is actually Corla, second in command to Fell Andar. And so, the Shadow War continues![33] Unable to sleep peacefully after Katar had to destroy his own starship, killing his fellow Thanagarians in his ship, he dreams of a nether-world in which they and the Gentleman Ghost reside. Soon after, He and Hawkwoman are called to the museum by Frazier to investigate a weird manifestation inside, which turns out to be a portal to that same dimension. The Hawks returns to Grinder's Bluff, where the Ghost appears to Shayera, imploring her to follow her husband who has just entered the netherworld. While inside, they are able to relieve the souls of his fallen comrades.[34] Even though Fell Andar was defeated, the Hawks know that the Shadow War still continues and knowing that the rouge Thanagarians, had a secret weapon which was capable of reading even the subconscious thoughts of almost any non-Thanagarian (aka the Absorbacon); they opt to keep the "shadow war" a secret for fear their human friends may become compromised. That decision put the Hawks at odds with their former JLA comrades, who were puzzled by Katar and Shayera's sudden evasiveness.[35] |
Crisis on Infinite Earths[]
Crisis on Infinite Earths |
---|
It is July 1985. The skies overhead have turned red. Weather around the world is out of whack. All the signs point to the coming of Armageddon. The Harbinger, the agent of the Monitor has gathered a selected handful of heroes and explains their mission and the need to protect the cosmic tuning-forks.[36] The Hawks learn of the cosmic tuning-forks and are on hand to protect them and save everyone from the coming Armageddon.[37] Hawkwoman, her husband and their allies find themselves aboard a strange satellite. The heroes have been summoned by Alex Luthor Jr. of Earth-Three, Pariah and Harbinger. This trio has brought together a massive congregation of heroes from Earth-One and Earth-Two – against their will. Together the three explain that a being called the Anti-Monitor is consuming all positive-matter realities, but also explain that in order for things to correct themselves, the Multiverse must be folded back upon itself and become a single universe – the way it was intended, or else all worlds will be destroyed.[38] On Earth-X, Hawkwoman and Tin fight Lightning Lord.[39] As the earth enters the anti-matter universe, the Anti-Monitor's visage is seen in the skies all over the globe. He explains that thousands of universes have perished without resistance, but you have refused. He then applauds their willingness to live, then tells them that it ultimately doesn’t matter nor do the deaths of both Supergirl and the Flash – because they will all die! Before he disappears and the skies turn black, he tells them that his Shadow Demons are ravaging the earth as he speaks. Hawkwoman, Hawkman and heroes from all over the globe battle the Shadow Demons.[40] This is the last we see of Hawwoman and her husband, Hawkman. |
Powers and Abilities[]
Powers[]
Alien Physiology: Shayera has no special powers. As a Thanagarian, she possesses several gifts that are common to members of her race, but set her apart from normal humans. A Thanagarian's life span is significantly greater than that of a normal human being. In the prime of her life, Shayera was actually older than many of Earth's senior citizens. A Thanagarian is also physically heartier than the average Earth human. They are stronger, with greater stamina and a greater resistance to pain. Thanagarians also possess enhanced senses.
- Enhanced Vision
- Enhanced Hearing
- Above Average Strength level: Shayera is several times stronger than a normal human in Earth gravity.
- Hawk Instinct: Hawkgirl and her husband Hawkman both had hawk-like instincts, with a strong "gut-feeling," that let them no when something didn't seem quite right.[41]
Abilities[]
- Master Combatant
- Archery
- Communicates with Birds: Through the use of the Absorbascon, Shayera Hol is fluent in many Earth languages. Her unique physiology also enables her toverbally communicate with birds.
Weaknesses[]
Mortality
Equipment[]
- Nth Metal Wings: Without these wings made of Nth metal, Hawkgirl could not fly. Katar Hol's father, Paran Hol, had developed the wings to allow study of Thanagar's bird species.
- Nth Metal Belt and Boots: Hawkgirl flies in space by way of an anti-gravity Belt and boots. Its abilities are controlled mentally.
- Hawk uniforms Manhawks, bird-like aliens who wore human-faced masks that emitted blinding flashes of light, had invaded Thanagar. Katar managed to capture one of the masks and gave it to his father to analyze and learn a defense. They created helmets shaped like hawk's heads that shielded them from the flashes. The subsequent defeat of the Manhawks led to the formation of the Thanagarian police force and its distinctive uniform.
- Medieval Weaponry
Transportation[]
SuperFriends Team Members[]
Members of the Justice League |
---|
Justice League: Comic Book JLA Team Members: Other Known Justice Leaguers: SuperFriends Founding Members: Other Known SuperFriends Members: Junior SuperFriends: Mascots: |
Episode Appearances[]
Hanna Barbera’s Super Friends:
- Season 2 (1977):
- 03c - Space Emergency
- 14c - Time Rescue
- Season 5 / 1980 Shorts:
- 04c - The Incredible Crude Oil Monster
- 08c - Revenge of Bizarro
- Season 7 / 1983 Shorts:
- 06b - An Unexpected Treasure - her final appearance
Notes[]
- The Earth-One version of Hawkgirl first appeared in The Brave and the Bold, #34[42] (February/March 1961)
- She was created by Gardner Fox and Joe Kubert.
- While the Silver Age Hawkman and Hawkgirl looked almost the same as their Golden Age counterparts, they had a new origin that cast them as Katar and Shayera Hol, married police officers from the planet Thanagar. This version of Hawkman (subsequently established as existing on Earth-One) later became a member of the Justice League of America, eventually joined by Hawkgirl, who was more appropriately renamed "Hawkwoman" in 1981.
- In Hawkgirl's final SuperFriends appearance, her costume was been slightly altered.
Trivia[]
- Hawkwoman's physical appearance was inspired by Jean Ordwein Schwartz, a former employee of National Periodical Publications and wife of editor Julius Schwartz.[43]
External Links[]
- Hawkman FAQ
- Hawkfan - A fansite dedicated to Hawkman and Hawkgirl
- Hawkwoman at wikipedia.org
- Hawkwgirl at wikipedia.org
Appearances in Other Media[]
Live Action[]
Animation[]
References[]
|