World Famous Comics: Golden Age Hawkman Archives, Volume 1 (DC Archive Editions) (Archive Editions (Graphic Novels))
Golden Age Hawkman Archives, Volume 1 (DC Archive Editions) (Archive Editions (Graphic Novels))
By: Gardner Fox Publisher: DC Comics Average Rating: Binding: Hardcover Label: DC Comics Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 224 Publication Date: February 01, 2006 Release Date: February 01, 2006
Product Description: A new archive featuring select stories from FLASH COMICS #1-22, introducing Hawkman! Gardner Fox's stories took the reincarnated Egyptian prince and pitted him against common criminals and uncommon masked felons. Plus, an introduction by Sheldon Moldoff.
Hawkman at his Best! The Golden Age Hawkman was an "Indiana Jones" with wings. "With weapons of the past he fights evil of the present." The stories by the legendary Gardner Fox are excellent, capturing the sense of wonder that makes the golden age what is was. Fun! Hawkman's adventures span the globe, fighting statues that come to life among ancient ruins in the jungle to taking on modern criminal masterminds. There is even an underwater adventure, depicting Hawkman wearing an oxygen helmet, wings and all! Which speaks to the wonderful artwork by Sheldon Moldoff! I own many DC Archive editions both Golden and Silver Age and I have to say that this is easily one of my favorite volumes largely due to "Shelly's" work. Somewhat unfairly compared to Alex Raymond of Flash Gordon fame, his art had a fluidity and command of the page that many modern artist would do well to study. These men could tell a story! Buy it. You'll be a fan too.
MOLDOFF'S ART MAKES THIS A MUST HAVE! Hawkman is one of the more interesting heroes of the Golden Age. He's one of the earliest heroes, getting his start in the page of Flash Comics #1 in January 1940. he appeared throughout that title's 104 issue run as well as being the only hero to appear in every issue of All-Star Comics, yet he never managed to get his own title until the Silver Age. This latest Archive edition presents the original adventures of the Hawkman taken from the pages of Flash Comics #1 - 22, written by Gardner Fox with art by Dennis Neville and Sheldon Moldoff.
In the opening tale we meet Carter Hall, research scientist and collector of ancient weapons as he learns that he is the reincarnation of an ancient Egyptian Prince Khufu. Using his gravity defying material called Nth metal, Hall constructs wings and a hawk's mask influenced by his Egyptian past life, and becomes the Hawkman. These early stories by Fox are heavily influenced by 20's and 30's adventure stories of Talbot Mundy and Sax Rohmer as Hawkman battles a variety of exotic Asian and Middle Eastern villains such as s sect of Arabian assassins, out to kill the world's leaders and Satana The Tiger Girl who uses her charmed Tigers to attack and kill. Add to that a variety of space giants, undersea races, evil scientists, mummies, and other threats, and it makes for an adventurous ride. One of my favorite stories is a prime example, as Hawkman battles a master hypnotist in a story called "Thought Terror"
Dennis Neville handles the art chores on the first three issues but the series really takes off when Sheldon Moldoff takes over on #4. Moldoff brought a unique, finely detailed style to his work that was uncommon back in the early 40's. Moldoff was influenced by the great Alex Raymond and his work has much of the same power and flair for action that Raymond's work did. In fact Moldoff, who does the introduction to this volume, even mentions he was basically told to make his work LESS Raymond-looking. His art makes this one of the very best of the early Golden Age titles as Moldoff was light years ahead of many of his peers of the era. Moldoff can also be credited with redefining Hawkman's look. In the early Neville issues, Hawkman's Hawk mask was actually more of a hat or headdress that exposed his entire face and made him look rather silly. Moldoff made it into the mask we know today and made much more fierce looking.
The Golden Age Hawkman archives is one of the best of the Archive editions from DC Comics as it shines the spotlight on an underrated character and the legendary creative team of Gardner Fox and Sheldon Moldoff. Unlike dealing with a lot of two-bit criminals of the day like many characters, Hawkman's stories were one's of high adventure, and reminiscent of the great pulp magazines of the day as he traveled to exotic lands and battled strange villains. My highest recommendation!
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Trevor
