FanSided talked with Robert Venditti about the epic Hawkman #12 issue and what’s next for Carter Hall.
Hawkman has always been a beloved member of the DC Comics pantheon but it wasn’t until Scott Snyder’s Dark Nights: Metal story that Carter Hall really came into his own in this brave new Rebirth and post-Metal era. Metal was but the tip of the iceberg for Hawkman, though, because when Robert Venditti and Bryan Hitch took Carter’s story they elevated it to an epic adventure thousands of years in the making in the standalone Hawkman title.
Hawkman #12 is the culmination of the “Cataclysm” story that sees Carter Hall finally coming to grips with the scope of his massive history. In order to reach that moment, though, he has to fight the Deathbringers and win, and it’s a battle that isn’t easily won.
Now, with Hawkman #12 the arc that pulled all of the Hawkman mythology and gift wrapped it for new and veteran fans alike comes to an end. While writer Rob Venditti’s time on the story isn’t done yet, fans are saying goodbye to artist Bryan Hitch as he moves on to other exciting DC projects.
It might seem like the end of an era for the dynamic duo of Venditti and Hitch, but Hawkman’s story is about to really take flight. We had a chance to talk with both Venditti and Hitch about their work on the title, the epic conclusion to the “Cataclysm” story in Hawkman #12 and what’s to come.
My conversation with Robert Venditti lasted well over thirty minutes. Venditti commented that was so cool to have a half-hour conversation about Hawkman. It’s not that Hawkman isn’t a great character, because he is, but it’s more that he tends to be lost in the holy trinity shuffle of Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman.
Since Metal, and with this Hawkman title, though, more and more people are talking about Hawkman. A lot. He’s an integral player in the DC universe once again and there is a lot of story yet to tell. That really sums up the work that he and Bryan Hitch have done by taking a legendary DC character who has been on the fringe of the DC universe and bring him into the light with his own title that serves as a celebration of his equally legendary past.
Hawkman #12 really takes the whole “Cataclysm” story, something that has been several issues in the making, and wraps it up with a big bow. Venditti talked about the fact that Carter has been all over, from the Multiverse to Thanagar to Krypton and back.
“Along the way he’s learned a lot of lessons and made a lot of realizations about his own past and learned some truths, and that comes out in issue 12,” Vendetti said. “Then we’re going to talk about that in the next phase of his journey.”
At one point in Hawkman #12 everything comes out into the open and the shocking enormity of it all really hits him hard. He says it’s too much. After seeing his history come together and saying it’s too much, where does that leave him?
“It is too much on a human scale, that kind of reincarnation. But the revelations he gets, the history and the places he’s been — that kind of information is just what Carter Hall wants as an archaeologist, an adventurer. And that’s what this series has always been about, since the very first issue,” Venditti said. “These are answers he has needed, not just within the context of the story itself but on a metatextual level. These are things the character needed.”
When it comes to understanding Carter Hall’s long history and complicated past, Venditti said that it all plays into things the character needed, and they will also help him to grow. “What readers want to know is who that character is now and how that character can push forward, and how that history impacts characters and who they are, and that’s something we’ll be talking about in coming months.”
One thing Venditti emphasized throughout our conversation was how enjoyable it has been to work with Bryan Hitch. Together they have gone on a journey to breathe new life into this beloved character with a monumental story that spans thousands of years. That’s a lot for a writer, but it’s even more challenging for an artist who has to bring all of that history together visually. “Each issue has been a new culture, a new world, new buildings. It’s all unique and it all makes sense. You have a planet that looks very Blade Runner-esque, sort of a cyberpunk vibe. Then you have Dinosaur Island where you have a T-Rex. It’s extraordinary that he’s able to do all of this, so clearly, that the storytelling was flawless and to do all of it, on deadline, twelve issues, and draw the covers. I don’t even know how he does it.”
Venditti also said that Hitch went in and hand-drew all of the hieroglyphics in one issue, just to make sure that every panel had as much detail as possible. “I’m going to miss working with him terribly, but I feel like I’ve come out of the experience with a friend and I’m thankful for it. I’m hoping we have some opportunities to work with him again in the future.”
Though Hitch is leaving Hawkman, Venditti teased that there’s a lot in store for Carter Hall coming up in future issues. And if the final panels of Hawkman #12 are any indication, it’s going to be one heck of a ride.
Hawkman #12 is available now.