Bullet Review: Hawkgirl #4

Hawkgirl #4 came out this week and it guest starred Supergirl so I bought the book. 

I have read enough reviews of the book to know that I probably wasn't going to like it. The Hawkman and Hawkwoman and Hawkgirl hardcore fans have said this book doesn't reflect the history or legacy of those characters. They have said that Kendra's attitude is off. They have said that Kendra's history as presented is off. So I have stayed away.

I also have heard that this is a sort of agenda comic. When I say that, I mean that rather than being a comic story that has an agenda, this is a book that has an agenda and it is forced into the comic characters. Perhaps that is why people in the know think the characters aren't recognizable. Writer Jadzia Axelrod is definitely injecting her life view and politics into the book. 

So that is why Hawkgirl #4 is the first issue of this mini-series that I have bought. And not having read the earlier three, I am going to judge this on this one issue. 

I'll start out by saying that I honestly have no idea what is going on in this book on a big level. I understand that I am coming in halfway through. But the old rubric that every comic could be someone's first comic is true. There is no synopsis of who these characters are. I don't know what the plot is. There is a chance that if I could make sense of the story I might be intrigued enough to go back and buy the earlier books. But that isn't the case here. I came to this title because of Supergirl. That's what guest stars do. That drew me here ... this was the writer's chance to keep me here.

Second, that agenda is present and even forced. The cutesy 'everyday slice of life' which permeates so many comics these days is also present here. From a discussion about hot dogs to a talking Corgi dog to a talk about cheering at sports games to political t-shirts, there is a lot of stuff that doesn't seem crucial to the narrative.

And lastly, and rather shockingly, Supergirl is played up here for her good looks in a way that felt wrong. She is also the guest star and taken out immediately. 

The art by Amancay Nahuelpan is really solid so I'll tuck that name in the back of my head as someone to follow. 

On to a few comments.

After several pages about hot dog vendors, political t-shirts, and a flashback, a dragon appears above the city. We see how Vulpecula, the main villain of the peace, shapeshifts into the dragon ... or maybe summons a dragon? 

The heroes spring into action ... sort of. They mosey into action. We see Kendra dart into a restroom and put on her costume. But given how we regard time in comics, Kendra seems to be slowly putting on her costume while the dragon rages. 

Galaxy doesn't have a costume to put on. But while the dragon is burning the city, she is smooching her talking Corgi.

That's 7 pages to maybe fill in some of the back story of what is happening here. Look at those 4 panels. Tell me if that space could be better utilized.

This is Metropolis though.

Kendra and Galaxy are joined by Supergirl and Steel. 

At first I thought Steel is calling Kara 'Barbie' but she may be calling Galaxy that.

And Galaxy, smitten, says Kara has ' got a lot of charisma'. Nat says she has also noticed implying she is also attracted to Supergirl.

Is Supergirl being judged by her looks here? If those lines were spoken by two male characters would it be okay? If Guy Gardner called Kara 'Barbie', would it be acceptable? If Red Hood said he noticed Kara's "... um ... lot of charisma" would it be a joke or would be called toxic?

I just want Supergirl to be respected as a hero. 

And has Natasha always been attracted to women? 

Then we get this page. 

Sure, Supergirl looks quite fetching here.

But we get more flirty, odd dialogue.

I'll remind you that a huge fire breathing dragon is attacking the city. But Galaxy says she isn't even noticing Supergirl and is already taken besides. Is this really the time for such talk? And if Hal Jordan said that would it be okay.

And Supergirl is fine with being noticed for her looks. She tells Nat to relax. She doesn't mind being ogled. And oh by the way, she knows Nat's heart speeds up when she enters a room again intimating something about Nat's sexuality. All while a dragon is breathing fire.

This whole scene is people talking about how hot they find Supergirl, all while a city is in peril.

In an interesting wrinkle, the dragon can manifest whatever power it needs to defeat an enemy. Kryptonite fire talks Supergirl out for the rest of the issue. 

I am actually thankful that she is taken out so easily ... something I never say. But at least it spared me from more odd, sexually charged dialogue thrown in her direction.

Hawkgirl somehow manifests a sword like the X-Men Magik has and beheads the dragon. Is that the end of Vulpecula?

And then this odd ending. There is no recognition of the heroics here. Instead, Kendra talks about how much in pain she is. She's tired and hurt. She's angry at Carter and Shayera. She feels she is unnecessary. I guess she is depressed. And irate. And bitter.

This was one last chance to get me interested in reading more about this character and more of this story. But this Kendra isn't the sort of character that I like. 

So, overall this issue had inscrutable plot without a recap, people ogling Supergirl, Supergirl being taken out extremely easy, and a broken main character. Decent art though.

Overall grade: D-