Hawkman Vol. 4 Book 1

This is Book 1 of Hawkman Vol. 4 (2002–2006), collecting issue #1 of the series, titled First Impressions and published in May 2002. The story opens with Hawkman, Carter Hall, helping the Justice Society of America (JSA) stop a hijacking in New York, subduing the hijackers with brutal efficiency. A second thread follows Hawkgirl, Kendra Saunders, who has long been investigating the truth behind her parents’ murder ten years earlier; a lead takes her to the Louisiana port city of St. Roch. Carter soon arrives to join her, and the two go to the Stonechat Museum to visit curator Oliver Evans, an old friend of the Golden Age Hawkman and Hawkgirl. Evans tells them that his son Danny has gone missing in Amritsar, India, and that Danny knew Kendra’s parents and may be able to help solve the mystery of that year. Meanwhile, St. Roch entrepreneur Christopher Roderick hires a band of criminals to go to India and seize a treasure called the Third Eye of Shiva, and sends the thug Block to assassinate Hawkman. Using N-metal anti-gravity harnesses, Hawkman and Hawkgirl easily drive off their enemies and set out for India to find Danny Evans. On the emotional side, Kendra makes clear to Carter that even if she truly is the reincarnation of his old love Shiera Hall, she has no intention of pursuing a romance with him; Carter respects her wishes, and the two agree to be pure partners. This first volume lays the foundation for the long adventure storyline that would thereafter center on St. Roch.