The Major is correct. There have been at least 8 distinct characterizations of Hawkman over the decades:
- Carter Hall (1940s): Something of an Indiana Jones With Wings. An urbane, and yet rough, tough globe-trotting ...er, globe-flying adventurer. Aggressive, but not at all barbaric.
- Katar Hall (1960s-CoIE): A scientist/detective and loving husband. Serious and intense, but thoughtful and analytical
- Katar Hall (1970s JLA only): A rigid, rules and order law-enforcer. This is of of my least favorite interpretations, as the writers seemed to be bending Katar's persona to channel the conservative side of the arguments they staged between Katar and Green Arrow.
- Katar Hall (post-Hawkworld): A tarnish idealist. Raised an idealistic aristocrat, hardened by betrayal, downfall, and years of living in the margins of society, but who hasn't quiet given up on his ideals. In many ways, this anti-authoritarian version is the antithesis of the JLA-only interpretation.
- The Hawkgod (Zero Hour-JSA revival): This is the one I know the least about because this was the period where I threw up my hands in disgust and checked out for a while. Anybody?
- Carter Hall (Johns JSA revival-Flashpoint): The endlessly reincarnated warrior. This is where I first noticed all this semi-civilized barbarian stuff begin to surface in his characterization
- Katar Hall/Carter Hall: Nu52-Recent Relaunch): A symbologist specializing in ancient, mystical, and extraterrestrial languages. Somewhat at a loss for who he is, since the memories of his Thanagarian life have been suppressed. From the time he gets his memories back, his characterization is probably closest to Russel Crowe's Maximus from Gladiator. Oh, and his Nth-Metal causes him rage issues. This is my least favorite, mainly because of the series' treatment of Shayera.
- K'Tar (Current interpretation): Still figuring this one out. We've seen a lot of who he's been, but very little on who he currently is. They're trending toward "man with an unending debt to pay."
Am I missing any?
As an aside, IMO, MajorHoy probably has the most encyclopedic knowledge of DC characters from 1938-Nu52 (at least) of any poster on these forums. I feel confident saying that he's read a Hawkman issue or two.
You posted that just to hear my scream of misery as the migraine set in, didn't you? LOL!