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Created by: Gardner Fox (writer) Dennis Neville (artist)
First Appearance: Flash Comics #1 (January 1940).
Powers: Hawkman's most notable asset is his reincarnation cycle across space and time. Due to possessing the memories of his many past lives, Hawkman is proficient in practically every form of martial combat across existence. As a result, he is an expert with a wide array of archaic and futuristic weapons from his past lives, including guns, lasers, cosmic warships, battle axes, maces, swords, spears, shields, etc. Reincarnation has also given Hawkman knowledge of hundreds of languages and cultures, making him exceedingly wise and widely regarded as the foremost leader in the academic fields of history and archaeology. His wealth of experience from his past lifetime makes him a brilliant tactician and strong leader, as well as a fierce warrior. Famously, during the Public Enemies story arc in the Superman/Batman series, he was selected as the perfect hero to confront Batman, possessing the significant advantage of his flight and strength but otherwise being Batman's equal.
Across space and time (and across continuity) nearly all incarnations of Hawkman have displayed some degree of enhanced physical strength. The Golden Age Hawkman was said to have the strength of 12 men but later that description was later abandoned. Whereas the Golden Age Hawkman's strength appeared natural, the Silver Age Hawkman explained that the Nth metal enables its wielders to carry great weights. This has been more come to be interpreted as the Nth metal simply enhancing the strength of the user over time in more recent incarnations of the character. Some incarnations of Hawkman have also possessed enhanced senses comparable to a hawk's and have also been able to converse with birds; though they typically can not compel them in the same way that Aquaman could command sea creatures.
All incarnations of Hawkman use the quasi-magical "ninth metal" or "Nth metal" to defy gravity, attain flight, and perform a variety of superhuman feats. The metal is incorporated into their costume, belt, boots, and wings, and can be controlled mentally. The Nth metal laced in their wings allow them to control their flight, though they can be "flapped" through the use of shoulder motions. Nth metal can also increase the survivability of it's wearer by closing wounds instantaneously and greatly aiding the healing process. When Carter Hall's arm was almost completely severed, the wound was closed, healed, and functionality returned to the arm shortly thereafter; far quicker than humanly possible. The Atom has commented that Hawkman laughs at anything less than third-degree burns. Nth metal can also regulate the body temperature of the wearer, preventing the need for heavy protective clothing while in high altitudes. It also has the property of radiating heat, which can be controlled to warm the wearer in colder climates.
Most versions of Hawkman prefer to use archaic weaponry—particularly axes, clawed gauntlets, nets, spears, and shields—rather than modern or futuristic weapons, but typically have access to a variety of advanced weaponry at their disposal. The current incarnation prefers archaic weaponry, in part, because of his memories of having lived countless past lives throughout Earth's ancient history. Hawkman's signature weapon is his Nth metal Mace, a weapon that is supernaturally tough, that can strike with supernatural force, can disrupt magic and energy, and can be recalled to Hawkman from long range.
Aside from his signature Mace, another significantly unique weapon Carter employs occasionally is the Claw of Horus. Constructed of Nth metal by Prince Khufu in ancient Egypt, it was delivered to the newly resurrected Carter Hall by the time-displaced Jay Garrick and was used to defeat Superman. As he explained it, he "essentially, hit [him] with the planet" by utilizing it's Nth metal properties to channel the Earth's gravitational field. Hawkman also possesses a Thanagarian warship called "The Brontadon", Rannian hard-light armor, and has been depicted using an assortment of technologically advanced laser weaponry.