Though not one of DC Comics' BIG THREE characters (Superman, Batman & Wonder Woman), Hawkman has been a fascinating, enduringly popular superhero for almost 60 years now. As a testament to Hawkman's appeal, DC has given him the ARCHIVES treatment, focusing on arguably the hero's most assured period of publishing success, the 1960's. Indeed, the work of Gardner Fox, Joe Kubert and Murphy Anderson on HAWKMAN is legendary, and DC has spared no expense in the lavish reproduction of their work. The crispness of the stories (featuring such seminal HAWKMAN villains as Shadow Thief, the Gentleman Ghost and others), and especially the vivid artwork, are on full display in this ARCHIVE edition.

For those fans who have regulated Hawkman and Hawkgirl to second-string superhero status all these years, this collection goes a long way towards changing their minds. In the hands of these creators, Hawkman was as exciting and compelling a figure in DC's 1960's era as any other character they published, and that mystique is a primary reason why DC has never completely given up on their attempts to revive Hawkman many times in the years since.

Like all of DC ARCHIVES editions, the HAWKMAN ARCHIVES is a bit of an investment, but a wise one in my opinion. Overall, a fine quality collection celebrating a most unsung DC hero.

The Gardner Fox / Joe Kubert Hawkman stories are among my all-time favorite comics. Each story contains a different science fiction premise, like most of Fox's stories, but here we also get his two best characters, Katar and Shayera (Hawkman, Hawkgirl). Much of Fox's work suffers from some perfunctory characterization and dialog, but his Hawk-folks communicate a unique charm that reminds me a bit of the Thin Man films. I don't think there's a more convincing and effective partnership in a married couple anywhere else in comics.

Of course, it helps that Joe Kubert illustrates most of these stories. Kubert is probably better known for his Tarzan and DC war comics work, but this book contains some of his best. The artwork is comparable to and reminiscent of Alex Raymond's Flash Gordon strips (and you'll notice how much Hawkman's uniform resembles Flash's). I don't mean to slight the Murphy Anderson artwork that appears later in the volume; I like Anderson also, but the Kubert stuff really stands out.

This book presents 9 classic Silver Age stories of the JLA. The only fault I could find was that the old ads weren't printed!

Are you a 'greying baby boomer'? Did you grow up waiting at the local 7-11 for the latest issues of your favorite comic heroes to hit the stands? Do you regret having tossed out all of your old comic books? Remember the days of the 12-cent comic book?

If you answered yes to more than one of the above, this book and the series it's part of is for you.

I grew up in the sixties, during the 'silver age' of DC comics. I used to spend hours reading, re-reading, looking at covers, and generally following the exploits of my favorite DC characters.

The plots are corny, the art dated and you always knew that the good guy would come out on top. What a great time to live in!

These archive books from DC reprint the complete stories from all the comics you had and somehow lost over the years. Each is 200+ pages (color) with a slew of your favorite stories. I've purchased a bunch of these and find myself re-enjoying the adventures I read about as a boy of 11.

This series is a great momental of our youthful days. If you enjoyed the DC series of comics and would like to see the stories once again, buy one book - then buy them all. Great for relaxation and light reading.

~ Highly recommended ~

I read the 6th Volume most recently, but this review might apply to the entire JLA ARCHIVES series. The stories in the series improve a bit as time goes on, but the difference from volume to volume is barely perceptible.

You'll have trouble finding a more colorful and bizarre collection of popcorn-science-fiction concepts in any novel or collection of stories; not in comics, not in Larry Niven or in Isaac Asimov, none of those guys. The characters and dialog may seem awkward and stilted (even by the standards of 1960's comics writing), but the inherent weirdness and originality blazes right on through.

With the possible exception of Stan Lee, Gardner Fox is the single most influential writer in American comics. In addition to the Justice League, he created The Flash, The Atom, Hawkman, and the 1940's Justice Society of America (and numerous others I can't think of right now). Along with editor Julius Schwartz, he revamped most of those characters in the late 1950's to create what we call the Silver Age of comics. A list of Fox's literary successors includes comics writers Cary Bates, Mark Waid, and Grant Morrison.

Mike Sekowsky's artwork is perfectly suited to represent the various alien worlds and super-science characters that recur throughout the stories, even if his superheroes usually look a little off (except Wonder Woman).