For any step forward this series seems to take, it apparently must take one back as well. Hawk & Dove #5 deserves credit for addressing what has been one of the major flaws of the series so far -- Hawk's poor characterization. By focusing on a scene with Hank and Dawn out of costume, the book finally offers a glimpse of Hank as something other than a raging, loud-mouthed buffoon. A book like this lives or dies on the strength of the dynamic between the two leads, and until now it's been pretty weak.
Unfortunately, plenty of other missteps are made elsewhere. The rematch with Condor and Swan fizzles out. The battle is extremely brief and anticlimactic. In general the final pages feel extremely rushed and compressed, as if there simply wasn't enough room left to provide the arc with a natural conclusion. But perhaps most aggravating of all is the handling of the Deadman/Dove relationship. That relationship was a welcome holdover from Brightest Day, but all signs point to it being shuffled under the rug as Deadman takes his adventures elsewhere.
The art, meanwhile, displays its usual laundry list of oddities (unnatural anatomy, characters lacking distinguishing physical characteristics, the fact that Hank and Dawn's casual wear is every bit as skintight as their spandex costumes). The facial work in particular is unable to meet the requirements of the script this month.
As Sterling Gates departs the series and leaves Rob Liefeld in complete control, there's little to suggest the book will be veering from its present course. I've given it more than a fair shake at this point, but I'm not sure I can keep going any longer.
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| out of 10 | Click here for ratings guide | |
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