Issue #3 of The Hawk of New York picks up five years after the life-changing events in Issue #2. Eric has developed a life as a hardcore martial arts instructor whose harsh teaching only hides the desire to help protect his students from being taken advantage of by life. His need to avenge Mr. Olive and Tara still drives him, though, and he hasn’t forgotten the evil created by The Devil Marauders Motorcycle Club. Will he finally find his path to become The Hawk and protect the innocent and those he holds most dear?
The latest issue of The Hawk of New York doesn’t answer a lot of the questions left from Issues #1 and 2, but it helps shape more about Eric Warden’s character. He isn’t a vigilante driven to justice by one single event; he is an unfortunate loner who holds himself apart from others because he cares too deeply. Despite his horrific childhood as a ward of the state, Eric truly loves the people he lets into his life, even if he keeps them at arm’s length. He also has developed the ability to make people care about him, even if Logan doesn’t know much about Eric’s personal life. Unfortunately, those people who try to get close to Eric seem doomed to disaster, and yet another horrific tragedy caused by The Devil Marauders pushes Eric even closer to a need for vengeance.
Randyl Bishop continued with black and white only for the third installment of The Hawk of New York, but this time I appreciated it more fully. The martial arts scenes are dynamic and full of motion, and there is a panel with a motorcycle headlight that almost seems to illuminate the page. In fact, the stark color reflects Eric’s view of the world, since he seems to have very few opinions that fall in shades of gray.
I was able to hear the soundtrack for the first two issues with this volume, and it’s an eclectic mix of classic, modern, and original music. While every piece didn’t suit my fancy, I can’t deny that the works fit a story of an angry, disenfranchised teenager searching for himself. It’s definitely worth a listen if you enjoy music at all!
The time jump between Issues #2 and #3 of The Hawk of New York disappointed me a little, but at the same time I can’t deny that I like the adult Eric much better than the teenage version. He is kinder, less angry, and less of a brat. His pain resonated with me more deeply as well, and I can see how life keeps throwing him back to the path of becoming The Hawk even as he tries to sidestep it. Part of me admires the wounded young man seeking justice, and I desperately want to see him succeed. I’ll have to wait for future issues to see how Eric proceeds!
4.5 “You Put What in A Drink to Help Him Relax?” out of 5