Like any good superhero universe worth its salt, the DC Animated Universe has its fair share of iconic romantic pairings. We’ve got Superman and Lois, and Batman and Catwoman, to name a couple. But while most of the others have their origins in the pages of DC Comics, one of the best originated in the DCAU. Because one of the through lines of Justice League and Justice League Unlimited was the star-crossed romance of Green Lantern John Stewart and Hawkgirl. Now, with Lanterns star Aaron Pierre joining Man of Tomorrow, which also stars Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, it’s possible we may soon see that love story play out in live-action.
The Animated Justice League Made John Stewart and Hawkgirl a Couple
In the comics, John Stewart, the second Green Lantern assigned to Sector 2814, had several different romances. Most of them were with other Lanterns, such as when he married alien Green Lantern Katma Tui, who was tragically murdered. (Green Lantern comics couldn’t stop killing love interests.) Hawkgirl, of course, was conceived of as a partner and romantic interest for Hawkman, right from her debut in 1940. DC Comics never really linked her romantically with anyone else. But DCAU creator Bruce Timm had different ideas when creating the animated Justice League series.
When Timm introduced John Stewart in the 2001 Justice League animated series, he remagined him from an architect into a former U.S. Marine. At some point after his tour of duty, the Guardians of the Universe recruited him into the Green Lantern Corps. Hawkgirl was introduced without a Hawkman to speak of, presented for the first time as a solo character and not an appendage. Like in the comics, she was Shayera Thal, a winged alien warrior from the planet Thanagar, a “space cop” who found herself trapped on Earth. The two hot-headed warriors were instantly attracted to each other, and in season two, the pair finally became a couple. But sadly, it was not to last.
Justice League Made Green Lantern and Hawkgirl into Star-Crossed Lovers
At the end of season two of Justice League, the truth about Shayera came to light. She was actually an advance scout for a Thanagarian invasion of Earth. She made up the “lost space cop” backstory as a cover, and she was always a spy among Earth’s heroes. Not only that, she was already romantically involved with Hro Talak, a Thanagarian warrior meant as a replacement for Hawkman. The Justice League felt totally betrayed, especially John. Shayera eventually turned against her Thanagarian people, and helped the League fight off their invasion. Now exiled from her people, the League also voted her out of the team. This also ended her relationship with John Stewart.
John Stewart/Green Lantern and Hawkgirl Have a Superhero Son
When the Justice League became the Justice League Unlimited, they welcomed Shayera back, giving her a chance at redemption. She ditched her Hawkgirl name, since it was all part of her cover as a superhero. John Stewart still had feelings for her, but was now dating fellow hero, Vixen. The romantic tension continued between Shayera and John, but the two never got back together on screen. However, they eventually met Warhawk, the winged hero from the Batman Beyond timeline, who was their future son. This confirmed the two would eventually find their way back to each other again.
John Stewart and Hawkwoman Get Flirty in the Comics
In the more recent DC Comics, writers have resisted bringing the two characters together and mimicking the animated show. But in recent issues of Green Lantern Corps, John Stewart has developed a flirty relationship with Hawkwoman, Shayera Hol, so we think it’s only a matter of time before the comics commit to this iconic relationship.
Hawkgirl’s Wild DC Comics Backstory
In the comics, there are several versions of Hawkgirl. To say her comic book history is a little complicated is an understatement. The first Hawkgirl was not an alien, but a warrior reincarnated over thousands of years, with each life becoming a hero with her husband. In the ‘40s, Shiera Hall wore Nth Metal wings and became the heroine Hawkgirl alongside her husband Carter Hall, the Hawkman. In the Silver Age, DC Comics introduced a new Hawkgirl, named Shayera Thal, an alien from the planet Thanagar. She’s still around as Hawkwoman. In 1999, DC introduced a new Hawkgirl, Kendra Saunders, who was the reincarnation of the original Hawkgirl, Shiera Hall. And she’s still the current Hawkgirl. Confused yet?
Green Lantern and Hawkgirl’s Possible Romantic Future in Man of Tomorrow
So who is the DCU’s Hawkgirl? According to Isabela Merced, she is all of them combined. In a Superman interview, she said she’s playing Kendra Saunders from Earth. But this Kendra is a reincarnation of several deceased heroes, including a Thanagarian warrior, which is why she reincarnated with the power to grow wings. So she is both Kendra and Shayera, in a way. But does this mean that she and John are getting together? Pairing them up in a movie seems to be the expectation. We know James Gunn loves the DCAU, and we’ve long suspected the DCU version of the Justice League would be based on the animated show. It might not be a one-for-one with the cartoons and comics, but we have a feeling Isabela Merced and Aaron Pierre could be cinema’s new iconic superhero couple. We’ll find out when Man of Tomorrow lands in theaters next year.
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Source: Kiat Media
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