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Hawk and Dove collections
Hawk & Dove, Volume 1: First Strikes
A part of the acclaimed DC Comics—The New 52 event
Hank Hall is not happy. He's not happy to have Dawn Granger as a new partner in his war on crime. He's not happy that she's dating the ghostly Super Hero, Deadman. He's not happy to learn that someone is trying to plunge the United States into a new civil war! Now it's up to Hawk and Dove to root out the forces behind this conflict and stop them before they turn the U.S. into a wasteland!
And who is the monster lurking in the shadows, watching Hawk and Dove from afar? Find out in this new series from Sterling Gates (Flashpoint: Kid Flash Lost) and artist Rob Liefeld (X-Force, Youngblood)!
Collecting: Hawk and Dove 1-7
Hank Hall is not happy. He's not happy to have Dawn Granger as a new partner in his war on crime. He's not happy that she's dating the ghostly Super Hero, Deadman. He's not happy to learn that someone is trying to plunge the United States into a new civil war! Now it's up to Hawk and Dove to root out the forces behind this conflict and stop them before they turn the U.S. into a wasteland!
And who is the monster lurking in the shadows, watching Hawk and Dove from afar? Find out in this new series from Sterling Gates (Flashpoint: Kid Flash Lost) and artist Rob Liefeld (X-Force, Youngblood)!
Collecting: Hawk and Dove 1-7
192 pages, Paperback
First published August 21, 2012
6 people are currently reading
268 people want to read
About the author
Rob Liefeld
806 books80 followersRob Liefeld is an American comic book writer, illustrator, and publisher. A prominent artist in the 1990s, he has since become a controversial figure in the medium.
In the early 1990s, self-taught artist Liefeld became prominent due to his work on Marvel Comics' The New Mutants and later X-Force. In 1992, he and several other popular Marvel illustrators left the company to found Image Comics, which rode the wave of comic books owned by their creators rather than by publishers. The first book published by Image Comics was Rob Liefeld's Youngblood #1.
He is married to actress Joy Creel.
In the early 1990s, self-taught artist Liefeld became prominent due to his work on Marvel Comics' The New Mutants and later X-Force. In 1992, he and several other popular Marvel illustrators left the company to found Image Comics, which rode the wave of comic books owned by their creators rather than by publishers. The first book published by Image Comics was Rob Liefeld's Youngblood #1.
He is married to actress Joy Creel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
January 24, 2015
I was honestly expecting it to be much worse.
That doesn't mean it was good, but it's not as awful as I originally anticipated.
The villains are mediocre, the art is meh, and the plot is iffy.
However, it is readable...which is more than I can say for some of the junk I've put my eyeballs on lately.
Except for Dove's mullet.
I assume they were trying to make her look like she had feathers, but every time she turned into Dove I kept waiting for her to put on her lumberjack shirt and attach a chain to her wallet.
*shudder*
That doesn't mean it was good, but it's not as awful as I originally anticipated.
The villains are mediocre, the art is meh, and the plot is iffy.
However, it is readable...which is more than I can say for some of the junk I've put my eyeballs on lately.
Except for Dove's mullet.
I assume they were trying to make her look like she had feathers, but every time she turned into Dove I kept waiting for her to put on her lumberjack shirt and attach a chain to her wallet.
*shudder*
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July 14, 2014There were innumerable problems with my damn-fool pledge to read any first volumes my libraries might get in of DC's New 52 reboot. Among them: it was inevitable that the final stretch would be pretty terrible. After the ones I actually wanted to buy, the ones my mates bought, the ones that looked worth seeking out, it will always be towards the end that you're most likely to find the real dregs. And if you're expecting a twist about how this was thus a pleasant surprise - I'm sorry.
Hawk (He's an avatar of war! Thus angry!) and Dove (She's an avatar of peace! But still kicks things!) have never been the easiest of characters to render convincing past the odd guest spot. This revival makes some unconvincing lunges towards psychological complexity, but its main innovation is stealing a trick from Green Lantern and expanding the palette - so say hello to Osprey! Condor! Swan! Vague hints at yet more costumed avian-themed adventurers! Alas, it was cancelled before this barrel could be thoroughly scraped and Marsh Warbler could make her heroic entrance.
And I haven't even mentioned yet that most of this was drawn, and some of it written, by the 'legendary' (for all the wrong reasons) Rob Liefeld, who has a slightly better grasp of anatomy these days, but is still fairly embarrassing to read on public transport. The bit where he draws Dove in ludicrously T&A style before proceeding to slut-shame her is especially galling.
Hawk (He's an avatar of war! Thus angry!) and Dove (She's an avatar of peace! But still kicks things!) have never been the easiest of characters to render convincing past the odd guest spot. This revival makes some unconvincing lunges towards psychological complexity, but its main innovation is stealing a trick from Green Lantern and expanding the palette - so say hello to Osprey! Condor! Swan! Vague hints at yet more costumed avian-themed adventurers! Alas, it was cancelled before this barrel could be thoroughly scraped and Marsh Warbler could make her heroic entrance.
And I haven't even mentioned yet that most of this was drawn, and some of it written, by the 'legendary' (for all the wrong reasons) Rob Liefeld, who has a slightly better grasp of anatomy these days, but is still fairly embarrassing to read on public transport. The bit where he draws Dove in ludicrously T&A style before proceeding to slut-shame her is especially galling.
April 12, 2012
I didn't hate this as much as most people, but it was pretty dull most of he time.
May 13, 2012
First, the art is by Rob Liefield. It isn't the worst art that he has done, but it is still Rob Liefield. Personally, I was bothered the most by Dove's single expression, which makes her look like a mouth breather. The issues written by Sterling Gates are much better than the ones written by Liefeld, in which it feels like nothing happens. In Gates' issues, there still isn't much plot, but everything moves quickly enough to still be tolerable.
Characterization is also a problem. Hank acts like you would expect Hank to act, but there isn't any subtlety to his aggression. Dawn has mysterious secrets and a boyfriend rather than a personality. The focus is much more on Hawk than Dove. There has been a lot of talk about Don, but no mentions of Holly. By the end of the volume we don't know Dawn's origin.
Continuity is pretty confusing in Hawk and Dove. There are allusions to past continuity, with Brightest Day and Blackest Night happening in some form. It is implied that they have been partnered for several years. However, there is no mention of Holly. They also act much more like they have only been partners for a brief period of time.
One positive is that I always love comics that feature the president.
Characterization is also a problem. Hank acts like you would expect Hank to act, but there isn't any subtlety to his aggression. Dawn has mysterious secrets and a boyfriend rather than a personality. The focus is much more on Hawk than Dove. There has been a lot of talk about Don, but no mentions of Holly. By the end of the volume we don't know Dawn's origin.
Continuity is pretty confusing in Hawk and Dove. There are allusions to past continuity, with Brightest Day and Blackest Night happening in some form. It is implied that they have been partnered for several years. However, there is no mention of Holly. They also act much more like they have only been partners for a brief period of time.
One positive is that I always love comics that feature the president.
January 9, 2018
Deplorable. Obviously Rob Liefeld is the worst writer and artist and human, but damn. There is a female character who is telepathic and they talk about her power a couple times but she gets kidnapped and they have to save her and NOT ONCE does she even use her power. I even waited for an issue or two after this pointless woman is rescued to see if she used it in another storyline. NOPE. Once she has been rescued we never see her again the remainder of the series. I still don't understand why Liefeld is allowed to do anything in comics anymore. He pushes back any progress that can be made in the least.
March 30, 2021
A book that showcases the worst problems of the New52 era of DC. It never introduces its characters or premise properly and can’t keep its continuity straight. The writers talk about these characters having a huge mythos as “Avatars of War and Peace”, but never actual talk about what being Avatars means or how that affects the lives of Hank and Dawn, who are more cardboard cutouts than characters.
Hank is the jock who's angry all the time and Dawn is the girl.
That's it. That's her character. There's literally nothing else to her besides who she's in a relationship with and who wants to be in a relationship with her. It's bland, sexist, and boring. Avoid this book at all costs.
Hank is the jock who's angry all the time and Dawn is the girl.
That's it. That's her character. There's literally nothing else to her besides who she's in a relationship with and who wants to be in a relationship with her. It's bland, sexist, and boring. Avoid this book at all costs.
May 12, 2013
Just type Rob Liefeld into the review box. Any comics fan knows what you get from him. Big action panels. Giant torsos on men. Huge boobs on women. Lots of proclamations during fights. Basic comic-bookery here.
August 2, 2012
I loved this book as it brought the characters back better then ever, but sadly I must be content with just one.
September 24, 2019
I really wanted to like this more. Hawk and Dove seem to have an interesting backstory, and I really enjoyed the dynamic of the two characters. But the art was inconsistent, and the back half of the story started getting a bit wonky. Why the random batman & robin cameo? Also why do all the other avatars look JUST like them, I mean they literally just recolored the costumes, would have liked to have seen more variety.
August 31, 2020
This was weird, but props to DC for trying something different. If there were more volumes, I would probably read them. Oh well.
For more on these characters tune in to Comic Book Coffee Break: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zikuP...
For more on these characters tune in to Comic Book Coffee Break: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zikuP...
June 19, 2023
This rating is definitely rounded up, as I struggled in deciding between 2 and 3 stars. I also have to admit that one reason I opted for 3 stars was because it was not as bad as I thought it might be. The first five issues (when Gates is writing) are definitely better; when Liefeld takes over the scripting duties, the thread on themes and consistency with the other issues is lost. The initial arc is definitely fun, however, if not very weighty. I will also note that, as a reader of comics in the early 90s, the Liefeld art has a certain nostalgic quality for me (I know his art drives others crazy).
The characters/concepts of Hawk and Dove seem to have a lot of potential (which is admittedly not realized in this volume). The avatars of war and peace concept is intriguing, and it seems like some skilled writer could do something with it. Looking through the history of the characters, however, I am not sure anyone has to date (although reading this did inspire me to put the Ditko versions of the characters on my "to read" pile...)
Ultimately, this is a quick, relatively entertaining read that has some fun action that you can read quickly (and forget quickly). High praise, huh? Hmmm .... maybe I should change my rating ....
The characters/concepts of Hawk and Dove seem to have a lot of potential (which is admittedly not realized in this volume). The avatars of war and peace concept is intriguing, and it seems like some skilled writer could do something with it. Looking through the history of the characters, however, I am not sure anyone has to date (although reading this did inspire me to put the Ditko versions of the characters on my "to read" pile...)
Ultimately, this is a quick, relatively entertaining read that has some fun action that you can read quickly (and forget quickly). High praise, huh? Hmmm .... maybe I should change my rating ....
June 12, 2021
I've been on a kick here lately for the more "obscure" superheroes. I came across this volume after reading New 52's Blue Beetle and decided to give it a try. It was solidly... good. Better than okay, but not great either. Pretty basic comic book action, but with interesting characters and an interesting superhero concept. I haven't read any original Hawk and Dove, but I'd be curious about it after reading this New 52 version. Though, I can see why there isn't a volume 2 (at least, not one that I can find). It didn't have the "wow" factor, but it was still worth reading. I'd love to see these characters as part of a team. (Oh, and one more thought.... Kind of a nit-pick, but it really annoyed me how they drew Robin in this. He was clearly Damian--his attitude, speech patterns, costume, etc.--but they drew him like Tim Drake. Seriously, the kid is 10 years old, but he was drawn like a teenager. Sorry... I know that's a little thing, but it bugged me while I was reading it. A part from that, the Batman/Robin team-up was really cool--and perfect considering Hawk and Dove are another "dynamic duo.")
April 10, 2025
Come on! You know this was going to be terrible. Rob Liefeld teams with Sterling Gates to create a truly god awful book that serves as a how-to guide on how to not make comics. The story is full of plot holes, with nearly nothing connecting to make sense. There was nothing to get readers excited by the new (at the time) DC Universe. It read like the creators had no idea what was going to happen on the next page let alone the next issue. The book does everything in its power to not matter. And then there's the art and if you know anything about comics' history you already know its bad. Overall, this is terrible and DC should be ashamed.
April 22, 2018
This is one of the better New 52 books that came out. Oddly enough, and maybe it’s just because they included Rob Liefeld, this thing reads like a follow up to the old series he once worked on. They even reference characters and events from that run. It’s a soft reboot, if anything, and it’s all the better for it. The characters are still a fun and likeable duo, their opposing beliefs making for a strong team dynamic. The costume changes were minimal, again a surprising thing to find from the mostly awful New 52 era.
October 13, 2018
Cool story, and a cool way to introduce someone to the characters and their concept. That being said, has some glaring continuity issues for anyone who has read a lot of DC Comics. Yes, I know. The ugly “C” word continuity.
I do feel the art holds it back quite a bit as well. Sometimes it would look fantastic. I have a feeling those were the spreads Jim Lee has a hand in. Other times, it just looked weird. Still others it did not make sense. Overall, just a general “New 52” revamp book. Enjoyable mediocrity I guess.....
I do feel the art holds it back quite a bit as well. Sometimes it would look fantastic. I have a feeling those were the spreads Jim Lee has a hand in. Other times, it just looked weird. Still others it did not make sense. Overall, just a general “New 52” revamp book. Enjoyable mediocrity I guess.....
January 29, 2022
First strike! Second Strike! Third Strike! You're out of here!
I want to say that Liefield's name isn't a reason to be apprehensive about a title. But this series isn't a contender for that argument. It started off fine, but then writers came and went, leaving only Liefield standing. As an artist, I can appreciate what he draws, but his writing just isn't something I like.
2.25 out of 5 stars.
I want to say that Liefield's name isn't a reason to be apprehensive about a title. But this series isn't a contender for that argument. It started off fine, but then writers came and went, leaving only Liefield standing. As an artist, I can appreciate what he draws, but his writing just isn't something I like.
2.25 out of 5 stars.
December 17, 2024
Very Liefeld!
If you are a fan, you will enjoy this, if you are not, you will hate it.
That said, a lot of the plot doesn't make sense, the artwork is standard Liefeld (think 90's X-Force). Overall, kind of bland characters, a fast read, and my introduction to the characters (in comic form), which is why I chose to read it. Overall, though, this was just kind of boring, all-out action that really didn't mean anything. Meh.
If you are a fan, you will enjoy this, if you are not, you will hate it.
That said, a lot of the plot doesn't make sense, the artwork is standard Liefeld (think 90's X-Force). Overall, kind of bland characters, a fast read, and my introduction to the characters (in comic form), which is why I chose to read it. Overall, though, this was just kind of boring, all-out action that really didn't mean anything. Meh.
December 18, 2019
Yet another series that was introduced as part of the New 52 initiative in 2011, Hawk and Dove introduces us to a man and woman who take on the personas of the gods of War (Hawk) and Peace (Dove). Yet they somehow just kick everybody's ass.
February 9, 2021
Ehhh. Cool concept but poor execution. Barely had a chance to get to know my heroes when the focus was Deadman. Like guys. Let me meet and know these two main folks. Everything else fails if you don’t do this. But no. You kept them in separate rooms the whole time.
April 16, 2022
would have liked to see a longer series of this that actually set things up for an earned payoff, but with only 8 issues and 2 major conflicts, it all felt a little rushed and we don't really see much character progression. still like the concept, just wish it was better executed
November 15, 2023
I really liked the history, the storytelling and the characters. To be honest I think is one of the best hidden treasures I've ever read. The end maybe is going to be dessapointing but, I don't know. I liked it.
May 9, 2017
This book I couldn't finish. There was beginning connection that I usually have when I read comics. It was boring and the plot was confusing at times.
November 15, 2017
As a huge Hawk and Dove fan from the original Showcase and Teen Titans comics, it was refreshing to see DC dedicate them their own story.
April 16, 2018
Poor Rob Liefield. He really tried, bless his heart.
August 4, 2019
Starts out great but Declined as it goes on
November 3, 2022
Rob Liefield does Rob Liefield stuff.
May 13, 2025
3.5 stars
September 5, 2025
1,5 estrelas
November 1, 2015
This is another one the comics that I got to read because of having access to a friend's Comixology account. If not for that access, I probably never would have gotten the chance to this because I sure as hell wasn't gonns buy it. This is the 14th series that I've started on out of the 52 1st wave of the New 52 relaunch and the 15t overall New 52 book.
Rob Liefeld is the artist for the series. There was someone else that helped him out for a couple of issues, but I don't remember their name and they didn't contribute much to the book as a whole. Liefeld hasn't lost any of his artistic talent through the years. I first saw this guy's work back in the late 80's. His run on New Mutants and helping creating the characters of Cable and Deadpool for Marvel are two of the things he's most known for. That and being notoriously difficult to work with. If his art wasn't so amazing, he would have been long gone from the comics industry. His work is the same detail heavy art that it has always been and I don't see where his art has changed to much from New Mutants to his Image days to now. All of his characters look great. Dove, Batman, and Robin really stand out as the best looking ones to me. Liefeld's art gets 4.5 stars.
I have no idea who the writer Sterling Gates is. If I have ever read any of his other stuff, it escapes me. Considering that Hawk and Dove are by no means top tier DC characters, this book needed to have some truly amazing writing to keep it going as a series. After reading this, it is easy to see why this was one of the first New 52 books to get canceled. Hawk and Dove were given powers by gods of chaos & order respectively. Gates story revolves around else that also received powers from these gods try kill all of the others to gain there powers. Sound familiar? If you've ever seen any of the Highlander movies or the TV series, it should be extremely familiar. It should also be familiar to people that have seen the Jet Li movie The One. Because of the story, I have a mental image of Gates as a guy hat is talking to a movie producer about making a movie. The producer asks him what movie he wants to make and Gates replies that he wants to do a remake of blah blah blah. The producer then asks Gates what kind of new spin that he would like to put on this remake. Gates tells said producer that he doesn't want to change a single thing. He doesn't even want to change a single line of dialogue. He then says he wants the audience to feel like they have seen this exact same thing before. Normally a producer would just laugh in his face and walk away, but some editor at DC must have been the one imaginary producer in my head to say that sounded like a great idea. The story sucked. Not even appearances from Deadman, Batman, Robin and Blockbuster could save this sorry excuse for writing. The score for this is 1.5 stars.
3 stars overall score for the book. Rob Liefeld's art was great, but not even that could make this book a must read. It looks pretty, but other than that there isn't much to offer. Kinda reminds me of some females I've dated. Only pick this up if you happen to find a copy laying on the side of the road somewhere.
Rob Liefeld is the artist for the series. There was someone else that helped him out for a couple of issues, but I don't remember their name and they didn't contribute much to the book as a whole. Liefeld hasn't lost any of his artistic talent through the years. I first saw this guy's work back in the late 80's. His run on New Mutants and helping creating the characters of Cable and Deadpool for Marvel are two of the things he's most known for. That and being notoriously difficult to work with. If his art wasn't so amazing, he would have been long gone from the comics industry. His work is the same detail heavy art that it has always been and I don't see where his art has changed to much from New Mutants to his Image days to now. All of his characters look great. Dove, Batman, and Robin really stand out as the best looking ones to me. Liefeld's art gets 4.5 stars.
I have no idea who the writer Sterling Gates is. If I have ever read any of his other stuff, it escapes me. Considering that Hawk and Dove are by no means top tier DC characters, this book needed to have some truly amazing writing to keep it going as a series. After reading this, it is easy to see why this was one of the first New 52 books to get canceled. Hawk and Dove were given powers by gods of chaos & order respectively. Gates story revolves around else that also received powers from these gods try kill all of the others to gain there powers. Sound familiar? If you've ever seen any of the Highlander movies or the TV series, it should be extremely familiar. It should also be familiar to people that have seen the Jet Li movie The One. Because of the story, I have a mental image of Gates as a guy hat is talking to a movie producer about making a movie. The producer asks him what movie he wants to make and Gates replies that he wants to do a remake of blah blah blah. The producer then asks Gates what kind of new spin that he would like to put on this remake. Gates tells said producer that he doesn't want to change a single thing. He doesn't even want to change a single line of dialogue. He then says he wants the audience to feel like they have seen this exact same thing before. Normally a producer would just laugh in his face and walk away, but some editor at DC must have been the one imaginary producer in my head to say that sounded like a great idea. The story sucked. Not even appearances from Deadman, Batman, Robin and Blockbuster could save this sorry excuse for writing. The score for this is 1.5 stars.
3 stars overall score for the book. Rob Liefeld's art was great, but not even that could make this book a must read. It looks pretty, but other than that there isn't much to offer. Kinda reminds me of some females I've dated. Only pick this up if you happen to find a copy laying on the side of the road somewhere.
February 28, 2016
Reprints Hawk & Dove (3) #1-8 (November 2011-June 2012). Hank Hall and Dawn Granger are the Avatars of War and Peace known as the superheroes Hawk and Dove. When Hawk and Dove are targeted by Condor and Swan, they learn that they could be part of a bigger circle. Now, due to Dawn’s relationship with Deadman, they find themselves being hunted, teaming up with Batman and Robin, and facing death in an enemy called D’khan.
Written by Rob Liefeld (with Sterling Gates) and also illustrated by Liefeld (with help from Marat Mychaels), Hawk & Dove 1: First Strikes was part of DC Comics’ New 52 relaunch after Flashpoint. The “Volume 1” aspect of the comic is a bit of a misnomer in that it is the only volume with Hawk and Dove cancelled after being reviewed as one of the weakest comics of the New 52.
Hawk and Dove first appeared in Showcase #75 (June 1968) with Hank and Don Hall as Hawk and Dove. Don was killed during Crisis on Infinite Earths and Hank eventually was teamed with a new Dove in Dawn Granger (in a popular limited series by Leifeld in 1993). Hank went mad for a period as Extant but with Brightest Day and the New 52, Hawk and Dove was reestablished as a team.
Hawk & Dove is a great example of why an artist shouldn’t necessarily write their own book. The book feels like a ’90s Image book with no writing and all flash. The story feels very segmented, uneven and clunky. The episodic nature of the story doesn’t have much of an arc and that was also hindered by the quick announcement that the story was coming to an end…with a last issue that feels incomplete and rushed.
While Liefeld was known for his art in the ’90s, his art is now just bad in comparison to the artists who evolved from the Image boom. The bodies of the characters are all distorted and everyone is grimacing all the time…everyone seems to be in pain with every movement. It is bad, and Liefeld is no longer the artist who made New Mutants and X-Force a big hit.
Hawk & Dove was probably my least favorite book in the New 52 relaunch. DC had to know from the first issue that the series was in trouble. It was a bad combination of bad writing and bad art that killed series but also casts a shadow on all of comics…steer clear of Hawk & Dove at all costs.
Written by Rob Liefeld (with Sterling Gates) and also illustrated by Liefeld (with help from Marat Mychaels), Hawk & Dove 1: First Strikes was part of DC Comics’ New 52 relaunch after Flashpoint. The “Volume 1” aspect of the comic is a bit of a misnomer in that it is the only volume with Hawk and Dove cancelled after being reviewed as one of the weakest comics of the New 52.
Hawk and Dove first appeared in Showcase #75 (June 1968) with Hank and Don Hall as Hawk and Dove. Don was killed during Crisis on Infinite Earths and Hank eventually was teamed with a new Dove in Dawn Granger (in a popular limited series by Leifeld in 1993). Hank went mad for a period as Extant but with Brightest Day and the New 52, Hawk and Dove was reestablished as a team.
Hawk & Dove is a great example of why an artist shouldn’t necessarily write their own book. The book feels like a ’90s Image book with no writing and all flash. The story feels very segmented, uneven and clunky. The episodic nature of the story doesn’t have much of an arc and that was also hindered by the quick announcement that the story was coming to an end…with a last issue that feels incomplete and rushed.
While Liefeld was known for his art in the ’90s, his art is now just bad in comparison to the artists who evolved from the Image boom. The bodies of the characters are all distorted and everyone is grimacing all the time…everyone seems to be in pain with every movement. It is bad, and Liefeld is no longer the artist who made New Mutants and X-Force a big hit.
Hawk & Dove was probably my least favorite book in the New 52 relaunch. DC had to know from the first issue that the series was in trouble. It was a bad combination of bad writing and bad art that killed series but also casts a shadow on all of comics…steer clear of Hawk & Dove at all costs.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews