After 86 Years, Hawkman Gets His Most Radical Redesign to Date

While DC is always expanding its hero roster, some characters have been with the company from the very beginning, predating even the establishment of the iconic Justice League. Now, one of these Golden Age heroes, long a pillar of consistency in both tone and design, has received his most radical redesign yet.

DC’s ongoing crisis event, DC K.O., where the universe’s heroes and villains are fighting to save their home from the likes of Darkseid, is in full swing.

While most heroes are participating in the deathmatch tournament, Mr. Terrific is leading a squadron of time-displaced heroes into the bowels of Hell as they attempt to stop the chaos that the demonic Neron is adding to the crisis. Among those joining Terrific in Mark Waid's Justice League Unlimited #14 is a time-displaced Hawkman, who makes a critical mistake that leaves him changed into a form unlike anything fans have ever seen before.

Hawkman Transforms into Lovecraftian Monster in DC's Latest Crisis Event

Comic Page Comes from Mark Waid's Justice League Unlimited #14 (2026) - Art by Dan Mora

While making their trek across the landscape of Hell, the team comes across an ominous, ink-black body of water. It is then that a voice calls out, begging for help as it appears to be drowning in the water. Hawkman immediately jumps into action, not realizing this is a trap, and extends a hand to help the victim, only for the “hand” to morph into a tendril of black water that grips him.

Glowing red eyes soon appear, revealing that the water is actually a monstrous creature. Hawkman tries to break free, but part of the monster breaks away with him and continues to attack him in the sky, transforming Hawkman into a Lovecraftian-esque monster. Both his armor and his physical body are transformed by this hellish creature, making it his most radical redesign to date.

Peeking out from his helm is a ghoulish blue face with a maw of jagged teeth and a tentacle beard that would make Pirates of the Caribbean’s Davy Jones jealous. He also sports monstrous claws, with his armor having transformed to feature skulls and other jagged metalwork, making it one of Hawkman’s most unforgettable looks.

The now-possessed Hawkman attacks the group, dive-bombing Doctor Fate, with his spear breaking through her constructs. However, right before he can pierce her with the weapon, Tim Drake’s Batman jumps in front of it, taking the spear to the heart. His sacrifice saves Fate’s life and gives her enough time to kill Hawkman, cementing this as one of the character’s darkest redesigns both visually and contextually.

Justice League Unlimited #14 from DC Comics is now available!