Warning: contains spoilers for Justice Society of America #10!Hawkman’s powers of reincarnation make him unique in the DC Universe, but it comes with a dark side, one that takes its toll on the WInged Wonder. Hawkman’s ability to reincarnate has ensured his survival across the eons. He recently rejoined his friends in the Justice Society, and in issue 10 of Justice Society of America, he reincarnates in the midst of battle, but the experience rattles him greatly.

Justice Society of America #10 is written by Geoff Johns and drawn by Mikel Janin and Marco Santucci. The Society is fighting Gentleman Ghost, who unleashes Surtur on them. Realizing the only way to defeat Surtur is to break the Ghost’s ties to him, a younger, time-displaced Mordru, fighting alongside the Society, saps the life-force from Hawkman and directs it into the Gentleman Ghost, severing the connection to Surtur. Hawkman then regenerates after the battle.

Hawkman reveals that when he reincarnates, he experiences the pain of his past lives.

It rattles Hawkman so much he votes to deny Mordru membership.

Hawkman Has Had Many Lives Throughout DC's History

Hawkman's Reincarnation Powers Are A Magic-Based Healing Factor

In the 2010s, Hawkman received a new title, and it was revealed that all the Hawk People throughout history were the reincarnation of one bloodthirsty soldier who lived in prehistory.

Hawkman first appeared during the Golden Age of Comics, and would become a staple of the DC Universe. There have been numerous versions of the character over the years, and along the way, Hawkman’s continuity has become seriously muddled. In fact, it became so tangled Hawkman was viewed as toxic. In the 2010s, Hawkman received a new title, and it was revealed that all the Hawk People throughout history were the reincarnation of one bloodthirsty soldier who lived in prehistory. This soldier, cursed to reincarnate through time until he atones for his sins, will become Hawkman.

Hawkman’s ability to reincarnate almost instantly makes him one of DC's most powerful heroes. This power functions much like Wolverine’s or Deadpool’s healing factors, only based on magic. Unlike those healing factors, Hawkman’s ability can sometimes lead him to regenerate into someone completely new. Robert Venditti’s epic 2018 Hawkman run revealed Hawkman had incarnations all through history: one lived on ancient Krypton and another in the American Wild West, among others. Hawkman seemingly stayed the same after regenerating in Justice Society of America #10, but there was a possibility he could have been someone different.

Hawkman's Reincarnation Powers Are Amazing--But Come With a Huge Cost

The Mental Toll It Takes on Hawkman Is Great

Yet the truly shocking revelation about Hawkman’s reincarnation powers is the psychic toll they take on him. After he reincarnates in Justice Society of America #10, Hawkman is considerably shaken. Hawkman is so disturbed by what happened he not only vetoes Mordru’s membership bid, but takes a leave to go be with Hawkwoman as well. The pain of experiencing eons of trauma is part of the curse Hawkman must carry on his path to redemption. This ability to reincarnate is a brutal reminder of Hawkman’s violent past, and how far he has to go.

Justice Society of America #10 is on sale now from DC Comics!