In some ways, Hawkman could be interesting. Like Batman, he seeks to uphold the rule of law, whether on Thanagar or Earth. Unlike most aliens, though, he doesn't have any true "super powers", if they go by the iconic version. The mace, the wings, the gravity-belt...all technology combined with skill. So, if played that way, Hawkman has much in common with Batman. Of course, played as many of the JL team-up's have been, Hawkman will be a winged hero with a mace who teams up with Batman for 22 minutes to fight people, no more, no less.
This was a fine episode, but the writers chose the latter from my statement. Hawkman was not much of an actual character, just another superhero that Batman teamed up with for an episode who got to meet Robin and visit the Batcave. At the very least they didn't exchange identities, but at this point it is hardly a JL secret. Black Mask hires Shadow-Thief to bust him out of prison and then to steal a metorite from Thanagar (Hawkman's home-world), that has traces of the Nth Metal anti-gravity element that Hawkman briefly says empowers him. Black Mask naturally wants to use it to steal Gotham's jewelry district, from the ground up.
Hawkman's design got a bit of a touch-up from his look in "THE JOINING PART II" and he looked great; far better than his JLU look and I could argue this was his best looking animated appearence, ever. He was voiced by the same actor who does Black Mask, and he wasn't terrible as Hawkman, nor too great. Frankly he sounded a little like a "stock gruff warrior". I liked how his mace was used but his ability to "lift" things got ridiculous, to the point of lifting that entire building. That's Superman's job.
Black Mask makes a much better reoccuring rogue than Joker and Shadow-Thief was fine enough, although I am getting a little tired of the obligatory way Batman has to defeat all new villains he seems to face. I mean I know it is his show, but it is getting a tad predictable. Cute highlights include Black Mask seemingly killing his old "Number One" and Hawkman being sent crashing down to the highway in a net and Batman not slowing his Batmobile down in the slightest to aid him. He was distinct warrior hero, though, and that is Hawkman in a nutshell.
Once again, Robin seemed more like a detail here and he really doesn't need to be in every episode. Barbara actually does show up at the end, but only for a moment. It was odd how Black Mask goes on about the security for the gem building when it seems to consist of two guards, no outside camera (his men were able to shoot objects into the sides without notice) and your generic vault. I didn't see the need to have to try such a dramatic hiest once Hawkman & Batman were occupied with the subway train; it seemed like overkill.
Still, it was an entertaining episode. Just not horribly complex or deep. Batman & Hawkman team up, fight Hawkman's baddie, the end. Hopefully the 2 part finale will be something epic. Hawkman does compare the Batcave to a station at Thanagar, but that is about it. Better than the GL episode, though. Probably the Flash one, too.
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