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THE BEST SELLERS LIST

IN FRANCHISES, COMIC VALUES AND COLLECTIONS

THE BEST SELLERS LIST

In our new hotness, we have The Best Sellers List. Here, we cover the greatest battles of a particular character in a comic or series, and how it made it a best-seller. In our new hotness for March, is Hawkman in Superman/Batman (2004) #4.

First, let’s reveal a poll on Twitter. Then, let’s show how it was a success.

Did the castling battle against #Superman and #Batman in 'Superman/Batman: Public Enemies boost #Hawkman's rep in the DCU? #dccomics #RestoreTheSnyderVerse #ZackSnydersJusticeLeague #bestsellers

— Database Comics Museum (@ClarkJosephKe11) March 10, 2022

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A FAN OF JEPH LOEB’S AND ED MCGUINNESS’ SERIES? CLICK ON SUPERMAN/BATMAN: PUBLIC ENEMIES BY JEPH LOEB (2004-07-23) BELOW TO BUY THE HARDCOVER ON AMAZON.

WHY HAWKMAN IS ON THE BEST SELLERS LIST

THE CREATIVE TEAM

Namely, the creative team on the story arc is an all-star talent. In a few words, writer Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness collaborate on the story arc. Together, they produced the cataclysmic Our Worlds At War crossover event.

When both superstars collaborate on works, you know they are playing for keeps. In fact, the heroes are not pulling any punches!

THE WORLD’S FINEST ON STEROIDS

Really, Public Enemies is The World’s Finest team-up on steroids. What happens when you pit the two most popular DC heroes, namely Superman and Batman, as underdogs against the DC Universe?

And add to that characters drawn with bulging muscles and oversized physiques! In the story, President Luthor has put a $1 billion bounty on Superman and Batman. Previously, our World’s Finest defeated the supervillains.

Now, the heroes are sent to take them in. Particularly, Hawkman and Captain Marvel are sent in because they don’t hold back!

THE BATTLE THAT SOLD THE STORY ARC

Importantly, the castling battle of Superman and Batman vs Hawkman and Captain Marvel sold the comic. Let’s explain. In the desert, Superman, Batman, Power Girl and Katana need to locate Hiro Okamura to help stop Asteroid X, a Kryptonite asteroid.

Suddenly, they are intercepted by Hawkman and Captain Marvel. However, Superman is at a disadvantage against Captain Marvel’s magic. And Batman is disadvantaged by Hawkman’s flight. Hence, Batman calls castling. Then, both superheroes exchange partners.

Really, the Superman vs Hawkman fight has been talked about online for quite some time.

Incredibly, Hawkman used the Claw of Horus to hit Superman with the magnetic field at the Earth’s core. Definitely, a Planetary-Level of Energy Projection. Moreover, a question that has been posed is whether Hawkman’s Claw of Horus is magical.

In fact, how it affects Superman’s invulnerability.

Though the artifact may be scientific, it is able to disrupt magical energies using Nth Metal. In addition, it amps its user’s powers and grants them magnetic abilities. For his part, Captain Marvel was able to defeat Batman by outsmarting him.

SALES, SALES, SALES

Really, though the comic did not significantly boost sales, it did result in boosting Hawkman’s reputation. Indeed, it showed how a JSA and C-list character like Hawkman can take down an A-list character like Superman.

In fact, Superman/Batman #4 ranked 172nd in January 2004 unit sales according to Comichron. Perhaps, the series contributed to the sales of the main Hawkman series. During that same month, Hawkman had the highest rank in unit sales within a three month span.

Let’s rank Hawkman’s formidability with the Claw of Horus.

FORMIDABILITY

For the most part, Hawkman amped with the Claw of Horus is around Martian Manhunter Level. His Strength Class actually measures his Energy Projection. Since he hit Superman with the planet, his Strength Class is Planetary-Level.

And really, Superman as his Quality Opponent is around Champion Level who can defeat a planet.

However, Hawkman’s formidability is limited by his Durability. Indeed, his Durability is too low to allow him to rank higher. Though his Durability is properly Enhanced or Variable with the Claw of Horus and other Nth-metal enhancements.

QUALITY OPPONENTS

During the comic, Hawkman faces Superman and Batman. Though Superman ranks as Champion, Batman ranks as Peak Human or Assassin.

FAN RECEPTION

Since its initial release, the Superman/Batman series has remained very popular among fans. In fact, it has been adapted to the DC Animated Universe in multiple films such as Superman/Batman: Public Enemies and the mega-hit Superman/Batman: Apocalypse.

RECOMMENDATION:

Definitely, collect this titanic comic in single issues or paperback in comic format.

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And that’s our best seller!

SIMILAR STORIES

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LINKS

Superman/Batman Vol 1 4 in DC Database. Claw of Horus in DC Database. January 2004 Comic Book Sales to Comics Shops in Comichron.