May 26
WASHINGTON — Federal prosecutors have announced criminal charges against two Florida defense contractors accused of orchestrating a large-sc
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WASHINGTON — Federal prosecutors have announced criminal charges against two Florida defense contractors accused of orchestrating a large-sc
BRIAN KENT/SILENT KNIGHT & MADAM XANADU in HAWKMAN (2018)
Silent Knight
So, I was looking into DC heroes set further back than the 19th century (I've read some of the westerns, and was interested in characters set further back). I came across the Silent Knight. A previous incarnation of Hawkman and a possible ancestor to our Kent family of fame - both retconned, of course. And really, when you get that many centuries back, there have to be a lot of descendants if there are any at all.
Anyway, in the first issues, he is an apprentice knight - as to be expected, he's in a general, fictionalized, mish-mash medieval setting. Far south of the Thames, seems to have his own country that his father co-ruled with his villain, people wear chainmail and they have nice stone castles. Don't know what era to set that in. England doesn't seem to be unified, but surnames, jousting, noble knights, etc. exist (giving me 12th-ish century vibes). I don't mind adding in a fictional kingdom for DC, though, and setting it post-unification, if that suits better - DC has plenty of fictional places, and it can end up part of the UK at some later date.
I know later Galahad and Lancelot show up (and are peers).
Sixth century is the setting listed in the dc fandom, which I get.
But then, it's a fictional setting in much the same way that westerns are in a fictional setting. Still, at least I can tie the westerns to some sort of time frame and place. No idea what to do with this one.
I’d love for DC to remember that one of Carter Hall’s (Hawkman’s) past lives was Catar-Ol, a Kryptonian who dedicated himself to archaeology, philosophy, and history. He was even Kara’s history teacher and got along very well with the entire El family (especially Jor-El).
It would be so interesting to explore this because there's literally a being (still alive) who remembers living on Krypton, who knows its culture, traditions, and history perfectly. I’d also love to see Carter in the Fortress of Solitude.
And yes, I want a meeting/conversation between Clark, Carter, and Kara—especially when you remember that in Hawkman Vol. 5 (2018), Catar seems to care a lot about Kara and refers to Clark as “Jor-El’s boy.”
That reunion would be so touching, in my opinion. It might ease some of Catar’s pain, since he died along with Krypton and never knew if anyone remembered his planet (which he says was his greatest burden in Venditti’s Hawkman run).
Plus, it would be hilarious because in another past life, Carter was also Sir Brian Kent—an ancestor of Jonathan “Pa” Kent.
NBC reporter Jo Ling Kent is, in fact, a distant relative of the Kent Family, though interestingly, she has a more direct lineage to Silent Knight than the Kansas Kents
Hawkman vol.5 #11 (2019)
Writer: Robert Venditti Penciler: Bryan Hitch Inkers: Andrew Currie & Bryan Hitch Colourists: Jeremiah Skipper
Chapter III
Alex flopped onto the bed and lied face down on their pillow. One week had passed since classes had started, which meant one week had passed since Jessica and Brian had started hanging out with them.
Alex was tired. They were never hungry, and were always tired. And moving started to take up so much energy. They sighed and sat up, pulling their laptop closer. Once on, Alex pulled up a blank document to write an essay they needed to start.
Halfway through the introduction, they were interrupted by a Skype call. They answered when they noticed it was Kaden calling.
"You look like crap." Alex rolled their eyes. "Thanks for the bright compliment, Captain Obvious." Kaden rose an eyebrow at their snark remark. "What's wrong Al?" Alex shook their head. "I'm fine, Kay. I'm just tired." Kaden stared at them with a disbelieving look. "Ok. Fine, but tell me if something's wrong, ok?"
Alex nodded. "So what'sup, my little follower?" Kaden rolled his eyes. "I called to tell you that your mom calmed down. And she wants to talk." "After a week and a half? I don't think so. If I call her, she'd probably end up getting irritated. And if she doesn't, then I probably will. I'm not ready yet." Kaden nodded.
"Ok... So anyways. There's a new kid in my year. You would like him. He dyes his hair purple and all sorts of other colours and wears ripped jeans and wears sunglasses inside. He's actually pretty cool." Kaden looked down with a small smile, picking at something below the screen. "So what's the smile for?"
Kaden looked up at Alex's smirk. "Oh shut up. I just think he'd make a great friend," he said before pouting. Alex smiled. "Yeah. Ok, sure. How are the seniors holding up?" Kaden snorted. "They're wavering under the pressure. Everyone expects them to be super obnoxious and nice and commanding respect but it's kind of funny how much juniors can trod all over them."
Alex smiled widely. "Wonderful." Kaden nodded, face becoming serious gradually. "Alex. I know I've asked you this before but... How exactly did you know you were queer?" Alex smiled softly.
"There was something always on my mind, saying that I wasn't what I or society was saying I was. I didn't know what exactly it was, but then when I learnt about other genders and sexualities I started connecting the dots. So really, it's how you perceive yourself, along with what you know."
Kaden looked down at what he had been playing with. "So... What am I supposed to make of this?" He lifted up a post-it note that had small neat writing on it. "What does it say?" "It's an anonymous love letter. That wasn't very subtle." Alex looked at him confused.
"When he put it in my locker, Kaitlyn saw him and told me about it when it fell out." "Oh? New guy's got guts." "Yeah. I know," he said smiling widely. "So? How's it make you feel?" "I dunno. Fuzzy inside? I dunno. I've never been attracted to another guy before, so I'm not sure how to interpret this.
"It's different when I like a girl. That's for sure. So I can't tell if it's just an amplified friendship ray or an actual beacon of a crush. I guess I could just give it a bit of time? Get to know him better and know him as a friend first."
Alex smiled encouragingly. "That's a safe idea. The safest, in fact. So good luck with that. Also. I wanna meet this guy. Once you're friends bring him home and call me immediately." Kaden laughed and rolled his eyes. "Ok. Ok. Were you doing anything before I called?"
Alex startled. "I was doing an essay due two days from now. Ugh. How dare you. I gotta go. Bye." They hung up after the boy reciprocated the dismissal and got back to work, feeling just a little less tired.
***
"So his name's Kaden?"
Alex smiled at Jessica. "Yeah. He's been my best friend since I was 14. My mom made me babysit him. It was annoying, but then he grew on me. Now we're best friends and he's one of the only things I miss from home."
Brian rose an eyebrow and exchanged a look with Jessica. Alex sighed but then shook their head. "My parents and I kind of left on a sour note, so I'm not really missing out on much. I've escaped." The silence dragged on, and Alex was growing antsy.
They were all in Jessica's room, Brian was lying down on the bed, Jessica was sitting in the wheelie chair by the desk and Alex was sitting on the ground between them, with their back to the bed.
"So who do you guys consider your best friends?" Alex asked to fill the silence. Brian got a far away look in his eyes. "There was this girl that lived across the street from me. She was really closed off and she was homeschooled. We started talking three years ago, but she got into an accident so I haven't see her in a while."
"Oh wow. Deep. Way to lay it out there." Brian shrugged at Jessica's comment. "I'm an open book, Jess." Jessica rolled her eyes and looked to Alex. "I've considered Brian to be my best friend. Because I talk to him a lot. But I think the bestest friend spot goes to one of my older brothers, Jeremy. He's really quirky and I feel really close to him."
Alex and Brian smiled sweetly at Jessica and Alex sighed. "The stories behind your besties were so much more heart-felt than mine. Geez. How am I ever going to amount." Brian grinned and Jessica snorted. "Guess you should go back in time and become a person with a better back story. Maybe then you'll get on our level."
Alex rolled their eyes and nudged the wheelie chair around with their foot. Jessica laughed and twirled around.
