Warning! Spoilers ahead for Superman #9!A pair of long-forgotten Justice League heroes are back and they’re about to take on Superman of all people. The Man of Steel is still discovering the secret history of Metropolis and his latest adventure is sending him back to the Wild West. But this journey through time is bringing Clark face-to-face with some unexpected allies.
In Superman #9 by Joshua Williamson and Bruno Redondo, Clark is still reeling from his epic battle with the Chained. Fortunately, he’s able to get back into fighting shape using one of Lex Luthor’s old warsuits. He tracks down the ethereal hero Marilyn Moonlight who’s under attack by the evil Mister Graft.
Graft hits Moonlight with his Kryptonite Klaw, triggering an explosion that sends Superman into Metropolis’ frontier days. Onboard a train, the guns-for-hire duo of Nighthawk and Cinnamon keep watch for a robber intent on stealing something valuable from the car’s passengers. However, the bandit the gun-slinging duo has been charged with apprehending is an outlaw Superman.
Superman is Facing Two Justice League Heroes’ Past Selves
Nighthawk and Cinnamon may not be the most recognizable DC heroes, but they have a strong connection to two modern-day Justice Leaguers. Hawkman and Hawkwoman are two heroes who have been trapped in a cycle of reincarnation ever since their days as Egyptian royalty. In addition to being reincarnated as Thanagarian warriors, medieval heroes, and 20th-century detectives, the two were the fast-shooting pair Nighthawk and Cinnamon during the Wild West days. Though these various lives are all technically the same people, they don’t always remember the numerous lives they’ve lived before (at least, without some outside influence).
It’s not clear how much Cinnamon and Nighthawk remember about their past lives. Unfortunately, even if they recalled much of their past, they won’t remember Superman since the Hawks have yet to meet Clark. While it seems odd that Superman is robbing a train, there appears to be more than meets the eye here. The family that hired Nighthawk and Cinnamon for protection appear to be younger versions of Mister Graft and Dr. Pharm, the newest enemies plaguing Metropolis. The gun-slingers might not know of Graft and Pharm’s villainous future, but Superman sure does. But will he be able to convince his allies’ past selves that they’re working for the wrong side?
Superman Must Work with His Most Unexpected Allies
Even though they’ve yet to become Hawkman and Hawkwoman, Nighthawk and Cinnamon, like every other life the pair have lived, are crusaders for justice. They may be working for a morally bankrupt family, but if anyone can convince them of who’s in the right, it’s Superman. He may be an ‘outlaw’ in this upside-down Wild West era, but Clark isn’t a crook and hopefully, he’ll be able to convince Cinnamon and Nighthawk of that. Even if Superman won’t meet his Justice League allies for decades, he knows the couple well enough to bring them over to his side.
Superman #9 is on sale now from DC Comics.
