History: Hawkes was a reincarnation of the ancient Egyptian prince Khufu. Young Hannibal Hawkes moved from town to town in the Arizona territory as a fix-it man. How he became the masked champion of law Nighthawk was unknown, as his past is shrouded in legend. He gained fame as a lawman, and was assisted by the orphan Jim Peyton, whom he took in after outlaws killed his parents. Toward the end of his career he spent little time in his civilian identity, and Nighthawk became his life.

(Hawkman IV #7) - Nighthawk and Greg Saunders gunned down the outlaw Iron Pistlero and his gang. Greg told Nighthawk about the town of St. Roch, and said it would be a great place for him to unwind. Nighthawk rode to Roch, and noticed a commotion around the jailhouse. Nighthawk went to a nearby bar, and local Gentleman Jim Craddock informed him that beloved rich Bois Garvey had been shot to death, and his servant, a former slave named Cyrus Evans stood accused. Craddock thought he was innocent, and that Garvey's niece Matilda Dunney, who'd rounded up a lynch mob, was the one responsible. A shootout occurred in the bar after one of the lynch mob accused gunslinger Cinnamon of cheating at cards. Nighthawk and Cinnamon killed the shooters, and instantly fell in love with each other. Cinnamon was the reborn Chay-Ara, and they'd fulfilled the purpose of their latest reincarnation by realizing their love. They spent a tender night together, and Nighthawk told her he aimed to save Cyrus from the mob. Cinnamon loved him, but replied that she was no hero. Nighthawk broke into the jailhouse, shot his way through the mob, and broke Cyrus out of jail. Cinnamon arrived on horseback to take them away from the mob, saying she liked what she had found in Nighthawk, and didn't want to lose him. Cyrus led them to Stonechat House, the home of his deceased employer, and explained that Garvey had left him an inheritance so he could turn Stonechat into a museum. Cyrus stood trial, and as found innocent. Nighthawk and Cinnamon decided t stay in St. Roch together, and continued to defend the weak from the evil even though they kept saying their days of adventure were over. One day Matilda, now using her married name of Roderic, returned to town and killed Nighthawk by shooting him in the head. Cinnamon avenged him, killing Roderic, but dying in the process. Nighthawk and Cinnamon's love had kicked of the curse their souls were under, and they had to die at the hands of a descendant of Hath-Set to be reborn and find each other again.

Comments: Created by an unnamed writer & CharlesParis.

Nighthawk received profiles in Who’s Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe #16 and Hawkman Secret Files and Origins.

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