Story: "Ascension" (22 Pages)

Credits: David S. Goyer and Geoff Johns (plot, script)
Stephen Sadowski (pencils)
Michael Bair (inks)
Ken Lopez (letters)
John Kalisz (colors)
Heroic Age (color separations)
Peter Tomasi (edits)

Feature Characters: Hawkgirl II
Doctor Mid-Nite II
Dr Fate IV
Sand
Mister Terrific II, Flash I
Atom Smasher II
Hawkman I (last in Zero Hour #?, returns to life)

Supporting Character: Black Adam

Villains: The Dark Wingmen
Synn
Crypt
Phade (first appearance of all)

Other Characters: Zihn Tarak
Waykt (first appearance, a young acolyte of the Talon of Truth, dies)
The Fate-child's mother (see second Comment for #44)

Synopsis:

Hawkgirl is told that she has been brought to Thanagar because the planet has been ravaged by Onimar Synn, an 'eater of souls.' She and those she is with come under attack from dark wingmen, animated corpses. Hawkgirl puts them to flight, but they take away her guardian Zihn's brother Waykt. Back on Earth, Dr Fate argues with Dr Mid-Nite over the best way to treat his comatose wife, as her illness has both physical and magical elements. They are interrupted by Sand, who leaves with Fate for the JSA headquarters, in order to go to the aid of Hawkgirl. They will be joined by Flash, Atom Smasher and Mister Terrific, plus Black Adam, who seems inextricably linked to the whole situation. They will reach Thanagar through Dr Fate's multi-dimensional tower.

In the picturesque Vale of Valmoora, Zihn takes Hawkgirl to the refuge of a veritable army of people who resist the tyranny of Synn. Synn has such power because he controls the planet's Nth metal, which somehow responds to and amplifies emotions. At that very moment Synn is torturing Waykt to discover why Kendra was brought to Thanagar. When he has the information, he kills the young man and has him converted into one of the Dark Wingmen. Zihn reveals that he wants Hawkgirl's help in summoning Carter Hall from a well of spirits. As the rest of the JSA arrive on the planet, she steps forward and is met by Hawkman, who greets his 'once and future love.'