The hero may be famous as the musclebound, mace-swinging, brutal warrior who supplies the Hawkman has one defeat in his career that no fan can ever forget. Losses happen, but when fans consider who managed to knock Hawkman out cold, his reputation may seem completely exaggerated.
Ordinarily, superhero-vs-superhero fights in comics tend to come with the unspoken rule that there should be some proviso in the mix--meaning the result isn't quite definitive. Someone is being mind-controlled, or is ill, or temporarily has a strength boost, or is without a signature power. This keeps fans asking who would win in a straight fight, while also allowing for a definitive winner (without the match-up being settled forever). If this isn't actually a factor, then the fight generally ends without a definitive winner, even if it was going in one character's favor. But in JLA #119 the unthinkable happens... making Hawkman one of the most disappointing fighters in the DC Universe.
The story from Geoff Johns, Allan Heinberg, Chris Batista, and Mark Farmer sees the League shattered over the revelations that the minds and memories of the Secret Society of Super Villains were altered. In this case, the rising tensions lead to a battle in which Batman is mind-controlled by a genius-level alien, Despero, who can project illusions turning friends into foes. So when Batman--still under Despero's control--attempts to attack his trusted butler and confidant, Alfred Pennyworth, Hawkman thankfully intercepts. But if fans assume one of the fighters has an edge in the fist fight, they're about to be proven wrong.
This issue sets in canon that in a hand-to-hand fight, Batman beats Hawkman. Given that Batman was under Despero's control and not working with his usual skill and faculties, it's a knock to both Hawkman's skills, strength, and fortitude. Hawkman is meant to have superior strength, and he even gets the drop on Bruce, starting the brief fight by tackling him and then smashing a clock over his head, but he still ends up laid out. While the trope of mind-control is typically used to excuse the loser of the fight for an underwhelming performance, this story sees the delusional Batman getting the upper hand, outmaneuvering Hawkman, and delivering one knockout blow. Had he lost, future writers could have said 'he was being mind-controlled, and could potentially win if not,' but things went the other way, creating a very awkward precedent for future writers.
Before comic book readers get up in arms about the outcome of a fantastic fight, it is important to take the time to engage with the story presented on the page. JLA #119 can't be taken back at this point, but there is so much to learn from Hawkman's beatdown... and that Batman's haymakers shouldn't be underestimated, either.
