The Shadow War of the Hawkman was a story arc describing an attempt by Thanagar to invade Earth. The Thanagarian society was very much weakened, following a plague that altered the entire population of Thanagar to become equal and thus mediocre. It was intended that the occuption of Earth could serve to reignite Thanagarian pride. The invasion was ultimately thwarted by Hawkman and Hawkwoman, who returned to Thanagar to challenge the ruling council and replace it with a less corrupt leadership.