IGN TV posted exclusive news today that Michael Shanks will be playing Hawkman in an upcoming episode of Smallville, currently filming its 9th season. Hawkman is one of the superheroes of DC Comic’s Justice Society, and he has a complicated history. He wears a harness fitted with artificial wings made of a special metal that enables him to fly. SG-1 fans will enjoy this description of the most recent incarnation of the character, from the wikipedia article:
In the late 1990s, the JSA series untangled Hawkman’s continuity, establishing him as Carter Hall, a man who – along with Shiera – had been reincarnated dozens of times since his life in ancient Egypt, and whose powers were derived from Thanagarian Nth metal, which had been retroactively renamed from “ninth metal”.
It’s also important to note that, with the exception of the harness and wings, Hawkman is shirtless at all times.
Also announced is that Brent Stait (Major Ferretti) will play Doctor Fate. So it’ll be a Stargate reunion.
This episode of Smallville, called “Society”, is expected to air in January.