Nighthawk was a crack marksman especially with a six gun. He was also proficient with the lasso and bullwhip as well as being an expert horseman.
History
Though he operated extensively throughout the American Old West in Arizona territory, most of the stories of Nighthawk's early years are shrouded in mystery. As best as can be determined, the masked champion appeared riding out of the East, alredy clad in his ebony garb - fighting outlaws and rustlers with avengance.
Nighthawk traveled the west in his alter ego of Hannibal Hawkes, "Fix-em" Man, whose covered wagon home/workshop advertised that he could repair, rebuild and resharpen anything on the spot. The young craftsman moved from town to town earning his keep with his wits and skills.
With his jet black stallion, Nighhtwind, Nighthawk proved a potent force for law and order, relying on his skill with a six gun and lasso to battle injustice whenever he came across it. Eventually Hawkes took in a young orphan named Jim Peyton after outlaws had killed his uncle, a federal marshall in Flagstaff. The killers tried to murder the boy before he could turn them in, but Nighthawk intervened. As a result of this, Nighthawk was captured by the killers and only Jim's quick thinking and brave actions saved the lawman from death.
Hannibal Hawkes and Jim Peyton rode the wide-open, often lawless territory together, helping to bring peace and develop the nation. Nighthawk's fame spread, catapulting the crime fighter into the ranks of Western legend. Before long every frotier and settlement knew of his exploits.
Eventually, Jim remained in one of the endless towns they passed through to enter the school in Blue Blazes under Miss Pritchett, the stern school marm. After that, Nighthawk seemed to spend more time in his masked identity, relying less and less on his Hannibal Hawkes persona. Finally, Hawkes became a victim of the so - called Crisis on Infinite Earths, dying as he lived - protecting others from evil.
