Aldis Hodge Compares DC's Hawkman To Prime Video's Cross

Why It Matters

Hodge’s framing of a procedural lead as a modern‑day superhero underscores Prime Video’s strategy to blend genre storytelling with comic‑book cultural cachet, attracting both thriller fans and superhero enthusiasts. This crossover appeal can boost subscriber retention and broaden the platform’s content portfolio.

Key Takeaways

• Hodge likens Alex Cross to superhero Hawkman.
• Both characters battle oppression and villains.
• Cross mixes crime thriller with comic book symbolism.
• Actor’s comic fandom shapes his portrayal of Cross.
• Season 2 streams weekly on Prime Video.

Pulse Analysis

Prime Video’s adaptation of James Patterson’s Alex Cross novels arrives at a moment when streaming services are hunting for hybrid genre properties that can capture diverse audiences. By casting Aldis Hodge—an actor with a proven superhero pedigree—the platform leverages his existing fan base while delivering a gritty, character‑driven crime drama. The series’ production values, ensemble cast, and serialized release schedule align with current viewer preferences for binge‑worthy yet episodic storytelling, positioning Cross as a flagship title in Prime Video’s expanding thriller slate.

Hodge’s comparison of Alex Cross to DC’s Hawkman taps into a broader cultural conversation about superheroes as modern mythic symbols of resistance. He emphasizes that comics historically provided a safe outlet for confronting oppression, a theme he sees mirrored in Cross’s relentless pursuit of serial killers and his personal fight to protect his family. This narrative framing resonates with audiences seeking depth beyond procedural formulas, offering a layered hero who balances forensic expertise with an almost vigilante moral compass.

From a business perspective, the Cross franchise illustrates Prime Video’s push to diversify its original content library with intellectual property that straddles literary, comic, and television domains. The weekly release model for season 2 sustains subscriber engagement over a longer window, driving consistent traffic and conversation on social platforms. As streaming competition intensifies, titles that blend recognizable source material with fresh thematic angles—like Hodge’s superhero‑infused detective—provide a strategic advantage in attracting and retaining viewers across demographic segments.

Aldis Hodge Compares DC's Hawkman To Prime Video's Cross

By Jennifer Chu & Ash Crossan · Published Feb 11, 2026, 9:32 PM EST

Aldis Hodge may have traded in Hawkman's wings for a badge, but the actor revealed that his character in Cross is a lot more similar to the superhero than most would think.

Hodge plays the titular character, Alex Cross, in the Prime Video series. In an interview with ScreenRant’s Ash Crossan, the actor explains how the homicide detective and forensic psychologist is a superhero in his own way. While Hawkman battles super‑villains in the DC Universe and Cross operates in a more grounded setting—Washington, DC—Hodge believes both protagonists are striving for the same goal: fighting villains and the people who try to oppress them.

Hodge also mentioned that growing up, he was a huge comic‑book fan. He added that he thinks comic books and superheroes symbolize the fight against repression. They fight the many injustices in the world and try to fight for the rights of others, which is exactly what Cross does on a daily basis.

“I grew up on graphic novels and comics. I love anime. I’m addicted to anime.

Superheroes and comics were invented as symbolism for dealing with oppression in ways you couldn’t directly. You made yourself super. You created ideology around opposing what suppresses you.

I think Alex Cross embodies that. Where I start with every character is their honesty. What do they want? Who are they? Where are they at? What are they going through? What are their desires? Their fears? Their vulnerabilities? Their strengths? That never changes. Every character’s journey is different, but I need to understand that honesty in order to portray them.”

Cross is a crime thriller inspired by James Patterson’s Alex Cross book series. The show follows the character as he tracks down serial killers, using his training to get inside the minds of the criminals he’s pursuing. It also focuses on his personal life and his fight to keep his family safe from the dangers that come with his career and past.

The Prime Video series also features a large ensemble cast alongside Hodge:

• Isaiah Mustafa – Detective John Sampson

• Juanita Jennings – Regina Cross

• Alona Tal – Kayla Craig

• Samantha Walkes – Elle Monteiro

• Caleb Elijah – Damon Cross

• Melody Hurd – Janelle Cross

• Jennifer Wigmore – Chief April Anderson

• Ryan Eggold – Ed Ramsey

• Eloise Mumford – Shannon Witmer

• Jeanine Mason – Rebecca

• Wes Chatham – Donnie

• Johnny Ray Gill – Bobby Trey

• Matthew Lillard – Lance Durand

Where to watch: The series streams on Prime Video (first released November 14, 2024).

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Cross season 2 releases new episodes every Wednesday on Prime Video.