When I was reading comics back in the 70s, I was never much
of a Hawkeye fan. He always seemed to be
the second most useless Avenger (I’m looking at you Pietro). Underpowered, sort of a screw up, he was
really a proto-emo superhero years before that label had ever been used. So now I’m sort of amazed that I find myself
enjoying a Hawkeye solo series.
The tagline says “this is what he does when he’s not being
an Avenger”, and that’s a good summation of the book. The majority of this book is Clint Barton
helping out folks in his neighborhood, or accidentally getting into various
adventures in NYC. There’s also a short
storyline with Hawkeye getting involved in international intrigue, but it’s
more of a spy story, not a superhero story.
The stories are gritty, in that Hawkeye gets hurt—he’s got no
superpowers--but not grim.
What about the character himself? Fraction’s Hawkeye is much as I remember
him. He’s quippy, brash and bold. Sometimes he makes stupid choices, but he
faces the consequences of those choices.
The art duties are split between David Aja & Javier
Pulido. For my tastes, Aja’s work is the
standout. Simple lines, framing that is
primarily close or medium provide intimacy that these types of stories
deserve. The coloring is muted, with palette
choices that echo Hawkeye’s costume colors, even though he’s in street clothes
for the entirety of this collection.
This is one of the best comics that I’ve read in years. I’m very much looking forward to reading volume
2.
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