“You cowboy around with The Avengers some. Guys got, what, armor. Magic. Super-powers. Super-strength. Shrink-dust. Grow-rays. Magic. Healing factors. I’m an orphan raised by carnies fighting with a stick and a string from the Paleolithic era.”
This is but a taste of the newly released comic book from Marvel Comics that focuses on the all-too-human member, Clint Barton AKA “Hawkeye.” Penning the story is the Marvel Comics alumni Matt Fraction (The Immortal Iron Fist, The Invincible Iron Man) with David Aja (The Immortal Iron Fist, Daredevil) bringing those words to artistic fruition.
“Hawkeye” Issue 1 is not another origin story. This comic takes place with Clint Barton as an already well established Avenger. However, this also focuses on bringing some humanity to the superhero comic book world. Hawkeye is a hero with no super powers. Therefore, he relies on his extensive training, his dead-shot aim, proficiency with a bow and arrows, and his high levels of achievement to prove himself worthy to fight alongside the best. This comic gives the reader a different look at the Avengers, and superheroes altogether, with bruises and scars that show. It also provides us with a thought that even an Avenger can use a little help every now and then.
Going against local thugs and mobster bullies, the first issue of “Hawkeye” ironically takes a closer look at Clint Barton, and not the superhero that titles the book. It allows for the reader to see life as a normal guy, that just so happens to be an Avenger. Furthermore, I don’t even recall Clint drawing his bow once in this issue. As much as I love archery and the things he can do with his arrows, this issue showed a complete absence of his trade and still provided a cadre of interesting action. Fraction has brought a worldwide superhero down to the street level of the people. Avenging the victims of everyday struggles.
Bringing the story of Clint Barton outside the Avengers back to life (I wasn’t a big fan of Ultimate Comics Hawkeye), Matt Fraction has opened up a world of giant possibility. Helping him with his mission, David Aja brings a different type of artwork that is atypical to comics these days. There is a modern contemporary feel to the art in these pages, but also a hint of retro-comic paneling that provides a different aesthetic to the story.
The first issue of Hawkeye was a fantastic read and I highly recommend it. It provided a great opening to a comic series that has limitless opportunity and endless possibilities. You can pick up your issue of “Hawkeye #1″ at your local comic book store today.
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