Hawkeye has always been an important character, but until Disney+ introduced him in a series of two, he was largely neglected by the MCU. This is now changing, though, thanks to a series that’s just as rooted in comic book history as any MCU-based offering (and which also boasts an impressive cast).
The first episode of Hawkeye, directed by Daniel Scott and Matt Fraction, was an absolute joy. It set up the main mystery of the series – whether Clint’s Rolex watch has been stolen – while also introducing us to his new assistant, Kate Bishop, played by Edge of Seventeen star Hailee Steinfeld. It also gave fans of the character a chance to catch up with Clint’s past, as well as his ties to the Avengers.
Jeremy Renner is back as Clint Barton, a former thief who went on to become an archer and crimefighter, and became a member of the West Coast Avengers. He was also briefly the leader of the Thunderbolts, a team of criminals that he bonded with because of their similar pasts and their shared desire to see justice served.
This arc was one of the most popular in the Marvel comics, and while it wasn’t as fully explored as it could have been, it did make sense that a former criminal would be drawn to heroes. In fact, the character was arguably the most interesting of Marvel’s early roster of superpowered criminals, as he showed a genuine interest in the lives of people and the ways they lived, which is often not the case with villains.
As a result, we got to see Clint grow and develop into an adult, and in that respect the show is a pretty successful re-introduction to the character. There are moments of humour, but more importantly we get to learn about Clint’s past, and what made him the man he is today.
Another big part of the show is Clint’s relationships with his family, and how those bonds have changed over time. It’s a big part of his arc in the comics, and we’re finally getting some insight into that in this series.
For a long time, he was married to Bobbi Morse, and her support was crucial for him as he grew into a heroic figure. But he eventually separated from her, seeing that her loyalty to her teammates was more important than his personal feelings.
After that, he began dating Mockingbird, a deaf woman whose hearing impaired abilities provided a huge advantage when they were on missions together. He also became a mentor to Bobbi and her children, and was able to give them the sense that they were heroes in their own right.
However, after he left Mockingbird and the West Coast Avengers, he took a different path. He was able to turn his back on his past as a criminal and found redemption in the world of law enforcement, as he led the Thunderbolts, a team that specialized in reformed villains who were willing to work for the good of society.