With Disney+’s new Marvel Cinematic Universe show Hawkeye premiering this week and Jeremy Renner on the verge of television fame, it’s an ideal time to check out the comic book that launched the character. Writer Matt Fraction and artist David Aja teamed up to create an action-packed series that features one of Marvel’s most underrated heroes. The book also includes plenty of humor, making it a fun read for both casual fans and diehards.
The main plot of the book follows Clint Barton as he returns to his normal life with the Avengers. However, he finds himself being pulled into more and more adventures by his young protege Kate Bishop. She’s not quite the street-level superhero that she’s portrayed in the MCU, but she has her own charms and is more than capable of dealing with supervillains on her own. She also has a way of making Clint more likable than he is in the movies.
While the first two issues of the book are a bit slow, they eventually pay off as the series progresses. When the team goes to a swanky resort to investigate a jewel heist, it becomes clear that the hotel is being run by the Circus of Crime and that some of the guests are being mind controlled. The team must find Lucky, a girl who is tied to the heist, and free the guests before it’s too late.
The comics are filled with plenty of humor that elevates both the character and the action. Most of the jokes are snappy banter between the archers or general funny situations, but the writing also takes advantage of Hawkeye’s unique perspective. The narrative is often told through his point of view, leading to smaller twists that are only possible because of his perception of the world.
After a few more issues of the series, the Avengers are sent to Asgard to assist Thor and the Asgardians as they fight Sentry. During the battle, Hawkeye is forced to use his hearing to defeat Zemo and his brother Barney. After the fight, he tries to convince Kate that their actions are dangerous for the kids but she’s not having any of it and storms out of his life for good.
The Fraction-Aja run on this title has been a hit and the Disney+ show is sure to be just as popular. The writers and artists work together to create a fast-paced story that’s full of action, humor, and great character development. The book is a must-read for any fan of the character or anyone who’s curious about the MCU’s less-heroic heroes.