Hawkeye – You Didn’t See That Coming

When Hayden Fry became the Iowa Hawkeyes football coach in 1985, he made one promise to his team’s die-hard fans; he would deliver a winning season. He did. But the year was not as bright for many of Iowa’s other hardworking, die-hard fanatics – its farmers. The state’s famed Heartland farmers were in the midst of what many say was the worst farm crisis the country had ever seen, and their land was in jeopardy. The families who had been working that land for generations were being forced to sell their homes and farms, often losing what was in their blood to make ends meet.

Those in need looked to the state’s heroes, and the arrow-slinging sonuvabitch known as Hawkeye emerged to defend them. From his bow and arrows to his purple-and-blue attire, this marksman has proven himself as one of the Marvel Universe’s staunchest champions for justice.

Born Clint Barton, the marksman who would become Hawkeye ran away from home at age nine to join a circus act called the Swordsman and the Archers, where he honed his talents with bladed weapons. The marksman discovered he had an aptitude with the bow and decided to pursue his newfound talent, eventually becoming a costumed crime fighter.

Hawkeye quickly became a staple member of the Avengers. Over the years, the marksman has battled numerous villains, both solo and as part of the core team, and he is one of the most proficient members of the Avengers when it comes to tracking and defeating super-powered assassins.

The arrow-slinger was once sent to kill the Black Widow, but the brave spy was saved from the wrath of the Red Room by Hawkeye, and the pair joined forces to battle Loki’s army on Earth. Later, when S.H.I.E.L.D.’s Helicarrier attacked Sokovia, Hawkeye reunited with the team and helped them evacuate civilians, save Black Widow, and destroy Ultron’s mind-control device – all while he took a hefty blow from Pietro Maximoff’s enhanced speed.

The Avenging Archer has forged a strong bond with his namesake protege Kate Bishop, who is also known as the Arrow. Though the two have fought on more than one occasion due to conflicting mission objectives, they always reconcile as “two straight arrows,” each providing the other with support and insight. As a result, they’ve been the best of friends for over six decades.