Written by Matt Fraction

Art by David Aja

When I first heard from fellow Weekly Blender Sam Lacina (the biggest Hawkeye fan I know) that Matt Fraction was going to be writing a standalone Hawkeye title I was immediately in. It’s weird when you just know something is going to work. I’m sure the same dude who threw peanut butter and jelly together felt the same way.

Hawkeye is one of “those” heroes. You know, human. No laser beams. No super speed or strength. No flight ability and certainly no regeneration or healing factor. Hell, the guy isn’t even a billionaire with access to cool toys or the brain of some MIT grad. He’s just a dude. A really determined dude who came from nothing and trained harder than anyone else to become an integral part of Marvel’s greatest super hero team, The Avengers.

When Hawkeye isn’t wearing his admittedly ridiculous purple costume (which looks to have been updated), he goes by the name Clint Barton.

A cocky, stubborn, smart ass that is strangely likable in almost every way. He’s like that really cool guy in high school that got all the girls. You know the guy. Super talented at everything. You wanted to hate his guts, but he said hi to you every time he saw you and called you by your first name.

This first issue is a Clint Barton story. Period. Yeah he kicks some ass. But he’s never in costume and the name Hawkeye is hardly mentioned.

Fraction demonstrates his love for great characters in this first issue by showing the man behind the bow. It is a first issue after all, so some introductory notes are expected. But Fraction never goes the route of origin story or cliched flashback. Instead he introduces readers, new and old to Clint Barton. A guy you want living in your building or  next door to your house.

Equally well done is Aja’s art, which compliments Fractions nuanced style with pencils that leave enough to the imagination as tell the story.

As far as first issues go, I cant recommend this highly enough. There is so much pressure with a first issue. It sets the tone for an entire run. This is an issue both comic and non comic readers can enjoy. Theres enough here for long time fans, and plenty for those looking for a hero to latch on to.

5/5

(It was great Bro)

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