Hawkeye #3 Review

I am going to be completely honest here. I have followed this series from the very beginning. However, I thought the first two issues were just OK. They both had rave reviews thrown at them from all directions, which made me feel like I must be missing something. This issue I believe I have finally found that something. For me, everything that Matt Fraction was trying to do has finally come together. Accompanied by David Aja's art, we have here an absolutely fantastic little story.

In similar fashion to the first two issues, we are thrown into a scene that is currently happening right now after having had no back story whatsoever. The rest of the issue then gives us the background, and then goes on to show what unfolds next. In the previous two issues I have felt a little confused by this. Of course I have read comics set out in this way before, but it felt a little bit muddled for me in this series. However, I think this time around the creative team have hit the nail on the head.
The issue flows brilliantly throughout. The script is very entertaining, and the art really works well along with it. The art is actually something that bothered me previously. I have always thought that it has been great, yet slightly inconsistent. In this issue though, it is just perfect. It almost feels like the team have finally got to a point where they know exactly what they both want to do after feeling each other out for the first couple of issues.

Now on to the characters that make up the story. Clint is a very very likeable character in this series. He is not afraid to take the mickey out of himself, and this self deprecating humour was a real highlight for me in this issue. He seems to enjoy putting himself down for whatever reason which is great to see, especially as he is a member of The Avengers. The dialogue between him and Kate is tremendous in this issue, and once again leads to a couple of comedic moments. Speaking of Kate, having previously been unsure about her place in the book, I am now very glad that she seems to be a constant character. After reading this issue, it feels like this book without her would be just wrong.

The way the story listed some of the arrows Clint carries was also very insightful. Of course, some of these were included just for fun, but it was interesting nonetheless. I also liked how the events in the issue were listed in the form of the 9 mistakes he made in that day. It helped the issue flow, and it made the issue feel like it could have been a 20 minute episode for a TV show. Or maybe that is just my take? Of course the bad guys in this issue should not be forgotten about. They were pretty harmless in reality, but the way they said "bro" after pretty much everything probably put a smile on everyone that has read this issue.

As you can see, I really enjoyed this issue. I went into it with the thinking that if I came out of it with the same feeling as I did with the first two issues, then I was going to drop it. Now after reading it, I think I may have to re-read those issues again. This is without a doubt my book of the week.


Rating: 9/10