Hawkeye #8 Review

My review for a Hawkeye issue could literally read: Yes this was just as good as all the rest, pick it up. Unfortunately, instead of using that method, I am going to spend a while writing this article informing you on just how great an issue this is. But, lets be honest, you already know all this right?

In this issue we are reintroduced to the mysterious red headed girl, who this time has ended up shooting her partner and is desperate for the help of Hawkeye. What we get is a really great issue that focuses on these two working together in order to get a safe from the baddies that could end up saving this girls life. However, should we believe everything she is saying? That is a whole different thing altogether.
Towards the end of the issue we are given a reason to doubt that she is telling the whole truth here. Hawkeye is even quite suspicious about her motives but he continues to help her regardless. I love the way Fraction made it clear how reluctant Clint originally was to help this woman; but at the end of the day he is a man who likes to do the right thing, and she is an unbelievably attractive woman. Put these factors together and there is only ever going to be one outcome here.
I also loved the way there were comic book covers places throughout the issue, as Clint had received these as a gift. They tied in nicely to the story, and they also looked awesome as full page spreads.

Fraction is still writing a very likeable Clint that we can relate too. He does not feel like a member of the Avengers at all, and that is what makes this series so successful. He is totally stripped back in his own series meaning he is coming across as a pretty normal guy. At the end of the day he could be me or you, and that is why we love him. The art is something too that can not be forgotten about at all. Aja is still doing a great job with this series, and his understanding with Fraction seems to be getting even stronger in each issue; which is something that I did not even think was possible.

It looks like this series may take a more serious tone in future issues as it looks like Clints' life may be in danger. However, I can guarantee that even if the content does get slightly more serious, the tone of the book will stay the same, and Clint will still be Clint. The beauty about this series is that you dont even have to pick it up from #1 to get into it, so if you are not reading it then pick up this issue and see what you think. I think you be as on love with Clint after reading it as the rest of us.

Rating: 8.8 / 10

Hawkeye #5 Review

So far this series has been a huge hit; much better than anyone expected it to be. With this particular issue we see the conclusion of the series' first two part storyline. I was a bit nervous going into it seeing as every issue so far had been one of stories, however it turns out that Matt Fraction knows exactly what he is doing with this book.

The pace of this issue was exhilarating to say the least. The tension was also ramped up as our heroes were trying to make their escape out of enemy territory. It took a couple of wacky turns which in most books would seem out of place, but with this book you come to expect the unexpected. There was a happy ending of course with the conclusion of this story, but I was surprised by the mini twist ending which I thought was really well done.

I am really enjoying the way Clint and Kate are with each other. Their chemistry just jumps off the pages, and seeing them team up is really great fun. Going in to the series I was not too familiar with Kate, but now I really love her. She is a great addition to this series I hope she stays here for a while.

What has been impressive all series, and especially in this issue, is the humor that we see from pretty much all the characters involved. Matt Fraction was made to write Hawkeye. It feels like he has had an idea like this for a while and now he can finally release it for public consumption. It turns out that most of the issues will just be 1 or 2 part stories, which is absolutely fine by me as I really cant see you he can go wrong. The formula he has is obviously a winning on so he should certainly stick with it.

The art was fantastic considering it was once again Pulido who is just filling in for the time being. I would go as far as saying it was better than the first part of this story, which shows how fast he got a real feel for this series.
The cover art by Aja is once again amazing. It is simple, like all the covers fir this title, but it is just visually very impressive. This book  no doubts has the best covers in all of comics, and are nearly worth the price of admission alone.

Once again another great issue in this series. I may even go as far as saying that they are getting better and better each issue. That may not be the case, but they are certainly at the top of my reading pile when they arrive.


Rating: 9 / 10

Hawkeye #4 Review

This is by far one of the most surprising titles of 2012. Nobody was really too bothered about it when it first appeared, and now it is the must have book whatever week it comes out. This time around I think that the same can be said about this issue.
It is not as good as the previous two but I think it is better than the first issue (I was in a minority who was not too fond of the first issue), even without the usual artist at hand. Javier Pulido did a good job with the art this month. At first I wasn't too sure, but it definitely grew on me as the issue progressed. It has a really old school feel to it which is something that I like, and it really fit the style of this series in general.

What these four Hawkeye issues have delivered are simple stories with subtle complexities which make them an absolute joy to read. In this issue Clint is told to go to an auction in a foreign country to win a tape that has incriminating evidence against him and the United States. It is not exactly ground breaking stuff, but it is just so well written.

I think this is the best Clint Barton has been written possibly ever. He is such such a likeable character, and has suddenly snuck up my list of favourite Marvel characters. I am sure I am not the only person who has had this happen to them too. He is funny, intelligent, and you really feel for him when he is down in the dumps, like he was briefly at the start of this issue.

This was the first part in what I believe is a two part story. This is also the first time Fraction has done a mini story arc with this book but I do not think that anyone needs to worry. This first part was great, which has made me very excited to read the second part next month. It is the first time that I have had to wait for the next issue so the story can continue with this series. Something tells me it is going to be a long wait.


Rating: 8.5 / 10

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