Hawkeye #3

I'm not very good at remembering to blog about things. I meant to blog about Hawkeye #2, because I loved it as much as the first issue, but just didn't get around to it.

But Hawkeye #3? I just HAD to write about this issue. It's perfection. There's not a bad thing I can say about it (well, I can say a bad thing or two about Clint, but I'll get to that in a moment). Firstly (and perhaps most importantly), David Aja's artwork is just jaw-droppingly good. Gorgeous, in fact. I probably shouldn't admit this, but I totally fancy Clint when Aja draws him. Let's move on...

Aja captures movement and action quite unlike any other artist out there. Every page is packed with panels that involve you in the story as if it's a series of moving images. That is not an easy thing to do. In fact, the entire issue is just like a mini movie. The car chase scene on the bridge will have you sitting on the edge of your seat.

I praised Matt Holingsworth's colours in my last post and he doesn't disappoint again here. Muted browns against cool purples and greens denote the scene changes and work magnificently to help the story move along seamlessly.

Matt Fraction really does seem to have a good grip on Clint's character. Bit of an arse? Yep. But he's also funny, self-deprecating and brave. And hot, did I mention that already? Moving on...

There's one thing about this issue that's puzzling me (don't read any further if you don't want spoilers): Clint hooks up with a cute redhead, but isn't he supposed to be seeing Jessica Drew (Spider-Woman)? So either this issue is not set in the same continuity as the current issues of Avengers (although I'm sure I remember Fraction saying that future issues might explore his relationship with Jessica), or Clint is a complete dirtbag. And I'm not so sure he's that much of a dirtbag...is he?

EDIT: I asked Matt Fraction on Twitter if Clint cheated on Jessica...he said: "If you ask him? No. If you ask her? Yes. Read HAWKGUY 7." Intriguing!

That aside, this issue is outstanding. Once again, I can't wait for next month. The best title out there right now. If you're not reading it, you should be.

Hawkeye #1

I have always had a bit of a soft spot for Hawkeye, the Avengers' master archer. Clint Barton has been an Avenger for nearly 50 years and, to me, the team always feels like it's missing something when he's not around. There have been a few Hawkeye solo titles in the past, but he's viewed by many as very much a supporting character who works best in team books so they haven't always done that well. I disagree with this and have always thought that given the right type of book, Clint could shine. I think this is that book.

Hawkeye #1 shows us what Clint gets up to when he's not being an Avenger. I just love this idea. We often get to see what Peter Parker gets up to when he's not being Spider-Man and that makes him all the more accessible and relatable, so why couldn't this work for the most human of all the Avengers? The idea intrigues the hell out of me and I loved getting to see where Clint lives and discovering that he gets bashed up in the line of duty sometimes and has to take time out to recover. I loved getting to see that his good heart extends into his life outside the Avengers, but that when he's out and about on his own he can muster up a thinly-veiled threat or two.

Clint can be a bit of a dick sometimes, he's cocky and arrogant and it's landed him in big trouble in the past. I hope that we get to see how this side of him impacts on his 'civvie' life in future issues. We do get to see a bit of his cockiness and arrogance in this issue, but you're with him all the way because you know he's morally in the right.

David Aja's art in this book is astounding. Helped by Matt Hollingsworth's colouring, the whole issue is just a beautiful thing to behold from start to finish. I understand that Aja's art might not be for everyone, but the whole look and feel really adds something to the story. I love how Aja draws Clint. We never see him in costume (and he's never referred to as Hawkeye), we see him dressed in jeans and a t-shirt or a in suit and tie. There are some really beautiful panels and I was going to pick some out, but this Bleeding Cool article talks about some of them and is well worth a read (no.9 shows my favourite panel - go, Clint!). The use of colour to help distinguish the time jumps is executed really well. Events that take place during the day are coloured in yellows and the night time scenes are muted greys and blues. Some people have commented that they found this confusing, but I fail to see how.

I really haven't been this excited about a new series for a long time. I can't wait for #2 and I really, really hope that people spend their money on this title because I'd like to see it run and run.