It isn’t until you read a Hawkeye comic that you realize just how much we all need to be reading Hawkeye comics. Clint Barton has done a lot of fascinating things since he was introduced. He became an Avenger, started a West Coast franchise of the team, lead the villainous Thunderbolts down a road of redemption, became an mentor the amazing Kate Bishop, and even become a successful landlord after saving a building from the Ivan, the evil landlord bro.
Clint and Kate have even had great ongoing series with remarkable creative teams helmed by Matt Fraction and Kelly Thompson. Matthew Rosenberg is now stepping up for his turn at writing a Hawkeye series. Can he continue the legacy of writing a clever, humorous, and action-packed Hawkeye book? The answer is: Yes.
Hawkeye may be a superb leader and team player in the Avengers, but it almost seems he works better in a solo series. Perhaps it’s Clint’s over-inflated ego that doesn’t allow him to fully shine in a book full of other characters. He needs room to spread out his whit and charm. Rosenberg is a great choice to guide Hawkeye as he focuses on the street level crime the Avengers often overlook or deem beneath them. This is what makes Clint so lovable, despite the fact he can be a little annoying at times.
The action starts out with Clint casually infiltrating a meeting between the Hood and his crew. Whether it’s arrogance or just the knowledge that he is that skilled, seeing Clint’s approach is golden. There are also appearances by other allies throughout the issue if you’re concerned of getting Hawkeye overload. The true foe Hawkeye will take on is an intriguing choice which will leave you wanting more as we are left with a bit of a cliffhanger at the end.
Joining Roseberg on the book is the phenomenal Otto Schmidt. Schmidt caught my attention when working on the “emerald archer” over at DC. He has a fantastic style and excels at drawing action scenes as well as creating nuanced facial expressions for the various characters. Joe Sabino handles the letters, and it’s worth it to take pause and appreciate the various styles of lettering taking place in the different scenes.
Hawkeye by Matthew Rosenberg and Otto Schmidt is my favorite book of 2020. Sure, it might be the very first week in the year, but Rosenberg always succeeds in combing hilarious moments within a book with serious action. This is the type of book that immediately makes me crave the next issue. I also can’t wait to see more of Schmidt’s art. Comics should be fun and entertaining. This book 100% accomplishes that.
What the Heck is going on?!? 
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