I think the Young Avengers tie-in issue at the end is the weakest part of the book. Interspersed throughout are small circular callout panels with close-ups and descriptions of the variety of arrows that Hawkeye uses – arrows that, of course, will come into play as the chase ensues. As the images show the story happening in chronological order, the narration from Clint reveals that this is all a flashback, and provides commentary upon the events in reverse chronological order. Perhaps the best example of this is in issue #3, the one with the car chase. What really separates this book, though, is its experimentation with panel layout and narrative. Clint’s attempt to buy a classic muscle car from a pretty redhead turns into an all-out car-chase against even more gangsters. Clint goes into a seedy little warehouse casino, and after bullying a gangster, rescues a dog (aka: Pizza Dog) caught in the crossfire. The two take part in the usual superhero escapades – falling off of buildings, fighting gangsters, thwarting evil plots, covering their own asses when things go south, etc – but their adventures are distinguished by a refreshing focus on the small scale. My Life as a Weapon follows the lives of Clint Barton, the Avenger known as Hawkeye, and Kate Bishop, his protege also known as Hawkeye. I was spoiled last year by the balls-to-the-wall gonzo beauty and emotional heft of Saga volumes 1 and 2 last year (I am so happy it won the Hugo), so this is a big change of pace.
Playfulness I will definitely give this volume, but otherwise I’m a poor judge when it comes to books like these. This book collects the first 5 issues of the series, as well as a tie-in issue from Young Avengers. However, the buzz surrounding the new Hawkeye series has been pretty hard to ignore – it’s been praised elsewhere for its verve and playfulness. Illustrators: David Aja, Javier Pulido, and Alan Davisĭespite my enjoyment of superhero-comic-inspired movies, I’m not a huge person for the comics themselves. Title: Hawkeye, Volume 1: My Life as a Weapon
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