Hawkeye #12
Written by Matt Fraction
Art by Francesco Francvilla
Published by Marvel
Fraction soared high in the last issue of Hawkeye, approaching a familiar set up with a fresh and entertaining perspective. This gave us the much-needed break from the moaning and groaning of our hero, who is still hanging on his lady-problems. This issue, however, focuses more on the backstory of Hawkeye, and more notably, his brother Barney.
Although not entirely poignant, the backstory that is touched on in this issue does invoke a feeling of pity towards our title hero. The relationship between Clint, Barney and their father was a far cry from the usual comedic antics of the purple suited Barton, which isn’t such a bad thing, as this series is tailor-made to try and show the character under a realistic light, while this issue is trying to stray away as much as possible from the girl troubles that have plagued some of the earlier issues. But, Clint isn’t the hero in this issue; his brother is.
Revealed to be a down-on-his-luck bum, Barney is almost unrecognizable, but the story progresses, it is clear that he has the same amount of stubbornness as his brother does. It was quite refreshing to see some actual action happen in this issue, as Barney has to fend off the “Tracksuits” as they try to mug him over and over again. There can prove to be an interesting dynamic between the two brothers as they try to fend of said “Tracksuits” and other foes, but time will tell if these two will get along long enough for them to make any drastic changes to the story. However, the best part of the story was no Clown.
That’s right, the incredibly slow burning plotline of the face-painted assassin hired by the “Tracksuits” was almost unheard of in this issue. That storyline would have been far more easy to digest if it was wrapped up in one or two issues; it has dragged on long enough and it is about time that it is finished. Now that the storyline has Kate gone and Barney in the picture, how will Hawkeye approach the upcoming assault from both the ‘suits and the assassin? Hopefully Barney will bring more action with him in the next few issues, and the groaning of Clint will be abandoned for more entertaining storyline.