Hawkeye
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Hawkeye (Clint Barton) is a fictional character that appears in the Marvel Universe. The character was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Don Heck, and first appeared in Tales of Suspense #57 (vol. 1, Sept. 1964).
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Publication history
Hawkeye was introduced as a reluctant villain in Tales of Suspense #57 (vol. 1, Sep. 1964), and after two more brief appearances in Tales of Suspense #60 and 64 (vol. 1, Dec. 1964 and Apr. 1965), joined the Avengers #16 (May 1965). Hawkeye was a perennial member, and has appeared in three volumes. He also featured prominently in the West Coast Avengers limited series - #1-4 (September 1984 - December 1984) - before appearing in the ongoing title, which ran for 102 issues (including 8 Annuals) from Oct. 1985 - Jan. 1994. The title was renamed "Avengers West Coast" from #46 (Aug. 1989). Hawkeye also starred concurrently in almost every issue of Solo Avengers which ran for 40 issues from Dec. 1987 - Jan 1991 (the title was renamed Avengers Spotlight from #21 (Aug. 1989) ).
Hawkeye also featured in two four-issue miniseries, published in 1983 and 1994 respectively. The first was written by Mark Gruenwald and the second by Chuck Dixon. This was followed by a one-shot publication, Hawkeye: Earth's Mightiest Marksman (1998), written by Tom DeFalco and penciled by Jeff Johnson. In 2003 there was an attempt at an ongoing series written by Fabian Nicieza, but the title was cancelled after only eight issues.
From 1998, Hawkeye featured significantly in issues #20 - 70 of the title Thunderbolts, written by Kurt Busiek and Fabian Nicieza.
Fictional character biography
Clint Barton was an orphan, and ran away from the orphanage as a pre-teen to join the circus as a carnival performer, where he was trained in the use of the bow and arrow by the Swordsman and Trickshot.Seen in flashback in Solo Avengers #1 - 5 (Dec. 1987 - Apr. 1988) When he discovered that his mentors were both criminals he rejected them, leading to a beating by Swordsman which left Barton badly injured and hospitalized. Years later, he saw Iron Man in action, and was inspired and decided to become a costumed hero called Hawkeye. There is a misunderstanding on Hawkeye's first outing and he is believed to be a criminal, accused of theft.
On the run, the naive Hawkeye meets the Black Widow, a spy for the Soviet Union, whom he falls in love with. She tricks him into helping her to steal technology developed by Tony Stark, Iron Man's alter ego. After several battles with Iron Man — who defeats the pair on every occasion — the Black Widow is injured and Hawkeye flees with her, deciding to go "straight" from then on. Tales of Suspense #57 (vol. 1, 1964), #60 + 64 (vol. 1, Dec. 1964 and Apr. 1965) Hawkeye later "applies" for membership in the superhero team the Avengers, by breaking into the Avengers Mansion and binding and gagging the team's butler, Edwin Jarvis. Hawkeye is accepted, and together with leader Captain America and mutant siblings Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch become the new team when the original members take a leave of absence.Avengers #16 (vol. 1, May 1965)
Avenging Archer and Giant
Hawkeye remains a constant in the team for many years, and when his bow breaks at a crucial moment decides to use Pym particles to become the second Goliath.Avengers #63 (vol. 1, Apr. 1969) During this time, Barton suffers a personal setback as his brother Barney is killed by the villain Egghead, who Goliath brings to justice. Avengers #64-65 (vol. 1, May - Apr 1969) At the conclusion of the Kree-Skrull War Barton resumes the identity of Hawkeye in a new costume, and after a rift with team-mate the Vision over the affections of the Scarlet Witch, he resumes his old costume and resigns from the team. Avengers #109 (vol. 1, Mar. 1973) On a whim Hawkeye returns to the Black Widow and briefly battles her current love, Daredevil. Daredevil #99 (vol. 1, May 1973) Hawkeye then assists the Hulk against the monster Zzzax,Hulk #166 (vol. 1, Aug. 1973) and then follows the Hulk back to the mansion of Doctor Strange, where after a skirmish Hawkeye joins the "non-team" the Defenders for a short period. Defenders #7 - 10 (vol. 1, Aug. - Nov. 1973)
Hawkeye then drifts for a time, returning briefly to the Avengers to attend the wedding of the Vision and the Scarlet Witch. Giant-Size Avengers #4 (Jun. 1975) Together with the Two-Gun Kid and Ghost Rider, Hawkeye defeats the monster the Manticore Ghost Rider #27 (vol. 1, Dec. 1977) before returning to the Avengers to assist when members of the team begin to mysteriously disappear. Avengers #172 (vol. 1, Jun. 1978) The remaining Avengers discover it to be the work of the Elder of the Universe the Collector. After his team-mates are defeated, Hawkeye single-handedly defeats the Collector,Avengers #174 vol. 1, (Aug. 1978) and joins the team for the final battle against Korvac. Avengers #175 - 177 (vol. 1, Sep - Nov 1978) Soon after this Hawkeye battles and defeats the villainess Deathbird. Hawkeye's victory is dashed when the Avengers new government liaison Henry Gyrich, limits the roster and replaces him with the Falcon, in an attempt to make the team more "politically acceptable".Avengers #189 (vol. 1, Nov. 1979) Hawkeye returns to Avengers mansion several months later for a brief visit "induced" by the heroine Moondragon Avengers #211 (vol.1, Sep. 1981) before then rejoining for a sustained period. Avengers #222 (vol. 1, Jul. 1982) It is at this time that Hawkeye inadvertently avenges the death of his brother. The villain Egghead, having been exposed for framing Henry Pym, attempts to shoot Pym but Hawkeye jams the barrel of the weapon with an arrow. The weapon is an energy pistol and explodes, killing Egghead instantly. Avengers #229 (vol. 1, Mar. 1983)
Hawkeye then meets former SHIELD agent Barbara "Bobbi" Morse, codenamed Mockingbird. She is investigating the company Cross Technological Enterprises, who employ Hawkeye as a security consultant. The company is revealed to owned by the villain Crossfire, who plans to use an aggression-inducing sonic wave against all of New York's superheroes. Hawkeye quits Cross Technological Enterprises, and with Mockingbird defeats Crossfire. Hawkeye suffers marginal hearing loss during this encounter and is forced to wear a hearing aid. The pair fall in love and elope soon after. Hawkeye #1 - 4 (Sep. - Dec (1983)
At the direction of then-Avengers chair Vision, Hawkeye and Mockingbird establish the team the West Coast Avengers, although their differing approaches strains their marriage. An adventure through time is significant and brings changes as Hawkeye forges the weapons that the modern hero Moon Knight will eventually use, West Coast Avengers #21 (Jun. 1987) and Mockingbird allows the Old West hero the Phantom Rider to die. When Hawkeye discovers this, he breaks off their relationship. West Coast Avengers #23 (Aug. 1987) + 41 (Feb. 1989) Hawkeye then encounters and battles his old mentor, Trickshot Solo Avengers #5 (Apr. 1988) and meets and inadvertently encourages a group of minor heroes to form the Great Lakes Avengers.Avengers West Coast #46 (Jul. 1989) Together with Mockingbird and Trickshot, Hawkeye battles a number of minor villains Avengers Spotlight #22-25 (Sep. - Dec. 1989) and then redesigns his costume after being shot by a criminal and battles Los Angeles street gangs. Avengers Spotlight #30-35 (May - Oct. 1990)
Hawkeye and Mockingbird reconcile, but soon after the robot Ultron kidnaps Mockingbird and copies her brain patterns to create a "wife" — Alkhema (also known as "War Toy").Avengers West Coast #88 - 91 (Dec. 1992 - Feb. 1993) Although Mockingbird is rescued, she is killed soon afterwards by the demon Mephisto.Avengers West Coast #100 (Nov. 1993) Embittered by Mockingbird's death, Hawkeye leaves the team (disbanded almost immediately afterwards)Avengers West Coast #102 (Jan. 1994) and drifts until forced to stop the villain Viper and old mentor Trick Shot.Hawkeye #1 - 4 (Jan. - Apr. 1994) Hawkeye then returns to the Avengers Avengers #397 (vol. 1, Apr. 1996) just prior to the battle with the entity Onslaught, in which the Avengers (including Hawkeye) are apparently killed.Avengers #402 (vol. 1, Sep. 1996) Franklin Richards, however, transported them all to a pocket dimension where the heroes led altered lives. Heroes Reborn: Avengers #1 (Nov. 1996) After several months, the heroes learned the truth and they were returned to the mainstream universe. Hawkeye's hearing was fully restored as, when Franklin Richards re-created the heroes in the new universe, he based them on how he remembered them (Hence also restoring Tony Stark to adulthood following his replacement by "Teen Tony" from an alternate timeline. Heroes Reborn: The Return # 1 - 4 (Nov. 1997 - Feb 1998)
Thunderbolts, Death and House of M
Hawkeye then rejoins the Avengers, and after several adventures resigns to assume leadership of the first generation of the Thunderbolts, who have broken away from the influence of Baron Helmut Zemo. Avengers #12 (vol. 3, Jan. 1999) Hawkeye trains the team in the fashion of former team-mate Captain America, and shapes the team into a cohesive fighting unit. There are two significant events for Hawkeye during this period. The first involves entering Hell and battling the demon Mephisto to try and save the soul of his deceased wife, Mockingbird. Hawkeye, however, rescues Patsy Walker, but fails to see Mockingbird. Thunderbolts Annual 2000 This event gives Hawkeye some closure and he begins a romantic relationship with his Thunderbolt teammate, Moonstone.Thunderbolts #30 (Sep. 1997)
The team reforms after a series of battles with another version of the Masters of Evil, and Hawkeye eventually leaves the team, relinquishing leadership to a moderately reformed Baron Zemo. Thunderbolts #75 (Feb. 2003) Hawkeye joins the Avengers once more, and has a brief romantic relationship with team member the Wasp. Hawkeye eventually dies during the chaos caused by the breakdown of the Scarlet Witch, sacrificing himself to destroy a Kree spaceship and save his team mates. Avengers #489 - #503 (vol. 3, Oct. 2003 -Nov. 2004)
When the Scarlet Witch inadvertently alters reality, Hawkeye is resurrected with no memory of previous events. During this time, Hawkeye joins a Human Resistance operated by Luke Cage and was married to Mockingbird.House of M: Avengers #2 - 5 When a young mutant named Layla Miller gives several heroes - including Hawkeye - the ability to remember, he is horrified at the Scarlet Witch's actions. Hawkeye shoots Wanda in the back with an arrow, and in retaliation one of her recreated children wipes him from existence. The Scarlet Witch's reality is undone soon after, and although Hawkeye is still presumed dead, the newly-formed New Avengers find his bow and arrows on the site of the old Avengers Mansion, pinning up an article about his death.House of M #1 - 8 (Jun. 2005 - Jan. 2006) In a bizarre twist, Hawkeye is later plucked from time by the Time Variance Authority to serve as a juror in a case involving former Avengers team-mate She-Hulk. Hawkeye takes the opportunity to fight crime - not realizing everyone considers him dead. She-Hulk tries unsuccessfully to warn Hawkeye as to his future. She-Hulk #2 (vol. 3 2004)
New Avengers
Unknown to the New Avengers, Hawkeye was resurrected once reality was restored, and seeks out Dr. Strange, who offers Hawkeye shelter while he comes to terms with his new life. On the advice of Dr. Strange, Hawkeye eventually travels to Wundagore Mountain and finds the Scarlet Witch living a normal life with no memory of her past and apparently without mutant abilities. The two become intimate and Hawkeye then leaves Wanda to her normal life. New Avengers #26 (Jan. 2007)
Once Hawkeye discovers that Captain America has apparently been killed, he confronts Tony Stark, who offers him Captain America's shield and costume. As Iron Man, Stark accompanies Barton — now dressed as Captain America — on patrol. They meet the new Hawkeye, Kate Bishop, defeating the supervillain Firebrand. Barton confronts Bishop about her assumption of the Hawkeye mantle. Unaware of his true identity, Bishop berates Barton and states that she adopted Hawkeye's name to honor him, and that if Hawkeye were alive, she would adopt another name. She also affirms that the "real" Captain America gave her the name Hawkeye as a tribute to his dead friend. Bishop's words convince Barton to return the shield and costume to Stark, and condemn him for his role in the Civil War.Fallen Son: The Death of Captain America #3 (2007
Barton returns to speak with Dr. Strange, and to protect himself from recognition adopts the identity of Ronin and joins the New Avengers. As Ronin, he accompanies the team on a journey to Japan to rescue the heroine Echo.New Avengers #30 (May 2007) Echo - the original Ronin - later gives Barton her blessing to adopt her old identity. New Avengers #33 (Aug. 2007)After Echo is attacked by a Skrull impersonating Daredevil, Clint admits to being attracted to her, and they start a relationship.
Powers and abilities
While Hawkeye has no superhuman powers (with the exception of the period when using Pym particles to become Goliath), he is a peak-athlete and tactician. He is an expert archer, a highly trained acrobat and aerialist, and was trained by Captain America in martial arts and hand-to-hand combat. Hawkeye excels in the use of the bow and arrow and carries a quiver containing a number of customized, "trick-arrows" that use sonics, gas, explosives and flares among others. In his new role as Ronin, Barton shows great proficiency with the katana and other Japanese weapons.
Kate Bishop
Other versions
Marvel MAX
Together with the Falcon, Hawkeye aids Captain America, with a major difference being that none of them wear costumes and address each other by their real names. U.S. War Machine #8 (2001)
Marvel Zombies
Hawkeye is one of the first heroes to be infected and "zombified", although he survives as a head many years after the outbreak. Ultimate Fantastic Four #22 (2005) + Marvel Zombies 2 #1 (2007
Ultimate Hawkeye
In the Ultimate Marvel Universe, Ultimate Hawkeye is a member of the Ultimate version of the Avengers, the Ultimates, where he was introduced as the partner of the Ultimate version of the Black Widow. Ultimates #7 (2003) The Ultimate version of Hawkeye has a nearly superhuman-level of accuracy and speed and can turn any object into a precisely-aimed deadly projectile (similar to the Earth-616 villain Bullseye). In his latest appearance, Hawkeye is suffering from severe depression due to the loss of his wife and children during the nation-wide assault by the Liberators. He has also stopped using his trademark bow and arrows as weapons, instead using a pair of hand guns with scopes, which he still uses with deadly accuracy.
In other media
Film
Hawkeye is set to be one of the properties that Marvel Studios will produce as a film.
Television
- Hawkeye appeared regularly in the animated programs Avengers (voiced by Tony Daniels) and Iron Man (voiced by John Reilly).
Video games
- Hawkeye is a playable character in Spider-Man: The Video Game
- Hawkeye appears in the video game Captain America and the Avengers
- Hawkeye also appears in the video game Spider-Man and Venom: Separation Anxiety on the SNES/Sega Genesis.
- Hawkeye appears in the Xbox 360 and PlayStation Portable versions of the video game Marvel: Ultimate Alliance voiced by Nolan North.
