Monday 6 August 2012

Hawkeye #1

Hawkeye #1
Written by Matt Fraction
Art by David Aja

Action Ash
Well what can I say. I knew it was going to be good because, aside from Brubaker, it had the team responsible for 'Immortal Iron Fist' (which was amazing).

The first issue's story is about Clint getting out of hospital to find out that his landlord has tripled the rent and is evicting the tenants that can't pay. Clint finds out there are dodgy dealings involved and tries to sort the situation out.

Now, I realise that this doesn't exactly sound like riveting stuff, however it's all in the storytelling and the character interactions. That's where the magic lies, and it was superbly executed and flowed nicely. This new street level approach really works for the character and definitely makes him more relatable. In the editorial at the back it is explained that this series was partly inspired by 70's cop shows but with a "modern sheen" and I personally think that is a great direction to go in with a powerless Avenger with a bow. I would totally watch that show but I don't need to worry because it exists in comic form and I'm more than happy with that. A major theme of the book seems to be Clint's awareness that he is just a regular guy of average intelligence amongst godlike beings (the Avengers). The only thing setting him apart from mundane suckers, like you  and I, being his amazing marksmanship. This was handled well and not too in-your-face or whiny, which it could have easily been. In fact, I liked the way Clint seemed content with his lot in life, despite his normality.

The art is fantastic in it's simplicity, David Aja is truly a modern master. It differs in style slightly from his Iron Fist work but has that same nameless quality that makes his art standout. He can make the mundane look cool, which is handy because this series seems to be specialising in making the mundane look cool. Also, he's really good at shadows and silhouettes. That may not sound like a thing but it's definitely a thing.

Interestingly, except for the first page, Hawkeye doesn't use a bow and arrow for the whole issue. Still rocks! In the editorial at the back there was the name of a song and artist as recomended listening for the issue, which I thought was a nice touch and I'm looking forward to future recomended tracks.

Five Russians in trakcsuits getting hit in the neck by playing cards out of Five!

...and my own personal Super Geil!

P.S. For those who've read it: I want to learn that penny trick.

1 comments:

2badguys said...

I totally didn’t even notice that he never used the bow! Great read and all that for $2.99.

V