That is, Kate Bishop, who also claims the moniker as a Young Avenger, granted the title by Captain America himself. The second reason to like this book is Hawkeye. Despite his hefty Avengers salary, he lives in a rundown apartment building and frequently hangs out with his neighbours, half-heartedly proclaiming that he is not an Avenger (which is difficult to deny when the helicarrier shows up to give him a lift). At one point, he implies that, outside of Captain America’s influence, he might not be as nice as he seems, but his actions throughout speak otherwise, especially in the first issue, which focuses on his recovery, a new pet and his neighbours. Turns out Barton is a very nice, funny, self-deprecating guy. This is the perfect introduction to a character I know little about beyond his stoic and limited movie appearance and his fabulous modelling career on the internet. As a result, he ends up severely wounded and the story takes up shortly after, when he is released from the hospital. The opening scene immediately sets the tone with Clint falling from a building, sardonically noting that, unlike almost every one of his teammates, he has no unusual powers or devices that will make such a fall easier to handle. This is about what Clint Barton gets up to when he’s not on the Avengers clock.

The best part about this Eisner nominated superhero story is that its not a superhero story.

Graphic Novel Review: Hawkeye Vol.1 My Life as a Weapon by Matt Fraction

Hawkeye, Volume 3 by Matt Fraction