The continuing Marvel adventures of Hawkeye is one
of the best series currently on the market. While the storylines are excellent
and the characters are memorable, it’s the art that is the star of the book.
Artist David Aja’s style is fantastic. It’s so Steranko-like, it’s not funny!
There’s such a stylistic flare that is pop, modern, and high art all at once.
Plus, the color palette used in the series is so beautiful that I didn’t notice
the intentional usage of a limited number of colors; nor did I realize how the
colors and shading on these stories were a tool of symbolism until I read the
about the coloring process in the 'director's cut' note in the back of the book.
This book is a primer for Scott McCloud’s Understanding Comics.
When we last saw Hawkeye (in volume 1) life was
looking up. He and his youthful namesake Kate Bishop (Hawkeye II) had beaten a
Russian gang and bought a brownstone in order to keep the residents from being
evicted. He even obtained a new pet, named Lucky. Things were looking up. Now
in volume 2, that’s just about all gone to pot.
Now a landlord, Hawkeye must keep up with repairs.
But how can he do that when he can’t hook up a DVR and keeps shooting his
neighbor’s satellite dishes up with arrows? The Tracksuit Bros have returned
and threaten to kill all of his tenants if the Avenger refuses to leave the
city. Clint Barton refuses and now a Polish assassin that likes to dress like a
mime has been given a contract to snuff him out. Oh, and there’s a love
triangle with a showgirl, his actual girlfriend Spider-woman and his work wife,
Black Widow! Oh, did I forget to mention that his ex is back in town seeking
closure of their divorce? It’s more like a love pentagon.
If ‘My Life As A Weapon’ was the rise of the bow and
arrowed Avenger, then ‘Little Hits’ is his ascent into hell. It’s a complete
180 degree turn and it mirrors volume 1 so very well. I love it.
Lastly, in true Marvel fashion, another real life
disaster is addressed in the comics as both Hawkeyes are pitted against the
rages of mother nature when Hurricane Sandy hits the Eastern seaboard. It’s yet
another Marvel triumph and proof that Marvel NOW! is the better reboot of the
big two publishers. (Sorry, DC- but it’s so true!)
Worth Consuming.
Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.
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