Hawkeye, Volume 4: Rio Bravo (Marvel NOW!)

    Clint Barton's war with the Track Suit Bros comes to a head with the addition of Clint's brother Barney (AKA Trickshot) and a clown-faced assassin cum real estate lawyer. But the biggest shocker in a story line about things coming to an end is the epic run of writer Matt Fraction and artist David Aja. 

   Together Fraction and Aja reenergized the character of Hawkeye into a grittier more human character instead of a purple costumed buffoon. I hate to see them go. I am quite afraid that without Fraction this series is going to lose its heart. And without Aja, all of the unique art techniques and creative framing will be no more. 

   My wait will not be long. Along with this volume, I was able to get my hands on volume 5. I'm eagerly anticipating Jeff Lemire's run on Hawkeye as I really have enjoyed what he did with Justice League United. But replacing Fraction is with anyone, no matter how talented, is like substituting Jim Morrison for John Lennon. He's great but the Lizard King just wouldn't work as the lead man for the Fab Four. 

  Matt Fraction = unreplaceable!

  Worth Consuming

  Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Hawkeye, Volume 3: L.A. Woman (Marvel NOW!)

The cover by David Aja. A great example of his masterful touch.

   

The friction between former mentor Clint Barton Hawkeye and student/ now independent woman Kate Bishop Hawkeye carries over from the last volume sparking Bishop to head off on her own in sunny California. But when Kate refuses to play 'daddy's little girl' she winds up on broke, on the streets and in the lair of Madame Masque.

    Thus begins a unique take on the female bow slinger. Her adventures in this volume reprint issues 14, 16, 18, and 20. I'm assuming the odd issues deal with Clint Barton, but I'm not sure. If it does, then the come focuses on not one buy two Hawkeyes.

    The art throughout this series is also very fresh. The first chapter, which reprints Annual #1, features art by Javier Pulido. Here, Pulido channels the Hernandez Bros., especially their work with the Luba storyline. There's also a hint of Darwyn Cooke mixed in. One cool aspect is that Bishop's inner monologue is depicted by an almost stick-figure representation of herself, often poses in humorous positions.

     The remaining chapters has regular series artist Annie Wu back with covers by David Aja. Aja's covers are stunning and belong in a museum for modern art. They're that good. Wu continues to channel the chaotic life that comes with being a Hawkeye with creative paneling, Geometrically designed flow charts, and kick-ass fight scenes.

    Despite how wonderful the artists in this series are, they're success is due in large part to scribe Matt Fraction. Fraction has this clever look at how stories are framed. He can write a story from beginning to end and back again all occurring at the same time. It might start out a little confusing but when you get to the last page, you'll have seen the beautiful mosaic all the while slapping yourself in the head wondering "why can't I do that?"

     There is one bit to the story line that's not 100% unique and that's Bishop's chosen profession while she stays in LA. For some reason, just about any superhero in the Marvel Universe that moves out west must become a private investigator. Is this some unwritten rule from the House of Ideas? Spider-woman became a PI, so did She-Hulk. Why even Matt Murdock flirted with the idea for a while when he first went west. The only difference is that Fraction doesn't let Kate be very good at the 'for hire' gig. It makes for some great moments, especially with Detective Claudle, who sees the life of misery in store for him if he encourages Kate to become a private dick.

     Once again, Marvel and it's updated universe keeps blowing DC and it's New 52! out of the proverbial water. They know how to take a classic story and make it fresh and wonderful. Sure, Marvel NOW! isn't perfect but its pretty darn close and this is proof positive.

    Plus, who says women can't make great superheroes? Not Marvel and definitely not this Madman.

     Worth Consuming

    Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.