Hawkeye #3
Originally Presented at Comixtreme.com
Quick Rating: Good
Title: Rat-a-tat-tat (The High, Hard Shaft Part Three)
Hawkeye continues to unravel the mystery around the stripper named Peppermint.
Writer: Fabian Nicieza
Art: Stefano Raffaele
Colors: Ben Dimagmaliw
Letters: Dave Sharpe
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Cover Art: Leonardo Manco
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Review: Nicieza has been writing about Hawkeye for quite some time now, thanks to his stint on the late, lamented Thunderbolts, and three issues into the regular series he continues to prove that he’s got a good handle on the character. Clint Barton (sans costume in this story arc) has been on a hunt - both for clues and crooks - to find out why a group of tattooed tough guys have been causing trouble for a woman named Peppermint. Although known mostly for being the cocky member of the Avengers, Nicieza uses this arc to remind us that Hawkeye has a head on his shoulders too. He may not be the world’s greatest detective, but he’s been in this game long enough to know where to look, what questions to ask, and how to find out what he wants to know.
The mystery itself really isn’t that interesting - we’ve seen plenty of “women in trouble” and “disgruntled Vietnam vets” stories before now and this story isn’t taking any particularly original angle on that as of yet (I’m pretty sure I’ve even seen the bit about the tattoos somewhere before). But chances are that you’re reading this book out of love for the character, and Nicieza treats him right. He is at turns tough, smart, charming and even frequently cocky, but never unlikable. He’s out to do the right thing and help people, but he’s not above having a little fun along the way.
Raffaele’s artwork is another story. It doesn’t seem to suit the book or the character. He’s got a grittier style similar to Michael Lark’s work on Gotham Central, which is a perfect marriage for that title - it can be dark and grim and the art needs to reflect that. Hawkeye, on the other hand, isn’t a dark or grim character. He’s not a goody two shoes or a boy scout, but he’s not some brooding loner either. He’s a guy that you could shoot some pool with, get into a fight, get your clock cleaned and still want to buy him a beer. A “fight scene” in an elevator this issue illustrates that perfectly - we get to see Clint reveling in his abilities and an opportunity to show them off. This book would work better with a more traditional art style.
It’s hard to call this a superhero comic, at least at this point. It’s more like an action movie, especially with the total absence, thus far, of Hawkeye’s working clothes. If they didn’t put a big portrait of him in uniform on every cover, you could give this to any non-comic reader who happens to like Chuck Norris movies and get him hooked before he knew he was reading about a guy who puts on tights sometimes. Most likely, this book isn’t selling to much more than core fans of the character, but it’s a solid action series, and so far, it’s a lot of fun.
Rating: 3.5/5