Writer: Matt Fraction
Artists: David Aja, Javier Pulido, Matt Hollingsworth, Annie Wu, Chris Eliopoulos, Alan Davis, Francesco Francavilla
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Released: March 19^th, 2013
Received: Marvel Unlimited
Issues: Hawkeye 1-5, Young Avengers Presents #6

This is my third time picking up and reading Hawkeye, Vol. 1: My Life as a Weapon. Why? Because it is without a doubt one of my favorite graphic novels out there. It isn’t just what Hawkeye goes through here, it’s how he does it – each tiny little detail about how he finds his way through life, and the world of superheroes and villains.

Hawkeye, aka Clint Barton, is an Avengers. He’s known as one of the few Avengers to not have any powers, and yet he is still a man you don’t want to mess with. Sure, he can take a beating from time to time…in fact, that does seem to be a talent of his. But he still gets up.

In Hawkeye, Vol. 1: My Life as a Weapon, Clint has been recruited by S.H.I.E.L.D. to hunt down a specific tape, on which there is some incriminating evidence (care to take a few guesses who it is about?). Accompanied by Kate Bishop, another amazing Hawkeye, this makes for a memorable read.

Most Marvel fans know that Clint Barton is a quirky, quippy, and capable hero. Those traits shine through brighter than ever in Hawkeye, Vol. 1: My Life as a Weapon, showcasing just how many hits he can take. While also showing how deep his humorous nature runs.

This is the volume that really made me realize and understand all of the differences between Hawkeye and most of the rest of the Avengers. It’s fun, fast-paced, and just a little bit crazy. All in the perfect proportions, naturally.

Plus, it has Kate Bishop in it. What more could you possibly ever ask for? I adore her inclusion here, and even appreciate the commentary that rises up thanks to the two Hawkeyes working side by side. It adds an important element to the mix.

Speaking of, one of the things I really love about Hawkeye, Vol. 1? The inclusion. This is the first volume (that I’ve read) that really portrayed Hawkeye’s deafness. How he interacted with the world – literally how he saw it. It was fascinating and it really hit close to the heart. So for that reason alone, I will always love this volume.

Much of the credit for those scenes should go to the artists, of which there are several for Hawkeye Vol. 1. David Aja, Javier Pulido, Matt Hollingsworth, Annie Wu, Chris Eliopoulos, Alan Davis, and Francesco Francavilla were all involved in one part of another of this complete volume, and their dedication to details, and to the character himself, really shows.

Long story short: Hawkeye, Vol. 1: My Life as a Weapon is the volume that made me fall in love with Hawkeye’s character. Both the Clint Barton version, and the Kate Bishop version.