Posted in: Comics | Tagged: avengers, Comics, hawkeye

Hawkeye, For Better Or For Worse

Published Sun, 13 May 2012 11:00:30 -0500

Jesse James of Jesse James Comics of Glendale, Arizona, writes for Bleeding Cool;

When I was twelve and a half years old I was blessed to have met Jack Kirby. Even at that age I realized who was sitting in front of me. Little did I know that my one minute talk with The King would change my whole comic book life.

Mr Kirby asked me who my favorite hero was and I said "The Avengers". He responded with "that's a group… who's your favorite individual hero?" in a panic I could only remember the cover of Avengers #172 so I responded with "Hawkeye". As I said this, I could feel my other half of my brain saying "NOOOOOOO!" It was too late I had told the King that Hawkeye was my man and that's who I was going to stick by.

Well, the next 27 years of my comic book life was a spectacle of one bad Hawkeye series to the next. Though he had some highs during that time they were so short lived I couldn't tell you what they were. Though I would say, I loved him in Old Man Logan, I had many times were I had thrown up my hands and said "Captain America is my man now." However, the flash of that moment in time when I looked Mr. Kirby in the eyes and told him Hawkeye was my favorite I realized I couldn't go against my word. So, I have just sucked it up all these years and kind of slid away when people started to talk about their favorite hero's.

However, I opened up my store and had a revitalization of my Hero. Creators started to draw me pictures of Hawkeye and as new pictures were put up on my wall I started to appreciate what Hawkeye actually means to the comic world. Now, I look at the wall and I'm glad I stuck to my guns. So many different genres and artistic ideals have been put on my wall. Other then the one person that thought I meant Hawkeye Pierce from MASH. I love every sketch on my wall and the creators who took time to be part of my passion for Hawkeye.

Now it 2012 and guess who is in a Blockbuster movie and kicking some butt? You guessed it, Hawkeye! The Avengers movie has put Hawkeye on the big screen and has given him some face time. Though he is Good, then Bad, and then Good again he shows what he can do. There is a strut that they allow the actor to add to the movie as well. During the movie I found myself saying "Go Hawkeye" as everybody in the audience cheered for everybody else. There was a form of pride as my friends would say to me after the movie your guy was "Pretty Cool". Of course, "Bad Ass" were the words I was thinking.

Now, of course I didn't enjoy the beat down he took from Black Widow. The rest of the time I felt he remained important to the story line. Though his arrow count didn't match what he actually had in his Quiver, yes I'm a Hawkeye Nerd I counted arrow shots, it was good enough to entertain the crowd and make him a recognizable hero in the comic book world for new comic book fans. Now I'm not going to lie to you, I didn't like the movie as a whole and really threw off the Marvel folks outside taking the survey. However that's another story.

So tonight, I went through my warehouse and found my Tales Of Suspense #57 and read it cover by cover. I have had it for about 25 years and try to read it once a year. I bought it because I felt I should have it. I wanted to learn about "MY Hero". It's one of my most cherished books not because of value but because it's my culture and my history that I have held strong too through all my comic book years. I hope fans that have this book have it not just because it his first appearance but because it's a great read and gives you an insight that very few people know about. Heck, the lady that kicks his ass in The Avengers movie, Black Widow, is in it as well. Who knew his first real team up would lead to 48 years in the making for a team up in a Blockbuster movie?

So I guess what I'm saying is, stick to YOUR hero strong and true. It doesn't matter that they might have a bad book or two. At least they have a book. When you hear the snickers about your hero stand tall and fight for him/her. Everyday in the comic book world a new fan makes a choose of who's their favorite hero. Us Hawkeye fans just hope your journey isn't as long as ours.

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