Hawkeye #8 – Review

By: Matt Fraction (story), David Aja & Annie Wu (art), Matt Hollingsworth (colors)

The Story: Clint finds an unlucky Penny.

The Review: On a team populated with mutants, super-soldiers, technological geniuses, and literal gods, a mortal archer (albeit a masterful one with plenty of other skills besides) may be the only character you can truly relate to.  What’s really great about Hawkeye, which Fraction makes more and more apparent with every issue, is that he’s not just an entirely human hero; he’s a hero who’s entirely human as well.

Although every superhero writer would like to claim that they make their characters as true-to-life as possible, only a few succeed in making these costumed crime-fighters resemble actual people.  Fraction does it by writing the most natural dialogue possible.  And by this I don’t mean he renders strings of witty repartee as popularized by sitcoms, Aaron Sorkin, and all CW/WB shows in an attempt to mimic the rhythm of real-life conversation.  What Fraction does is just as noticeable, but done with greater thought to how real people speak.

WCBR’s Top Picks

Dean’s Top Picks

Best of the past week: Saga #10 – It was not close as none of the other comics last week put up much of a fight.  They’re all just kinda whimpering in the corner after being thrashed by Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples’ monster of a comic.  Not only do I love the family drama projected onto a space opera, but I love the quality of the writing.  A lot of comics these days are nothing more than high-quality fan fiction, but in just about every issue, BKV works in a line or two that makes think, “Wow.  I could never write something that clever.”  [Note: This issue it was the “Oh no…..it’s a timesuck!” line.]

Most anticipated this week: 1). The Unwritten #46 – We’ve been toying with this idea that stories are dying in the world of The Unwritten for a year or so now, but it never made complete sense what that actually meant.  Last issue of the series took a moment to really explain it and that makes me think that the concept is important and they want to ensure that everyone is on-board before they move forward.  It is a very interesting concept and I can’t avoid the thought that it is a bit of a meta-commentary on the current state of the comic industry where we get a lot of recycled tales and miniseries, but very little longer form storytelling.  As I always say, you DO need to start this series from the beginning…..but it’s worth the effort.  This is probably the most ambitious series from a storytelling standpoint that is currently being published.

2). FF #4 – I caught up on FF last month after everyone flipped for FF #3.  Even though I LOVE the art team of Michael/Laura Allred, I had avoided FF because it’s been a loooooong time since Matt Fraction wrote a story I enjoyed.  But….I loved this series.  If you’re like me and are kinda burned out on Big 2 superheroes, this might be a series to check out because (a) it’s so different (b) it probably won’t ever be pulled into a crossover with X-Force or the Avengers and (c) since the Allreds have proven their ability to do monthly books in the past, we probably won’t get too many guest artists.

3). Witch Doctor: Malpractice #4 – This is a series more people should be talking about.  For one thing, the art is stellar.  Seriously, this is Eisner-quality art.  The draftsmanship reminds me a lot of old-school horror magazines.  And the writing is punchy and funny.  It’s tough to make me laugh while reading a comic and this Witch Doctor is usually able to do just that.

4). Five Weapons #1 – This is a new series from Jimmie Robinson, the creator of Bomb Queen.  I’ve read all 20+ the Bomb Queen that were ever published and while I love the antics and off-color humor of the Queen, I think Robinson has already wrung all the story out of that concept.  So I’m curious to see something new from him.  Is he a one-trick pony?  Or can he tell us a different type of story?  This is supposedly about a school where assassins send their children to learn the deadly arts.

5). The Massive #9 – I don’t “love” this series yet, but it is beginning to find it’s footing.  The problem was that the first 5-6 issues told a bunch of one-shot type stories that seemed really disjointed, even if they did – kinda – establish a peri-crash world.  Now that Brian Wood has laid out his story of a world on the ecological ropes, he is starting to tell us actual stories that have coherence across several issues.  In this current arc, he’s telling the story of how our protagonists come into conflict with a newly sovereign “country” that consists of a bunch of oil-rigs lashed together on the high seas.  I’m still not sure where the story is going long-term, but it is interesting to see what happens and Brian Wood typically has a plan.

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Alex’s Top Picks

Pick of the Week:  Saga #10 – Oh, Brian K. Vaughan, you evil man.  This was a great issue with great characters, dialogue that continually made me laugh, and a real shocking and gut-wrenching final page that will haunt you.  It’s basically everything you could ask of a comic.  Some of Staples’ art and designs here, particularly with the planet-sized monster, was really just stunning in scale and beauty.  Meanwhile, the cast continues to gel.  Also, Izabel is back and she’s just as lovable and funny as ever.

Saga is really one of the rare cases where I have to remind myself that this was actually $2.99, not $3.99.  With a comic that feels so slick and top-shelf in its production value, colors, art, and sheer quality plus an extended and genuinely amusing letters section, Saga really does feel like a steal for $2.99.

Most Anticipated: Batman Incorporated #8 – I’ll be honest, while it’s been head and shoulders above his run on Action Comics, this latest volume of Grant Morrison’s Batman Inc. has been hit or miss for me.  That said, DC released this news, and the cover, this week that Damian would most likely be meeting his end in this issue.  What can I say?  Curiosity has gotten the better of me.

Hawkeye #8 – For starters, LOOK at that cover.  Hawkeye is my favourite Big Two title and as such, it’ll always merit a spot on this list.  That said, this issue gets particularly special mention given that it heralds the return of David Aja on art duties.  I loved Javier Pulido’s work on the book, but more Aja is always going to be something to celebrate.

FF #4 – This book has been steadily improving since it’s first issue, which didn’t blow me away.  As of last issue, however, everything felt like it finally “clicked.”  Now, the sky is the limit for this book and I look forward to seeing Matt Fraction and Mike Allred capitalize on that potential.  I really can’t say enough how much I loved FF #3 so I anxiously await this latest installment.  Also, that cover is hilarious: it’s a Valentine’s Day issue and you have the moloids staring at She-Hulk lecherously.  That’s so great.

Guardians of the Galaxy #0.1 – I’ll be honest, I never read the DnA stuff and know little to nothing about the cosmic corner of the Marvel Universe.  What I do know, however, is that Brian Bendis has been completely revitalized by this relaunch, springing to life thanks to finally leaving his rut of Avengers titles.  Even more than the X-Men titles, Guardians gives Bendis a drastically different playground and given how well Bendis has been doing these days when given new toys to play with, I think he’ll acquit himself well.  Also, Steve McNiven.

Uncanny X-Men #2 – Even more Bendis!  I really do feel that Uncanny delivered in its first issue.  It wasn’t quite at All-New‘s level, but if there’s one thing that All-New showed us, it’s that Uncanny will probably get better and better with each issue.  I enjoy it’s distinctive, darker voice and after that last page reveal of the traitor in Cyclops’ midst, I’m all in for Bendis’ mutant revolution.

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Hugo’s Top Picks

Pick of the week: Thor: God of Thunder #5 – Sorry Saga, as awesome as you were this week, my favourite thing was Jason Aaron mythic and creatively awesome tale of our favourite Viking god. He has been killing it with his story and Esad Ribic has been wonderful on the art side as well and this week was no different.

Most anticipated this week: 1) FF #4 – This book is full of Kirby goodness, especially in Michael Allred’s beautiful art. The story of these replacement Fantastic Four is actually very compelling though, especially considering what their mission statement is now.

2) Guardians of the Galaxy #0.1 – Brian Michael Bendis has been on a roll these last few months with his X-Men and his Daredevil limited series, but this title will determine for me if I can still have faith in him. This sounds rough, yet he is handling one of my favourite team right here, as I had absolutely loved DnA’s lattest volume. I believe this is an origin story about Star-Lord here and it is by no mean a proper number one, but I do hope it will stick to the spirit of the latest run featuring Star Lord.

3) Journey Into Mystery #649 – The latest issues of this title have been terrific, as Kathryn Immonen has turned Sif into an unbelievably badass character and is doing some very nice work with the Asgardian mythology. As an added bonus, there is a team-up with Spider-Ock here.

4) Batman Incorporated #8 – Although I could not avoid the spoilers that are currently circulating on the comic sites, I am still very eager to see where Morrison is going with his Batman story. I have been a fan of this run for quite some time and seeing him place the elements for his grand finale, it makes me wonder just how he could close it all.

5) Uncanny Avengers #4 – The finale of the first arc being here, I am curious to see how Remender will close this. This has not been the strongest of title so far, but I have faith that with a new regular artist and some strong characterization, Remender could turn this title around.