The Hawk Eye series was created in 2012-2015 and is almost universally considered one of the best Marvel titles in recent years. What I also subscribe to. Before, I had known Clint Barton almost exclusively from MCU films, and even if he appeared in the picture stories I read, it was in a distant background. And here the genius of Matt Fraction appeared, who in his series took this second-tier hero and made him… more human. After all, an archer does not have any superpowers, and yet he works as a superhero. And he’s not as filthy rich as Batman. Aja explored this theme by focusing on Barton’s struggle with everyday life. Such a de-escalation gave a breath of fresh air to the whole species. After all, destroyers of worlds not always have to be a threat, when the Russian mafia can also be dangerous. All of this is adorned with a phenomenal minimalist line by David Aji. No wonder that the success of the title made other creators want to get something out of it. One of them is Kelly Thompson, who took to heart the maxim: “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.”
L.A. Woman
Kate Bishop in Fraction and Aji was an important side character. She even had her own volume there – LA Woman,in which she ended up in the City of Angels. However, it was only Thompson who gave the superhero the whole series. The archer returns to Los Angeles – this time permanently. The West Coast is a chance for her to stand out and earn her name. It is a completely different place from New York, practically devoid of villains (which in itself is quite a funny idea of the world of the depiction – maybe the baddies should think about migration). This does not mean that Kate is bored. She has to face a mysterious cult, fight a dragon or finally discover the secrets of her father. If that was not enough, guest appearances are given by other Marvel heroines: Jessica Jones and Wolverinki: Laura and Gabby Kinney (accompanied by a real wolverine!). At one point, Clint Barton himself also shows up, which means even more trouble for Kate.
Be like Hawkeye
I have mentioned the names of Fraction and Aja here several times. Not without a reason. Kelly Thompson is very passionate about the original Hawkeye. The atmosphere, the scale of events, and the way the characters are led are similar here. Again, layers of humor are woven into the detective story, in which the biscuits are thrown consciously by Kate. It is sometimes difficult to perceive, both for the characters inside the world and the reader, but it adds a human face to the protagonist. Villains were also subjected to “recycling”, because Madame Masque plays an important role in the plot. Even the graphic style tries to imitate Alexander Aja, about which in a moment. However, I can’t blame this script writer’s imitation, because Hawkeye. Kate Bishopit’s a comic book that is incredibly fun to read. Could this be considered a reheated cutlet? To a large extent, yes, although in this case it is served by a restaurant with the Michelin distinction. Greater originality would certainly not hurt, but you can see that Thompson really enjoyed writing the adventures of the archer, and Kate herself does great in the solo series. As a result, a title was created that can be boldly placed next to other good positions with young heroines, such as Miss Marvel or Batgirl of Burnside (I would not despise the Polish edition).
On point
The Egmont edition combines three original volumes. Despite such a large number of notebooks, two cartoonists: Leonardo Romero and Michael Walsh are responsible for the graphic layer. Their work is inspired by Aja’s work, but it’s not on the same level. Hawkeye Aji was distinguished by an amazing composition of frames. Here, too, some timid experiments are noticeable, such as marking points on which Kate’s eyes are focused, but otherwise the whole thing has been kept in standard check. The colors used are flat, devoid of chiaroscuro, just like in… surprise – Hawkeye Fractiona and Aji.
She-Lady-Hawkeye-Woman-Girl
Almost every major superhero has its female counterpart. And so Hulk has She-Hulk, Spider-an has been hitting the city next to Spider-Woman and Spider-Girl, and Deadpool is sometimes accompanied by Lady Deadpool. Kate Bishop as Hawkeye doesn’t need any gender definition in her nickname, and her talent rivals that of the original archer, Clint Barton. The same is true of the Kelly Thompson comic. Although it shines with light reflected from the masterpiece of Fraction and Aja, it is still a good enough title that it is worth reaching for it. Hawkeye. Kate Bishop will not go down in the history of the comic, like the original, but not all comics have to have such ambitions.
