Quote: Scarlet Witch and Hawkeye (Avengers: Age of Ultron)

Scarlet Witch: How could I let this happen?

Hawkeye: Hey, hey, you okay?

Scarlet Witch: This is all our fault.

Hawkeye: Hey, look at me. It's your fault, it's everyone's fault, who cares. Are you up for this? Are you?

Look, I just need to know, cause the city is flying. Okay, look, the city is flying, we're fighting an army of robots, and I have a bow and arrow. None of this makes sense. But I'm going back out there because it's my job. Okay? And I can't do my job and babysit.

It doesn't matter what you did, or what you were. If you go out there, you fight, and you fight to kill. Stay in here, you're good, I'll send your brother to come find you, but if you step out that door, you are an Avenger. Alright, good chat. Yeah, the city is flying.

~ Scarlet Witch/Wanda Maximoff and Hawkeye/Clint Barton, Avengers: Age of Ultron

(Avengers: Age of Ultron)

Art of the Day: Hawkeye (Clint Barton)

Artwork: Hawkeye - The Avengers concept art by Andy Park

Book Review: Marvel's The Avengers Prelude: Fury's Big Week

Book: Marvel's The Avengers Prelude: Fury's Big Week (digital issues 1-8) plot by Christopher Yost and Eric Pearson, written by Eric Pearson

Illustrations by Luke Ross (#1 and #3), Daniel HDR (#2 and #4), Agustin Padilla (#5 and #7) and Wellinton Alves (#6 and #8)

Ink by Luke Ross (#1 and #3), Mark Pennington (#2 and #4), Don Ho (#5 and #7) and Rick Ketcham with Don Ho (#6 and #8)

Color by Chris Sotomayor and letters by Chris Eliopolous with Joe Caramagna


Edition: Trade Paperback

Description:

The Newest Installment Of The Official Marvel Cinematic Universe Tie-In Comics Is Here Just In Time For Marvel's The Avengers Movie!

How will S.H.I.E.L.D. maintain the status quo in a world full of gamma-powered rage monsters, hammer-wielding gods and men in iron suits? What exactly is the Avengers Initiative? If you thought you knew everything there was to know about Director Nick Fury and the elusive agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. -- think again!



Rating: 4 stars

Review:

Fury's Big Week did a terrific job of tying in Marvel's Phase One movies: Iron Man 2, The Incredible Hulk, Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger while setting everything up for The Avengers movie.

Director Nick Fury had a very busy week trying to keep everything from going sideways. There were several rather immediate problems that were at the forefront for S.H.I.E.L.D.. First was keeping tabs on Tony Stark who was quickly self-destructing. But with Black Widow (Natasha Romanoff) undercover at Stark Industries, she provided plenty of information to Fury about Stark's increasing erratic behavior. A S.H.I.E.L.D. scientist determined Tony was being poisoned by the palladium seeping through his arc reactor.

Next was Agent Phil Coulson stumbling upon an atmospheric discovery out in New Mexico. He was tasked with taking a team out there to investigate the situation and to keep an eye on Dr. Jane Foster who was already there studying the phenomenon. Fury also sent Hawkeye (Clint Barton) out there for further assistance. The last problem had Black Widow being tasked with monitoring General Ross' continued pursuit of Bruce Banner.

Every incident showed that S.H.I.E.L.D. was going to need help down the line because dealing with monsters, gods and high powered tech suits was going to require a bit more power. And after putting out all of those fires, Fury was attempting to find Captain America who was believed to have crashed somewhere in the arctic. All of that aside he still had to deal with the bureaucracy of the World Security Council who want him to divert attention towards activating the Tesseract.

I like this because it felt like I was reading all the scenes that could have been included in the movies. The other heroes (Iron Man, Hulk and Thor) are shown but Fury, Coulson, Black Widow and Hawkeye get the focus in this as they try to deal with all of the problems that keep popping up.

I may have waited a while to read this but I'm glad I finally did. It's a solid story with a good amount of action scenes, it's very behind the scenes of how S.H.I.E.L.D. operates.

Book Review: Hawkeye vol #4 (Marvel Now)

Book: Hawkeye volume #4: Rio Bravo (issues #12-13, 15, 17, 19 and 21-22) by Matt Fraction

Illustration by David Aja (#13, 15, 19, 21-22), Francesco Francavilla (#12) and Chris Eliopoulos with David Aja (#17)

Color by Francesco Francavilla (#12), Matt Hollingsworth (#13, 15, 19, 21-22) and Jordie Bellaire (#17) and Letters by Chris Eliopoulos

Cover Art by David Aja

Edition: Trade Paperback


Rating: 5 stars

Review:

This final chapter of Matt Fraction and David Aja's Hawkeye series with Clint Barton and Kate Bishop feels like punch to the stomach. It started out lighthearted with Clint and his neighbor's kids watching a holiday cartoon but then turned into something much more serious.

Clint's older brother Barney stopped by to visit just as the tracksuit guys and their hired hitman Kazi were preparing to ramp up their attacks. They really wanted the apartment building that Clint acquired from the tracksuit guys in vol #1. It's a good thing his brother showed up because he was going to need the back-up especially since Kate and lucky the dog were gone (see vol #3). Black Widow (Natasha Romanoff), Mockingbird (Clint's ex-wife Bobbi Morse) and Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew) make a few appearances but it was going to be up to Clint, Barney and a few of the tenants of his apartment building to stop the onslaught.

Clint and Barney had no problem stopping the little attacks but they were caught off guard by a brutal assault by Kazi who left them both severely injured. Clint was down, nearly to point of giving up but that really wasn't an option not with the tracksuit guys and Kazi gearing up for their final attack. Kate and Lucky the dog returned with their help truly going to be needed, if it wasn't too late.

There are some comic books where you can pick up any volume in a series and start reading but the Hawkeye series is not one of them. I recommend reading this in order because each volume provides information and clues that completes the story. In this fourth volume, the excitement and stress builds as Clint tries to fend off nearly non-stop attacks. The good writing and wonderful illustrations for this series continues as readers get to know more about Clint's childhood through a heartbreaking backstory that also mirrors his current situation. As with each volume, the humor and the drama are perfectly balanced as the story unfolds.

Without a doubt both Hawkeyes are total trouble magnets. However, it's how they deal with the trouble that makes them the heroes that they are. Despite all the destruction and devastation there is still inspiration and hope in the way they help others. This was an amazing ending to a fan favorite series.

Currently Reading: Cyborg vol #2 (DC You) and Hawkeye vol #4 (Marvel Now)

I was going through my books and found two I know I should have finished a while ago. I don't know how I forgot about them especially since Cyborg vol #1 was a great read and the Hawkeye series has been nothing but fun.

Book: Cyborg volume #2: Enemy of the State (issues #7-12) by David F. Walker (#7-9) and Marv Wolfman (#10-12)

Illustration by Claude St. Aubin (#7), Felipe Watanabe (#8-12), Daniel HDR (#8, 10-12), Julio Ferreira (#8-12) and Ivan Reis (layout #10),

Ink by Andy Owens (#7), Oclair Albert (#8-12), Julio Ferreira (#8-12) and Daniel HDR (#11-12)

Color by Adriano Lucas (#7-12) and Letters by Rob Leigh (#7-9, 11-12) and Corey Breen (#10)

Edition: Single Print Issues

Description:

CYBORG—PROPERTY OF THE STATE!

With his cybernetic tech continuing to evolve, Victor Stone may not know exactly what he is anymore, but he knows that he’s a hero. But ever since Vic helped to repel the alien invasion force called the Technosapiens, the U.S. government has been keeping a close eye on cybernetic enhancements. And that means they’re keeping a close eye on Cyborg.

Now, a new piece of legislation called the Cybernetic Regulation Act has made Vic himself the property of the United States! And if the government gets their hands on him, they can use his technology to reverse-engineer the ultimate weapon…at the cost of Victor’s life.

But Victor has a plan to find out what’s behind this sudden interest in cyber-enhanced individuals. It involves Shazam and Vic’s friends in the Justice League and putting himself right in his enemy’s clutches!

Book: Hawkeye volume #4: Rio Bravo (issues #12-13, 15, 17, 19 and 21-22) by Matt Fraction

Illustration by David Aja (#13, 15, 19, 21-22), Francesco Francavilla (#12) and Chris Eliopoulos with David Aja (#17)

Color by Francesco Francavilla (#12), Matt Hollingsworth (#13, 15, 19, 21-22) and Jordie Bellaire (#17) and Letters by Chris Eliopoulos

Cover Art by David Aja

Edition: Trade Paperback

Description:

The Final Chapter of Matt Fraction and David Aja's Eisner-Winning Reinvention of the Arrowed Avenger!

Reeling from recent events, even Hawkeye wants to know his new status quo. Who's with him? Who's against him? Who's trying to kill him, and why? And just when Clint's rock bottom couldn't arrive fast enough, his brother shows up. After a lifetime of bad decisions, Clint and Barney Barton realize they'll have to save one another -- if they don't kill each other first. But when Clown and the Tracksuit Draculas lay siege to their building, round one doesn't go well. Deafened and bloodied, will the Bartons make easy pickings for the Tracksuits? Ever seen Rio Bravo? The brothers Barton double down in a new kind of shoot 'em up! Don't miss it, bro.

Comic Book News #12: Boom! Studios New Miniseries and Hawkeye's New Series

Here are two more comics (and an animated series) to keep to an eye on:


- Boom! Studios will be publishing a new six-issue miniseries of Tom Taylor's The Deep. It's scheduled to be released in 2017. According to reports, the comic which was originally published as graphic novels with illustrations by James Brouwer.

The Deep follows the Nekton family, who have explored the depths of the oceans for generations, discovering the unknown in the Aronnax, a state-of-the-art submarine capable of diving to incredible depths. When an earthquake off the coast of Greenland leads to strange reports of monster sightings, William and Kaiko Nekton, along with their kids Fontaine and Ant (and of course, Ant’s pet fish Jeffrey), dive into the mystery.

The Deep has also been turned into animated series that is currently available on Netflix.

- In November Marvel Comics will be publishing a very interesting comic featuring Hawkeye (Clint Barton) as he travels around bringing justice to all parts of the country. Following the events of Civil War II, Clint has undergone so much that the road trip will give him a way to sort out his life and dole out a bit of justice in the process.

The series will be titled Occupy Avengers and will be written by David Walker with illustrations by Carlos Pacheco.

Art of the Day: Hawkeye and Black Widow

Artwork: Hawkeye and Black Widow by LadyMintLeaf

Art of the Day: Hawkeye (Clint Barton)

Artwork: Hawkeye by SBraithwaite

365 Days of Books of Interest: Day #168: Hawkeye vol #6

Although, I've only read the first two volumes of the Hawkeye series, I can't help wanting to get this 6th volume. Looking at the cover and reading the description, it looks like an older version of Clint and Kate will be in this story. Which I think is cool because it's rare in comics when a character is shown older.

Book: Hawkeye volume #6: Hawkeyes (issues #1-6) by Jeff Lemire with illustrations by Ramon Perez

Publication: July 5, 2016

Description:

Hawkeye and Hawkeye take aim at another season - but this time there's a twist! Arrows fly across two eras as a deep-seated rift stretches across time, bringing old man Clint and a wiser Kate back together to chase down mistakes from their past. But as the reluctantly reunited Team Hawkeye struggle to rebuild their trust, things get messy when their mission brings them face-to-face with the Mandarin! As tomorrow's Kate reunites with two former Young Avengers teammates, today's Clint finds himself estranged from his partner and paying a visit to his big brother Barney. What makes a hero and what breaks a hero? Hawkeye and Hawkeye experience both in a turbulent trip down memory lane that takes them back to the future!

Batman v Superman Day: Freebies, a Funko and a Magazine

Anyone else go to the Batman v Superman Day at Barnes & Noble yesterday? I manage to stop by my local B&N bookstore even if none of my friends wanted to go (they're not into comics). I decided to enter the trivia contest. There were five stations set up for Batman, Superman, Clark Kent, Bruce Wayne and Wonder Woman and all you had to do was answer three questions about the five subjects. I did pretty well, I only missed two questions. So, yes, even this geek doesn't have all the answers but I still had fun.

After taking the quiz, I signed up for a prize then I wandered around picking up a few freebies: a New 52 Justice League poster, a Superman/Batman comic, a Harley Quinn mask and a Batgirl mask.

Since the Batman v Superman section was starting to get crowded, I decided to walk over to the Funko area to look around. It must have been my lucky day because I spotted a Funko I've been trying to find for quite a while, Hawkeye from the Avengers: Age of Ultron movie. Isn't itty-bitty Hawkeye adorable?

Before I left the store, I decided to walk around and see if there was anything else I might find. My last stop was the magazine aisle and guess what I found the April issue of Glamour magazine with Gal Gadot on the cover. I was also surprised to find that there is an interview with Lynda Carter in the magazine (near the back of issue).

Well, not a bad early evening roaming the store. I wonder if Barnes & Noble will have something for Captain America: Civil War.

Books of Interest: Hawkeye vol #5 and Year of Yes

Two books that I'm really interested in reading are: Hawkeye vol #5 and Year of Yes.

Although, I have the first four volumes of Hawkeye which were written by Matt Fraction, I've only read the first two. I loved reading every page so far and even with two books left to read, I still can't help wanting to pick up volume #5 which has a new creative team. I'm interested to see what changes if any the new writer brought to the series.

The next book Year of Yes is one of those books that I seem to be drawn to. It's a book that has the author take on a year long project. I've read similar books like this before with only a few ending up being a disappointing read, when the author lost focus of the project.

Book: Hawkeye volume #5: All-New Hawkeye (issues #1-5) by Jeff Lemire with illustrations by Ramon Perez

Description:

Hawkeye returns in an all-new book featuring superstar writer Jeff Lemire in his Marvel debut and Eisner Award-winning artist Ramon Perez, as they bring you a fresh new look into the life of everyone's favorite Avenger. With Kate Bishop, his trusted ward and protégé (not titles she would use) back at his side, Team Hawkeye is thrown into an all new adventure spanning two generations of avenging archers. Past and present lives collide as Kate and Clint face a threat that will challenge everything they know about what it means to be Hawkeye.

Book: Year of Yes: How to Dance it Out, Stand in the Sun and Be Your Own Person by Shonda Rhimes

Description:

The mega-talented creator of Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal and executive producer of How to Get Away With Murder chronicles how saying YES for one year changed her life―and how it can change yours, too.

With three hit shows on television and three children at home, the uber-talented Shonda Rhimes had lots of good reasons to say NO when an unexpected invitation arrived. Hollywood party? No. Speaking engagement? No. Media appearances? No.

And there was the side-benefit of saying No for an introvert like Shonda: nothing new to fear.

Then Shonda’s sister laid down a challenge: just for one year, try to say YES to the unexpected invitations that come your way. Shonda reluctantly agreed―and the result was nothing short of transformative. In Year of Yes, Shonda Rhimes chronicles the powerful impact saying yes had on every aspect of her life―and how we can all change our lives with one little word. Yes.

Book Review: Hawkeye vol #2 (Marvel Now)

Book: Hawkeye volume #2: Little Hits (issues #6-11) by Matt Fraction

Illustrations by David Aja (issues #6, 8-11), Francesco Francavilla (issue #10), Steven Lieber and Jesse Hamm (issue #7), and Annie Wu (issue #8)

Color by Matt Hollingsworth (issues #6-9 and #11) and Francesco Francavilla (issue #10)


Edition: Trade

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

This series continues not to disappoint. The second volume starts with issue #6 featuring both Hawkeyes Clint Barton and Kate Bishop separately dealing with the aftermath of a flood. Clint went with his neighbor Gil "Grills" to help secure Grills' dad's house while Kate was in New Jersey attending an engagement party. Both had to use some quick thinking to solve very immediate problems.

The 7th issue takes a humorous look leading up to Christmas. Clint was trying his best to take some time off and relax but everything kept getting in the way from his outdated TV recording system (in which Tony Stark was absolutely no help in fixing) to the tracksuit guys causing trouble. This was not the holiday he was looking forward to.   

Issues #8 and #9 had Clint helping out his favorite troubled red head again. It must be her looks because I seriously can't understand why he keeps helping her since it always lands him in big trouble. Black Widow (Natasha Romanoff), Mockingbird (Clint's ex-wife Bobbi Morse) and Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew) also appeared in these issues as they try to see how they can help Clint get out of his latest bout of trouble. Kate didn't exactly score any hero points with the three heroes as she did sort of help Clint at one point. Also shown were various criminals and villains trying to figure out a way to get rid of Hawkeye (Clint) and it also ends on bit of a sad note with something happening to Grills.

In issue #10, the tracksuit guys' trained killer Kazi is going after Clint but earlier he and Kate became acquainted at a party for her father. Not sure if anything romantic is going to happen between Kate and Kazi but I'm sure she's in for a shock once she finds who he really is.

Issue #11 was interesting, it was shown from Clint's dog Lucky's point of view where he tries to sniff out some clues as to what happened to Grills. His investigation had him running into the tracksuit guys and Kazi. There also seems to be some kind of problem growing between Clint and Kate and although it seems unclear what they said since Lucky only understood a few words, it's clear to see that Kate and Lucky are taking off for a little bit of fun and adventure in California.

I can see why this series has been praised by fans, it's awesome. It well written with the writing being both simple and complex. There's humor commingling with drama as the Hawkeyes go from one situation to the next. I can't wait to read the third volume to see what will happen next.

Currently Reading: Justice League 3000 vol #1 (New 52) and Hawkeye vol #2 (Marvel Now)

I was going through my book shelves yesterday and found two I wanted to read: Justice League 3000 and Hawkeye.

The thing is I read the first issue of Justice League 3000 two years ago, and I'm just now finally getting around to reading the rest of the issues. Now as for Hawkeye, I read the first volume that I got from the library and I loved it so much that I ended up buying the first three volumes of the series.

I'm really trying to break my habit of waiting until forever to read my books it's a slow start but I am getting there.

Book: Justice League 3000 volume #1: Yesterday Lives (issues #1-7) by Keith Griffen and J.M. DeMatteis with illustration by Howard Porter and color by HI-FI

Edition: Single print issues

Description:

In the far flung future in the year 3000, the Justice League still exists and they're more familiar than you could imagine. Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash and Green Lantern comprise the League, but how could these heroes still exist a millennium from now?

Book: Hawkeye volume #2: Little Hits (issues #6-11) by Matt Fraction

Illustrations by David Aja (issues #6, 8-11), Francesco Francavilla (issue #10), Steven Lieber and Jesse Hamm (issue #7), and Annie Wu (issue #8)

Color by Matt Hollingsworth (issues #6-9 and #11) and Francesco Francavilla (issue #10)


Edition: Trade

Description:

Ace archer Clint Barton battles Superstorm Sandy, digital doomsday, dog detectives, lady problems, murder for money and more as Matt Fraction and David Aja continue their exciting, adventurous reinvention of the arrowed Avenger! Plus: The tracksuits are back, and they're aiming to kill!

Illustration of the Day: Hawkeye (Kate Bishop and Clint Barton)

Illustration: Your Life by queensarwa

Hawkeye Avengers: Age of Ultron Poster

Book Review for Library Read-a-thon Book #1: Hawkeye vol #1 (Marvel Now)

Book: Hawkeye Volume #1: My Life as a Weapon (issues #1-5 and Young Avengers Presents issue #6) by Matt Fraction with Illustrations by David Aja (issues #1-3) and Javier Pulido (issues 4 and 5) and color by Matt Hollingsworth

Young Avengers Presents #6 by Matt Fraction with illustration by Alan Davis and color by Paul Mounts

Source: Library

Edition: Trade

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

Clint Barton should just stay at home because no matter where he goes, he some how finds himself right in the middle of trouble. On second thought, trouble would just follow him home as well.

After getting out of the hospital in the first issue, Clint was trying to help his fellow tenants after the owner was trying to push the residents out by raising the rent an astronomical amount. And the owner is not the type of person who wants to negotiate. Clint offered to pay the rent for everyone but it didn't help matters either. I like that Hawkeye was not going to sit back and just let his neighbors get pushed out of their homes as well as he was willing to help an injured dog and gained a new friend.

In issue #2, both Hawkeyes (Clint and Kate Bishop) decided to go undercover to stop a group of thieves from a traveling circus who were actually robbing other thieves and villains. Clint's connection with the thieves made him want to stop what was going on despite the fact that they were stealing from other thieves.

Issue #3 had Clint and Kate being chased by a weird group of car thieves who had tried to abduct a woman who Clint had just met. However, the woman wasn't squeaky clean, she had stole a car from the group that was chasing them. The car in which she just sold to Clint. The only thing that kind of annoyed me about this story was the two heroes let her go at the end and that they never found out she was a crook too.

Issues #4 and 5, has S.H.I.E.L.D. telling Clint to retrieve a tape that is being auctioned off in Madripoor by the underworld. If not he's going to be one of the most wanted guys in the world. But he can't even get out of the airport without getting into trouble.

This was a funny group of high flying stories that was filled with action. Clint is just a trouble magnet but he does try to do the right thing even if he makes a complete mess of things. Kate is just as much a trouble magnet as Clint but that's mainly due to her association with Mr. Barton. These issues (along with the Young Avengers Present #6) showed that Kate is not just a great sidekick but also a great archer. 

This was great. I'm definitely looking forward to reading the second volume.

Library Read-a-thon book #1: Hawkeye vol #1

I am starting this Read-a-thon with Hawkeye volume #1, a book I had been wanting to read for a while. I stumbled upon it while I was looking for another book when I was at the library yesterday. I was so surprised to see it sitting on the shelf, I immediately grabbed it.


Book: Hawkeye Volume #1: My Life as a Weapon by Matt Fraction, Illustrations by David Aja and Javier Pulido

Source: Library

Edition: Trade

Description:

The breakout star of this summer's blockbuster Avengers film, Clint Barton - aka the self-made hero Hawkeye - fights for justice! With ex-Young Avenger Kate Bishop by his side, he's out to prove himself as one of Earth's Mightiest Heroes!

SHIELD recruits Clint to intercept a packet of incriminating evidence - before he becomes the most wanted man in the world. You won't believe what is on The Tape! What is the Vagabond Code? Matt Fraction pens a Hawkeye thriller that spans the globe...and the darkest parts of Hawkeye's mind. Barton and Bishop mean double the Hawkeye and double the trouble...and stealing from the rich never looked so good.

Fashion Meets Comics Commentary: Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver and Hawkeye's costumes from the set of The Avengers: Age of Ultron

Recently, pictures of Elizabeth Olsen as Scarlet Witch and Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Quicksilver (as well as Hawkeye) have finally been released from the set of The Avengers: Age of Ultron and it seems like the concept art wasn't too far off. Out of the three, Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) has the best costume (see the picture below for a better look) while the other two just look awful.

Even though I still think the Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver costumes are boring and I still sort of hope that the Scarlet Witch will eventually have an actual costume (at least by the end of the movie).

(Photo Credit: The 1st and 4th pictures from: Daily Mail and the rest from: Digital Trends  digitaltrends.com)

Illustration of the Day: The Hulk Gets a New Look

Illustration: Hulk Fashion by Cris-Art

I guess the Hulk thought if he dyed his hair blond like Teddy maybe everyone would like him too. It might work if the Hulk can keep his temper under control (which is probably not going to happen).

Preview for Hawkeye #10

I really do love the artwork. Hawkeye issue #10 will be available tomorrow. This series has been doing quite well with readers.

Issue #10 description:

The most acclaimed new book of the year continues!

Who pulled the trigger? Where have you seen him before? Have you seen him before? Maybe. But not like this. It’s murder, mayhem, and greasepaint make-up for the money, kids -- and that means playtime is over, Monsieur Hulot. Caw caw.