ALL-NEW HAWKEYE #1

Is this a series that you should be following? Or has Marvel jumped the gun in delivering a new Hawkeye series before the previous has even finished? Read on to find out.

The official description from Marvel:

THE AVENGING ARCHERS ARE BACK!

• Hawkeye returns in an all-new series 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 back at his side (not titles she would use), 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.

• But no one puts Hawkeye in a corner.

• Hawkeye and Hawkeye take aim March 2015!

Matt Fraction‘s run on Hawkeye has yet to come to an end, but it seems that Marvel are unwilling to wait when it comes to launching their All-New Hawkeye title. And “rightfully so,” I say, as though Fraction’s run may have gotten mass approval, with many fans falling in love with his one-shot take on the Earth’s Mightiest Marksmen, ultimately the constant delay in shipping has caused many of said fans to leave this title, this fanboy included (though I have caught up since). This new title gives those fans a chance to once again follow these beloved characters, with this opening issue most certainly getting off on the right foot.

Having adored every minute of Jeff Lemire‘s Green Arrow run, I was curious to see what the writer would produce on Marvel‘s equivalent, and whether the similarities or differences would be clear as day. The end result is as expected, closer to the latter, as though there are natural similarities, the general tone and plot couldn’t be any more different. Giving an insightful look into Clint’s upbringing alongside brother, Barney, as well as an exciting mission that pits Clint and fellow Hawkeye, Kate Bishop, against HYDRA, Lemire certainly delivers a well thought out plot, with the action, charm and mystery all melding into a fascinating narrative.

The artwork on this series is stunning, as between the fun style and elaborate layouts, Ramón Pérez definitely knows how to draw the reader in. The way that he capture the emotion of the characters is also a marvel, with the innocence of Clint and Barney’s childhood, and mischievous antics of the Clint and Kate in the present allowing for a dramatic overtone. Pérez‘ art wouldn’t be as impressive however without the colours, as with the painted, sepia like purples of Ian Herring in the flashbacks and the bold, vivid colours of Pérez in the present, it adds great depth to the final product.

All-New Hawkeye gets off to a wonderful start, as though it very different to the series Matt Fraction produced, that’s not in itself a bad thing. The way that this first issue explores Clint’s past, as well as giving us an exciting mission also allows this first issue to stand out, with the mysterious overtones and majestic art leaving me begging for more.