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Stillanerd Reviews: Generations: The Archers (Hawkeye and Hawkeye) #1 review

By Mike McNulty

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Two Hawkeyes prove better than one as Kate Bishop teams up with a younger Clint Barton in what proves to be the funnest Generations issue yet.

Generations: The Archers #1

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Writer: Kelly Thompson

Artist: Stefano Raffaele

Color Artist: Digikore

Letterer: VC’s Joe Sabino

Covers: Greg Smallwood; Alex Ross; Elizabeth Torque; and Meghan Hetrick

If you ask me to name some of the best comic book series from the last ten years, Matt Fraction and David Aja’s Hawkeye would be one of them. One of the reasons the series worked so well was the friendship between Clint Batron and his protegé, Kate Bishop. Their contrasting personalities allow them to sarcastically spar back and forth while complimenting one another, yet never succumbing to obvious romance. As superhero dynamic duos go, it couldn’t be more pitch perfect.

Credit: Stefano Raffaele and Digikore (Marvel Comics); from Generations: The Archers (Hawkeye and Hawkeye) #1

I’m happy to say that with this latest Marvel Generations one-shot, writer Kelly Thompson has brought this dynamic back. To be sure, it’s not technically the same. This does, after all, involve an earlier version of Clint and a time-displaced Kate. Nevertheless, this is a symbolic and metaphorical return of Fraction’s Hawkeye and Hawkeye (or is it Hawkeye and “Hawk-ess?”).

As a matter of fact, it’s Clint and Kate’s teamwork and interaction which takes precedence over all—even the scenario they’re in. Kate, along with Clint, find themselves on an uncharted tropical island forced to complete against “the most famous marksmen in the world,” including Boomerang, Taskmaster, Bullseye, Crossfire, and Clint’s former mentor, the Swordsman. Each participant (except Kate) wear belts with targets for buckles that, when hit, teleport them off the island. Basically, think Hunger Games with Laser Tag rules.

Generations: The Archers #1 also follows the conventions of the other Generations issues. As before, the modern-day hero travels through time, meets their predecessor, and learns a valuable lesson. Their greatest flaw, even with the ones I’ve liked, is there’s an undercurrent of the writer playing favorites with regards to the new hero, instead of giving them equal respect. Not so with this. Thompson puts emphasis on Clint and Kate working as team to the point where it becomes the theme of the comic.

Credit: Stefano Raffaele and Digikore (Marvel Comics); from Generations: The Archers (Hawkeye and Hawkeye) #1

Many of the best moments [from Generations: The Archers #1] best moments come from Clint and Kate’s banter towards other characters, and definitely towards each other.

With a comic this reliant on the strength of its characters’ personalities to carry the issue, good, witty dialogue is a necessity, and Thompson delivers. Many of the best moments come from Clint and Kate’s banter towards other characters, and definitely towards each other. There’s even some seemingly pointless gag lines, like Clint ridiculing the notion that Bullseye uses playing cards as lethal weapons, which actually pay off towards the end of the book.

One particularly nice touch is how Thompson differentiated Clint and Kate’s internal monologues. Kate’s relies on the modern method with having narration boxes written in the first person. By contrast, Clint’s monologue uses thought balloons. When was the last time you actually saw those in a comic? Sure, it seems a little too cute by half, but it effectively underscores the idea that these two Hawkeyes are from different eras.

Stefano Raffaele’s art works just as well, if not better. Given the story presumably takes place during the late 1970s and early 1980s era of comics, his traditional style is a perfect choice. He strikes a perfect balance between realism and simplicity, with convincing foreshortening and physicality. What’s especially impressive is Raffaele takes just as much care with his backgrounds and foregrounds as he does with his figures. It’s one thing for comic book artists drawing urban landscapes. It’s more impressive if they can draw lush jungle environments like this.

Credit: Stefano Raffaele and Digikore (Marvel Comics); from Generations: The Archers (Hawkeye and Hawkeye) #1

What really makes Generations: The Archers #1 a comic worth the read is just how much fun it is.

This is also a comic which is easy to follow sequentially, as it is good to look at. A few places, such as Clint and Kate chatting by the campfire, can feel overlong and repetitive. When the action does pick up, it flows beautifully. The highlight is a two-page, sixteen panel spread showing the fight between Clint and Taskmaster, proving you can still make small, narrow panels rich with crisp, clear detail.

What really makes Generations: The Archers #1 a comic worth the read is just how much fun it is. Sure, it’s not very insightful or sophisticated, and the setup isn’t the least bit original. Yet it’s the interplay between the characters which more than make up for it. If Generations‘ mission statement was to celebrate the Marvel of yesteryear with the Marvel of today, then this comic definitely (no pun intended) hits the mark.

Stillanerd’s Score: 4 out of 5

Next: Stillanerd Reviews: Generations: The Thunder (The Mighty Thor and The Unworthy Thor) #1 review

Stillanerd’s Nerdy Nitpicks (possible spoilers)

Credit: Stefano Raffaele and Digikore (Marvel Comics); from Generations: The Archers (Hawkeye and Hawkeye) #1

  • Well, Secret Empire #10 revealed what this whole Vanishing Point was all about. As suspected, Kobik, the living cosmic cube, is the cause. Only she did this after the heroes defeated Hydra Cap as some sort of “reward.” Because why not?
  • Okay, first, the introductory page describes Clint Barton as “one of the two greatest sharpshooters known to man.” Then, it describes Kate Bishop as “the world’s greatest sharpshooter.” Except wouldn’t the first statement suggest both Clint and Kate are equally the world’s greatest sharpshooters?
  • Huh? I keep forgetting how Clint Barton’s supposedly has or had a secret identity, what with his current mask being a pair of sunglasses.
  • “Old-timey Hawkeye,” as you later point out yourself, Kate. Clint’s still around as it’s still Hawkeye where you come from. Nothing really “old-timey” about him.
  • “So much pink, dude.” Are you color blind, Kate? Hawkeye’s classic costume is purple … or at least should be if the colorist didn’t make it look like hot pink.
  • “I didn’t recognize Boomerang’s costume …” Hmm … since Boomerang didn’t get that costume until Iron Fist vol. 1 #11–13, then that means this is Clint Barton circa 1977. Only, considering Bullseye first appeared in Daredevil #131 the previous year, how is it Clint never heard of him?
  • Got to say, nice callback to Hawkeye #2 with Kate once again referencing the Roman Emperor Domitian’s skill as an archer.
  • Hold on, there’s two jokes cribbed from The Incredibles during Clint’s fight with Taskmaster? You’d think Marvel was owned by Disney or something.
  • Why did Kate warn Clint about Bullseye’s teeth? Because he actually killed someone with a loose tooth … no joke.
  • Methinks we won’t be seeing the last of this Eden character, considering how she can time travel. Come to think of it, why didn’t she just take Kate back to her own time?
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