Hawkeye (USA) di Matt Fraction

[Azrael]

Matt Fraction and David Aja's "Hawkeye" #1 is unlike so many mainstream superhero comics that I took in most of the book with my mouth hanging open. Feeling much more like a great indie book than a structured "big two" installment, the enthusiasm Fraction and Aja have for this comic is practically palpable.

The indie feeling about this first issue is evident even before the book begins, with a casual (and super fun) introduction on the first page. The non-traditional art and unusual writing style only reinforce the feeling that this book is something unique. By the end of the issue, readers will be hard-pressed not to feel like this is an indie book masquerading as a big-two comic.

The story is decidedly simple and not terribly unique, but the execution is so flawless that it sings anyway. Amidst a somewhat cliché series of events, Fraction has found a surprisingly nice angle on Clint. He's the nice guy who finishes last, but he's also an Avenger, the most beloved superheroes of the Marvel Universe, so how can he ever be perceived as someone who finishes last? It's a nice dichotomy that Fraction sets up and it works well in establishing Clint as someone interesting that you'd like to read more about.

Aja's art is perfectly chosen for the tone and style of this book. It's pared down and lovely, and not overly superhero-esque, but has just that right touch of hero that makes it work on so many levels for the characters and settings. It's simultaneously loose in the way it renders Clint's world, but also detailed enough that everything feels fleshed out and well considered. The looseness of Aja's style lives within a highly structured and simple panel layout that contrasts nicely and also echoes some of Fraction's contrasts. Aja's art is a little bit Sean Phillips, a little bit Chris Samnee, and a little bit John Paul Leon (all good things to be) merging together beautifully into something that becomes decidedly his alone. I'm left waiting anxiously to see more.

Matt Hollingsworth colors are also a perfect tonal match for this book and an exceptional complement to Aja's art. His color palette shifts effortlessly and expressively from bathed in yellow day scenes to blue toned evenings, the sickly green of an underground casino and the darker, deeper blues of a rainy night. It's gorgeous subtle coloring work that easily adds as much emotion to the book as the writing or art.

Marvel has had their share of missteps lately, but they have also made so many cool and smart choices of late, like bringing on Brian Wood and letting Fraction and Aja do this book exactly as I imagine they wanted. The result is a smart, modern comic that pulsates with creativity. "Hawkeye" #1 joins books like "Wolverine & The X-Men," "Ultimate Comics Spider-Man" and "Daredevil" as one of the best and most interesting superhero books on stands.

4.5/5

CBR

[Nightmist]

Mi è arrivato stamane, veramente felice per l'acquisto! Una bella storia del fraction migliore, che in 20 pagine riesce a presentare il personaggio nel migliore dei modi, Molto belli i disegni di Aja accompagnati da lettering e colori perfetti per questo tipo di storia. Mi sembra che gli autori vogliano tirare fuori un serie abbastanza "metropolitana", il che secondo me calza a pennello con il personaggio, spero la marvel dia fiducia a questo progetto.

[Azrael]

HAWKEYE #4
MATT FRACTION (W) • JAVIER Pulido (A)
Cover BY David Aja
• You won't believe what is on The Tape!
• S.H.I.E.L.D. recruits Clint to intercept incriminating evidence—before he becomes the most wanted man in the world.
• Superstar artist Javier Pulido joins Matt Fraction in a Hawkeye thriller that spans the globe...and the darkest parts of Clint Barton.
32 PGS./Rated T+ ...$2.99

[bruce murdock]

scusate qualcuno sa dirmi quando, e se, arriverà in italia?

[Azrael]

scusate qualcuno sa dirmi quando, e se, arriverà in italia?

Il quando non si sa, è troppo presto, è uscito solo l'#1!
Se arriva nemmeno, ma penso di si 

[Azrael]

PREVIEW: HAWKEYE #2

Spiacente, ma non sei autorizzato a visualizzare il contenuto degli spoiler.

Spiacente, ma non sei autorizzato a visualizzare il contenuto degli spoiler.

Spiacente, ma non sei autorizzato a visualizzare il contenuto degli spoiler.

Spiacente, ma non sei autorizzato a visualizzare il contenuto degli spoiler.

Spiacente, ma non sei autorizzato a visualizzare il contenuto degli spoiler.

[Lucifer]

Disegni stupendi. Devo ammettere che questa serie mi incuriosisce molto.

[Daredevil]

SPLENDIDO!

[Nightmist]

prendero anche questo, copertina splendida 

[Azrael]

Why settle for one archer in this comic when you can have two? Hawkeye teams up with Kate Bishop to take on thieves.
The Good
There's so much I love about this comic. I've always rooted for Hawkeye in the Marvel Universe and it's great seeing him in his own comic once again. This isn't a Hawkeye comic like any other. A large part of that is obviously due to Matt Fraction's direction on the series. Even though he's so implanted in the rest of the Marvel Universe and Avengers, this title has such a separate feel. And that's a great thing.

Seeing Clint and Kate together in a teacher/mentor role is wonderful. She has more than proven herself in the field and as co-leader of the Young Avengers. There is a reason for her to be here besides the fact that they both use bow and arrows. This adds another layer to the book.

We also have Clint not in his actual costume. I'm a fan of the original even though it's not a very practical look. I am warming up to his newer one and dug the touch of purple we saw last issue. David Aja's art and Matt Hollingsworth's colors give this comic such a distinct feel. I wouldn't think a comic with so much purple could look so nice. You get sucked into this world and it's so easy to forget about every other Marvel comic while you're reading.

Of course the many times Fraction sprinkles in his subtle humor make it so much better. It's to the point where I now don't want to see anyone else write the character.

The Bad
Even though Clint and Kate face a bigger threat in this issue compared to the first, surprisingly I enjoyed the fight against the evil landlord over those here. I can't quite place my finger on it exactly. I think it was the overall vibe and tone of the first issue really blew me away. Because of that, I had high expectations for this issue. This is still one of my favorite new series. There are definite repercussions from this issue waiting to happen. Maybe we just need an appearance by a character that was absent here.

You also get a tiny sense of trouble that hopefully Clint will be able to steer clear of.

The Verdict
I've never loved purple as much as I do when I read an issue of HAWKEYE. Matt Fraction and David Aja (with Matt Hollingsworth) have created a great little corner of the Marvel Universe for Clint to hang out in. Having Kate Bishop appear is a great mix and adds a different dynamic. I wasn't completely thrilled with the 'villains' in this issue but I definitely welcome the repercussions that will result from this fiasco.

With this creative team, I feel I could read this comic all day. But I won't actually attempt that until there's more than two issues, of course. Now the bad part is having to wait another month until the next issue.

4/5

CVine

[Azrael]

"Hawkeye" #2 depicts a case of Clint Barton going up against a band of robbers who steal from other villains. With such a simple set up, Matt Fraction and David Aja then go about telling a bold, innovative and praiseworthy comic story. In fact, whatever every single positive about this comic is true. This issue is refreshing, amazing and the type of story that can only be told in this format. Comics needs more issues that can only ever be made and told in the medium.

This issue feels like Matt Fraction has finally decided he's done the rote superhero thing and is big and comfortable enough to bring his unique creative sensibility back to a Marvel book. He's certainly been creative and innovative before this -- see "The Immortal Iron Fist" amongst many other early entries -- but this book is a distillation of his lessons learned.

In fact, "Hawkeye" feels very much like Fraction's "Casanova" hidden in a mainstream Marvel book. The freeze frame panel/captions and the wholistic color schemes all remind of Fraction's titanic independent creation with Gabriel Ba and Fabio Moon. Pages break minutiae down across a sea of panels (and sometimes text), yet no page feels weighed down in the slightest. The opening page is 12 panels and a page toward the end has 24 panels. Despite the number of panels, both pages manage to fit in tight emotional beats, story, character and setting.

It can't be stressed enough, anyone who enjoys comics or has even the slightest desire to create them, this issue is perfect for an academic journey into how stories should be told in comics. The ability of Fraction and Aja to condense moments and refract them through a comic page is spectacular. They use devices that will only ever work on a comic page and there is a mixture of making it "cool" as well as something more. These aren't cheap shots, this is war and your brain is the battlefield. The added bonus is that this style works just as well for the action beats as it does the text heavy spoken moments of personal connection.

David Aja is a master storyteller. He is also an individual and a creator always looking to find new ground to innovate. He doesn't rest on his laurels and he isn't complacently looking to simply ape others who attained greatness. Aja makes a page of multiple panels look pretty while moving the story along. Aja can lead an eye across a page however he likes because he builds them specifically to be read, making the clutter a cryptic puzzle that materializes into sense as you engage with it.

"Hawkeye" #2 is sublime. There is nothing wrong with this book. The story is sharp and to the point, the art gorgeous and on point. Even Chris Eliopoulos shows greatness with the letters, especially with Barton's whispering moment. Matt Hollingsworth brings style and cohesion to his colors. This is the ultimate second tier Marvel title as it offers everything readers generally won't get in a tentpole book. "Uncanny X-Force" finally has a tight challenger at the house of ideas. The winner, thankfully, is everyone.

5/5

CBR

[Deadpool]

Speriamo arrivi pure in italia perchè questa serie sembra meritare moltissimo 

PS: Già ordinati l'#1 e il #2 in inglese 

[Mr. Seven]

Ok.
Albo del mese, disegni dell'anno.
Non sono un fan di Fraction, ma qui fa un ottimo lavoro, mentre Aja... i soliti aggettivi "stupendo", "bravissimo", "eccelso", potrebbero pure suonare ridondanti, ma sono davvero necessari, perché Aja è un mostro di bravura.
E sì, in questi due numeri ricorda davvero tantissimo Mazzuchelli in Year One.

[Nightmist]

dovrebbe arrivarmi il numero 2 settimana prossima, se non si sbrigano ad annunciarlo in italia finisce che me lo prendo tutto in inglese

[Nightmist]

Appensa letto il secondo numero:

"and that's how we robbed the robbers who were robbing robbers"

Adoro Clint, adoro Kate, adoro questa serie