Comic book reviews for Marvel Comics’ Hawkeye & Mockingbird #1, Hawkeye & Mockingbird #2, and Hawkeye & Mockingbird #3 by Jim McCann
Hawkeye & Mockingbird #1 by Jim McCann
I loved this to bits. I thought McCann’s miniseries, New Avengers: Reunion about these two was fabulous, and I’ve been so excited for this issue ever since the series was announced. I was very much, just get Siege over and done with so I can have my shiny new Hawkeye & Mockingbird series.
I love McCann’s Mockingbird, who is so incredibly detailed about her plans to stop villains, but completely impulsive with her personal life. Which fits perfectly with Clint’s impulsive nature toward everything. And I suppose after the mini where Bobbi didn’t trust Clint about anything, it’s time for Clint not to completely trust her. Or at least not trust her to give him all the information he feels is important.
The bits with Clint training with Steve worked brilliantly, especially since in many ways Clint tried to step-up and take the void left by Steve. I love Bucky throwing him off. Brilliant multi-layered conversations here.
I’m completely enthralled by the plot surrounding the new Phantom Rider and the case that Mockingbird’s trying to crack. While I didn’t read the early issue with her father, I love the Phantom Rider’s styling, especially compared to how they drew her father. I cannot wait for the next issue.
Hawkeye & Mockingbird #2 by Jim McCann
First, I love that there’s marketing snippets on the front cover. McCann’s selling this book like none other, and I love it because it deserves it. And it’s high time that comic book marketing stepped it up.
I love the flashback about Bobbi letting her family believe she died. It’s so her. She doesn’t like outsiders to be hurt, especially her family. Bobbi cares in a way that’s refreshing to see in a comic book where real people end up as collateral damage.
Poor Clint just can’t get it right. Of course, anyone with a lick of relationship sense could’ve told him this. Odd that he never asked Steve for advice about this part of the plan. Susan has a right to be pissed at Bobbi, and Bobbi at Clint. Plus, Clint has horrible sideburns and a bad turtleneck jacket combo that makes him all ’70s pimp.
And of course, the first thing that happens is Crossfire shoots Susan. I hope for everyone’s sake that she lives.
Yeah, Bobbi needs to learn that her glasses don’t hide her secret identity very well. She’s not Superman, after all.
I love how both Bobbi and Dominic Fortune can’t resist going into the warehouse. Even if it’s totally a giant trap. I always love characters like this. They just can’t resist the mystery.
Hawkeye & Mockingbird #3 by Jim McCann
I figured that this book would somehow involve a choice that Mockingbird must make between Clint and Dominic Fortune. I just wasn’t expecting it this early. But, of course, it’s not really a choice. It’s Crossfire and Jamie Slade making her watch as two men that she cares about die while she can’t do a thing about it.
One thing I love about McCann’s Mockingbird is just how strong-willed she is. I’m glad to see that she could break it enough to move. Of course, I don’t think any of them are actually dead from that explosion. Just makes a pretty cliffhanger.
I like the sort-of ambiguity over whether or not Jamie is actually evil. Or if it’s just her grandfather’s (?) ghost controlling her.
I’m hoping that future issues also explore the other members of Mockingbird’s team a little more. Overall, these first three issues have been a fun romp, and I’m definitely going to keep reading.