The Disney+ series Hawkeye did what the Marvel Cinematic Universe had previously failed to do with a hallmark member of the Avengers, making it a grounded and charming entry into the MCU. While the series tied up many loose ends for Clint Barton and introduced his protégé and fan-favorite character, Kate Bishop, the news that a second season will not move forward was a disappointment for fans.
The first season of Hawkeye drew heavily from the critically acclaimed series Hawkeye (2012-2015), written by Matt Fraction with art by David Aja. This Eisner Award-winning run revolutionized Clint Barton, taking him out of the superhero spotlight and exploring his life as an ordinary man with extraordinary archery skills.
Clint, living in a regular Brooklyn apartment building, faced threats from tracksuit-wearing Russian mafiosos instead of Avengers-level threats. With Hawkeye as the influence for the first season of the Disney+ series, it is a true disappointment that the television sector of the MCU will not continue to delve into this revolutionary comic.
The MCU Was Ready To Embrace A Grounded Story About Evolving Partnerships
Hawkeye, Written By Matt Fraction With Art By David Aja
The beauty of Fraction's Hawkeye run lies in its intimate, street-level focus. It's not about saving the world from cosmic threats; it's about Clint Barton dealing with everyday problems, albeit with a superhero twist. The first season of Hawkeye already hinted at this grounded approach, showcasing Clint's hearing loss, his struggles with family life, and his efforts to protect his neighborhood. A second season could have easily expanded on these themes, diving deeper into the nuances of his off-duty life, perhaps even introducing his eclectic neighbors and their quirky dilemmas, which were a hallmark of the comic.
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Importantly, the introduction of Kate Bishop in the first season of the series perfectly sets up the dynamic central to Fraction's comic. Their mentor-mentee relationship, filled with banter, teasing, and genuine affection, was a highlight of both the show and the source material. A second season could have further developed this partnership, allowing Kate to grow into her own as a hero while Clint grapples with the idea of ing the torch. This arc, focusing on legacy and the evolution of the Hawkeye mantle, offers rich storytelling potential that the MCU has only just begun to explore.
The Hawkeyes Define Heroism Through Their Everyday Lives
Clint Barton And Kate Bishop Are Hereos In Their Own Right
Fraction's Hawkeye is celebrated for its humanization of Clint Barton, stripping away the Avengers glamor to reveal a flawed, relatable individual. It explores his vulnerabilities, his past mistakes, and his ongoing attempts to simply be a good person. This exploration of identity, particularly for a character often overshadowed by more powerful heroes, is incredibly compelling. This is put on full display with Clint and Kate's ongoing struggle against the Tracksuit Mafia: a Russian mob outfit attempting to take over their Brooklyn apartment building.
Their battles aren't epic, city-wide brawls, but rather messy, often humorous skirmishes in hallways, on rooftops, and within the very homes of their neighbors. This grounded conflict highlights the Hawkeyes' dedication to the people around them, and how that shows a different kind of heroism that prioritizes community protection over grand heroic gestures, making their fight against the mob deeply personal and relatable.
Their battles aren't epic, city-wide brawls, but rather messy, often humorous skirmishes in hallways, on rooftops, and within the very homes of their neighbors.
After the events with Clint and the Tracksuit Mafia in New York, Kate Bishop decides to strike out on her own, heading to California. This arc sees her attempting to establish herself as a private investigator in Los Angeles, independent of Clint and the Avengers. She grapples with the challenges of making a name for herself, dealing with strange clients and unexpected mysteries. This period allows Kate to further hone her skills and develop her own unique heroic identity, showing her resourcefulness and determination outside of Clint's shadow, though she still occasionally finds herself embroiled in larger, more absurd conflicts.
The news that there will not be a second season of Hawkeye on Disney+ is a shame. The first season perfectly captured the comic's grounded tone, Clint and Kate's endearing dynamic, and even beloved elements like Lucky the Pizza Dog. A second season could have delved deeper into the everyday heroics, expanded on Kate's Californian adventures, and truly cemented her role as the new Hawkeye, with Clint as her grizzled mentor. The comic offered a blueprint for intimate, character-driven storytelling that the MCU often overlooks, and a second season based on the adventures in Hawkeye would have been a perfect continuation of this story.
