Hawkeye #16
Writer: Kelly Thompson
Artist: Leonardo Romero
Cover Artist: Julian Totino Tedesco
Colorist: Jordie Bellaire
Letterer: VC’s Joe Sabino
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Review by Anelise Farris
Last issue saw Kate and Clint make their great escape from Madame Masque. Here, in Hawkeye #16 we see that Kate and Clint did not quite make that great escape. There are a ton of people outside Hawkeye Investigations who are eager to get to the Bishop-Barton duo. It’s, as Clint says, “roughly eleventy-billion to two.”
So who do they turn to for help? Kate’s oddball Dad with the taped mouth of course. And then we get a whole bunch of action panels, that finally results in Kate trying to help the situation by talking some common sense into Eden. After all of this, Hawkeye #16 concludes with a big reveal and Kate finding some much needed community.
I found myself saying exactly what this issue says in the last panel: “THE END???” As of now, Hawkeye by Kelly Thompson has been brought to a close, but I have a feeling (*fingers crossed a thousand times*) that Thompson will be revisiting the wonderfully purple-clad Kate Bishop.
With this series, the art has been consistently fantastic. Hawkeye #16 continues this trend with its modern twist on a classic style. It is minimalist in the best way possible, with soft, muted colors, and the right amount of purple. And the dog! I love the dog! The humor he brings is so good. And, the lettering—whether it is dialogue or Kate’s narrative balloons—fits seamlessly with the pastels. And, what about those night skies! The simple star-filled skies are absolutely breathtaking.
Verdict: Buy it.
This creative team was made to do a Kate Bishop and Clint Barton story. If you haven’t been reading this series, the closure that Hawkeye #16 brings makes it the perfect time to pick the trades. With an accessible, equal parts humor and action story, and gorgeous, minimalist art, this is a book where the “less is more” saying definitely rings true.
