Review of Hawkeye #21

by Matt Fraction & David Aja

Perhaps one of the most underrated aspects of Matt Fraction & David Aja’s Hawkeye series has been it’s adaptability. While there is a definitive thematic and aesthetic through line for the series it’s also a book that was able to tell it’s story from the perspective of a dog, a Russian assassin, around a funeral or base it around a recent natural disaster and not miss a beat. So while I’m fond of using terms like heart or humor to describe the series issue 21 is something else and that’s pure unadulterated action. It’s not that it’s missing it’s heart because that’s been built up so much in the series prior that it carries over but it’s focus is on literal full scale battle over an apartment building of it’s tenants versus the mafia goons that own it. The issue is a live wire with some of artist David Aja’s best work on the series and it does a great job of cutting between scenes to build up it’s tension. If you’ve listened to the War Rocket Ajax podcast where Fraction talks about Die Hard you know that he’s a film buff and this issue is the most cinematic one yet. It’s similar to Moon Knight #5 but done in the Hawkguy aesthetic and it comes out of a much different premise. I’ve said it enough times that Hawkeye is an amazing series and this feels like the true culmination of everything that happened prior and everything that the series was about.  Hawkeye is a truly special comics series and to see it end so perfectly is about as satisfying as it get’s.

Hess’s House Best of Big Two 2013

I freaking love comics. So many comics. Too many to put in one single list. We all like different things. Some of us like big two comics. Other’s may prefer large publisher creator owned work while other’s dig the small press. I like all of that. I’ll cover my favorites from the different corners of comic book publishing over the month of December. 

For this week I’ll be covering DC and Marvel Mainline Superhero Comics

Yes these are the big guys. I try to not write about DC and Marvel comics TOO much because I think it’s hard to give a take on these books that hasn’t been said ad naseum. Do you really need me to explain why Scott Snyder’s Batman is great again? I mean I already did once anyway and I’m about to one more time so there you go. That’s because whatever your feeling are about these comics they are ubiquitous and necessary. The sales and popularity of DC and Marvel props up the infrastructure of the entire industry so as much as I may prefer comics from Image, Darkhorse, Vertigo, First Second or Koyama those companies don’t exist without the big two. And that’s because people are passionate about the comics from these companies regardless of how they feel the quality of the current work. People love their DC or Marvel or both or they have complete disdain for one or both but it’s that passion for these companies that fuels comics as a business. As for me I still read a lot of stuff from them in spite of my passion for the indie and small publishers. In composing this list  I tried to trim it down to what I thought was the best of the best from the publishers. I get annoyed with events, crossovers, Scott Lobdell and West Wing fan fiction so all that relegated Animal Man, X-Men, Swamp Thing, Indestructible Hulk, Avengers Assemble, Wolverine and the X-Men, Action Comics, Daredevil: End of Days and Uncanny X-Men to honorable mentions status. ‘Nuff respect due for Captain America, Wolverine, Batman: The Dark Knight, Marvel Knights Spiderman/X-Men, Amazing X-Men and Superman Unchained which are all very good but just not good enough and Wonderwoman, Deadpool, Fearless Defenders, Journey Into Mystery, The Flash, Ultimate Spiderman and Aquaman which I’m sure are as amazing that you all say they are but life’s too short no what I’m saying?

TUESDAYS TOP TEN!

TOP COMIC BOOK SERIES OF 2013!

 

FREEZE FRAME! The Weeks Best Moments! 11/27/13

BE THANKFUL FOR THESE MOMENTS – FOR THEY ARE RAD

INFINITY #6: I wonder if Thor ever accidentally hits his thumb every now and then?

FREEZE FRAME! The Weeks Best Moments 10/16/13

LOT’S OF GREAT MOMENTS THIS WEEK. HERE ARE BUT A FEW.

UNCANNY X-MEN #13: NOTHING LIKE SISTERLY LOVE.

PULL LIST PLAY LIST! Ghostmann Edition

To me, reading comics is a singular experience – I don’t like any outside forces coming into play while I’m immersed in my funny books – with one exception, music. Music plays a huge part in my life, more then comics! (I know that’s borderline blasphemy here) So I allow the stereo to play on Wednesdays. The right song can enhance the comic reading beyond what you thought it could.

Why not join me. Even if you’ve already read them, get out your copies of the comics I’ve listed here and hit the play buttons at the right time then start reading. Trust me, the experience you will have will fucking BLOW your mind. Ready? Good.

Here are the songs that filled the space between the panels….

TUESDAYS TOP TEN!

Each Tuesday, the NBC Staff will comprise a Top Ten list for whatever the chosen topic is of that week. In the comments section, we can all compare the lists to see if there were any patterns. Also, feel free to post your own top ten lists.

Today we give you

TOP TEN CURRENT COMIC BOOK ARTISTS!

Review Of Hawkeye #19

by Matt Fraction & David Aja

After a long hiatus Faction and Aja’s Hawkeye finally returns to begin closure to the story that started two years ago in an issue that is as strong, heartfelt and uplifting as it’s predecessors and refreshing to see again after having spent so much time away. In it we are shown a Clint Barton who is dealing with a loss of hearing after a close range gun shot. It’s being labeled the “sign language issue” much like others had the distinction of being “the Christmas issue”, “the hurricane issue” or the most recent award winning “dog issue”. Much like those past ones Fraction and Aja manage to transcend the concept by opening the parameters of it’s established narrative by giving insight into the cast and the larger world they inhabit. It’s not really about sign language as much as it’s about learning to accept one’s own limitations instead of fighting them and taking responsibility for those things in your life whether they are your fault or not. Basically it’s like the entire Hawkeye series but that is a series that is fantastic so it’s really good. Watching the parallel narrative of Clint and Barney as children and now is both heartening and inspiring as it points to the way we spend life living, repeating and learning from our own mistakes but moreover shows that what matters is that we act on what we learned. It also gives insight on the perspective of an individual with no hearing as we get mumbled images of Clint’s attempt at lip reading or refusal to acknowledge Barney’s attempts at sign language further exploring the theme of communication that’s run through the entire series, made more of an emphasis here as it was in the “dog issue”. Aja’s art is gorgeous as ever but it’s his design and layout that is as important as his line work. The way he shows what Clint reacting to is as important as Clint’s reaction and that’s conveyed in a smooth and natural visual narrative. It’s been awhile since we last saw it but Hawkeye remains as great now as it’s always been. It’s a special issue in the way that most of it’s single issues are special being that’s really because it’s just a special series and to experience that unfolding piece by piece in single issues is something to behold.

Review of Hawkeye #18 By Reed Beebe

Marvel’s Hawkeye comic is about two superheroes (Clint Barton and Kate Bishop, both known as “Hawkeye”) whose crime-fighting paraphernalia of choice is the bow and arrow, a ranged weapon that requires distance to do its work. The heroes’ choice of weapon serves as a neat metaphor for two characters that are socially distant. Clint is often portrayed as an outsider: the reformed criminal mistrusted by his teammates, the non-superpowered guy on a team of very powerful superheroes, and the lover who just can’t seem to stay in a lasting romantic relationship. Clint is a misfit loner who always seems to stand apart from the characters that surround him. Kate shares her mentor’s distance – she is stubborn, often in conflict with her family and friends (including Clint), and unable to maintain lasting relationships; she recently moved from New York to Los Angeles to distance herself from Clint.

The genius of the Hawkeye creative team is that they force these two loners to have meaningful, entertaining connections with other characters. Over the course of the series, Clint is required to interact with the neighbors that live in his apartment building, his chronically troubled brother, and – before her departure to California – Kate. In Los Angeles, Kate becomes a self-proclaimed private investigator who gets involved with the interesting lives of her clients.

Hawkeye #18 maintains the series’ recurring tension between distance and intimacy as it focuses on Kate’s West Coast adventures. Kate becomes involved in the life of “Cat Food Aisle Man”, a mysterious, aloof stranger that Kate always encounters while shopping for cat food. The stranger announces that he is leaving town and asks Kate to take care of his cat, which triggers an adventure in which Kate learns all about “Cat Food Aisle Man” (including his identity, which should be a treat for fans of Marvel horror comics) and his connection to Kate’s enemies. Kate also learns that Clint is in trouble and that she will need to return to New York to help him.

Artist Annie Wu does an excellent job of conveying the humor and horror that writer Matt Fraction’s story requires and excels at rendering a range of human emotion on the characters’ faces. Colorist Matt Hollingsworth uses a dark palette that is appropriate for an issue that focuses on a character caught up in the secret darkness at the heart of Los Angeles.

USING THE ASCENDING RANKING SCALE BELOW, THIS COMIC IS RANKED:

OFF-TARGET! | NEAR MISS! | HIT! | BULLSEYE!

Review of Hawkeye #17

By Matt Fraction and Chris Elipoulos

Issue 17 of Hawkeye uses the talents to of artist Chris Elipoulos to create a bottle issue about a children’s cartoon in issue six and satire superhero comics as well. In it we follow the story of the cartoon dog Steve the non super powered member of the Winter Friends who has to save the day from bad guys. While it’s silly it also works as view of what Hawkeye would be if it were like other generic superhero comics. “Steve” the dog that’s a Hawkeye stand in has the girl companion (stand in for Kate Bishop) that he’s a dick to but she still wants to join him and the big lug (stand in for Grills) that becomes the unlikely sidekick as they go on an adventure to save The Winter Friends (Avengers stand ins) which he inevitably does but not before some mild adversity while another team (crossover stand in) helps until Steve saves the day and get’s the girl dog companion in the end. This is an analogy for the Hawkeye comic you would be getting with the generic route done to utilize Elipoulos talents as an artist. The one where Clints a douche bag but still get’s the girl and always wins. It’s a dishonest Hawkeye. While that certainly makes me appreciate what we get from what is still the best superhero comic on the stands I’d still rather read that book then a satire of another.