Writer: Jeff Parker
Artists: Steve Scott and Ronan Cliquet(p), Nathaniel Massengill and Amilton Santos (i), Val Staples(c)
Publisher: Marvel
Hawkeye began his career as a dupe enthralled by the Black Widow, then a Communist agent who was determined to bring down Iron Man. Jeff Parker introduces Hawkeye to Marvel Adventures Avengers, and bases his introduction on the idea that perhaps Hawkeye isn't of the sterling character he claims to be.
Clint Barton's target for his debut in Marvel Adventures Avengers is the new Masters of Evil. I'll not say who the gents are this time around since their identities add to the fun. All are staple Marvel villains with updated personalities. These personalities do not always indicate automatic sophistication. A classic Iron Man villain for instance takes the cake in this one. His outrageous dialogue and his actions even amuse Spidey, who gets the best lines on the hero's side of the coin. An old Marvel Adventures friend accompanies the Masters of Evil in a new disguise, and Parker takes great pleasure in his appearance as well as poking at conventions.
Vibrancy is one of the elements that distinguish the Marvel Adventures Avengers from their counterparts in Marvel Civil War proper. The key is that the Marvel Adventures Avengers are a team, and they act that way. They back each other up. They tease each other, and they have fun with each other. They enjoy each other's jokes and each other's presence on the team.
Hawkeye is a new player who may join the team. His presence appears to alter the dynamic and generate some sparks, but Parker avoids clichés. He in fact uses the reader's acceptance of traditional and stereotype behavior as a weapon in the fine art of surprise.
For some reason, writers and editors consider Clint a ladies man. I don't exactly know from where this idea came about. He started out in love with the Black Widow, and stayed loyal to her. He became infatuated with the Scarlet Witch, but that's all. He then married Mockingbird. That's not exactly what I consider a ladies man. After a fling with the Wasp, which could be ignored using the Chuck Austin rule, he died. Parker incorporates Hawkeye's amorous image into the plot, but in a clever way that plays on the assumptions of the reader.
This issue Parker's Agent of Atlas cohort Leonard Kirk departs, but Steve Scott and Ronan Cliquet step up for a rousing artistic endeavor. They convey Giant Girl's ebullience in a hilarious scene that's also strategically sensible. The artists attempt to show the characters winking. It's a winning stab at a very different expression of emotion, but the technique still needs a little work. Best of all the characters aren't scowling. They're smiling. They're acting embarrassed when caught red-handed. They're bringing down the beat-down on the villains, and the villains are filled on occasion with over the top gusto. As a result the illustrations gibe with the lively writing.
Once again Jeff Parker embarrasses the regular Avengers titles with a bouncy, rollicking done in one Marvel Adventure. New artists Steve Scott and Ronan Cliquet, Nathan Massengill and Amilton Santos with the reliable Val Staples maintain this title's high quality. The pencilers oversee excellent anatomy in action and focus more on the pleasant emotions. The inkers keep things smooth, and the colorist makes the presentation vivid.
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