Continuing Fraction’s intricately woven tapestry, Francesco Francavilla returns for another side-story. This time the limelight is on Barney Barton, the wayward brother who makes Clint look like a well adjusted adult. You’ll have to see it to believe it.
Written by Matt Fraction
Illustrated by Francesco Francavilla• The sleeper hit of 2012 is now the can’t miss book of 2013 (and probably the overhyped book you’re sick of people talking about in 2014!)
• Reeling from the events of the last issue, even Hawkeye wants to know what his new status quo is. Who’s with him? Who’s against him? Who’s trying to kill him and why? So many dang questions!
• And just when Clint’s rock bottom couldn’t arrive fast enough… “Then Came Barney”
With “Hawkeye,” Fraction is getting into a rage-inducing (in a good way?) habit of tantalizing readers with jaw-dropping cliffhangers, with little-to-no follow up in the following issue. In fact, the story has barely moved past the major death at the end of issue #8. With so many dangling plot-threads, you would expect the book to become unbearable to follow. However, when every issue is so freaking good, it’s hard to fault Fraction for giving things room to breath.
Fraction has utilized non-linear story-telling throughout his run on “Hawkeye,” from the “Six Days” Christmas story, to the latest string of issues, detailing a specific time frame from varying viewpoints. Issue #12 continues this pattern, overlapping with last month’s masterful Pizza Dog issue. As astute readers may have guessed, that familiar hobo in issue #11 was in fact Barney Barton, and issue #12 shows just what Barney was doing at Clint’s apartment that night. Though there’s not much to his story (so far), it’s strengthened by a series of powerful flashbacks to the Barton boys’ childhood days.
Fraction has redefined Hawkeye for a modern audience, a loveable shlub with a heart of gold and the worst of luck. As with other definitive interpretations, Fraction’s Hawkeye is the Hawkeye. As such, it’s fitting for Fraction to begin delving into Clint’s past, in an attempt to explore why he is the way he is.
In recent years, Barney has been portrayed in a negative light, acting as a “villainous” member of the Dark Avengers. However, Fraction’s Barney sheds typical super hero tropes, just as he has with Clint’s Avengers status. Rather than black and white representations of good and evil, they are just brothers, with all the complex baggage that comes with family. In fact, at several points in the issue, Barney is portrayed in a more positive light than Clint, acting in the role of protective older sibling. One of the issue’s best scenes involves Barney teaching Clint how to fight, after a violent altercation with their father. We get just a brief glimpse of the Barton parents, along with their ultimate fate. Fraction glosses over this powerful and tragic moment, suggesting that there is more to the story than he’s currently letting on.
It’s always a bit disappointing to see an issue of “Hawkeye” without David Aja’s name gracing the cover. Aja’s distinct style and composition has become just as important to the book as Fraction’s spot on voice. Of course, that disappointment can only run so deep, with a guest artist of such high caliber as Francesco Francavilla. The artist’s signature noir-esque style is fitting for the dark, rainsoaked alleys of New York City. However, Francavilla’s style is adaptable, not confined to genre, so much so that the book’s rural flashback scenes are easily the best in the issue.
Somewhat understandibly, the issue lacks Aja’s unique layouts. Francavilla shakes things up with a limited pallete of primary colors and densely packed pages, but it takes a lot more to impress in a post-‘Pizza is my Business’ world.
After the big “WTF” ending of “Hawkeye” #11, this issue feels a bit out of place. However, the prospect of learning more about Clint’s childhood is exciting, and Barney is already making for a delightful addition to the book’s already fantastic supporting cast. Like Francavilla’s previous issue, “Hawkeye” #12 works to fill in cracks, making this world all the more intricate and fulfilling.
Final Verdict: 8.7 – Buy. A below average issue of Hawkeye is still better than 99% of what you’re reading.
