Lets Talk About This ‘Hawkeye’ Mug Controversy…
One of the most anticipated Disney+ exclusive Marvel series has recently debuted to a fantastic two-episode premiere that is truly giving Clint Barton his moment, but what’s dominated headlines is this picture floating around of the hero; so, let’s talk about this Hawkeye mug controversy.
If you have watched the recently released MCU series you may already have some background on the context of this specific picture.
Source: Marvel Studios
The two episodes have set some vital groundwork for the relationship between Clint Barton and Kate Bishop, with the former trying desperately to protect Bishop and others from the consequences of wearing the lauded Ronin suit; a suit that comes with a fair share of baggage.
In this effort to protect Bishop from creating enemies through wearing the suit, the two characters must remain hidden from the Tracksuit Mafia; a hilarious- and often inept- criminal organization whose often hilarious antics overshadow the very real danger they are capable of.
Marvel
This is where this Hawkeye mug controversy begins.
Clint Barton is seen with a mug that reads the harrowing words, “Thanos Was Right,” in white lettering amidst a bright pink background.
Source: Marvel Studios
This image is the second reference to a similar quote, with Barton reading the same statement on the side of a public restroom.
But what people are misunderstanding about the mug is Barton’s intention of using it; as it seems as though it was purely for the irony of it all.
Source: Marvel Studios
Barton and Bishop are laying low at her aunt’s house, who she notes in the series are currently out of town; which leads to the conclusion that the mug doesn’t belong to the hero, it belongs to Bishop’s aunt.
The entire controversy- if we can call it that- is more of an attempt from Marvel to make the MCU mirror the realities of the real world.
Source: Marvel Studios
In the same way that today’s public and political sphere is filled with consumerist products boasting similarly divisive statements that support one’s beliefs, or discredits other beliefs, is just another way that Marvel makes the MCU feel real.
Falcon and the Winter Soldier taught us that there were downsides to the rapid reappearance of everyone eliminated through the snap, and it isn’t far-fetched to imagine a world in where believing Thanos was right- albeit controversial and unempathetic- is likely to be a political statement in the MCU.
Source: Marvel Studios
Hawkeye has easily become one of Marvel’s most grounded series, and its details like this that add to that grounded feeling that makes the series feel real.
