RETRO REVIEW: Snap to It in Hawkeye (2012) #12
In Hawkeye (2012) #12 by Matt Fraction, Francesco Francavilla, and Chris Eliopoulos, we are introduced to Barney Barton (or re-introduced to him, if you already have a background in Hawkeye comics history). In addition to revealing where Clint Barton learned to snap a coin, this issue does an effective job of showing us why we should care about Barney… and making it pretty freakin’ obvious that the two men are brothers!
Hawkeye (2012) #12
Photo Credit: Marvel Unlimited.
This issue features the return of Francavilla on art, but while the previous issue featuring Francavilla’s work featured a demonstration of the artist’s talent in depicting hard-case crime, this issue spotlights how effectively he can convey images of bygone Americana.
Photo Credit: Marvel Unlimited.
Nowhere is that more obvious that when we flashback to Clint and Barney’s childhood. This gives us deep insight into what makes Clint tick, and why he became an Avenger… Not to mention it swiftly establishes the relationship between Barney and Clint to be deep and meaningful. This adds an extra punch to the story, which mostly follows the two men attempting to meet up with one another once again (in spite of the Tracksuit Mafia’s best attempts to the contrary).
Photo Credit: Marvel Unlimited.
If you have been watching Hawkeye on Disney+, you’ll notice something from the most recent episode of the ongoing Marvel Cinematic Universe series that was directly inspired by this issue: in one of the flashback scenes, we discover that Clint learned how to snap coins from his brother, Barney!
Snap it Up on Marvel Unlimited
Have you had the chance to read Hawkeye (2012) on Marvel Unlimited, Marvel Blog True Believers? If so, you can see the letters page for this issue… or rather, the place where the letters page would be! However, while editor Stephen Wacker does not have a specific playlist for this issue, he does recommend you pick up the Xanadu soundtrack.
Photo Credit: Marvel Unlimited.
Did you get a chance to read this issue? Let us know what you’re thinking in the comment section!
