ADVANCED REVIEW! Hawkeye: Kate Bishop #1: A Smart Beginning

If you are fans of the original Heinberg Kate Bishop or the new Williams/Fraction Kate Bishop, this issue surprisingly has something for everyone. Kate Bishop, who has over the years gone from competent teen hero to leader of the Young Avengers, to the “cute” Hawkeye, to “Everyone should be a superhero even though my best friend was killed, but we’re not gonna talk about it,” Kate Bishop, to PI Kate Bishop, comes yet another Kate Bishop. And this one is surprisingly not bad. She is reminiscent of much more of the original Kate Bishop, one not seen in years.

The plot is standard and works as something of a primer for the character’s upcoming MCU debut, helping to re-establish that Kate was a solo character but also presents a continuation of previously established narratives. If you know nothing about Kate Bishop, this is a solid place to start. Writer Marieke Nijkamp does a great job of giving the reader the basics about the character, who she is, and what she’s up to, and the people around her. It also continues previously established threads for those who have followed Kate’s adventures for years.

The one weakness here is the texts Kate receives from teammates America and Cassie, first because both of these characters know Kate and are superheroes. The texts feel more like regular friends who do not realize the work being a superhero entail. It is always lovely to see Kate communicating with her original BFF, Cassie Lang, even if it is only through text messages; perhaps this was done on purpose to put more distance between Kate and her other friends to take on this new case and this challenge. So whether you read West Coast Avengers or have ignored Kate’s existence since Young Avengers, you can jump right into this adventure.

But Nijkamp did her research, recognizing the leading people in Kate’s life, her ex-boyfriend Johnny A.K.A. Fuse and his sister Ramone, to America, Clint, Cassie, and, of course, Jessica Jones.

The story is engaging and starts right in the conclusion of one situation and the journey to another. Kate is figuring herself out and coming to terms with who she is as an adult. The story’s ultimate conflict feels natural and accurate, and Kate comes off well-characterized and like her old, familiar self. As someone who has not been a massive fan of Kate in the past since the Fraction run, I was pleasantly surprised by how Nijkamp characterized her.

The art by newcomer Enid Belam could have used a polish in the background, lacking in details. But emotions are drawn clearly, and the action is well illustrated. Body language and blocking are adequately depicted and believable.

I cannot believe I am saying this, but I am hooked by the first issue and excited to see where the story goes from here. The mystery feels natural, and I feel like I am in for a journey not just in the plot but in Kate’s ongoing development.