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Hawkeye Omnibus Vol. 1
Clint Barton - AKA the self-made hero Hawkeye - fights for justice... and good rooftop BBQs With ex-Young Avenger Kate Bishop by his side, he's out to get some downtime from being one of Earth's Mightiest Heroes. Then, the action continues as the arrowed Avenger battles Superstorm Sandy, digital doomsday, dog detectives, lady problems, murder for money and more.
240 pages, Paperback
Published July 1, 2021
12 people are currently reading
73 people want to read
About the author
Matt Fraction
1,220 books1,863 followers"How he got started in comics: In 1983, when Fraction was 7 years old and growing up in Kansas City, Mo., he became fascinated by the U.S. invasion of Grenada and created his own newspaper to explain the event. "I've always been story-driven, telling stories with pictures and words," he said.
Education and first job: Fraction never graduated from college. He stopped half a semester short of an art degree at Kansas City Art Institute in Missouri in 1998 to take a job as a Web designer and managing editor of a magazine about Internet culture.
"My mother was not happy about that," he said.
But that gig led Fraction and his co-workers to split off and launch MK12, a boutique graphic design and production firm in Kansas City that created the opening credits for the James Bond film "Quantum of Solace."
Big break: While writing and directing live-action shoots at MK12, Fraction spent his spare time writing comics and pitching his books each year to publishers at Comic-Con. Two books sold: "The Last of the Independents," published in 2003 by AiT/Planet Lar, and "Casanova," published in 2006 by Image Comics.
Fraction traveled extensively on commercial shoots. Then his wife got pregnant. So Fraction did what any rational man in his position would do -- he quit his job at MK12 to pursue his dream of becoming a full-time comic book writer.
Say what? "It was terrifying," said Fraction, who now lives in Portland, Ore. "I was married. We had a house. We had a baby coming. And I just quit my job."
Marvel hired Fraction in June 2006, thanks largely to the success of his other two comics. "I got very lucky," he half-joked. "If it hadn't worked out, I would have had to move back in with my parents.
- 2009. Alex Pham. Los Angeles Times.
Education and first job: Fraction never graduated from college. He stopped half a semester short of an art degree at Kansas City Art Institute in Missouri in 1998 to take a job as a Web designer and managing editor of a magazine about Internet culture.
"My mother was not happy about that," he said.
But that gig led Fraction and his co-workers to split off and launch MK12, a boutique graphic design and production firm in Kansas City that created the opening credits for the James Bond film "Quantum of Solace."
Big break: While writing and directing live-action shoots at MK12, Fraction spent his spare time writing comics and pitching his books each year to publishers at Comic-Con. Two books sold: "The Last of the Independents," published in 2003 by AiT/Planet Lar, and "Casanova," published in 2006 by Image Comics.
Fraction traveled extensively on commercial shoots. Then his wife got pregnant. So Fraction did what any rational man in his position would do -- he quit his job at MK12 to pursue his dream of becoming a full-time comic book writer.
Say what? "It was terrifying," said Fraction, who now lives in Portland, Ore. "I was married. We had a house. We had a baby coming. And I just quit my job."
Marvel hired Fraction in June 2006, thanks largely to the success of his other two comics. "I got very lucky," he half-joked. "If it hadn't worked out, I would have had to move back in with my parents.
- 2009. Alex Pham. Los Angeles Times.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
January 9, 2022
80% | B+ | Great ( very close to 5 stars )
"Clint Barton, what on earth have you gotten yourself into...?"
Where do I even start? This is the most likeable and relatable Clint Barton, period. I've never really been a massive fan of Hawkeye's portrayal in other media, but there's just something about the Fraction run which gives Clint a personality which I actually like, in stories which, for the most part, excel. Unfortunately, the non-linear narrative can be a little over done at times, and following what's happening can feel like a chore which has you flipping backwards and forwards in order to piece things together. This isn't a deal breaker though, so please don't be deterred from trying this if you're someone who likes a very linear story.
For the most part, the writing absolutely shines, with one of the highlights being the Clint / Kate relationship and the section written from the perspective of Lucky the Pizza Dog. The dynamic between Clint and Kate Bishop is great, and they have a lot of fun moments together with back and forth witty banter. However, there are certain running gags which I found annoying after a while, with the worst offender being the 'bro gang'. It's okay the first few times, but I was over it by the 20th "bro" ( and that's being generous ).
Now, the art is a big draw for this run, and Aja's work does not disappoint. There is such a charm to the way Aja has drawn these characters and the world in which they live in. I really wish that Aja had illustrated the whole thing as it's always jarring to jump from one artist to another in a flick of a page, but the other artists all do a good job with their own individual styles.
"Clint Barton, what on earth have you gotten yourself into...?"
Clint Barton and Kate Bishop adventures 🤗
Where do I even start? This is the most likeable and relatable Clint Barton, period. I've never really been a massive fan of Hawkeye's portrayal in other media, but there's just something about the Fraction run which gives Clint a personality which I actually like, in stories which, for the most part, excel. Unfortunately, the non-linear narrative can be a little over done at times, and following what's happening can feel like a chore which has you flipping backwards and forwards in order to piece things together. This isn't a deal breaker though, so please don't be deterred from trying this if you're someone who likes a very linear story.
For the most part, the writing absolutely shines, with one of the highlights being the Clint / Kate relationship and the section written from the perspective of Lucky the Pizza Dog. The dynamic between Clint and Kate Bishop is great, and they have a lot of fun moments together with back and forth witty banter. However, there are certain running gags which I found annoying after a while, with the worst offender being the 'bro gang'. It's okay the first few times, but I was over it by the 20th "bro" ( and that's being generous ).
Now, the art is a big draw for this run, and Aja's work does not disappoint. There is such a charm to the way Aja has drawn these characters and the world in which they live in. I really wish that Aja had illustrated the whole thing as it's always jarring to jump from one artist to another in a flick of a page, but the other artists all do a good job with their own individual styles.
September 5, 2024
EDIT: I don't log rereads on Goodreads (not that I do a lot of them anyway), but I'm going to make an exception for this. After struggling a little with The Immortal Hulk and struggling a little bit more with Grant Morrison's Green Lantern, the directness and playfulness of Matt Fraction's Hawkeye run resonated in my head stronger than I had anticipated it would. So I went back in for another spin and...yeah, this book rules. For anyone out there who, like me, enjoyed their time with this - just not as much as they'd hoped - then a second attempt is an absolute necessity. I still don't know if the non-linear storytelling is absolutely necessary all of the time, but reading again knowing how things unfold is enough to melt any comprehension issues I might have had. Now I get to appreciate the detail in the storytelling, the freshness of the style, and the joy of a story about people getting to be messy fuckups and fight their scrappy struggles in a medium that so often wants them to fight Gods and incomprehensible mumbo jumbo. Nothing against your mumbo jumbo, mind, but without your heart and energy, it doesn't count for quite as much.
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I like Matt Fraction, I like non-linear stories, and - by and large - I liked this first Hawkeye Omnibus. In fact, there are some parts that are straight up terrific. When creators hop aboard long-running properties, you often hear them talk in interviews about how much the "deeply care" about the source material, but its rare that you see a writer turn one of their runs into a real 'desert island' escape - where it feels as though they are piling everything they've ever possibly wanted to see into the story whilst its their go-at-bat. Rian Johnson did it with Star Wars, Steven Moffat did it with Doctor Who, and Matt Fraction does it with Hawkeye, turning every issue into an opportunity for some of the most explosive stylistic storytelling the medium can deliver. There is no wasted space here, and if Fraction and co. had an idea that made them excited, they went for it. This extends beyond aesthetics and into the heart of Barton's narrative. A lot of people discuss the Fraction run in terms of its 'ordinary people' texture, but I think that's often mischaracterised as feeling quite breezy and chill (probably because it features a character called 'pizza dog'). That stuff shows its head, but I was surprised by how seriously Fraction approaches the deep melancholy underpinning Barton's life, and how the story around him reflects that difficulty. For all its comedic value, this is a story with teeth - arguably skirting close to noir territory at various moments.
But I started this review with a hint of tension - a sense that I wasn't feeling entirely at ease with the experience - so let's get into it. Because even as someone who like non-linear narratives, the jagged chronology of Fraction's storytelling is often hard work. It doesn't help that I'm new to superhero comics - a medium with decades of history behind, necessitating an endless hamster wheel of continuity and retcons. It's a sphere that often feels impenetrable to newbies because it's not always clear what twists and turns pivot on information I'm supposed to already know about (returning villains, for instance) and which ones do not. Throw in some aggressively calibrated out-of-sequence storytelling into the mix, and you have a recipe for making a newcomer like me feel like they've often missed a step. Which is a shame, because the actual story being told here is fairly straightforward and welcoming to newcomers, but on first read the chronology feels like it is working against you. Combine that with Aja's stunningly retro artwork that nonetheless relies on somewhat indistinct character designs, and you have a frustrating experience on your hands. I constantly felt myself on the brink of adoring it, only for confusion to push me back, and being pulled between the two is borderline-headache inducing. I want to see what happens next, but I think a reread is a necessity before I feel comfortable pushing onwards.
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I like Matt Fraction, I like non-linear stories, and - by and large - I liked this first Hawkeye Omnibus. In fact, there are some parts that are straight up terrific. When creators hop aboard long-running properties, you often hear them talk in interviews about how much the "deeply care" about the source material, but its rare that you see a writer turn one of their runs into a real 'desert island' escape - where it feels as though they are piling everything they've ever possibly wanted to see into the story whilst its their go-at-bat. Rian Johnson did it with Star Wars, Steven Moffat did it with Doctor Who, and Matt Fraction does it with Hawkeye, turning every issue into an opportunity for some of the most explosive stylistic storytelling the medium can deliver. There is no wasted space here, and if Fraction and co. had an idea that made them excited, they went for it. This extends beyond aesthetics and into the heart of Barton's narrative. A lot of people discuss the Fraction run in terms of its 'ordinary people' texture, but I think that's often mischaracterised as feeling quite breezy and chill (probably because it features a character called 'pizza dog'). That stuff shows its head, but I was surprised by how seriously Fraction approaches the deep melancholy underpinning Barton's life, and how the story around him reflects that difficulty. For all its comedic value, this is a story with teeth - arguably skirting close to noir territory at various moments.
But I started this review with a hint of tension - a sense that I wasn't feeling entirely at ease with the experience - so let's get into it. Because even as someone who like non-linear narratives, the jagged chronology of Fraction's storytelling is often hard work. It doesn't help that I'm new to superhero comics - a medium with decades of history behind, necessitating an endless hamster wheel of continuity and retcons. It's a sphere that often feels impenetrable to newbies because it's not always clear what twists and turns pivot on information I'm supposed to already know about (returning villains, for instance) and which ones do not. Throw in some aggressively calibrated out-of-sequence storytelling into the mix, and you have a recipe for making a newcomer like me feel like they've often missed a step. Which is a shame, because the actual story being told here is fairly straightforward and welcoming to newcomers, but on first read the chronology feels like it is working against you. Combine that with Aja's stunningly retro artwork that nonetheless relies on somewhat indistinct character designs, and you have a frustrating experience on your hands. I constantly felt myself on the brink of adoring it, only for confusion to push me back, and being pulled between the two is borderline-headache inducing. I want to see what happens next, but I think a reread is a necessity before I feel comfortable pushing onwards.
June 28, 2023
Holy fuck, how did it take me this long to re-read this (the answer is because vol. 2 took 2 YEARS to come out but ignore that). This remained in my memory as one of my favourites; it is certainly one of my most lent-out comic books. But still, I'd forgotten just how fantastic it is on every front. Of course, it's hard to ignore David Aja's downright stylish art (almost!) throughout. His covers were just made to be posters, and he uses creative panelling, awesome imagery, and a limited colour palette to absolutely fantastic results. I just LOVE how iconic his art is, and how he wasn't afraid to diverge from classic "comic book style". Of course, I also need to mention Fraction's grounded, hilarious and sometimes emotionally resonant writing. Hawkeye is just a regular-ass guy, and you can't forget it for a moment - but while that adds to the hilarity sometimes, it also emphasises the humanity of these stories. He's just a guy with a particular skill who's trying his best to make things better, despite his disaster of a personal life. I also don't want to forget the other artists in this volume - while Aja is my favourite, the use of other artists does not frustrate me as much as it does in other runs. It's been done thoughtfully, both so that complete stories are always with the same artist throughout, but also by leaning into their strengths. Francavilla lends dramatic and creepy art to issue #10, and it's the perfect thing for Kazimierz Kazimierczak's backstory. Honestly, I just really love this book and I feel like I could talk about all the little details for forever. It's incredible how a series of stories loosely connected through the so-called "Tracksuit Mafia" (and also Clint's desire to do good in the most miserly way possible) is this fantastic. I love the way that the Avengers are certainly a part of this but never the focus, and Clint (and Kate too) are always a counterpoint to them. I love the exploration of Clint and Kate's relationship, and their stupid banter ("Thanks, Hawkeye." "After you, Hawkeye."). I LOVE the issue about Hurricane Katrina, although I wish it had been provided alongside the editor's note, because it's a really great one. I also love the issue that's entirely told fron Lucky's (that's the dog, for those that don't know) perspective. It finds the coolest ways to represent both Lucky's thought process, and the story going on with Kate and Clint in the background. I love the way every issue begins with "This looks bad" and then works backwards from there, often in a non-linear or at least disjointed style. Actually, on that, the Valentine's issues are specifically really cool for that in the way they intercut multiple stories (along with the most GORGEOUS art) and clearly give you the big picture. Sometimes it takes a bit of thought to piece the original narrative back together, but I really liked that about it. Graphic novels/comics can feel much too quick, and despite only being 200-odd pages, this does not feel this way. I enjoyed taking the time to digest each story, sometimes flipping back through to reconstruct the story in my head. What I'm saying is, it took more than one day to read, and I liked that about it. All in all, I really think this is the pinnacle of comics (not like. the one peak. but one of the peaks. yk?) - it's really really funny, does really cool things with the form, and really understands who Hawkeye is and what makes him (them? her?) interesting. And if you were able to actually digest this disjointed and somewhat frantic review, I think you'll like it too.
January 12, 2024
This book is a really fun read and is the first time I've really got into a Hawkeye comic, it's definitely made me want to read the recent Kate Bishop books as I think she just jumps off the page. I love comic books where the stakes are galactic in nature, i.e. Jason Aaron's run on Thor, but it's also really fun to just dig into the streets of NYC. The use of the tracksuit mafia as the connecting thread between these comics is really fun and keeps the reader engaged. I would rate it 4 stars instead of 5 because there is a bit of a slump from issues 7 to 9, in my opinion, especially considering how it lost a lot of the momentum of the earlier issues but it ended in a really fun way with a whole issue told through the eyes of Pizza Dog. The artwork is really fun throughout and the use of a simple color palette to keep track of the characters shows that you don't need an over the top art style to keep the audience engaged and informed. Definitely recommend!
October 29, 2021
"Okay this looks bad." Everyman Avenger Clint Barton struggles to keep his life together in a series of adventures that read a bit like vintage Green Arrow comics but owe a lot more to classic action films than conventional superheroics.
The fragmented, non-linear narratives are a little too much at times: I often enjoyed piecing together the parts of the story that Fraction, Aja, and others left unsaid, but sometimes I was just flipping back and forth trying to see if I'd missed a page. The action and the banter are great, though, and I appreciate the "mostly ordinary people" level of the storytelling. It says something that my favorite story depicts Clint and Kate caught up in Hurricane Sandy, just trying to help others as best they can. Trick arrow stunts are fun, but sometimes it's more important to be the guy who can row the boat.
The fragmented, non-linear narratives are a little too much at times: I often enjoyed piecing together the parts of the story that Fraction, Aja, and others left unsaid, but sometimes I was just flipping back and forth trying to see if I'd missed a page. The action and the banter are great, though, and I appreciate the "mostly ordinary people" level of the storytelling. It says something that my favorite story depicts Clint and Kate caught up in Hurricane Sandy, just trying to help others as best they can. Trick arrow stunts are fun, but sometimes it's more important to be the guy who can row the boat.
June 21, 2023
I loved this! Very wry humour with Hawkeye the self deprecating butt of all the jokes given his lack of superhero abilities, but he's so unassumingly kickass it doesn't really matter.
Clint has a disaster zone for a life, starting most books with "this is bad", but you can't help but root for him, despite his string of failed relationships and clear want to get with Kate Bishop.
The often hilarious story is brought together with wonderful artwork that just makes the whole thing a joy to devour.
Last up, a big shout out to the especially clever story 'Pizza Dog', told by Hawkeye's dog Lucky through pictograms - brilliant!
Clint has a disaster zone for a life, starting most books with "this is bad", but you can't help but root for him, despite his string of failed relationships and clear want to get with Kate Bishop.
The often hilarious story is brought together with wonderful artwork that just makes the whole thing a joy to devour.
Last up, a big shout out to the especially clever story 'Pizza Dog', told by Hawkeye's dog Lucky through pictograms - brilliant!
January 2, 2022
Just as good as we all remember, and even better in contrast to the show. If you know someone who liked the show, give them this! If you know someone who didn't like the show, give them this,l! If you know someone who likes superheroes, maybe don't give them this. But if you like slide of life, and significant character development, and superb art that changes from time to time, do yourself a favor.
November 30, 2022
Super fun, street level Christmas fun showing the effects of constant battle and hanging around with aliens, geniuses and gods on a normal human. Clint and Kate's relationship is brilliant, they care for each other but aren't afraid to make fun of the other. The action scenes looked incredible. However, I would have liked a more consistent story or at least a thread connecting everything together.
March 9, 2024
Wow, just terrible.
Pages upon pages of fluff.
Pages/panels depicting arrow points and their descriptions. How about yoh explain how a small device on the tip of an arrow going in a straight line can become a weighted bolo or a boomerang? Oh yeah.... Tony Stark did it.
Seriously though... Maybe I missed something since I didn't finish this one but it was mostly dialog, little action and no plot.
Two Stars because it was very nicely inked.
July 17, 2022
The fantastic use of art and different POVs to tell the story is absolutely stunning and I would have been fully immersed in the story if the non-linear narrative and repetitive dialogue wasn't just a little bit overused. This is almost a perfect story and I adored every second of reading it. It's a delight to read about Clint, Kate and Lucky, and I can't wait to get my hands on the next part!
February 18, 2025
Very low stakes for a superhero comic, just a guy who barely counts as a superhero not having his shit together at all and just being miserable and making everyone else miserable too.
Actually funny at times and the art is brilliant, particularly ending on a issue from a bloody dog's point of view.
Stupid cliffhanger ending, gotta track down omnibus vol 2.
Actually funny at times and the art is brilliant, particularly ending on a issue from a bloody dog's point of view.
Stupid cliffhanger ending, gotta track down omnibus vol 2.
June 3, 2022
So take that Hawkeye Disney+ show that just came out, give it a much cooler visual style, increase the wit and charm by about 200%, and this is what you get. It's not often that I get the second volume of something after reading just one issue, but I had to, this is too good.
September 10, 2024
"Okay... this looks bad."
I will be badgering my local HMV until they order in Volume 2.
Clint & Kate' dynamic are the best part of these comics in my opinion, I find their friendship to be the epitome of tired dad and bisexual daughter (you will have to fight me on that).
I will be badgering my local HMV until they order in Volume 2.
Clint & Kate' dynamic are the best part of these comics in my opinion, I find their friendship to be the epitome of tired dad and bisexual daughter (you will have to fight me on that).
November 13, 2021
Lucky the pizza dog is the goodest boy imaginable
January 28, 2022
Top stuff!!!
February 8, 2022
Issues with David Aja's art are great, rest can be skipped.
June 8, 2022
4.5/5 stars. The story is very good and the art is FAN-TAS-TIC. All in all it was an incredibly enjoyable read, with an amazing last chapter.
November 24, 2022
Terrific story, plotting, character and art. I came at this via the Disney+ MCU limited series so there was a lot that was familiar, but the book stands apart and would recommend to all
December 5, 2022
This comic has dogs. Main selling point.
July 5, 2025
Tqm Matt Fraction
September 12, 2025
This books puts the biggest smile on my face
This comics also proves when you let the creative team let loose and do what ever they want
This comics also proves when you let the creative team let loose and do what ever they want
December 27, 2025
mcu clint barton could never
December 23, 2021
Pizza dog=Wholesome
May 12, 2022
- One of my favourite comics at the moment.
- I love the art style and Matt Fraction's writing, I am very excited to read more of his work.
- I love the art style and Matt Fraction's writing, I am very excited to read more of his work.
July 31, 2023
Really enjoyable Hawkeye novel. Though the Tracksuit Draculas are annoying when they talk.
August 22, 2023
Some real highlights, sadly some low lights too. Did not like the last chapter at all.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews