Ultimate Hawkeye came onto the scene and immediately sparked interest due to their edgier persona and nonbinary status. Now they’ve got a one-shot to further flesh them out and show there’s no stopping them from getting results when it comes to dead villains. The issue has an opening story by Deniz Camp and Juan Frigeri continuing the Ultimates subplots, with a main story by B. Earl, Taboo, and Michael Sta. Maria to prob the infiltration of a villainous cult.
Ultimate Hawkeye #1 opens on an A.I.M. villain ensuring his security is up to snuff. Someone is taking out arms dealers, and he’s the last big one left. His security is up to snuff for any attack, or so he thinks, as special arrows and foresight might be enough. This prologue carries forward the Ultimates thread by showing big players are being taken out, and Hawkeye is going solo to do it.
Titled “The Right Tool for the Job,” B. Earl, Taboo, and Sta. Maria takes over the rest of the book. Hawkeye is infiltrating an organization that’s not unlike Eyes Wide Shut, only there are women in cages screaming as the ultra-rich look on without a care in the world. It’s fairly clear there’s evil stuff going on, and Hawkeye aims to clear it up. That is, until a trap is set, leading Hawkeye through trials that risk their life.
Yikes!
Credit: Marvel
What makes this story stand out is the captions, which provide additional information on Hawkeye’s past while also setting up payoffs later. The captions also help us zero in on Hawkeye’s problem-solving skills and pain thresholds, which build towards an arena final battle.
Two familiar faces pop up in this portion of the book, with one being a major Ronin reveal. It’s not too much of a shock, though it does put to bed a key Avenger’s location in this universe.
The art throughout is detailed, with good framing for key dramatic moments. I was a bit confused when Hawkeye surprised Ronin at one point, because he should have seen it coming, and Hawkeye was down for the count. It’s a little too convenient, especially with Hawkeye expressing low energy and so much pain.
Aside from the detailed art, Sta. Maria pulls off a wicked full-page splash of the women in cages. It’ll make you hate the partygoers right off the bat. There’s also a neat visual after Hawkeye is drugged. It’s quick, but Hawkeye sees things almost like a comic book, and then a goopy mess.
Ultimate Hawkeye #1 cements the character as a fierce, distinct presence in the Ultimate Universe, balancing a gritty cult infiltration with personal depth and a Ronin twist. While not flawless in execution, the issue mixes haunting visuals, character-driven captions, and raw tension to deliver a memorable spotlight that expands the Ultimate line’s scope.
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