Cover by: Ramon Perez
Storytellers: Jeff Lemire & Ramon Perez
Colors by Ian Herring with Ramon Perez
Review by Slewo

Now on first blush this is a strange situation, the first issue of All-New Hawkeye debuts before the previous volume has even concluded. But beyond a couple sentences of reference, Lemire and Perez immediately start blazing their own trail. That trail however, starts in the past. The last few writers to take on Hawkeye: Jim McCann, and Matt Fraction both did their own takes on Clint Barton’s past, and Lemire is no different. While the title does read “All-New,” Hawkeye has always been a character defined by his past as well as his future, and any gaps needing to be filled are certainly welcome to be explored. For my tastes, the book’s tone in the flashback sequences resembles his too-short run on Superboy and his seminal Essex County. Indeed, it’s the most Lemire’s writing has felt true to himself in a long while.

The book hits the ground running exploring more of Clint’s past with Barney, as well as his present troubles with Kate. All Hawkeyes are accounted for, and Lemire immediately captures the voices that Fraction defined for the characters and takes them further on their stories. Perez  is a very welcome addition to the book. David Aja and Annie Wu are very hard acts to follow, but Perez wastes no time in making the book’s tone his own.

In particular, Perez’s art for the flashback sequences far and away distinguishes him from the look Aja defined for the book. While I’ll always love and adore Kate Bishop as Hawkeye, the flashbacks are definitely where Lemire and Perez shine with Clint and Barney’s further adventures in the past. The coloring as well deserves praise, between Perez himself and Ian Herring, both the flashbacks and present day sequences are gorgeous, and a great reminder of how much a colorist can make or break the art on a book.

The book as a whole is phenomenal. Once the previous run concludes, this book will more than definitely be another great gateway into the world of Hawkeye. And even before that happens (well whenever it happens, when is that final issue supposed to come out), this book is more than worth your 3.99.  People say they want better and more varied books from Marvel and DC. Marvel has definitely listened on that front, this Hawkeye is no slouch and is most definitely a prestige book worth your time. Go out and get it.

5 out of 5 Hawkeyes