*inc. pun about hitting the target*
No doubt you've heard the ton of hype following the release of this series. It deserves it.
I read it. Then immediately read it again. First off, David Aja's art is unbelievable and ultra modern. The cover is one of the best I've seen in a while. It is seriously good. It is different, unique, stream-lined.
By no coincidence, these are also the words you could use to describe this portrayal of Clint and the series as a whole. Fraction manages to cut to the very core of what makes Hawkeye tick. Here's a guy who is a "super" hero; he's helped save the world countless times, yet has no powers of his own. He's a street level hero, sticking up for the everyday man/woman. He gets hurt. He isn't perfect. He has the privilege of being able to blend in to the crowd. He has an apartment, and hangs around with regular people. He is not simply an "Avenger". Not simply "Hawkeye". He has a life beyond the heroics. We see all of this over the duration of the first issue, and it is truly refreshing to see. Fraction simply gets Clint Barton. We've seen plenty of writers tackle Hawkeye, but this is by far my favourite incarnation. It's clear from the outset that this issue is hoping to bring in new readers who have seen and enjoyed Hawkeye's depiction in The Avengers, but absolutely anyone (new readers or old) can enjoy this comic.
Again, I cannot overestimate the simple brilliance of the art. I knew Aja was good (although I hadn't actually read/seen anything he's done before) but I was blown away by what I saw here. If any of you have seen the opening credits of Casino Royale it's very much in the same style (unless, of course, that is actually Aja's work).
With Kate Bishop's introduction coming next issue, I couldn't be more excited for this series, or the direction it's going. If you haven't read it yet, all I can say is: Why not? It is absolutely awesome.