The Good
This is what it's all been leading up to. Way back at the beginning of the series, Hawkeye took possession of his apartment building from some really bad people. They weren't too happy. We've seen Hawkeye fight them for the sake of his neighbors. It's just too bad he has such a tendency to mess up a lot. With the Tracksuit Mafia headed their way, Clint prepares for a final showdown. The odds are stacked against him since his only allies are his injured brother, Barney, and a few of the neighbors in the building.
Matt Fraction immediately sets the tone for what's to come. We may have had some moments of humor in the series but you can feel it's not headed towards a nice happy place. Thinking back, you really get an appreciation for how the entire story has been building up to this moment.
David Aja's art and Matt Hollingsworth's colors are a welcomed sight. Despite the delays, you can easily jump back in and it feels like it wasn’t that long ago. Once the action kicks in, you’ll be glued to each page.
The Bad
Obviously, the delays have been a problem. You can see how great this entire series will read when collected. Towards the end, there is one sequence that’s a little difficult to follow because of how it’s presented and being seen from Hawkeye’s perspective. Maybe I just want what obviously happened not have happened.
The Verdict
HAWKEYE is back and things are looking good for Clint or his neighbors. Matt Fraction, David Aja, and Matt Hollingsworth are wrapping up the series and the suspense and heartbreak is building. With where this issue is headed, there is a feeling of reluctance in finding out what the next issue might have in store for us. Things get pretty heavy. It's been a long journey. There's been unfortunate delays. But the quality and storytelling is exactly what we love and expect.