In all the years that Clint Barton has been a part of the evergrowing Marvel Cinematic Universe, he has never held a forefront spotlight. The MCU Disney+ original series Hawkeye changes that.
Hawkeye places Clint Barton front and center, alongside newcomer Kate Bishop, who idolizes him. His journey is entwined with the younger archer’s after she ends up with his Ronin outfit, which brings out old enemies from Clint’s actions during the five-year blip.
Previously, Clint Barton has been an ingrained part of the fabric in the Avengers team. However, he is the least centralized of the initial group of superheroes. There has never been a Hawkeye film; he comes late to the party in Captain America: Civil War and misses Avengers: Infinity War altogether.
For being an essential part of the fabric of the MCU as an original Avenger, he has never gotten the screentime or storyline he deserved to show his importance. Although Avengers: Age Of Ultron and Avengers: Endgame tried to explain why he was so significant to the plot and other Avengers, his overall lack of involvement in central storylines did not help him.
Disney+ series Hawkeye directly addresses some of those issues through Kate Bishop, who repeatedly explains Clint Barton’s branding problem, as he is the least recognized Avenger.
Placing Clint at the forefront of the storyline gives him the time to shine in his element, something the films did not give him enough time to do. As an archer, his abilities come across as tame compared to super-soldier Captain America, God of Thunder Thor, the Hulk, or the technologically advanced Iron Man.
Although Natasha Romanoff relies on her superior fighting skills and intelligence as a Black Widow assassin, she has also appeared in more Marvel content, including the 2021 release of the Black Widow film.
Clint Barton may not have powers, but Hawkeye allows him to show off his archery skills and unique trick arrows that help save the day. This series gives Clint a deserved chance to develop his character and an earned opportunity to be the leading figure.
But, Clint Barton is not the only one to benefit from the show. Kate Bishop also plays an integral role as a younger archer with the potential to take the torch from Clint Barton. Considering Clint had been on and off retired, handing off the responsibility to Kate may be a solid way to conclude his superhero activities. But, of course, the chance is always open for his return, especially considering how well he and Kate worked together.
Kate proves herself as a skilled and helpful partner while mastering the comical side that the MCU is known for giving its characters. Kate shines in the episodes, including her interactions with Black Widow’s Yelena Belova.
Hawkeye creates an opportunity for Kate Bishop to rise as one of Marvel’s newest heroes. Considering the franchise is moving into its next phase, the MCU needs new blood to help grow out the expanding world.
The series worked to show Clint Barton’s significance, introduce potentially important future Marvel hero Kate Bishop, and continue working through character development for Yelena Belova.