Deniz Camp, Taboo, B. Earl, and Juan Frigeri, along with the rest of the creative team, deliver a debut comic that feels less like a typical superhero story and more like a high-octane action film with a surprisingly personal core. Ultimate Hawkeye #1 is an engaging, fast-paced debut, throwing readers into a world of intrigue and danger from the very first page.
The comic kicks off with a tense, almost cinematic sequence. Ulysses Klaue, a major international arms dealer with a history of fueling global conflicts, is paranoid despite having what he calls “the best system money can buy, “an A.I.M. ADAPToid security system. His anxiety is well-founded: four of the five biggest arms dealers in the world have been killed in the last month, a trend he attributes to the Ultimates.
Miles away in Brooklyn, the new Hawkeye, Charli Ramsey, is the source of Klaue’s fear. As part of the Ultimates, Hawkeye is fighting back against the Maker’s Council and its affiliated corporations. Using a StarkTech headpiece, he hears Klaue’s frantic heartbeat from miles away and fires a specialized hunter-killer arrow. The arrow, which has a “fingernail-sized brain” in its shaft, moves at Mach 3, outsmarting Klaue’s security and killing him instantly in just fourteen seconds.
After the successful hit, he reveals that the hunt was just a warm-up, and also he’s been hearing things. The comic then shifts as we see Hawkeye, in disguise, at a lavish party in the Meatpacking District. His objective is to get photos and video of a Senator, but he is quickly exposed. The party is a trap set by Roxxon, a corporation he’s been actively fighting, and the so-called Senator’s token was just bait. He’s captured and forced to participate in a series of trials, the final one pitting him against the Ronin, the person who was supposed to be the hero Hawkeye before he took up the mantle. To up the ante, Roxxon reveals that both their families are in their crosshairs, threatening to eradicate the loser’s entire family.
The story is less about a hero saving the day and more about one person’s personal vendetta. Charli Ramsey’s narration gives us a deep look into his motivations, as he recounts his late mother’s love for poetry and her righteous anger that ultimately got her killed. This personal history is a constant presence, influencing Hawkeye’s actions and thoughts. He channels his family’s memory as he fights against Ronin in a tense, brutal climax, blinding Ronin but refusing to kill him.
The art by Juan Frigeri and Michael Sta. Maria is a standout feature. The action is dynamic and clean, especially during the climactic fight. The panels are well-composed, moving the story forward with a sense of urgency. The vibrant and expressive colors by Federico Blee and Alex Sinclair, from the bright yellow of the sun to the shadowy blues and purples of the city at night, add to the tone of each scene.
The lettering by VC’s Joe Sabino is fantastic, with sound effects that enhance the immersive experience and make the fight scenes feel incredibly visceral. The art, colors, and lettering all work in concert to create a comic that is both visually stunning and narratively compelling.
Ultimate Hawkeye #1 is a strong start to a new series. It’s a gritty, emotionally-driven story that moves at a breakneck pace, with a protagonist who has personal stakes in every fight. The creative team has delivered a comic that feels both fresh and familiar, leaving you wanting more with the promise of future conflict and a new kind of revenge for Hawkeye. If you’re looking for a new series that combines sharp action with a compelling character study, look no further.
‘Ultimate Hawkeye’ #1 Delivers a High-Octane Revenge Story
Ultimate Hawkeye #1 is a strong start to a new series. It’s a gritty, emotionally-driven story that moves at a breakneck pace, with a protagonist who has personal stakes in every fight.
