By Larry Jorash — Here we are with Hawkeye - Kate Bishop #5, the finale of a series in which Katherine “Kate” Elizabeth Bishop, aka Hawkeye, teams up with her former Young Avengers teammates Cassie Lang (Stinger) and America Chavez, as well as her long time estranged sister Susan to stop an evil circus from mind controlling and robbing the masses. And if that wasn’t enough, their plan for revenge is to blame the whole thing on Kate and her villainous family. This level of silly, street-level crime fighting is exactly why I love Hawkeye comics so much.

Probably the first thing people will notice about this comic is how loud the colors are. Brittany Peer and Rachelle Rosenberg do stunning work, making every panel pop. Specifically, I liked how they worked color into the messages within the Young Avengers group chat. The art team also unleashes a lot that they’ve held back in previous issues, giving us a climactic kickass fight sequence between Kate and Fifi, the trick shot circus archer. And when the fight really ramps up, we see the color work take off like a rocket as reality shifting envelops the page; almost as if the artists took over the storytelling. It really is awesome seeing so much care put into every element of this book.

One thing I’ve appreciated greatly in this miniseries has been the allusions to the past of Hawkeye lore. Ramon and Johnny, Kate’s friend and love interest from the Kelly Thompson run, make brief cameo appearances in the first issue. During the second issue, we discover that the main antagonists for the series are a reincarnation of Le Cirque (now going by Chapiteau); an evil circus which uses hypnotism to thieve the rich; hero and villain alike. This is a call back to Hawkeye #2 from the all-time great Matt Fraction and David Aja run of 2012.

The cover for the third issue greatly resembles the cover for New Avengers #27, in which Clint Barton first dons the Ronin mask; an act that freed up the mantle for our titular heroine. And finally, in this final issue Kate runs through a flashback of her costumed history in comics; ranging from the early Young Avengers suit to the obscure Hawkingbird fan-favorite costume. Honestly, for Hawkeye fans that montage alone makes this book a must-read.

But the major theme of Hawkeye - Kate Bishop has been redemption. Forced to return to her roots and family home in New York, Kate finds she has a blood-related family member that she can trust; something new for a character whose mother is a vampire and father is a crime lord (because comics). We also see Kate gaining self confidence as this book progresses, dealing with anxiety that eventually turns to relief as her frustrations are finally addressed. And lastly, we see Kate return physically home, going to a place she couldn’t be further from both physically and emotionally at the beginning of the story. By being forced back to NYC and to Bishop Manor, Kate is also forced to face her past and find an appreciation for the life she’s made for herself. It’s really powerful stuff.

And finally, I just have to add that as a Hawkeye stan it was disappointing to once again be let down in the will-they/won’t they of the AmeriKate ship, yet I still hold out hope that one day a comic will give in to the fan service.

Overall: Hawkeye - Kate Bishop #5 is a really fun and pretty comic book. The fight scene alone is worth picking up. 9/10

REVIEW: Hawkeye - Kate Bishop #5

Hawkeye - Kate Bishop #5
Writer: Marieke Nijkamp
Inkers: Oren Junior & Roberto Poggi
Penciler: Enid Balám
Colors: Brittany Peer & Rachelle Rosenberg
Letters: Joe Caramagna
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $3.99
It all comes down to this! Kate, Susan and Lucky have to shut down Resort Chapiteau once and for all, and to do that, they have to follow the Circus of Crime into the very last place Kate ever wants to go: home. Don’t miss this fantastic Hawkeye finale – you will have such a good time!
Buy It Here: Digital / In Trade

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Larry Jorash (He/Him) resides in Central Florida managing a comic book shop and coaching youth sports. In his spare time he enjoys ice hockey and reading. You will almost never find his hand vacant of coffee. Find him on twitter: (@theREALlarbear)