The Ultimates has been firing on all cylinders, delivering great comics from issue one. Author Deniz Camp and artist Juan Frigeri have made this book a must-read for the new Ultimate Universe, as the return of supervillain The Maker looms ever closer. As time passes, Ultimates rush to fill their ranks. And in Ultimate #5, Hawkeye takes center stage.
Like the previous issue, The Ultimates #5 features an interesting twist on a well-known character. This time it’s Hawkeye. This issue not only explores Clint’s potential, but also establishes a new Native American hero while setting up a new kind of Hawkeye with a modern feel.
You’ll know it right away because the issue opens with a quote from Zaschke Witko, “Crazy Horse” and Theodore Roosevelt. This reminds us of the racism that white people had against Native Americans and the notion that Native Americans wanted peace.
This problem feels a little simpler than the previous chapters due to its structure. It begins with Iron Lad telling Captain America that the weapon he made for Hawkeye has fallen into the wrong hands. He’s not necessarily a villain, but Iron Lad doesn’t believe he can be the hero they need. Cap is asked to retrieve the weapon, and much of the rest of the film is spent confronting Hawkeye and Captain America.
Heroes fighting heroes!
Credit: Marvel
Several things work well in this problem. The first is the variety of cool arrows that Hawkeye uses. Juan Frigeri shows off all kinds of arrows with incredibly powerful abilities. They are used against Captain America, so Cap can narrowly avoid them or even get hit by them. These arrows do a good job of supporting archery heroes that are effective in modern teams.
Another element is Hawkeye’s rebelliousness and how his approach is needed in this world. The Ultimates are more like a terrorist organization than a superhero team, as they fight government agencies, but Hawkeye fits that bill perfectly. His dialogue is also great and he supports that approach. Iron Lad and Captain America are true to life, but the camp makes you think Hawkeye is a little more dangerous and a risk-taker.
For fans looking for greater plot progression in the world, we get some hints. Several heroes participate in other missions, reminding us that this team does a lot each month. For example, Cap references something from the past, and the entire cliffhanger hinges on an important character working for The Maker going into the series.
Ultimate #5 works best as a solid argument for why Hawkeye is a great contributor to the team and a necessary member considering his attitude. This issue establishes his idea that heroes need to succeed in a world where they are villains.
“The Ultimates” #5 reminds us that this team is a rebellion
Ultimate #5
Ultimate #5 works best as a solid argument for why Hawkeye is a great contributor to the team and a necessary member considering his attitude. This issue establishes his idea that heroes need to succeed in a world where they are villains.
Good explanation of why Hawkeye rules this universe
Frigeri draws great arrow action
The plot is a little simplified with three scenes
