Hawkeye

Clint Barton — better known as Hawkeye — is one of Marvel's most enduring street-level heroes, a self-made marksman with no superhuman abilities who carved out a legendary place among Earth's Mightiest Heroes through sheer skill, stubbornness, and an almost reckless bravado. Orphaned young and raised in Carson's Carnival of Travelling Wonders, Clint honed his archery under the tutelage of criminals before choosing a different path. His first appearance in Tales of Suspense #57 (1964) marks a crucial key issue for Silver Age collectors — he debuted as a misunderstood villain opposite Iron Man, a rare origin for a character who would go on to become one of the Avengers' most beloved mainstays. That issue has seen consistent demand across all grades, making it a cornerstone of any serious Silver Age Marvel collection.

Hawkeye's journey from reluctant antagonist to Avenger is one of Marvel's great redemption arcs. He joined the Avengers during the iconic "Cap's Kooky Quartet" era alongside Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver, a run that gave Clint room to grow into a wisecracking, fiercely loyal hero. Over the decades he has worn multiple identities — taking on the Goliath mantle and size-manipulation tech, operating as the deadly ninja-inspired Ronin, and even briefly carrying the Captain America shield. Each identity shift generated its own wave of key issues that collectors prize. His leadership of the West Coast Avengers franchise spawned a beloved ongoing series that remains highly collectible, full of character-defining moments and significant guest appearances.

Among modern readers and collectors alike, Matt Fraction and David Aja's Hawkeye ongoing series (2012) is considered a modern masterpiece — a visually innovative, street-level character study that redefined Clint for a new generation and introduced Kate Bishop as his co-starring partner. Issues from that run, particularly early printings, are consistently sought after for their artistic ambition and cultural impact on the hobby. Clint also played pivotal roles in mega-events including Secret Invasion, Civil War, and Siege, and his time with the New Avengers and Secret Avengers produced numerous high-demand single issues.

For collectors, Hawkeye's key books span six decades of Marvel history — from the high-grade Silver Age hunt for Tales of Suspense #57 to the modern classic Fraction/Aja run — offering compelling entry points at every budget level. His expansive list of team affiliations means his appearances are woven throughout virtually every major Marvel event and team book, making him one of the most rewarding characters to chase across back-issue bins. Whether you're building a focused Hawkeye run or completing an Avengers collection, Clint Barton's books deliver consistent value and a rich, endlessly entertaining reading experience.