Warning: This list contains SPOILERS for the first five episodes of Hawkeye.
Hawkeye has set up a number of mysteries over the course of the series, and one of the most intriguing is the revelation that Laura Barton seems to have a more complicated past than was previously known. She appears to have as much knowledge and experience of espionage as her husband, and comic book fans know that Hawkeye was married to a spy codenamed Mockingbird in Marvel Comics.
The comic book Bobbi Morse appears to be a very different character than Laura Barton on the surface, but as a spy, her biographical details are completely interchangeable. Even so, Mockingbird's comic book history points to some potential developments with Laura Barton in the MCU, or possibly her past leading up to when fans first met her in 2015's Avengers: Age Of Ultron.
Her Early Evolution
The comic book Mockingbird evolved dramatically from her early appearances. She first appeared in Astonishing Tales #6 in 1971, co-created by writer Len Wein and artist Neal Adams, one of the best Batman artists of all time. Mockingbird initially wasn't Mockingbird at all, but a brunette woman who shows up at the mansion of Lord Kevin Plunder, who comic book fans know as Ka-Zar of the Savage Land.
Over her next few appearances, she would gain a name, Barbara, and shift from brunette to blonde. She wouldn't become Bobbi Morse until Astonishing Tales #15 a year later, where she's revealed to be an undercover agent for S.H.I.E.L.D.
Her Agent 19 Identity
From that point on, 'Bobbi' Morse would become known as Agent 19, one of the most important spies in Marvel Comics. She's initially the partner and love interest of Ka-Zar, which could potentially provide an interesting wrinkle in Laura Barton's backstory in the MCU.
When Ka-Zar leaves New York City to return full-time to the Savage Land, she stays behind. She remains a presence as a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent who comes in and out of the story, but she otherwise leaves this part of her comic book history behind in 1974.
The Huntress Alias
Comic book fans know The Huntress is a major figure in the world of DC Comics, closely associated with Batman. But for a time in the 70s, Bobbi Morse went by Huntress. She first appears in this iteration in Marvel Super Action #1 in 1976 on an undercover mission for S.H.I.E.L.D.
Bobbi Morse wouldn't gain her Mockingbird codename until 1980, in Marvel Team-Up #95. She actually changes her identity in the course of a mission with Spider-Man, which sets up some connections in later comics and could portend things to come in the MCU.
She Fell In Love At First Sight
For most comic book fans, Mockingbird is most closely associated with Hawkeye. That's because of their iconic first encounter in the first Hawkeye mini-series in 1983. The two fell in love instantly and married at the end of the four-issue run.
Their whirlwind romance would define both characters for decades to come, and alter the trajectory of their arcs through the 80s and beyond. Their romance would end up being very rocky, and as impulsive in its behavior as it was in the beginning.
She's A West Coast Avengers Leader
A major consequence of the marriage between Hawkeye and Mockingbird was the formation of the West Coast Avengers in 1984, the first offshoot of the main team. The duo led a new squad in California, potentially signaling developments in the MCU.
Mockingbird served as the co-lead of the team for much of its early history, working side by side with her husband against many powerful enemies and leading a team of diverse heroes like U.S. Agent, The Vision, and The Scarlet Witch.
Ultron Uses Her To Create His Wife
One of the strangest wrinkles in Mockingbird's comics story happens in Avengers West Coast #90 from the early 90s when Ultron uses her to create his second robotic wife. Alkhema's personality and behavior are based entirely on Mockingbird.
One of the most powerful versions of Ultron kidnaps Mockingbird to accomplish this, as he did with Janet Van Dyne to create his first wife, Jocasta. Hawkeye ultimately destroys Alkhema, but like her creator, she would return again and again.
Mephisto Kills Her
Mockingbird's comic book story appears to come to an end in the early 90s when she dies at hands of Mephisto in Avengers West Coast #100. She throws herself in front of an energy blast meant for Hawkeye, sacrificing her life to save his.
Mockingbird would remain dead in the comics for a very long time. Versions of her would appear here and there in the comics into the early 2000s, but she wouldn't properly return to action until 2009's Secret Invasion crossover event.
She Was Replaced By A Skrull
Mockingbird returns in the course of the Secret Invasion comic book series, and it's revealed that the version that died in the 90s was a Skrull imposter and that the real Bobbi Morse was a prisoner of the Skrulls the entire time. She's reunited with Clint Barton at the end of the story.
Mockingbird's connection to the Skrulls is potentially very intriguing for the MCU given the fact that the storyline has inspired the upcoming Secret Invasion streaming series on Disney+. While the circumstances are different from the comics, it's possible that Bobbi's history with the Skrulls informs some of Laura's MCU future.
Her Separation From Hawkeye
Before her death, Bobbi's relationship with Hawkeye was extremely volatile. The two were on the rocks throughout most of the West Coast Avengers era, especially after Clint became disillusioned with her after she let a villain called the Phantom Rider die.
Though they were reunited after Secret Invasion, they were never able to reconcile in the comics and remain apart. Bobbi has since become involved with Lance Hunter. Clint Barton's trail of broken romances defines him in the comics, a stark contrast from his MCU version.
She's A Member Of The Avengers
Possibly indicating Laura Barton's MCU future, Mockingbird has remained a member of the Avengers since her return to the comics. She's been a part of many iterations of the team in the 2010s into the 2020s, including the New Avengers and the Mighty Avengers. It's possible Laura comes back into active duty, or she and Clint form some version of the West Coast Avengers in the MCU.
In the comics, she most recently fought with the team against the Cotati invasion in the Empyre crossover event, a massive cosmic battle between the Kree, Skrulls, and Cotati that spilled over to the Earth.