Ever since the announcement of the Disney+ Hawkeye series fans of Kate Bishop have been waiting to see the character onscreen, and season 1 of the show delivered in a way that managed to stay true to the comic book version of the archer whilst also adjusting elements that wouldn't suit the story.
Kate's journey throughout the season showed her coming into her own as a hero, with all of the associated complications that come with such a transition, but it also focused on her interpersonal relationships with her family, childhood hero, and new friends in a way that successfully rounded out her character.
Her Dynamic With Clint
One of the defining aspects of the success of the Hawkeye series and the comics run (by Matt Fraction and David Aja) which the show heavily draws from is the connection between Kate and Clint Barton, which onscreen retains its greatness as a compelling dynamic.
Kate goes from a Hawkeye superfan in episode 1 to Clint's partner and protégée in episode 6, but the development of their friendship doesn't feel rushed. Instead, Kate and Clint gradually begin to understand each other, and teach the other archer something new, whether that's to do with fighting technique or their worth as a hero.
The Bishop Family's Villainy
Kate's history with her family makes up a large part of her backstory in the comics, and although in that medium it is her father with the main role, Kate's mother Eleanor fills that position in the MCU's adaptation.
Having parents with criminal or villainous secrets isn't a new concept for superhero stories, but by translating it into the show Kate is given a more personal connection to the crimes she fights against, and moments of conflict as she comes to terms with the wrong Eleanor has done.
Her Varied Fighting Styles
Beyond her skill as an archer, Kate Bishop has proficiency with a variety of weapons, including swords and a staff, and as both a martial artist and gymnast, which she uses to great effect in the battles she finds herself in during missions against the Tracksuit Mafia and beyond.
The show establishes Kate's affinity for these skills early on, and her dedication to so many disciplines demonstrates how wholeheartedly she has longed to become a hero like Clint, and how much of her life has been dedicated to pursuing that ambition.
Her Motivations For Becoming A Hero
Some of Kate Bishop's best quotes in Hawkeye arise from her talking about why she wanted to become a hero in the first place, and what the concept of a superhero means to her, particularly in relation to Clint, having witnessed his heroics in the battle against the Chitauri in The Avengers.
Whilst this motivation comes from a different place than her comic book origins, it far better fits into the story that the show is trying to tell, and provides Kate a longstanding connection to Clint that makes her feel more integrated into the world of the MCU even though she is a new character.
Her Investigative Skills
Among the many possibilities for Kate's future in the MCU is the idea that she could start her own private investigation company, as she does in the comics, further connecting her to that version of the character while also giving her a link to fellow NYC hero Jessica Jones, one of Kate's comic book friends.
Throughout Hawkeye Kate displays her interest in and talent for investigative work, whether that's through uncovering information via her mother's company or in relentlessly pursuing leads she has on those suspected of wrongdoing, showing that Kate's heroism isn't limited to her fighting skills.
Her Friendship With Yelena
A perhaps unexpected but nevertheless delightful dynamic to emerge from Hawkeye came from Kate's interactions with Yelena Belova, who initially enters the story as an antagonist, come to kill Clint after she's been told that he was responsible for her sister Natasha's death.
Kate's best friends in the Marvel comic books are varied, and she's no stranger to befriending people she was once at odds with, so her storyline with Yelena makes a lot of sense. What starts from a place of distrust slowly evolves over the course of the show towards possible friendship in humorous scenes between the two, setting up a pairing that will hopefully show up together again in the future.
Her Loyalty
In all that she does during Hawkeye, Kate remains loyal to those she cares about for as long as she is able to, whether that be in defending Clint to Yelena and her family, or thinking the best of her mother Eleanor until she is unmistakably proved of her villainy.
Kate's loyalty says a lot about her values and sets her up to become a great team player alongside other heroes in her future MCU appearances, whatever they may entail. Furthermore, her loyalty is something she shares with Clint and serves as a way to show the two's similarities.
Her Wealthy Background
There is a plethora of superheroes that come from wealthy families, and Kate Bishop is one of them. Her background evidently helped facilitate much of Kate's martial arts and weapons learning as a child, but when Hawkeye starts Kate is living on her own, and not as engaged with the high society she grew up in.
Although Kate's family wealth is not central to her personal story in the show, it's of great importance in establishing Eleanor's powerful position in New York and does allow the pair of them to move in many circles without arousing suspicion, whether that privilege is used for better or worse.
Her Outfits
From her purple tracksuit to the superhero costume she attains in the series finale, some of Kate's best outfits in Hawkeye are used to inform the audience more about her character, whilst also bringing to screen the distinctive style Kate has in the comics, which includes a whole lot of purple.
Whether she's wearing a suit and using it as a chance to blend in at a fancy party or designing Clint a new super-look, Kate's fashion plays a subtle part in the story of Hawkeye, and it is used to great effect, from establishing her as a regular 22-year-old to emphasizing the bitter cold of New York in December.
Her Connection To Lucky
One of Kate's earliest acts of heroism in Hawkeye has her saving the stray dog she later names Lucky (the Pizza Dog), a beloved fixture of the Fraction and Aja comic book series that is just as lovable onscreen.
Lucky becomes both a companion to Kate and a responsibility that connects her to Clint, with the pair often talking about how they need to walk him, in what is a reality check for the heroes and a running gag. Kate and Lucky travel to spend Christmas with the Bartons at the end of the show, signaling a new family for them both.