With the first episode of Ms. Marvel having recently been released, Marvel continues to show that can balance continuing the stories of its original cinematic heroes while creating exciting introductions for the next generation. Hawkeye has always been one of the most popular Marvel superheroes since his debut in Thor, and the success of the recent Disney+ Hawkeye show has only increased his popularity.
Since even before his cinematic appearances, Hawkeye has been a widely loved comic character. That being said, people always have unpopular opinions, and Redditors haven't held back from expressing theirs about the Avenger's sharpshooter.
He Was The Best Part Of Age Of Ultron
Avengers: Age of Ultron is widely considered the worst of the four Avengers movies because of its fragmented plot, off-beat humor, and awkward romance. There are some redeeming qualities of this movie, though; namely, the introduction of Wanda and Pietro Maximoff and the famous scene with Captain America ripping a log in half. However, some Redditors argue that Hawkeye is actually the best part of Age of Ultron.
WakeUpOutaYourSleep writes, "Age of Ultron was a big improvement for him. He had more to do and was far more interesting, badass, and entertaining." This certainly seems like a reasonable opinion as Clint was relegated to a mind-controlled minion to Loki for most of the first Avengers film.
He Is Racist
With characters that go as far back as the 1930s, there are often at least a few problematic storylines and characters that they've been involved with. Clint Barton has had some fantastic comic runs, and he isn't usually one to exhibit this kind of behavior, but some Redditors argue that some of his behavior, even in modern stories, is racist.
Pursuit_of_Yappiness writes, "Hawkeye 'copes' with the loss of his family by going and murdering a bunch of Asians because they happened to survive Thanos. But we're still supposed to cheer for that racist piece of s--t when he gets his family back." Hawkeye does go on a murdering spree post-snap, but this opinion is controversial because the film specifies that he was targeting known criminals, not people of a particular background.
The MCU Version Of Him Is Boring
Introduced in Thor, Hawkeye is one of the oldest MCU characters, and he has always been a hugely popular character overall. That being said, some Redditors argue that the MCU adaptation of Hawkeye is extremely boring.
Redditor islas_oscar writes, "I watch something like Avengers [Earth's Mightiest Heroes] and I think, damn now that’s the Clint Barton I know and love. When I watch the MCU, all I think is boring family man with some good moments." While many fans enjoy having a more down-to-earth character to counterbalance the more powerful Avengers, he's apparently not to everyone's taste.
Matt Fraction's Hawkeye Run Is Awful
Matt Fraction and David Aja's 2012 Hawkeye series is famous for its introduction of Kate Bishop, Lucky the Pizza Dog, and the Tracksuit Mafia. Most Marvel fans praise Fraction's take on Clint Barton. However, some people think that he ruined Hawkeye.
Redditor burnerfret says, "Matt Fraction f---ed up Hawkeye. Hawkeye should be cocky, anti-authority, swashbuckling...Fraction's Hawkeye was a loser who got beat up by guys in track suits and lost the respect of his sidekick and dog." This Redditor certainly has a strong opinion about this Hawkeye run, but most fans think that Fraction's Hawkeye is more endearing than other writers' renditions of the character; Fraction makes Clint an unintentionally hilarious curmudgeon, and it emphasizes the "in-over-his-head" attitude that has defined the character since.
He's The Strongest Avenger
Clint Barton is often overshadowed by other superheroes. In a team with a green superhuman, a god, and a billionaire who can fly, it's easy for a guy with a bow and arrow to fade into the background. Sometimes Hawkeye is a bit out of his depth when it comes to fighting Avengers-level threats, but some Redditors claim that he is actually the strongest Avenger.
LePOSSM argues, "In every Avengers movie Hawkeye has been a part of, they've won...Hawkeye is the key to their success. Now that he's returned in Avengers: Endgame, they'll beat Thanos. Hawkeye is, in fact, the strongest Avenger." While this Redditor certainly isn't wrong, most fans agree that there are far more powerful Avengers than Hawkeye, as most of them have powers and he doesn't.
His "Powers" Are Unrealistic
Hawkeye is a superhero who doesn't have powers. He is constantly surrounded by people who have superpowers, and he just shoots arrows. However, one Redditor argues that his skill set is the most unrealistic of them all.
DrowsyRebel argues, "No person could learn to be this precise, with not just accuracy, but force, taking into account speed, angles, environmental factors, etc...But how am I supposed to believe that some dude beat super aliens in battle (TWICE) because he trained with a bow and arrow and got good?" While Clint's skills with a bow and arrow are staggeringly impressive, it's surely more believable that an immaculately talented archer could exist than a man who turns green and grows muscles when he's angry.
He's The Funniest Marvel Character
Marvel has created its fair share of hilarious characters over the years. Clint Barton has always had a good sense of humor, but some fans go so far as to claim that he is the funniest Marvel character.
Redditor sushi-with-an-n writes, "He’s working through some s--t in a world where both friend and foe seem so much more powerful, but hold his own and does it while being funny and with but not in a way that you know he’s not taking it seriously." Most fans would agree that there are far funnier ones, like Wade Wilson's Deadpool and Peter Parker's Spider-Man. Hawkeye's cocky and curmudgeonly sense of humor might not be for everybody, but he certainly does like to keep things light when he can.
He's Better In The Movies Because Of His Family
Although Jeremy Renner's Hawkeye is widely loved, most people still prefer the comic Hawkeye, who is generally funnier and more complex. Some Redditors argue that he is better in the MCU, mainly because he has a family.
Redditor atomic1fire writes, "I actually think this is one of the smartest decisions the MCU ever made. Comic books rarely give superheros a successful relationship because 'status quo' or whatever. Giving Hawkeye a farm with a wife and kids gives him a thing that the other avengers don't really have right away." While it is certainly true that Clint is a wonderful father and that brings a lot to his personality and motivations, most fans still think that the Hawkeye of the Silver Age and of the Fraction run is superior.
He Should Not Be A Role Model
Superheroes have been role models for decades. Different heroes bring different values and strengths to the table, and Hawkeye is no exception. Strong, confident, and loyal, Hawkeye is a superhero that a lot of kids, and Marvel fans in general, look up to. However, some Redditors think that Clint makes a terrible role model.
NoxInfernus says, "Many men and women with families were likely ended at the tip of his arrows. The difference is that when he did it as Ronin it was not sanctioned by a semi-secret organization or a Co-operative of special, world saving ‘heroes’ (both of which are legal dubious in their existence.)"
Redditor FLRSH agrees with them, claiming that "He's always been a professional killer, why he doesn't see how he could possibly be a role model to others." Even though Hawkeye has made some terrible choices, most fans still think he is a great role model because of his loyalty to his friends and family and history of only fighting "bad guys."
He Shouldn't Have Become Ronin
After his family perishes in the MCU's Snap, Clint briefly turns to a life of crime, murdering countless people. Fans wish they could have seen more of Hawkeye's years as Ronin, as it symbolizes a worldview and mindset switch. However, some Redditors think that Hawkeye's transformation into Ronin shouldn't have happened.
This Redditor writes, "I still don't understand how he went from Hawkeye to Ronin. He was in pain from losing his family, ok, but prior to his murder spree, this was the guy who saw the good in a Russian assassin and became best friends with her as she earned redemption. That same dude just up and goes full Punisher?" While it's true that audiences don't get to see the entirety of Clint's arc of becoming Ronin, most fans still think that that stage was an important part of Hawkeye's life and character arc.