Everything in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is an adaptation of the storylines presented in the comics. However, most of these have been greatly altered to the point where the MCU’s storylines are their own, separating them from the source material and being connected mainly through the characters.
The Hawkeye TV series looks to be holding firm to the comic books, as previews have shown several things to be similar. It would be better if the MCU dives totally into this practice, as there are several storylines from the comics that are more than worthy of being adapted while also making sense with the chronology of the series.
10 Hawkeye's Hearing Disability would bring a different kind of conflict for the character
There have been multiple storylines depicting Hawkeye as a deaf superhero, separating him permanently from comparisons to Green Arrow. One plotline had Hawkeye lose most of his hearing due to a sonic weapon in a conflict against Crossfire, while another showed it as a result of getting arrows stabbed in his ears by the Clown.
Regardless of what specific angle is taken, the overall story of Hawkeye dealing with hearing loss should be adapted in the MCU. It would bring a different kind of conflict for the character, along with presenting an arc showing him rise up to this challenge.
9 Hawkeye's time In The Circus would be a great introduction to his past
Hawkeye is far from the richest comic book character, having been an orphan who ran away to join the Carson Carnival of Traveling Wonders. The MCU hasn’t shown anything from Hawkeye’s past, making the comic book history perfect to be included.
The storyline of his time at the circus saw Hawkeye escape from the orphanage and work his way into the carnival to become one of its attractions. It eventually led to Hawkeye discovering corruption in the Carson Carnival itself, which influenced him to leave.
8 the MCU could show Hawkeye's recurring Issues With His Brother
Much like other facts about his background, nothing has been shown of Clint’s family in the MCU either. As it happened, Barney Barton returned to his life as the villain Trickshot, intent on gaining revenge on the brother he felt had abandoned him. Hawkeye’s quote of not giving up family remains a fan-favorite, highlighting his hope for Barney to change.
The issues they had were Barney feeling Clint didn’t value their relationship, with Barney hoping Clint would join him in the army and leaving disappointed, only for Clint to arrive too late. The brothers’ conflicts are recurring in the comics, and the MCU can show this aspect just as well.
7 Echo & Hawkeye's Identity Crisis As Ronin
Hawkeye has been accused of having one of the lamest superhero costumes, but that isn’t a problem in his Ronin persona. This was a result of a storyline that saw him go through an identity crisis that saw him consider becoming the next Captain America for a while.
He then took on the Ronin persona to go on a mission to Japan to rescue Echo, the person who was the first Ronin. The TV series will be adapting Echo, leaving out this identity crisis scenario a possibility to be shown in the MCU.
6 The series could include a subplot for Lucky The Dog
There have been a number of sidekicks in comic books, but none like Lucky the Pizza Dog. This dog has its own origin story, having been rescued by Hawkeye and becoming a vital part of crime-solving. Hawkeye #12 went so far as to give Lucky his own story.
This was told from the dog’s point of view as he solved his own crime in a mixture of comedy and mystery. The Hawkeye TV series can leave out a subplot for Lucky to make his mark known by using the exact crime-solving techniques from the comics.
5 Kate Bishop's Work As A Private Investigator
In order to carve out the characterization of Kate Bishop in the MCU, the series can take inspiration from the Hawkeye comics that portray her as a Private Eye. Some stories show her doing investigative work to make money for herself and test her skills.
The more memorable ones include Hawkeye Vol. 5 #1 where Kate tries to make a name for herself as Hawkeye and others keep associating Clint with the title. The story sees her attempts to take down a college student’s stalker, grounding the character as a small scale, but valuable hero.
4 Kate & Clint's Battle Against The Mafia
This took place in Hawkeye Vol. 4 #15, following Kate’s work as a Private Investigator, as her battles become larger in size. After running afoul of the criminal organization Masque, Kate assisted Hawkeye in battling the Russian Mafia.
With the Hawkeye series set to show the fallout from Avengers: Endgame, it makes sense for the Mafia to go after Clint due to his massacre of these groups in his Ronin persona. The angle of fighting the Mafia doesn’t need too much of a setup, so adapting it from the comics is a valid move.
3 The Swordsman's Influence On Clint
While at the Carson Carnival, Clint was heavily influenced by Jacques Duquesne, who went by the title of the Swordsman. It was through Duquesne that Clint learned how to be a master combatant, having learned the art of fighting from him.
The character has been confirmed to appear in the MCU, which means the storyline of his fallout with Clint should be adapted as well. This saw Clint realize that the Swordsman was stealing the carnival’s money, following the latter tried to kill him but was stopped — this led to him becoming a supervillain.
2 Hawkeye Establishing The West Coast Avengers
The Avengers have had a number of leaders, with Hawkeye fulfilling this role for the West Coast Avengers. As it happened, he decided to expand the dealings of the superhero faction to the west side of the country, which is how the team is named.
With the Avengers all but over in the MCU, Hawkeye is the remaining character that walked away mostly intact. He can be shown recruiting Kate as part of his plans to start the West Coast Avengers, and it makes perfect sense too since his hearing loss tied into this story in the comics as well.
1 Trick Shot's Mentorship Of Clint
The role of Clint’s mentor was filled by Buck Chisholm shortly after Swordsman. However, he was far from a great mentor himself as he was the villain known as Trick Shot. He’s responsible for teaching Hawkeye archery, essentially being the reason for the latter’s career as a superhero.
Trick Shot saved Hawkeye from Swordsman, even convincing him to start a life of crime as a robber before Hawkeye realized Trick Shot was no better. Adapting this storyline into the MCU will complete Hawkeye’s backstory while also presenting him with an internal conflict whether to mentor Kate Bishop due to his own experiences in the past.