After conspicuously being absent during the events of Avengers: Infinity War, Clint Barton makes his return in a big way in Avengers: Endgame, playing a pivotal role in the final film of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Infinity Saga. As the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is beginning to take shape, Hawkeye will reportedly step into the spotlight as the star of his own streaming series on Disney+. The avenging archer has had a lengthy history in Marvel Comics, both as a member of the Avengers and as his own superhero.

With that in mind, here are some of the very best comic book stories starring Hawkeye. Whether you're coming out of Endgame hungry for classic adventures featuring the irascible Marvel hero or want to search for hints about the MCU's future, these are the Hawkeye stories you'll want to start with.

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Hawkeye: My Life as a Weapon

Hawkeye My Life as a Weapon

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Perhaps the most celebrated solo story ever to star Clint Barton, Matt Fraction, David Aja, and Javier Pulido's Hawkeye: My Life as a Weapon shows what the Avenger does on his days off from running alongside Earth's Mightiest Heroes.

As Clint goes through his daily life as a single guy in Brooklyn, he finds himself serving as a de facto mentor to Kate Bishop, the teenage Hawkeye, before being ensnared by S.H.I.E.L.D. into a mission that could make him the biggest target in the world. With astonishing arm and a gritty charm, this is the definitive

Hawkeye and Black Widow: Widowmaker

Widowmaker

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Originally published as a four-issue miniseries, Hawkeye and lack Widow: Widowmaker by Jim McCann, Duane Swierczynski, Manuel Garcia, and David Lopez has the top espionage operatives in the Marvel Universe targeted by a new, mysterious Ronin. With Black Widow and Mockingbird on the killer's hit list, the former Ronin, Clint Barton, having reclaimed his alter ego as Hawkeye, sets out to stop this new figure.

This action-packed story has the kind of Hawkeye and Black Widow action that the Marvel Cinematic Universe has only teased. The deluxe collection of this globe-trotting tale of intrigue and murder comes with a classic Hawkeye and Mockingbird story by prolific Marvel creators Tom DeFalco and Al Milgrom.

Hawkeye: Little Hits

Hawleye Little Hits

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The second volume of Fraction and Aja's acclaimed run, Hawkeye: Little Hits continues the daily adventures of Clint Barton in Brooklyn. As Clint's friendship with Kate Bishop continues to take further twists and turns, the superhero gets to know the neighbors in his apartment complex and celebrates an interesting Valentine's Day.

In addition to Aja's fan-favorite artwork, this volume also features guest artists Steve Lieber, Jesse Hamm, and Francesco Francavilla illustrating the Clint Barton's antics in the outer boroughs.

Hawkeye vs. Deadpool

Hawkeye vs Deadpool

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In Gerry Duggan and Matteo Lolli's five-issue miniseries Hawkeye vs. Deadpool, the Merc with a Mouth finally goes head-to-head with the avenging archer. Halloween descends on Brooklyn and the two wise-cracking Marvel characters find themselves embroiled on another S.H.I.E.L.D. mission among all the costumed locals.

Forced to work together when not at each others' throats, the duo cross paths with Black Cat and several heavy hitters as they navigate the festive neighborhood in a rollicking romp where the only thing flying faster than the arrows and bullets are the jokes.

Hawkeye: Rio Bravo

Hawkeye Rio Bravo

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The fourth volume of Fraction and Aja's run, Hawkeye: Rio Bravo, has the consequences from the previous story arcs all converge on Clint Barton's unassuming apartment complex at once. Brooklyn's organized crime and the stoic contract killer the Clown all target Clint, with the archer teaming up with his estranged brother Barney to make their desperate last stand in Clint's complex.

Collecting the final story arc of Fraction and Aja's run, the volume also features guest artists Francesco Francavilla, Chris Eliopoulos, and Annie Wu as the award-winning series reaches an emotional climax with the Barton Brothers taking on all of the neighborhood's enemies at once.

Hawkeye: Kate Bishop - Anchor Points

Hawkeye Kate Bishop Anchor Points

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The first story arc of Kelly Thompson and Leonardo Romero's relaunch of the series, Hawkeye: Kate Bishop - Anchor Points follows the Young Avenger who's quickly coming into her own as a Hawkeye for a new generation. Now a licensed private investigator, Kate returns to Los Angeles as the City of Angels' latest crime-fighter in a blend of superhero action and neo-noir pulp sensibilities.

Building a new cast of characters as Kate sets up Hawkeye Investigations, the first story arc has Kate try to track down a mysterious stalker in Venice Beach while getting a surprise visit from her other personal mentor, Jessica Jones. With its young adult star, the relaunch positions Kate for both new readers and longtime Hawkeye fans and offers an outstanding take on Kate Bishop.

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