The first DLC for the Avengers video game will see both Kate Bishop and Clint Barton enter the battlefield, complete with the Hawkeye moniker. It's unclear where Clint has been all this time, although it does appear that he has been working with A.I.M. in some capacity.
There's been a great debate over the years on who is actually the best Hawkeye. Just because Clint was the original Hawkeye doesn't mean he's the greatest. Kate Bishop has consistently proved herself a worthy hero and could very well take the Hawkeye title into the next few decades. Kate vs Clint is certainly a heated battle, but who comes out on top?
10 Kate Bishop: Young Avenger
The Young Avengers are an incredibly formidable team and ones that have been on the right side of history over the years. While the roster has changed, Kate Bishop has remained a consistent member of the group, becoming valuable to them.
The fight in her heart and her nature as a team player makes her a worthy Young Avenger. The team has managed to remain relevant throughout Marvel history and a significant part of that has to be based upon Kate herself.
9 Clint Barton: Earth's Mightiest Heroes
While Kate might be best known for her role in the Young Avengers, Clint may have her beat due to the fact that he has been a significant member of the Avengers themselves for a very long time. In fact, he is often considered to be one of the greatest roster members.
He has faced a great deal of threats of the years and has demonstrated his commitment to keeping the Earth safe. He's certainly underrated due to the fact that he isn't superpowered, however Clint has even led his own Avengers teams in the past!
8 Kate Bishop: The Future
The future of Marvel may lay with Kate Bishop. The company needs new heroes to step up as it continues to evolve. While Captain America and Iron Man will always be popular, a new generation is emerging. One that will form the new Avengers.
Whether it's in the comics, or even with her upcoming appearance in the MCU, Kate Bishop is slowly marking the fact that she really is the future of the industry. Intelligent, brave, highly skilled, and an all around great character, Bishop could be the key to the next decade.
7 Clint Barton: Time As Ronin
While Clint is best known for his role as Hawkeye and even spent some time as Goliath, he has also marked his territory in the superhero world as Ronin. There's some debate over whether Echo made the best Ronin, but the two also made a great team.
Clint's time as Ronin is so memorable that it was even brought into the MCU. This change in attitude and brand new attire was a perfect fit for the character who needed a darker edge. It's the kind of transformation fans haven't seen from Kate yet.
6 Kate Bishop: Back From Defeat
Kate Bishop was originally inspired to become a hero after being beaten down earlier in her life. Over time, she has been beaten down again and again. Clint has a habit of staying down for a while or even reverting to old habits.
Kate, on the other hand, has always been a true hero and has continued to rise up. Her initial reasoning for becoming a hero and her determination with the Young Avengers demonstrates her commitment to helping people.
5 Clint Barton: Redemption
In Hawkeye's early days, sporting a very old school suit, Clint first encountered the Avengers because of his acts of criminality, with his background being in the circus. However, he slowly started to redeem himself.
Hawkeye has showcased some of his old self on a few occasions and the character is definitely rough around the edges. But Clint has also shown that any former villain can become a hero if they have the right attitude and help where they can.
4 Kate Bishop: Hawkingbird
Kate didn't actually start out as Hawkeye. Showing that deep down she's a bit of a fangirl for the Avengers, she managed to get a lot of old gear and create her own persona. With the sword of the Swordsman, some of Mockingbird's old gear, and Hawkeye's arrows & bow, she became Hawkingbird. While Mockingeye probably wasn't as catchy, she went on a few missions in this fun persona before finally finding her place.
3 Clint Barton: Experience
Clint Barton has a lot of experience. He has faced a lot of formidable threats and managed to overcome them. His aim has probably only gotten better over time and experience is really something that cannot be trained into someone.
Kate will someday have that level of experience, but in comparison to Clint's career, her missions so far don't even come close. In terms of combat, it's likely that Clint would come out on top because of years in the business.
2 Kate Bishop: Earning The Mantle
The original Hawkeye just kind of took on the name for his criminal endeavours. Over his career, he made it mean something, but not without a lot of help along the way. Kate, on the other hand, has had to earn the title all by herself.
Clint has trained her, but it's always harder to step into someone else's shoes. She's demonstrated that she is a worthy successor and has even started to make the part her own. In fact, Clint became Ronin again in the comics, suggesting he is comfortable being replaced.
1 Clint Barton: MCU Original
At the end of the day, Hawkeye is a classic Marvel character. He has had a significant role in the MCU starring as one of the original Avengers in that universe. He will also be receiving his own Disney+ show. By comparing the two, it's clear that Clint Barton is the most well known person behind the Hawkeye role. However, as the next few years continue to shift the Marvel universe, Kate Bishop may just surpass Barton's legacy.