Hawkeye Comic Costume: originally appeared in 1964, and while he has a signature look, he’s also worn a variety of other outfits, including those that influenced the MCU. Despite being teased for utilising a bow and arrow to keep up with superheroes,
The Hawkeye comic costume has been a member of the Avengers since 1965
Hawkeye has been a member of the Avengers since 1965, when he initially appeared as a talented antihero a year earlier. Since then, he’s gone through a variety of transformations, including gaining and losing his own powers, as well as a wide range of clothes to match.
While comic book readers may believe Clint Barton has only worn a few minor variants of his original costume, the truth is that his closet is stocked with a broad array of clothes, thanks to his penchant for changing identities at the drop of a hat. Here’s a look at Hawkeye’s whole comic costume history.
Early Costumes and Debut Outfits | Hawkeye Comic Costumes
Hawkeye made his first appearance in Tales of Suspense #57 in 1964. After joining the Avengers, he primarily stayed with the team with which he is most typically associated. He’s dressed in a blue and purple outfit with a variety of accessories.
Hawkeye also wears a cowl, which has undergone minor changes in terms of mask size and forehead embellishments. He sometimes has a “H” and sometimes doesn’t, but these are mostly small differences. However, in Avengers #98 (1972), the character underwent a significant transformation.
Hawkeye began wearing a tunic with purple boots and a headband after his time as Goliath, but he no longer wore pants. This style didn’t survive long, since it was replaced in Avengers #109 a year later.
Clint wanted to get back to basics after yet another heartbreak, so he went back to his old look. Hawkeye has worn this costume the longest, but he has had a few changes over the years. He wears short or no sleeves at times, and one or both arms are fully covered at other times.
Costumes and Alternate Personas
Hawkeye has remained an archer for the most part, even when he goes by a different identity. Golden Archer was a character he adopted in order to persuade Steve Rogers to once again become a hero, which led to Captain America’s period as Nomad.
He wore a wig and mask, as well as a bright yellow and gold Robin Hood costume. Later, Wyatt MacDonald – the Hawkeye of another reality – assumed the Golden Archer alias while serving as a member of Squadron Supreme, giving it fresh life.
Longbow was another of Clint’s personalities, created as a result of Heroes Return, the event that followed Heroes Reborn in 1990. He was still an archer in another medieval-style reality, dressed in a purple tunic similar to his regular one but with different edging. When he returned to Marvel’s normal timeline, this expression vanished.
However, there are times when he adopts the appearance and combat technique of other heroes, like as Hank Pym and Steve Rogers. Clint wore Pym’s old Goliath suit to save Black Widow after Pym reformed and became the reformed Yellowjacket. He also used a serum that allowed him to increase in size.
From Avengers #66 (1969) through Avengers #98 (1972), he went by the moniker Goliath, albeit the character was briefly revived in the 1990s. This costume consists of a half top, a mask, pants, and boots in blue, red, or a combination of the two colours.
Following Steve Rogers’ death, Iron Man encourages Clint to take up the Captain America mantle in Fallen Son: The Death of Captain America #3 (2007). After a run-in with Kate Bishop, he consented, but just for this one issue before recognising it wasn’t right.
Clint was shocked by the injustice of the world around him after just returning to life, and he became Ronin in New Avengers #27. (2007). Maya Lopez, popularly known as Echo, is the creator of the mantle.
Clint was given permission to use the alias for as long as he needed it by her. This is one of Hawkeye’s more popular identities, especially since it appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, albeit under very different circumstances. Clint would reprise his Hawkeye guise in Marvel’s Heroic Age after assisting in the overthrow of Norman Osborn’s Dark Reign.
Hawkeye’s Costumes from the 1990s
Hawkeye had a difficult time in the 1990s. He wore his customary clothing – or a version of it – on occasion, but he occasionally wore costumes that were far from his norm.
The introduction of a mainly blue costume with white and purple accents was seen in War Machine #18 (1995). He’d also wear a uniform that looked a lot like his Goliath avatar from the 1970s, which was mostly shirtless with just a fitting collar, a quiver, and pants.
Eventually, during the run of Heroes Reborn (1996) and Heroes Return (1998), Rob Liefeld was involved in a redesign of the character, resulting in an updating of his original costume as well as an alternate colour scheme – Hawkeye wore a gold suit with red boots and highlights, as well as green bands. Artists quickly returned to the purple subject later on.
Hawkeye in the 2000s and Marvel’s Ultimate Universe
While Hawkeye primarily wore his classic mantle in the 2000s, he did have a few unusual styles, some of which continue to impact his current image. Hawkeye (2003) had the titular hero dressed in a much more relaxed manner.
It was sleeveless, edgy, and without a mask. Hawkeye’s transformation to his present style occurred in Marvel’s Point One (2011), with a suit that was significantly more comparable to his MCU ensembles.
In Marvel’s alternate-universe Ultimate imprint, a variation Hawkeye – as well as numerous other costumes – debuted. Ultimates #7 (2002), Ultimatum (2009), and Ultimate Hawkeye were among them (2011). He was a hesitant S.H.I.E.L.D. agent here, and his outfit became more tactical and militaristic.
Clint’s all-purple coloration was restored after his family was killed by Black Widow, however he wore a mask that covered his entire face, complete with an engraved target on his forehead that he said was meant to help his foes finish him off. Ultimate Hawkeye shifted away from purple in favour of a mostly black costume with a red symbol, however purple would shortly return.
Clint Eastwood and Hawkeye the Elder
Hawkeye’s clothing in current comics has embraced the practicality of his 2000s costumes. Barton’s go-to costume is the one seen in Matt Fraction and David Aja’s groundbreaking 2012 series Hawkeye.
He now wears black and purple instead of the crimson of Ultimate Hawkeye, and his symbol is a fletching, which is appropriate for his skills. Hawkeye has also been aged up in Old Man Hawkeye, which keeps the tactical style but removes the purple.
This appearance, which takes place in the same timeframe as Old Man Logan, includes a robe on occasion, allowing him to channel his inner Obi-Wan Kenobi. Hawkeye’s tactical appearance is likely to stay his long-term suit for the foreseeable future, as it suits his current adventures’ more down-to-earth tone. Although his usual debut outfit has a lengthy history in comics, new fans will want to see a dressed-down Hawkeye for the foreseeable future due to trends toward MCU familiarity.
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