Hawkeye is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Don Heck, the character first appeared as a reluctant villain in Tales of Suspense #57 in September 1964. He is Clint Barton, an orphan who grew up in a circus, where he was trained by the Swordsman and Trick Shot to become a master archer. After seeing Iron Man in action, he was inspired to become a costumed hero, though a misunderstanding initially led him into conflict with the Avengers. He soon reformed and joined their ranks, becoming a stalwart member of the team.
The character is known for his exceptional marksmanship with a bow and arrow, using a variety of trick arrows with specialized functions. Unlike many of his superpowered peers, Hawkeye relies purely on his peak human physical conditioning, combat training, and unparalleled accuracy. Over the decades, he has been a central figure in numerous Avengers lineups, led the West Coast Avengers, and even briefly operated under other aliases such as Goliath and Ronin. His personality is often portrayed as brash, hot-headed, and fiercely independent, which frequently puts him at odds with authority figures.
A significant development in the 2000s was the introduction of Kate Bishop, a young woman who assumed the Hawkeye mantle. Created by writer Allan Heinberg and artist Jim Cheung, she debuted in Young Avengers #1 in April 2005. Kate is the daughter of a wealthy Manhattan family who, after a traumatic experience, trained herself in archery and combat to become a hero. She eventually earned Clint Barton's respect, and the two have shared the Hawkeye codename, operating as partners and mentors to each other in various series, most notably Matt Fraction and David Aja's acclaimed 2012 Hawkeye run.
Hawkeye has become one of Marvel's most enduring and beloved street-level heroes. The 2012 Hawkeye series, which focused on Clint's life outside the Avengers and his relationship with Kate, was a critical and commercial success, winning multiple Eisner Awards and influencing the tone of subsequent adaptations. Both Clint Barton and Kate Bishop have appeared across animated series, video games, and live-action media, cementing their status as fan-favorite characters within the Marvel Universe.