Comic Book Review: Old Man Hawkeye #2

Ethan Sacks (writer)
Marco Checchetto (artist)
Andres Mossa (colorist)
VC’s Joe Caramagna (letterer)

Old Man Hawkeye #2 is a lot like the first issue, and if you read my review of that issue, you know that’s a really good thing. This awesome-looking and highly entertaining second chapter continues to embrace the brutal nature of the Wastelands and serves as a solid prequel to Mark Millar and Steve McNiven’s Old Man Logan.

Millar and McNiven’s hit story created an ugly and bleak alternate version of the Earth. The heroes have fallen and the cruel, heartless villains have taken control. Instead of trying to go bigger and bolder than the original story, writer Ethan Sacks is wisely choosing to play around in the sandbox that Millar and McNiven have created. Stuff like Bullseye becoming a marshal is a brilliant move – it only makes sense that someone so bloodthirsty and devious would thrive on this world. I’ve always wondered how ridiculous it would be if the Venom or Carnage symbiote ever bonded with Bullseye. Maybe – just maybe – we’ll find out later in this series. Sacks is clearly enjoying playing around with this hostile world and coming up with ruthless obstacles for the elderly and accurate former Avenger.

This may be a violent and twisted story that has a dark future for its main character, but when it comes to Clint Barton, throwing a bit of comedy into his world – no matter how dreadful it may be – doesn’t come off as jarring if handled well. Thankfully, Sacks found a way to put a good joke in the issue – it involves email – without lessening the severity of the story or making it feel out of place.

We’re only two issues in and Sacks is still in the process of moving all the characters into place, but a big part about what makes Old Man Logan so memorable is the huge twist that occurs several chapters in. I can’t help but wonder what Sacks may have in store for us. This is an exciting ride, but a lot is going to depend on the handling of Hawkeye’s tragic backstory and what will happen when these main characters finally meet.

From the heavily shaded and haunting introduction of Bullseye to the way “Eye Candy” is bathed in blue and purple lighting, Old Man Hawkeye #2’s visuals are perfect for the Wastelands and Sacks’ script. Thanks to expressive character work and the handling of motion, every panel effectively tells a story and brings you right into the moment. Little touches like onomatopoeias getting a color to match the action or lettering going red for extremely dire moments are a nice touch, too.

Old Man Hawkeye is a worthy addition to the Wastelands universe and has quickly turned into one of my most anticipated comics. With amazing artwork and clever use of this alternate universe, this series has me completely captivated and leaves me wanting more. Seriously, this is mandatory reading if you love Old Man Logan.