So I’m actually amazed that I didn’t see this before, as I read the final issue of Widowmaker looking for the big moment that would change Hawkeye forever, and while I saw him get beaned in the back of the head, and he seemed out of it, but I was left with absolutely no indication that Clint was going blind from it! Only reason I didn’t do a spoiler post for it, I honestly didn’t even realize something had happened until McCann talked.
McCann spilled the beans to USA Today, talking about how in the upcoming Hawkeye: Blindspot miniseries, Clint will be going blind due to that blow to the head causing swelling that puts pressure on his occipital lobe. That Steve Rogers, Tony Stark, and Hank Pym try to help him, even building him a helmet to help with his vision. McCann talks about wanting to push Clint to his emotional limit.
“I really, really wanted to put Hawkeye through something and see how he can compensate for it or how he can rise up above it. He doesn’t have superpowers. He doesn’t have magic powers or a shield or super-soldier serum or irradiated blood. He has to go to practice and become the best he can be — he represents such great potential and, at the same time, is at risk of failing the most, especially in his own eyes.”
It’s going to be exploring a man without superpowers losing the one thing he’s better at than anybody else. To be honest, I’m actually really intrigued by how it could play out, I just can’t imagine how Marvel will go forward with the character after the miniseries.
Oh, and the bad guy for the mini? Baron Zemo, who has had issues with Hawkeye for years and include (but are not limited to) Hawkeye taking over the Thunderbolts and actually giving them a push towards becoming super heroes.
Hawkeye: Blindspot should be on shelves next week.
