GOLDEN ARCHER

Real Name: Clint Barton

Identity/Class: Human technology user

Occupation: Troublemaker (while harassing Steve Rogers)

Group Membership: None

Affiliations: None

Enemies: Steve Rogers

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: Hawkeye; Goliath (see comments)

Base of Operations: Mobile in New York City

First Appearance: Captain America I#179 (November, 1974)

Powers/Abilities: The Golden Archer was an expert marksman, able to shoot arrows from a bow with pin-point accuracy. Along with shafts using conventional arrow-heads, he employed the following specialized arrows: a chemical mace arrow, a siren arrow, and a phosphorescent flash arrow.

While disguised as the Golden Archer, Barton wore a different costume than his usual garb, as well as a realistic full-head mask (with an attached wig) to conceal his facial features; he also spoke with a Shakespearian-Olde English dialect (i.e. "corny Thor-talk" [as per Hawkeye]) to further enhance his masquerade.

Height: 6'3"
Weight: 230 lbs.
Eyes: Blue
Hair: (as Golden Archer) Black; (Barton) blond

History:
(Captain America I#175 - 176) - After learning the Secret Empire's leader was a high-ranking official in the White House, Steve Rogers was disillusioned; suffering from a crisis of confidence, he retired his Captain America identity, preferring inaction over symbolizing a nation corrupted by the Empire.

(Captain America I#179 (fb) - BTS) - Concerned about his fellow Avenger's well-being, Hawkeye felt he owed Rogers a good turn, because Rogers had helped him straighten out his own life when he first joined the team (@ Avengers I#16). Adopting the masquerade of the Golden Archer, Hawkeye planned to force Rogers back into action by proving to him he still had the courage and drive to be a hero.

(Captain America I#179) - From a nearby rooftop, the Golden Archer ambushed Steve Rogers and Sharon Carter while they were walking along the street; he shot some arrows at them, including a chemical mace arrow. As the two ran to avoid the blinding smoke, two more arrows fired by the Archer pinned Steve's jacket to the wall. The Golden Archer introduced himself and taunted Rogers by proclaiming that he would attack him three more times--before making his getaway, he even threatened Rogers' life on their fourth encounter.

   Shortly thereafter, Rogers experienced two more long-distance attacks, with the Archer escaping on both occasions. But on their fourth confrontation (outside of Sam Wilson's Harlem office, where Steve had taken temporary residence), Rogers and the Archer got into a close-quarters street brawl. Using his fighting skills, Rogers was able to get the upper-hand and beat the Archer. With his defeat, the Golden Archer pulled off his mask and revealed himself to be Steve's Avengers compatriot, Hawkeye.

   Hawkeye explained the reason for his masquerade; but when Steve told him that he didn't want to be Captain America any more, Hawkeye responded that he shouldn't waste his powers because of "the craziness in Washington," and suggested that he adopt a new identity--this suggestion planted the seeds in Steve's mind that would eventually give birth to his Nomad identity.

Comments: Created by Steve Englehart and Sal Buscema.

This profile only covers Hawkeye during the brief time when he was disguised as the Golden Archer--for more information on him and his past, see his full profiles in the various editions of the Marvel Handbooks in which he appeared.--Ron Fredricks

On Earth-712 (the world of the Squadron Supreme), Wyatt McDonald was first introduced using the name "Hawkeye" in Avengers I#85 (February, 1971), wearing his own unique costume. In that character's next appearance in Avengers I#141 (November, 1975), he had taken on the identity of "The Golden Archer" and was wearing a costume that looked very similar to Hawkeye's Golden Archer costume. I don't believe it was ever explained why two characters who came from separate Earths had costumes that looked so similar, so just write it off to cosmic coincidence, I guess.

Well, it was explained, in Avengers I#141, by the Squadron's Golden Archer himself. "On my world, I was called Hawkeye, but here I had to avoid confusion! It was a good joke to take his name and costume!" (Dialogue edited to remove cockney accent.)
--Kyle

And for anyone who doesn't get the in-joke, Wyatt McDONALD (GOLDEN ARCHer) is a play on words to the burger joint McDONALD's (whose symbol is the GOLDEN ARCHes).

Profile by John Kaminski. Expansion by Ron Fredricks.

CLARIFICATIONS:
The Golden Archer (Hawkeye/Clint Barton) should not be confused with:


images: (without ads)
Captain America I#179, p4, pan1 (main image - Golden Archer)
Captain America I#179, p4, pan2 (headshot - Golden Archer)
Captain America I#179, p11, pan3 (Golden Archer fires arrow)
Captain America I#179, p17, pan7 (Golden Archer unmasks and reveals himself to be Hawkeye)


Appearances:
Captain America I#179 (November, 1974) - Steve Englehart (writer), Sal Buscema (pencils), Vince Colletta (inks), Tom Orzechowski (letters), Petra Goldberg (colors), Roy Thomas (editor)


First posted: 12/21/2005
Last updated: 06/07/2024

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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