There is plenty to criticize about Marvel’s Avengers, as the game did not become one of 2020’s most disappointing games for no reason. Missions are overly repetitive, boss fights are heavily limited, and fighting the same AIM bots on repeat eventually stops being fun. For all its problems, though, Crystal Dynamics has done well by the game’s cast of heroes. Backed by a solid storyline and a stellar cast, The Avengers have been translated from the pages of a comic book to a video game with care.
Marvel’s Avengers looks to continue this tradition of accurate and well-written hero additions with the arrival of Clint Barton. While the archer boasts the abilities one would expect of a bow and sword user, one detail from the comics has made its way into the game as well. While it is a small detail, it has plenty of meaning, and it only becomes more important considering that it is something that the Marvel Cinematic Universe has not yet explored. While many may shrug off this detail, it is incredibly important to one group of gamers that needs more representation.
Marvel’s Avengers’ version of Hawkeye wears a hearing aid, confirming his Deafness in one ear like in the comics. Caused by sonic and explosive arrows, Hawkeye’s stance as a hard-of-hearing hero places him as one of the few superheroes that struggle from hearing loss. While the anti-hero and occasional villain Echo boasts the same disability, Hawkeye is the only Marvel character that is fully on the side of good with hearing loss. This makes his Deafness integral to his character, as he has become a huge source of inspiration for comic book readers who struggle with the same thing that he does in real life.
Seeing Marvel’s Avengers acknowledge this lesser-known aspect of Clint Barton’s character is great see, and it will be interesting to see if Hawkeye’s upcoming DLC addresses his hearing loss through dialogue. In the comics, Barton regularly needs to read lips and make due with his condition, giving readers a look into the Deaf world. Aside from just giving Deaf readers someone in the Marvel universe to connect to, Clint’s issues allow those unfamiliar with the daily struggles that people with hearing loss endure to get some insight. Books and comics have been a key factor in changing the narrative around the Deaf community and eliminating stereotypes, and it would be amazing to see more games follow in the footsteps of Marvel’s Avengers going forward.
It remains to be seen if Hawkeye will talk about his hearing loss with protege Kate Bishop or the other Avengers. However, while it would be great to see it addressed through dialogue too, seeing it acknowledged at all is a big deal. The mere inclusion of a hearing aid on Clint Barton instantly adds to his character and provides representation for a group of people who do not get nearly enough of it. Beyond that, it is hugely impressive that Crystal Dynamics managed to cover this aspect of Hawkeye before the MCU did — despite Clint being in the movies since the first Thor released back in 2011.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has gotten a lot right, nailing its on-screen interpretations of characters like Iron Man and Captain America. The films have broken records, WandaVision has taken the internet by storm, and superheroes are more popular than they have ever been because of the MCU’s accomplishments. Despite this, there have been a few characters that are lacking aspects of their comic book iteration on the big screen, and Hawkeye is one of them. While Clint Barton has been given some memorable moments in the films, as his relationship with Black Widow and his Ronin appearance both worked incredibly well, there are major parts of his character that have not quite matched up to the comics.
While Hawkeye’s ego and leadership skills have been underplayed, and the lack of a skycycle or Lucky the dog have both been pointed out, the MCU version having seemingly perfect hearing has arguably been the biggest letdown for fans. A crucial part of Clint’s character, including this detail would make viewers feel for him in the movies. While giving him a family did accomplish this to a degree, there is no reason he could not be hard-of-hearing on top of that — in fact, it would only add to the quality of the on-screen representation. Showing that Deaf people are just like those who can hear, Hawkeye’s lovable nature and on-screen family life could help eliminate any stigma that comes with the disability. Unfortunately, though, this aspect of Hawkeye’s character has been absent from the MCU thus far.
There is still hope for Hawkeye’s Deafness to appear in the MCU, though, as the upcoming Hawkeye series on Disney+ gives Marvel Studios the perfect chance to address this criticism. Much like Clint can adopt a new attitude alongside a skycycle and Lucky, the show could also see or mention him damaging his ears via an arrow misfire. While the focus of the show will surely be setting up Kate Bishop as the MCU’s Hawkeye going forward, the series could give comic fans an accurate version of Clint — giving actor Jeremy Renner the chance to embody the Hawkeye everyone knows and loves.
Marvel’s Avengers making Clint Deaf could be the final push Kevin Feige and the other masterminds behind the MCU need to do the same thing in live action. While nearly all the Marvel films and shows over the last decade have been top tier, Feige himself has admitted that the first few phases of the MCU were lacking heavily in representation. While Phase 3 and 4 has seen Marvel Studios taking some necessary steps toward giving more roles to women and people of color, people with disabilities deserve the same treatment.
Clint should be Deaf in the MCU like he is in the comics and Crystal Dynamics’ Avengers game, as giving him this trait could be another step forward for the franchise. With Daredevil supposedly appearing in the MCU soon as well, the most iconic character with disabilities in comics could soon be seen alongside other Marvel superheroes in the movies. Much like The Man Without Fear allows blind people to have a hero they can relate to, Clint can do the same for Deaf viewers if the Hawkeye showrunners want to pull from the comics. Even if this does not happen, though, at least Marvel’s Avengers has gotten Clint Barton right.
Marvel’s Avengers is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
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