Beating the Odds

After stealing information about a new mind control device being developed by Cross Technological Enterprises, Hawkeye and Mockingbird return to her apartment to figure out their next plans. Little do they know they are being observed by two costumed assassins on the rooftop across the way. They are Oddball and Bombshell and they have planted an explosive in the building. Sure enough, when the two heroes go inside the explosive goes off. However, they quickly discover that the pair had noticed the trap, thanks to Mockingbird’s SHIELD training and escaped with their lives.

Seeing that Bobbi is upset over the destruction of her apartment, Clint suggests they get something to eat and come back later once the fire crews are done their work.

When they come back later, Mockingbird searches the wreckage and finds everything has been destroyed. With her situation being similar to how Hawkeye had his own apartment taken away from him, Bobbi says the only thing they have left are each other. She then tries to kiss him, but Clint — having been hurt too many times in the past — pushes her away and says that they get going. However, on their way out, Clint comes across an odd thing in the wreckage: An 8 ball.

Needing money for supplies, Clint has Bobbi take the last 97 dollars out of her account so he can buy some more arrows from a sporting goods store. With the address of warehouse where the CTE deal is going down, the pair are forced to take the subway as they are both strapped for cash. On the ride, they bump into Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, who asks Clint what he has been up to. Not wanting to come crying to the Avengers for help, Hawkeye is candid about what’s going on, telling Steve that he can handle things on his own.[1]

When the pair get off the train, they are soon ambushed by Oddball, who begins hucking gimmicked pool balls at the pair. Hawkeye and Mockingbird give chase, but Bobbi is victim to a surprise attack from Bombshell, who had disguised herself as a nun. Unaware of what happened, Hawkeye chases Oddball onto another subway train and this leads them to the next station. Here, Oddball takes the fight up into the station’s rafters. Ultimately, Hawkeye manages to pin down his opponent and forces him to drop all of his pool balls. However, before Clint can force Oddball to give him more information about CTE’s plans, he is struck by an Bombshell’s explosives. It’s not strong enough to kill him, but knocks Hawkeye out. With the two meddlesome heroes now their prisoners, Oddball and Bombshell carry them off to meet with their employer.

Recurring Characters

Hawkeye, Mockingbird, Oddball, Bombshell, Steve Rogers

Continuity Notes

1. Hawkeye was bumped off the Avengers roster by their NSA liaison Henry Gyrich in Avengers #181. Needing work, he took a job as head of security at CTE in issue #189 of that series, a job he held until Hawkeye #1.