Avengers Spotlight #22
Grimm and Bear It
Hawkeye is running late for an appointment with a marriage councilor with his wife, Monckingbird.[1] Sure enough, Bobbi is annoyed that he is late and the two launch into a heated argument until their therapist, Doctor Myron Steinmetz interrupts them and invites them into his office. The couple are about to talk about their problems when the Brothers Grimm appear at toss an explosive egg through the office window.
Springing into action, Clint and Bobbi push Steinmetz into a closet for his safety and take the battle onto a nearby rooftop. In the ensuing fracas they learn that there has been a bounty put on Hawkeye that they are looking to collect.[2] Mockingbird is quickly taken out of the fight when one of the Brothers Grimm tosses nerve gas in her face, knocking her out. However, they don’t fare so well against Hawkeye who quickly uses a rope arrow to tie them up.
However, no sooner has the Brothers Grimm been trestled up that Hawkeye is ambushed by Mad-Dog. The villain bites Clint’s arm with his poisonous fangs, weakening his arm. Knocked off the roof, the archer breaks his fall on the roof of a car. However, when he gets back on his feet he finds himself caught between Mad-Dog and Bobcat, both of who are trying to claim the bounties on their own.
Recurring Characters
Hawkeye, Mockingbird, Brothers Grimm, Mad-Dog, Bobcat, Myron Steinmetz
Continuity Notes
Hawkeye’s marriage has trouble since the events of West Coast Avengers (vol. 2) #17-23. Bobbi was kidnapped by the Phantom Rider and when she got free she left him to die. When Clint learned the truth in issue #35, he was upset because she violated the Avengers code on killing instead of supporting his wife when she was sexually assualted. The two split up in West Coast Avengers (vol. 2) #37, but have been trying to work on their relationship since Solo Avengers #14. It should be no surprise to you that Hawkeye survives this and the pair will start making amends in West Coast Avengers (vol. 2) #46.
It’s later revealed in Avengers Spotlight #24 that the bounty has been called by Crossfire. Instead of taking Hawkeye’s life however, he wants Clint’s right arm severed so he can never fire a bow and arrow again. Crossfire is seeking revenge against Hawkeye for interfering in his plans in Hawkeye #1-4.
Once There Was a Swordsman…!
Hawkeye has called a meeting with Wonder Man, Vision, and the Scarlet Witch because he just obtained details about the mysterious past of their fallen comrade, the Swordsman.[1] Clint was inspired to look into the Swordsman’s past after the team’s recent encounter with his spirit.[2]
The video recording is of when the US government interrogated Swordsman about his past when he had joined up with the Avengers. In the video, the Swordsman reveals that he is Jacques Duquesne, the son of Armand Duquesne. The family lived in the south Asian nation of Sin-Cong, which at the time was a French protectorate. His father was a man proud of his family heritage, often telling his son that he believes they are descended of the mysterious Crimson Cavalier, a hero that was active during World War I.[3] Armand, however, was bigoted toward the local population and saw their French heritage as being superior to the Asian cultures they live around.
Jacques on the other hand, was sympathetic to the people of Sin-Cong and secretly attended rallies for Sin-Cong’s independence. Moved by these speeches, Jacques decided to join the rebel armies. However, to protect his identity he decided to take inspiration from his ancestor and created a costume identity for himself: The Swordsman. Under this guise, Duquesne fought alongside rebel forces and helped liberate the country. Once it was finally in control of the Sin-Cong rebellion, the Swordsman was called to meet with one of the rebel leaders, a man by the name of Wong-Chu.[3]
Wong-Chu had captured the Swordsman’s father and rather than let him go free — per their arrangement, he murdered Armand right before his son’s eyes. Infuriated by this betrayal, Jacques attempted to avenge his father’s death. Defeating all the soldiers, he was about to kill Wong-Chu, but then decided against it and left the camp without incident.
From there, the Swordsman became a thief and a mercenary until he eventually joined the Avengers and reformed himself.
Hawkeye stops the recording there as he knows what happened next, as do the other Avengers present. Everyone is bummed out because Jacques died in the line of duty shortly thereafter.
Recurring Characters
Swordsman, Avengers West Coast (Hawkeye, Vision, Scarlet Witch, Wonder Man), Wong-Chu
Continuity Notes
The Swordsman has had a spotty career with the Avengers, he originally infiltrated the group for the Mandarin in Avengers #19-20 but was exposed. He briefly rejoined the team in issue #100, and then spent a lengthier stint on the group from Avengers #114 until his death in Giant-Size Avengers #2.
Hawkeye’s recounting isn’t entirely accurate. After the Swordsman’s death, his body was re-animated by the essence of the Prime Cotati who was chosen to mate with Mantis (Swordsman’s girlfriend) as she was selected to be the Celestial Madonna, as seen in Giant-Size Avengers #4. The entity that Clint refers to as Swordsman’s “spirit” was encountered in West Coast Avengers (vol. 2) #39. It wasn’t the Swordsman himself, but the Prime Cotati possessing his corpse once again.
The connections between the Crimson Cavalier and the Duquesne are somewhat ambiguous as of this writing (March, 2022). The Baron Blood profile in Vampires: The Marvel Undead #1 identifies the Cavalier as René Duquesne. However, an appearance in All-New Invaders #12 published four years later names him Jean-Luc Batroc, suggesting a possible connection to the modern day Batroc the Leaper. The truth is unexplained and there are countless theories out there. I’m not going to play pretend genealogist because honestly the Crimson Cavalier is such a minor and forgettable character I doubt this issue will ever really be resolved.
If you recognize this guy as being the guy responsible for Tony Stark becoming Iron Man back in Tales of Suspense #39, move to the head of the class.
Topical References
The report on the Swordsman is depicted as being recorded on a VHS tape. This should be considered a topical reference as this is an obsolete technology.
One of the supportings of Sin-Cong liberation refers to other Asian countries that had obtained independence, outright referring to China. This story appears to be framed as though it took place Post-World War II. These references should be considered topical as they would prematurely age the Swordsman.
After watching Swordsman’s tragic tale, Hawkeye suggests they use the tape to record a Lakers game. This would be topical as well as the Lakers are a real world sports team.
