Hawkeye: Who Is Clint Barton's Brother, Barney?

Marvel's catalog of Disney+ series has some hits and misses. While the movies maintain a certain level of cultural cache, the shows often contain go-to examples of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's current struggle. Despite the shaky premise, Hawkeye turned out to be a hidden gem in the franchise. If Hawkeye returns for a second season, it may bring Clint into the crosshairs of a familiar foe. Hawkeye season two may feature Barney Barton, often known as Trickshot.

The MCU doesn't get as much criticism for its villains as it used to. Lackluster antagonists used to be the primary complaint of many fans. Larger issues like dodgy VFX, terrible working conditions, cultural hegemony, and an observable decline in quality have largely quelled those issues. Marvel still has some questionable supervillains, but the classic "dark mirror of the protagonist" model stays tried and true.

Who is Barney Barton?

Full Name	Charles Bernard "Barney" Barton
Alias	Trickshot
Creators	Roy Thomas, Gene Colan
First Appearance	Avengers #64
First Appearance Date	March 1969

Barney Barton is Clint Barton's older brother. They share backstories throughout their early years, but the division becomes important quickly. Clint and Barney were born in Waverly, Iowa, to Harold and Edith Barton. Harold was a violent alcoholic who frequently abused his two sons. Barney spent his early years working in his father's butcher shop, eventually alongside his younger brother. Barney was stronger, more confident, and more prone to conflict than young Clint. He taught Clint to stand up for himself. Barney and Clint entered the foster system after Harold and Edith died in a drunken car accident. The brothers spent several years shuffling from one foster home to another. Eventually, Clint turned 13, and the Barton brothers ran away to join a traveling carnival.

Barney and Clint worked odd jobs at the Carson Carnival of Traveling Wonder. While Barney viewed the opportunity as a temporary vehicle away from their awful lives, Clint became deeply engrossed in the carnie lifestyle. A performer using the name Swordsman convinced Clint to undergo archery training with fellow entertainer Trick Shot. While Clint worked tirelessly to improve his act and increase his accuracy, Barney earned his GED. Clint later caught the Swordsman embezzling from the carnival, prompting the performer to attack him. Barney responded by leaving the Carson Carnival to join the army, looking for a fresh start. Though he offered Clint the opportunity to join him, his brother never turned up. Barney's army career got him a gig at the FBI, which brought him back together with Clint under new circumstances.

Barney undertook several undercover tasks. He pretended to be a bodyguard for a gangster on the same night that Clint and Trick Shot robbed the criminal's home. Clint accidentally shot his brother, prompting him to abandon Trick Shot to protect Barney. Clint later became Hawkeye. After Barney became a target of the supervillain Egghead, he ran to his younger brother for help. Unfortunately, Barney had to sacrifice himself to complete the mission. Egghead claimed his body, bringing him back from death's door with a healing chamber. Baron Zemo found him and forced Trick Shot to make him a master archer. Barney declared himself the new Trickshot and became a sworn enemy of Hawkeye. At least, Baron Zemo repeatedly forced confrontations between them. Barney later donated bone marrow to save Clint's eyesight. As a Dark Avenger, he fought Earth's Mightiest Heroes. He eventually abandoned his villainous career and reconciled with Clint.

How could Barney Barton impact Hawkeye Season 2?

Barney Barton's name came up in a rumored Hawkeye season two. While the limited series may never see a follow-up, Barney Barton would be an excellent antagonist for a proposed sequel series. Clint Barton has few antagonists in the comics, but his love-hate relationship with his brother defines many of his solo stories. Trickshot is a compelling threat in a street-level superhero story. Barney Barton would bring Clint's tragic backstory into focus for the first time. His character has been consistently defined by his family. Of the mainline Avengers, Clint is the only member with a functioning family unit. He seems to retire after every Avengers movie, then he begrudgingly comes back to do what he can for the fate of the universe. His newfound father-daughter relationship with Kate Bishop keeps Hawkeye engaging. Bringing his brother into the mix could give a second season everything it needs to outdo the first.

Barney Barton is Hawkeye's most notorious antagonist. The story of two brothers torn apart by differing goals and consistently brought back together by shifting allegiances remains compelling. There could be several seasons worth of backstory in exploring their days in the carnival. It could also provide a stunning background for a second season of Hawkeye. Barney Barton may never join the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but he remains a perfect target if Hawkeye ever takes a second shot.