Standard (or at least more common) variant features a bow with a finger guard. This was a small variation in the accessory that is easy to miss.
Clint Barton's parents were killed in an automobile accident, and the youngster placed in a state orphanage. At 14, Barton ran away to join a traveling carnival, where he was tutored by the Swordsman. For years, Barton practiced with the bow and arrow. Soon, he became a good enough trick-shooter to perform professionally under the name Hawkeye the Marksman. Witnessing Iron Man in action, Barton attempted to emulate the hero by donning a colorful costume and employing his archery skills to fight crime. Weeks later, Barton's attraction to the Black Widow led him to actually commit criminal acts. Hawkeye knew deep down he had strayed from his quest to become a hero. When he approached the Avengers, Iron Man sponsored his membership on the team.
Hawkeye lives life on the edge, straddling the line between right and wrong with a battle-ready swagger that masks an inner struggle for acceptance. For years he served as a valued member of the Avengers, his archery skills complementing his associates' superhuman powers.
