Hawkeye first debuted in 1964, and while he has a consistent traditional costume, he's had many others - including those that inspired the MCU.

Though often mocked for trying to keep up with superheroes using a bow and arrow, Hawkeye has been part of the Avengers roster since 1965, first appearing a year earlier as a skilled antihero. Since then, he's gone through many transformations - even gaining and losing powers of his own - with a huge selection of costumes to match.

While comic fans may think Clint Barton has only had a few slight variations from his original costume, the truth is that his wardrobe is stuffed with a wide variety of outfits, not least because of his habit of adopting new identities at the drop of a hat. Here's a look at the complete comic costume history of Hawkeye.

Debut and Early Costumes

Hawkeye debuted in Tales of Suspense #57 in 1964. After joining the Avengers, he predominantly stayed in the outfit he has most often been associated with. He sports a blue and purple ensemble with various accents. Hawkeye also wears a cowl, which has also had slight variations in terms of the mask size and details on the forehead. Sometimes he has an "H" and sometimes he doesn't, but for the most part these are minor alterations. However, in Avengers #98 (1972), the character saw a big shift.

Following his time under the moniker of Goliath, Hawkeye began sporting a tunic with purple boots and a headband, but without pants. This look didn't last very long, changed just a year later in Avengers #109. After suffering yet another heartbreak, Clint wanted to get back to basics and went back to his traditional look. This is the costume Hawkeye has kept most consistently, though he has gone through a few alterations. Sometimes he has short sleeves or no sleeves, while other times he has one or both arms fully covered.

Alternate Identities and Costumes

For the most part, Hawkeye has remained an archer, even when going by a different name. Golden Archer was a persona he took up to convince Steve Rogers to once more be a hero, resulting in Captain America's time operating as Nomad. He wore a wig and mask and donned a Robin Hood style look in bright yellow and gold. The Golden Archer persona took on new life later, when Wyatt MacDonald - the Hawkeye of another universe - used it while operating as a member of Squadron Supreme. Longbow was another of Clint's personas, which was the result of Heroes Return - the event following the 1990 event, Heroes Reborn. In an alternate medieval-style reality, he was still an archer in a purple tunic similar to his usual one, though with different edging. This look ended when he returned to Marvel's usual timeline.

However, there are also moments where he has taken on other heroes' looks and combat styles, including Hank Pym and Steve Rogers. To save Black Widow, Clint wore Pym's old Goliath suit when Pym became the reformed Yellowjacket. He also took a serum that gave him the ability to grow in size. He took up the name Goliath from Avengers #66 (1969) until Avengers #98 (1972), though this persona was revisited very briefly in the '90s. This outfit is a partial top with a mask, pants, and boots, which is depicted as either blue, red, or a mix of both. Following the death of Steve Rogers, the comic Fallen Son: The Death of Captain America #3 (2007), shows Iron Man encouraging Clint to take up the Captain America mantle. He agreed, but only for this single issue before realizing that it wasn't right after a run-in with Kate Bishop.

Having recently returned to life himself, Clint was struck by the injustice of the world around him, becoming Ronin in New Avengers #27 (2007). The mantle was originated by Maya Lopez, also known as Echo. She personally gave Clint permission to use the identity for as long as he needed it. This identity is one of Hawkeye's most popular, especially since it made its way into the MCU, albeit under very different circumstances. Clint would return to his Hawkeye persona in Marvel's Heroic Age, having helped topple Norman Osborn's Dark Reign.

Hawkeye's '90s Costumes

The '90s were a strange time for Hawkeye. At times he would still appear in his traditional outfit - or a variation of it - but he also had exceedingly different costumes from his norm. War Machine #18 (1995) featured the debut of a predominantly blue suit with white and purple accents. He would also occasionally appear in a uniform similar to his Goliath persona from the 1970s, which leaves him largely shirtless with just a fitted collar, a quiver, and pants. Eventually, Rob Liefeld was involved in a redesign of the character during the period of Heroes Reborn (1996) and Heroes Return (1998), resulting in an update of his traditional costume, as well as an alternate color scheme - Hawkeye appeared in a gold suit, with red boots and accents, as well as green bands. Later artists quickly returned to a purple theme.

Hawkeye in the 2000s & Ultimate Marvel

While Hawkeye was predominantly using his traditional mantle in the 2000s, he still had a few unexpected looks, as well as some that still influence his current appearance. Hawkeye (2003) featured the titular hero in a far more casual outfit. It was sleeveless and edgy, with no mask. Marvel's Point One (2011) began Hawkeye's transition to his modern look, with a costume far more similar to his MCU outfits.

A variant Hawkeye - and several new costumes - appeared in Marvel's alternate-universe Ultimate imprint. This included Ultimates #7 (2002), Ultimatum (2009), and Ultimate Hawkeye (2011). Here, he was a sometimes reluctant agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. and his outfit became more tactical and militaristic. After his family were killed by Black Widow, Ultimatum returned Clint to his all-purple coloration, though it also featured a mask that covered his entire face, complete with an edgy target on his forehead that he claimed was there to help his enemies finish him off. Ultimate Hawkeye combined a predominantly black suit with a red insignia, moving away from purple - though it would soon return.

Modern Clint and Old Man Hawkeye

In modern comics, Hawkeye's costume has embraced the practicality of his suits from the 2000s. The suit featured in the landmark 2012 series Hawkeye from Matt Fraction and David Aja has become Barton's mainstay. He wears black and purple, replacing the red from Ultimate Hawkeye, and now his insignia is a fletching, fitting his abilities. Hawkeye has also been aged up in Old Man Hawkeye, which maintains a tactical look, with no purple. This look, placed in the same timeline as Old Man Logan, occasionally features a robe, allowing him to channel his inner Obi-Wan Kenobi. Hawkeye's tactical appearance is likely to remain his long-term suit for the foreseeable future, suiting the more down-to-earth vibe of his modern adventures. His traditional debut suit had a long history within comics, but shifts towards MCU familiarity will keep new fans wanting to see a dressed-down Hawkeye for the forseeable future.

More: Hawkeye Kate Bishop is On Her Own in Trailer For New Comic Series