Warning: spoilers for Avengers #47!
The Avengers might not need Iron Man just proved the sharpshooter's skills are surprisingly replaceable. In the latest issue of Avengers, Tony Stark just activated a new fancy weapon in his suit called the "Iron Sniper," which basically showed that Clint Barton might not be as valuable as originally thought to the superteam.
In both the comics and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Hawkeye has taken his lumps for not being a superpowered or tech-heavy hero like most of his fellow Avengers. While Marvel has tried to give Barton superpowers before (hello Goliath), the character often reverts back to what he does best: firing a bow and arrow with flawless accuracy. Still, Hawkeye remains one of the least impressive Avengers, as his lack of versatility and overall presence have fluctuated over time. While the hero's had some great moments and comics, like Matt Fraction and David Aja's iconic Hawkeye run, it seems Clint is on the verge (or is about to) of being replaced as the most popular version of the character - largely thanks to how awesome the newest Hawkeye, Kate Bishop, is.
In Avengers #47 by Jason Aaron, Javier Garron, David Curiel, and Cory Petit, Iron Man and Captain America infiltrate the Winter Guard's hideout after the Russian superteam kidnapped She-Hulk. Wearing stealth armor, the two Avengers make quick work of the guards outside the base, as Iron Man uses a seemingly new weapon equipped to his armor, activating his Iron Sniper mode.
The Iron Sniper weapon works like a charm, as a series of projectiles knock over the guards with pinpoint accuracy, clearing the entrance for Iron Man and Captain America to get inside of the highly guarded facility. While Hawkeye probably has a trickshot up his sleeve that could have knocked out all the guards simultaneously, all Stark needed was a single shot from his suit - which is not exactly the best showcase in keeping Hawkeye around. Iron Man just manufactured his greatest skill quite easily.
With Iron Man now using his own sniper projectiles to knock out enemies, Hawkeye doesn't really bring all that much to the table when it comes to his skillset. It also doesn't help the current arc of Avengers has kept Hawkeye off the team, sidelining Clint Barton despite the MCU finally giving the hero a showcase in his Disney+ series. While there will always be a place for Hawkeye on the Avengers, as he's one of its earliest , it might be time for him to get some superpowers or prove that he can do something Iron Man can't.
