InsaneJournal

Character Name: 
Kate Bishop/Hawkeye
Universe of Origin (Marvel, DC, Independent, Etc.): 
Marvel
Age as for July 1, 2007: 
17

History
Katherine Elizabeth Bishop was born in New York City to Eleanor and Derek Bishop on January 31, 1990. Her father, Derek, was a fabulously wealthy and well known publishing magnate and rival of J. Jonah Jameson. Her mother, Eleanor, was a socialite of sorts, though most of her time was spent doing charity work and helping those less fortunate than the Bishop family. Eleanor encouraged both Kate and her older sister to donate their time and money to those in need, and Kate developed a strong sense of social responsibility. Kate also developed a love of archery and fencing, and other methods of combat, though she mostly used her skill for sport, and never in actual battle. Growing up, Kate also had a minor obsession with the Avengers and their adventures.

Kate's life took a drastic twist when her mother was violently murdered. Kate was only thirteen at the time, and she struggled to cope with the shocking turn of events. She buried her sorrow in charity work, volunteering in missions and at soup kitchens in the evenings after her archery lessons, often taking walks through Central Park on her way to and from her posh private school. It was on one such night, roughly six months after her mother's death, that Kate found herself attacked in the park, beaten and brutally raped by a stranger. Ashamed and frightened, she vowed to never let anyone put their hands on her again. She began more intense combat training under the guise of self-defense, improving on her natural archery and fencing skills to add sword and dagger fighting to her repetoire, as well as kickboxing and other martial arts. She also spent many hours with her psycho-therapist sorting out her mind, though many of her rape-related issues remain unresolved.

Her first real encounter with superheroes comes on the evening of her sister Susan's wedding. A group of gunmen storm the church, taking the entire wedding hostage. Things become rather chaotic when the newly formed Young Avengers arrive to rescue everyone, and Kate tries to join in the fight. She winds up having a gun pressed to her temple, but is able to free herself using one of Patriot's discarded throwing stars. Her ordeal lands her on the evening news, and that night at the hospital, she meets Cassie Lang, daughter of the late Scott Lang, better known as Ant Man. The two girls invited themselves to join the Young Avengers, infiltrating the YA's hideout in the ruins of the Avenger's Mansion.

Later that evening, when the YA were captured by Iron Man, Captain America, and Jessica Jones, Kate, the only non-powered member of the group, was left to go free, while the others were locked up and have their costumes and weapons confiscated. Kate was able to free her new friends by watching Iron Man type in his keycodes. She is also able to raid the ruins of the mansion for weapons and supplies, helping herself to Swordsman's swords, Black Widow's belt, Mockingbird's staves and mask, and Hawkeye's bow and arrows. Her ragtag costume, worn over her bridesmaid's dress, earns her the dispariging nickname Hawkingbird, which she absolutely refuses to answer to. Despite her combat skills and ingenuity, she isn't officially asked to join the YA until after the battle with Kang the Conqueror, and though the YA proved themselves to be capable in battle, the group is disbanded and are told never to wear their costumes again by Iron Man and Captain America.

But that didn't sit too well with Kate. Using her allowance, and an abandoned warehouse belonging to Bishop Publishing, Kate sets up the Young Avengers with new costumes and a new secret hidrout. She also promoted herself to deputy-leader of the YA following Patriot's brief departure.

It is following a Skrull-Kree battle in New York City that the adult superheroes seemed to take the YA seriously. During the battle, Patriot is gravely wounded while protecting Captain America. While Cap begins preaching at the kids, lecturing them on leading normal lives, Kate is the only one to stand up to him, telling him that if he and Iron Man had trained the Young Avengers, like they had asked them too, then maybe Patriot's injuries could have been avoided. Patriot did make a full recovery, and Captain America, apparently found something to latch onto in Kate's speech. Soon after, Kate is presented with a package containing a bow and arrows, and a letter addressed to Hawkeye. Cap informs her that the only one who ever talked back to him the way she did was Clint Barton, and that she should carry on as Hawkeye in his memory. 

The break out of the Civil War was a major turning point for Kate and the rest of the YA.  The Young Avengers always closely guarded their identities, only revealing their real names to each other, to Iron Man and Captain America, and to Jessica Jones.  They found themselves arrested by S.H.I.E.L.D. just after midnight on the morning registration became law, only to be liberated and recruited by Captain America and the secret Avengers.  The YA worked alongside the resistance, though they also fought alongside the Runaways, battling Noh-Varr, and gaining themselves new, similarly aged allies.

Unfortunately, the war had the unwanted effect of splitting up the YA,  Kate's best friend, Cassie, aka Stature, decided to register and join the Initiative following the death of Bill Foster.  Kate found herself feeling betrayed by her friend, and suddenly found herself to be the only underage female in the resistance.  However, her resolve to fight is strong, and she continues to work with the Secret Avengers and participates in several battles and key operations with them.

Following the arrest and subsequent murder of Steve Rogers, the Young Avengers were offered amnesty in exchange for registering.  Her teammates Hulking and Wiccan accepted the offer and joined the Initiative, rejoining Stature and the Vision.  Kate outright refused the offer, and she and teammates Patriot and Speed continued to work alongside the Secret Avengers. 

Skills and Abilities
Hawkeye is highly skilled at archery, fencing, sword fighting, jujitsu, boxing, and other forms of combat.

She carries a 4-foot (1.2 m) battle-staff, similar to that of Mockingbird, composed of two hollow 2-foot (0.61 m) steel-alloy poles, like a quarterstaff which can be split in two.  She typically carries each half of the staff strapped to her left leg.  The staff can be used as a bo or javelin or as two short clubs. It can also telescope to an 8-foot (2.4 m) vaulter's pole.  She carries a "trick sword" similar to that of Swordsman.  By pressing one of the buttons on the sword's hilt, Hawkeye can project a concussive force beam, a disintegrating ray, a large jet of flame, electrical energy in a form resembling lightning, or a stream of nerve gas that induced temporary unconsciousness.  

She also carries Clint Barton's bow, and uses trick arrows such as flares, explosives, putty, sonic blasts, buzz saws, electrical discharge, suction cups, tear gas, smoke bombs, bolas, nets, rockets, and boomerangs, along with various throwing knives and daggers as needed.

Personality
Despite using Clint Barton's codename, Kate Bishop has no solid connection to him other than her own learned skills and personality.  She wasn't trained by him, she wasn't his sidekick, she isn't related to him, in fact, the only time she ever met him, she had no idea who he was.  She simply forced her way onto the Young Avengers, using her cunning and stealth, breaking into the Avenger's Mansion and stealing whatever loot she could get her hands on, rescuing the YA and impressing Captain America and Iron Man in the process.  She can be loud and bossy, arrogant and opinionated, but Kate is also the glue that holds her team together.  And while she is certainly leadership material, Kate is generally content to act as deputy and enforcer when it comes to giving and taking orders.  She had supreme confidence in herself and in her own abilities, and it is quite obvious that she takes pride in her skills.  However she still is getting used to the Hawkeye persona. 

It might be noted that she has issues with authority.  She doesn't like being told what to do, by anyone, be they teachers, classmates, or Captain America himself.  She will stand up for herself everytime, and she will not back down from a fight.  This sometimes translates as foolish, or wreckless, and that argument could certainly be made of her.  She is often perceived as a naive little rich girl, having faced no substantial obstacles in her life. It is true that her childhood up to age thirteen was idyllic and the picture of upper class perfection. But even before the death of her mother and the assault committed against her, Kate was always aware of the injustice and pain in the world around her. She can come across as spoiled, having access to vast amounts of money, though she is extremely generous and known for her acts of mercy and kindness.  She donates her time and money endlessly, supporting worthy causes and volunteering in homeless shelters and soup kitchens.  She truly enjoys helping others, whether as Kate Bishop the socialite, or as Hawkeye the vigilante.

At age 14, Kate was sexually assaulted in Central Park, left beaten and traumatized by the event.  This was a turning point in her life, resulting in her view on the world and on men shifting.  She doesn't like to be touched, and she never wants to feel as weak and vulnerable as she did then.  But rather than focusing entirely inward, Kate focused on improving her combat skills in order to prevent other girls from being attacked as she was.  Still, the trauma is fresh in her mind, and she isn't open about discussing it with anyone.  The only two people aware of the situation are her therapist and Jessica Jones.

Alignment
Kate is in opposition of registration.  This plays into her loyalty to Captain America.  He gave her her codename, and he gave her Hawkeye's bow, and she fought alongside him willingly on multiple occasions.  Her superhero persona is a secret from her father and family, and she is genuinely worried that her father will put an end to the YA, should he ever be made aware that she is a member.

Sample
coming soon