| “ | I have no powers and not nearly enough training, but I'm doing this anyways. Being a super hero is amazing. Everyone should try it. | „ |
| ~ Kate Bishop. |
| “ | The things I admire the most about you now -- your heart, how you never give up even as you fail over and over again -- you came to those things without a you to help you. And I guess, well, I just wanted to to say... thank you. You're a good mentor, Clint, a good friend. | „ |
| ~ Bishop to Hawkeye. |
Katherine Elizabeth "Kate" Bishop is a fictional character and superheroine in Marvel comics and universe, appearing as a supporting character turned main protagonist of the titular comics, and one of the main characters in the Young Avengers comics.
The daughter of wealthy socialites, Bishop idolized the Avengers, more notably Hawkeye, since he was had no super powers himself. She would become his partner and protégé, and was later given his mantle by Captain America after the predecessor was killed. Bishop is also a member of the West Coast Avengers, Young Avengers, Babysitters Club, and is the head of Hawkeye Investigations.
She appears in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, becoming the protégé and partner of Hawkeye in his titular Disney+ series, and is portrayed by Hailee Steinfield.
She was created by Allan Heinberg and Jim Cheung, and first appeared in Young Avengers #1 in April, 2005.
Biography[]
Early Life[]
Katherine Elizabeth "Kate" Bishop was born in New York City, New York to Derek and Eleanor Bishop, and is the sister to Susan Bishop. Despite her father being emotionally distant, Kate admired him, and attempted to gain his attention and approval when she wasn't at boarding school. When Kate was young, Eleanor died while on a trip in Boulder, Colorado, but continued supporting her father and sister. Kate felt the need to only rely on herself at a young age, but often felt lonely due to her father's distant personality and her tense relationship with her sister.
While she was little, Kate secretly witnessed her father beating someone up late one night in his study, and she became disillusioned with him. She decided to further investigate his activities, and accidently got herself caught when she followed him to a meet up with El Matador. El Matador held her to ransom, but Kate managed to attempt an escape but was saved by Hawkeye and the Avengers. Kate was impressed by the superhero group, more so Hawkeye, due to him being a human with no powers, and she turned to him as a role model. In addition, Kate became disillusioned with her family's wealth, and decided to follow her mother by spending time at soup kitchens and women's shelters.
At some point before her sister's wedding, Kate was sexually assaulted while walking in Central Park. The event left her traumatized, but motivated her to learn several forms of combat and martial arts. She became proficient in archery, swordplay, and would meet a therapist to work through her issues.
Young Avengers[]
While at her sister's wedding at the St. Patrick's Cathedral, Kate and the guest became hostages and the Young Avengers attempted to save them. However, the group only managed to start a fire and become hostages themselves, and Kate saved them by using one of Patriot's throwing stars. The Young Avengers were able to escape before the police arrived, and Kate was later approached by Cassandra Lang to become members of the team.
At the Avengers Mansion, the girls confronted the team, but Kang the Conqueror attacked the Mansion. Kate donned the gear of Mockingbird's battle staves and mask, Swordman's sword, Black Widow's utility belt, and Hawkeye's bow to fight the supervillain. After his defeat, Kate and Cassandra became permanent members of the Young Avengers. Captain America and Iron Man wanted the Young Avengers to be disbanded, and refused to train them, but Kate managed to get the team a lair, costumes and weapons due to her family's money and connections. After Iron Lad left the team, Kate and Patriot became the unofficial co-leaders of the team, and she became close to him.
Her friendship with Patriot became strained when she and the team learned that he was taking Mutant Growth Hormone to simulate the Super Soldier Serum. After Patriot was injured, Kate blamed Captain America for not training them, but the hero decided to give Kate the mantle of Hawkeye. The reason was revealed by Jessica Jones, who stated that Kate and Clint Barton were the only two heroes to stand up to Captain America.
Civil War[]
Kate and her team sided with Captain America and the Secret Avengers against the Superhuman Registration Act, which caused the Superhero Civil War. Afterward, Kate berated Clint, who was resurrected, for donning Captain America's uniform and wielding his shield. She stated that she took his codename to honor him, and not to mimic or disgrace his memory, convincing Barton to condemn Tony Stark for his behavior. Kate and Hawkeye had several encounters, and Clint officially passed his bow and mantle to her.
Love-Interests[]
- Johnny Watts
- Elijah Bradley
- Miles Morales (Earth-1610)
- Noh-Varr
Portrayals[]
Television[]
- Main article: Kate Bishop (Marvel Cinematic Universe)
- In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the character appears in the Disney+ tv series Hawkeye, being portrayed by Hailee Steinfeld, who also played Mattie Ross in True Grit, Emily Junk in the Pitch Perfect films, Charlie Watson in Bumblebee, and voices Gwen Stacy in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.
Video Games[]
- In Marvel Heroes, she was voiced by Amanda C. Miller, who voices Sailor Jupiter and Boruto Uzumaki.
Gallery[]
_from_Young_Avengers_Vol_1_4_001.jpg "Katherine Bishop (Earth-616) from Young Avengers Vol 1 4 001.jpg (74 KB)")
Trivia[]
- Her costume appearance is patterned on Hawkeye and Mockingbird's first costumes.
- She is the third character and first female to take the Hawkeye codename, after Clint Barton and Wyatt McDonald.
- She is similar to Connor Hawke from DC Comics, both being protege's and successors to a superhero archer.
- She is also similar to Arrowette from DC Comics.
