I have been pleasantly surprised by a few Dark Reign miniseries and New Avengers: The Reunion is one of them.  Author Jim McCann had a tough task in front of him – to make Bobbi Morse, a.k.a. Mockingbird relevant.  Would anyone really care that Mockingbird returned?  Would the gaps from Secret Invasion be filled in adequately or glossed over?  Once again, would anyone care?  My answer, yes.

Good writing made me not only care, but really like this series, and hope for more.  Hawkeye (I refuse to call him Ronin) and Mockingbird reunite to take down an A.I.M. threat.  Woven throughout this Mr. and Mrs. Espionage tale is a fantastic, rekindled relationship.  McCann provides solid answers to Bobbi’s Skrull abduction, making her a compelling and noteworthy character.  Most importantly this is an interesting and enjoyable story.

The chemistry between Hawkeye and Mockingbird is engaging.  In between the spy action, flashbacks reveal all we need to know about Bobbi and her feelings for Clint.  Like I always say, nothing brings a couple back together like a good fight.  Once the dust settles from the series-ending showdown with A.I.M., Bobbi and Clint finally have the heart to heart these issues have been building up to.  McCann writes this dialogue authentically and it’s believable.

David and Alvaro Lopez provide the pencils and inks.  Overall, the art was average with some shining moments.  The more intimate moments between the former lovers were most notable for their softness and passion.  My biggest complaint with all four issues is that the colors were too bland and lifeless.

In the end, it was surprisingly satisfying.  Mockingbird is back and hopefully she can find a place in the Marvel Universe.  Now we just need Clint to drop this Ronin crap.  He’s Hawkeye and always will be.

3.5 out of 5