The MCU’s Original Avengers: The One Who Never Lost a Major Battle and Why He Might Be the Best

Among the esteemed members of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), one Avenger’s impressive performance truly sets him apart as the most successful hero. The Avengers, who collectively form Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, present an intriguing dynamic, often marked by disparities in power and abilities. While titans like Thor and Hulk can challenge deities single-handedly, heroes like Black Widow and Hawkeye bring no superpowers to the battlefield, relying instead on skillful use of conventional weapons. Despite these differences, they have repeatedly banded together to fend off catastrophic threats, with only a few casualties among their ranks.

Interestingly, the so-called “weaker”Avengers are not always those who face defeats most frequently. Heroes with extensive powers, such as Iron Man and Captain America, have encountered their fair share of losses, surpassing the number of defeats suffered by Hawkeye. Despite his reputation as “the weakest Avenger,”Clint Barton’s contributions as a formidable hero have been underscored throughout the MCU. His track record is arguably the best among the Avengers; he has not only survived critical events but has also showcased a knack for outsmarting some of the most formidable villains that other heroes struggled to handle.

The Avengers’ Frequent Setbacks in the MCU

Repeated Mission Failures of the Avengers

Despite their considerable successes, the Avengers have faced significant challenges throughout their journeys. Noteworthy incidents include their inability to prevent Brock Rumlow, also known as Crossbones, from detonating himself during a mission in Lagos and their failure to contain a rampaging Hulk in South Africa. The faction of Thor and Hulk, dubbed the “Revengers,”was unable to thwart Hela and Surtur’s destruction of Asgard, nor could they stop Thanos from exterminating many of the surviving Asgardians. Most crucially, the Avengers could not prevent Thanos from collecting the Infinity Stones and executing the infamous snap, which eradicated half of all life across the universe.

The repercussions of the events in *Captain America: Civil War* had a lasting effect on the team. Although Captain America and Bucky Barnes emerged victorious over Iron Man, they were forced to go underground. Bucky sought refuge in Wakanda while Steve Rogers became a fugitive alongside Black Widow and Falcon. Wanda Maximoff and Vision also went into hiding, with Vision sustaining life-threatening injuries soon after. This conflict laid the groundwork for the “Team Iron Man curse,”resulting in the demise of Iron Man, Black Widow, Black Panther, and Vision, while War Machine suffered a life-altering injury, and Peter Parker was left in obscurity.

Hawkeye’s Unbroken Winning Streak

Clint Barton’s Undefeated Status

Hawkeye has consistently been a part of every victorious mission undertaken by the Avengers, notably absent from their most significant failures. As a founding member of the original six Avengers, Clint played a crucial role in thwarting Loki’s invasion during the Battle of New York, recovering Vision’s body during the Battle of South Korea, and helping to defeat Ultron in the Battle of Sokovia. Remarkably, he was the only Avenger unaffected by Scarlet Witch’s manipulation during a pivotal moment, maintaining his focus and resolve.

Hawkeye’s efficiency was even more apparent when, during the catastrophic conflict against Thanos, he was notably missing from the fight until the climactic Battle of Earth. He emerged not only unscathed but also vital in aiding the team to reclaim victory over Thanos.

Post-Infinity Saga, Clint Barton continued to impress by defeating the Tracksuit Mafia and facing formidable foes like Yelena Belova and Echo, all without prior strategic planning. His quippy acknowledgement of being dragged back into action after considering retirement highlights his resilience. Despite officially passing the mantle to Kate Bishop, there is strong speculation about his potential return in upcoming MCU chapters.

Hawkeye’s Only Defeat Fueled His Growth

Learning from Defeat

Loki mind-controls Hawkeye with the Mind Stone in the Scepter in The Avengers — Custom image by Nicolas Ayala

During *The Avengers*, Hawkeye fell victim to Loki’s mind control via the Mind Stone embedded in his scepter. This unexpected manipulation caught him off guard, leading him to serve as Loki’s unwitting pawn. However, after regaining his autonomy, Hawkeye showcased remarkable discipline and physical prowess that enabled him to resist Scarlet Witch’s enchantment, while several other Avengers succumbed to her spell. Since that moment, Hawkeye has maintained an undefeated streak.

Some might argue that Hawkeye experienced losses in relation to the deaths of Quicksilver and Black Widow. Yet, from another perspective, their sacrifices to save him can be interpreted as victories for Clint Barton, given how close he came to being lost in those moments. Hawkeye has effectively honored their sacrifices by continuing to thrive and succeed, and should Jeremy Renner’s Hawkeye reappear in *Avengers: Doomsday* or *Avengers: Secret Wars*, it may signal a return to form for the Avengers.

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