Place of Birth: San Diego, California
Aliases: the Huntress, Roberta Morse, Agent 19
First Appearance: Astonishing Tales #6 (1971)
Becomes an Avenger: West Coast Avengers Vol. 1 #1 (1984)
Best Moment: Founding the West Coast Avengers with husband Hawkeye in Avengers Vol. 1 # 244 (1984)
Worst Moment: Being drugged, abducted and abused by The Phantom Rider in West Coast Avengers Vol. 2 # 18-23 (1987)
Background: Barbara “Bobbi” Morse was an S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, using her fighting skills and weapons training to expose corruption within the organization. When she was assigned to investigate Cross Technological Enterprises, she met and clashed with its security director and former Avenger Hawkeye.
The two eventually uncovered the secrets of the company and fell for one another, deciding to get married in Hawkeye Vol. 1 #4 (1983). Upon returning to the Avengers, team member Vision suggested to Hawkeye that a west coast branch of the group could be beneficial. Morse and her new husband then left to establish this new team.
During her days with the new team, Morse was transported through time and caught the eye of The Phantom Rider. He abducted and brainwashed her, attempting to make her his bride. Morse eventually came to and escaped. In the ensuing chase, Morse let the villain plunge to his death.
When it was revealed that her inaction killed the Rider, Morse became distanced from her teammates, including Hawkeye, who became distraught at her actions. Morse left the team, deciding to return to her government job.
Morse and her estranged husband did eventually reconcile, but their renewed love was short lived, as she sacrificed herself to save Hawkeye during a battle between the West Coast Avengers and the demonic Mephisto. The fallout from her death caused the team to disband.
Morse has returned to comics after it was discovered that she was abducted and replaced with a Skrull imposter in Secret Invasion #8 (2009). She has since joined the New Avengers and gained powers similar to Captain America after using a mixture of the Super Soldier Serum and the Infinity Formula to save her life.
Analysis: Mockingbird has proven to be an important fixture in Avengers history, though mostly with the west coast branch. Her current resurrection and new powers make her an up-and-comer in the Marvel universe.
Willie’s Avenger Rating: 6 out of 10