The Assignment #1

The Assignment #1

by Walter Hill, Matz, Jef (Artist)

Hitman Frank Kitchen's assignment to kill a celebrated fashion designer who's fallen behind on his debts takes a turn when his victim's sister, a sociopathic surgeon, decides to punish him in the unique way only she can. Abducted and operated on against his will, Frank awakens in an altered condition – but with a hitman's hunger for revenge. The comic book behind the upcoming new movie (Re)Assignment starring Sigourney Weaver and Michelle Rodriguez and directed by Walter Hill. "For longtime fans of the filmmaker, this Canadian-made revenge yarn will be embraced as Hill's most entertaining and accomplished film in some time. It's an instant cult item." – The Hollywood Reporter

62 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 11, 2017

About the author

Walter Hill is a legendary American film director, screenwriter, and producer. He is widely known for his action films including The Warriors, Hard Times, The Driver, Southern Comfort, 48 Hours and its sequel Another 48 Hours, Red Heat, Last Man Standing, Undisputed, and Bullet To The Head, as well as writing the Steve McQueen crime drama The Getaway. Recently branching out into the comics world, Hill's debut title is the Prohibition era crime epic, Triggerman.

Walter Hill's IMDB page »

Reviews

[Carly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel weird for saying this, but somehow this works. As ridiculous or offensive as the plot is, I found that I really liked Frank Kitchen- as a man or a woman.

There are naturally some things that do not add up: Frank goes to sleep a man and wakes up a woman, supposedly a few months later. There is no bruising or scars or bleeding or errant hairs or hormonal changes. And he puts on heels and walks out like he’s been wearing them his whole life. I can barely walk straight in heels, which is why I stick with Chucks.

But the story portrays in a rather realistic light how differently women are treated than men, and how they are constantly under threat for merely existing. Frank’s first few run-ins teach him that he has to be mindful of the places he goes, the people he sees, how he dresses, how he is perceived by others. Like most men, unfortunately, he starts out completely oblivious about gender differences and then slowly realizes women are treated as less than. He eventually goes back to wearing suits again, which he rocks.

I liked that it showed Frank struggling with his new identity and the realization that he will never be a man again. I liked even more that it showed that he is still the same person regardless of his gender. And I liked most that his girlfriend accepted him in any form.

I also enjoyed The Doctor villain, and the casting of Sigourney Weaver in the move version was perfect. Michelle Rodriguez was great as Frank. The movie is silly and made me uncomfortable at some parts. But I dig B movies and I seem to be one of the few that liked it.

[Oliver Clarke · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was very odd and not entirely successful. It’s a graphic novel of a movie I’d never heard of, directed by Walter Hill and starring Michelle Rodriguez and Sigourney Weaver. The concept is simple and reasonably offensive. A hitman wakes up after being kidnapped by an enemy to find that they’ve operated on him and given him a sex change. Cue a pretty standard revenge tale with lots of nudity and violence that never really grapples with the idea at its heart. It ends up feeling like the first book in an alternative universe trans-remake of the Executioner series. Odd, poorly conceived and basically pointless.

[Bulent · Rating 3 out of 5]

Çok çarpıcı bir fikir. Mafya için tetikçilik yapan Frank, bir iş için San Fransisco'ya çağırılır ancak başına geleceklerden haberdar değildir.
Karakteri zora sokmak, başına olmadık şeyler getirmek ve bunlara rağmen kişiliğinin gerektirdiği gibi davranmasını beklemek Hollywood'un sevdiği bir numara. Aksiyon filmleriyle tanınan ve Western türünün yeniden canlandıran isim olarak anılan yönetmen Walter Hill'in yazdığı senaryo da bu numarayı çizgi romana aktarıyor.

[Race Bannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

NOTE this review is for the entire Trade Paperback
and is the story in its entirety.

This was an interesting fast-paced
graphic novel, although a bit far
fetched for the "revenge" that befalls
Frank Kitchen. Still it was enjoyable
although the ending is somewhat abrupt
and non-eventful.

[Mr Alister Cryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

I found myself talking to a Frenchman about music and books wondering why as an Englishman I didn't read comic novels so I downloaded this. Love the assisted reading function and how this is done. Well written and great artwork.

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gritty. Well drawn. I found some of the narration jerky, though. In a few places the way things were arranged dialogue-wise pulled me from the story. The premise is interesting (if you suspend your belief in surgical capabilities) and I'm willing to see where the story goes next. I also loved the bit about where our protagonist hides his money. That's what I expect from Hard Case Crime stories.