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Hitman #3
Hitman, Vol. 3: Local Heroes
Combining incredible humor, witty dialogue and quick-paced action, HITMAN: LOCAL HEROES tells the story of Tommy Monaghan, a hit man with super powers and morals. In the third volume of the series, Tommy's talents are tested as he faces off against Western outlaws and an army of zombie sea animals. Also included in this book is a hilarious confrontation with Green Lantern, which teaches the Spandex-clad super hero a lesson about taking on a street-smart hit man from the back streets of Gotham City.
Collected from HITMAN #9-14.
Collected from HITMAN #9-14.
191 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1999
7 people are currently reading
164 people want to read
About the author
Garth Ennis
2,624 books3,169 followersEnnis began his comic-writing career in 1989 with the series Troubled Souls. Appearing in the short-lived but critically-acclaimed British anthology Crisis and illustrated by McCrea, it told the story of a young, apolitical Protestant man caught up by fate in the violence of the Irish 'Troubles'. It spawned a sequel, For a Few Troubles More, a broad Belfast-based comedy featuring two supporting characters from Troubled Souls, Dougie and Ivor, who would later get their own American comics series, Dicks, from Caliber in 1997, and several follow-ups from Avatar.
Another series for Crisis was True Faith, a religious satire inspired by his schooldays, this time drawn by Warren Pleece. Ennis shortly after began to write for Crisis' parent publication, 2000 AD. He quickly graduated on to the title's flagship character, Judge Dredd, taking over from original creator John Wagner for a period of several years.
Ennis' first work on an American comic came in 1991 when he took over DC Comics's horror title Hellblazer, which he wrote until 1994, and for which he currently holds the title for most issues written. Steve Dillon became the regular artist during the second half of Ennis's run.
Ennis' landmark work to date is the 66-issue epic Preacher, which he co-created with artist Steve Dillon. Running from 1995 to 2000, it was a tale of a preacher with supernatural powers, searching (literally) for God who has abandoned his creation.
While Preacher was running, Ennis began a series set in the DC universe called Hitman. Despite being lower profile than Preacher, Hitman ran for 60 issues (plus specials) from 1996 to 2001, veering wildly from violent action to humour to an examination of male friendship under fire.
Other comic projects Ennis wrote during this time period include Goddess, Bloody Mary, Unknown Soldier, and Pride & Joy, all for DC/Vertigo, as well as origin stories for The Darkness for Image Comics and Shadowman for Valiant Comics.
After the end of Hitman, Ennis was lured to Marvel Comics with the promise from Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada that he could write The Punisher as long as he cared to. Instead of largely comical tone of these issues, he decided to make a much more serious series, re-launched under Marvel's MAX imprint.
In 2001 he briefly returned to UK comics to write the epic Helter Skelter for Judge Dredd.
Other comics Ennis has written include War Story (with various artists) for DC; The Pro for Image Comics; The Authority for Wildstorm; Just a Pilgrim for Black Bull Press, and 303, Chronicles of Wormwood (a six issue mini-series about the Antichrist), and a western comic book, Streets of Glory for Avatar Press.
In 2008 Ennis ended his five-year run on Punisher MAX to debut a new Marvel title, War Is Hell: The First Flight of the Phantom Eagle.
In June 2008, at Wizard World, Philadelphia, Ennis announced several new projects, including a metaseries of war comics called Battlefields from Dynamite made up of mini-series including Night Witches, Dear Billy and Tankies, another Chronicles of Wormwood mini-series and Crossed both at Avatar, a six-issue miniseries about Butcher (from The Boys) and a Punisher project reuniting him with artist Steve Dillon (subsequently specified to be a weekly mini-series entitled Punisher: War Zone, to be released concurrently with the film of the same name).
Taken from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garth_Ennis
Another series for Crisis was True Faith, a religious satire inspired by his schooldays, this time drawn by Warren Pleece. Ennis shortly after began to write for Crisis' parent publication, 2000 AD. He quickly graduated on to the title's flagship character, Judge Dredd, taking over from original creator John Wagner for a period of several years.
Ennis' first work on an American comic came in 1991 when he took over DC Comics's horror title Hellblazer, which he wrote until 1994, and for which he currently holds the title for most issues written. Steve Dillon became the regular artist during the second half of Ennis's run.
Ennis' landmark work to date is the 66-issue epic Preacher, which he co-created with artist Steve Dillon. Running from 1995 to 2000, it was a tale of a preacher with supernatural powers, searching (literally) for God who has abandoned his creation.
While Preacher was running, Ennis began a series set in the DC universe called Hitman. Despite being lower profile than Preacher, Hitman ran for 60 issues (plus specials) from 1996 to 2001, veering wildly from violent action to humour to an examination of male friendship under fire.
Other comic projects Ennis wrote during this time period include Goddess, Bloody Mary, Unknown Soldier, and Pride & Joy, all for DC/Vertigo, as well as origin stories for The Darkness for Image Comics and Shadowman for Valiant Comics.
After the end of Hitman, Ennis was lured to Marvel Comics with the promise from Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada that he could write The Punisher as long as he cared to. Instead of largely comical tone of these issues, he decided to make a much more serious series, re-launched under Marvel's MAX imprint.
In 2001 he briefly returned to UK comics to write the epic Helter Skelter for Judge Dredd.
Other comics Ennis has written include War Story (with various artists) for DC; The Pro for Image Comics; The Authority for Wildstorm; Just a Pilgrim for Black Bull Press, and 303, Chronicles of Wormwood (a six issue mini-series about the Antichrist), and a western comic book, Streets of Glory for Avatar Press.
In 2008 Ennis ended his five-year run on Punisher MAX to debut a new Marvel title, War Is Hell: The First Flight of the Phantom Eagle.
In June 2008, at Wizard World, Philadelphia, Ennis announced several new projects, including a metaseries of war comics called Battlefields from Dynamite made up of mini-series including Night Witches, Dear Billy and Tankies, another Chronicles of Wormwood mini-series and Crossed both at Avatar, a six-issue miniseries about Butcher (from The Boys) and a Punisher project reuniting him with artist Steve Dillon (subsequently specified to be a weekly mini-series entitled Punisher: War Zone, to be released concurrently with the film of the same name).
Taken from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garth_Ennis
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January 7, 2021
#ThrowbackThursday - Back in the '90s, I used to write comic book reviews for the website of a now-defunct comic book retailer called Rockem Sockem Comics. From the December 1997 edition with a theme of "Offbeat Superheroes":
INTRODUCTION
Even though the field of comic books is dominated by superheroes, I have yet to write a column devoted entirely to the superfolk. Well, let's get down to it, bunky. Here are a few of the more interesting supertitles being published. Not the best, mind you, just interesting. For the best, pick up Kurt Busiek's ASTRO CITY (Homage/Image Comics)(Grade: A+). Meanwhile, here's the good, the bad and the ugly of comic book superheroes: STARMAN, THUNDERBOLTS, and HITMAN. STARMAN is highbrow; HITMAN is lowbrow; and THUNDERBOLTS would be right in the middle if not for its sinister twist.
KILLER LAUGHS
HITMAN #1-20 (DC Comics)
"Okay," Tommy Monaghan begins. "Now, we got Green Lantern backin' us up -- an' that sounds so freakin' hysterical I'm just gonna say it again, 'We got Green Lantern backin' us up' . . . An' that's fine for special effects, but I ain't puttin' my life in the hands of some Keanu-lookin' goof with a magic ring. What I want is you -- with this [gun] -- at that window -- ready to whack anyone takes a shot at me. You cool with that?" (Hitman#12, page 3).
Tommy "Hitman" Monaghan is a superhero in only the loosest sense of the word. He does have super powers and a rigid code of morals that keep him from hurting people he thinks are good. He teams up with other superheroes, such as Batman and Green Lantern, but they generally end up despising him and his methods. Monaghan kills people, you see. Before getting his powers, he was an assassin. Since getting super powers, well, he is still an assassin. Only now Monaghan specializes in assassinating other people with super powers -- but only bad people. Monaghan doesn't fight bad guys so much as he fights guys worse than he is himself. Monaghan is the epitome of the modern day superantihero.
Monaghan received his powers when he survived a bite from, um, a space vampire during an unsuccessful hit. Now Monaghan possesses telepathy and x-ray vision. Not being extremely imaginative, Monaghan has decided to stick with his original occupation, hoping only to score higher fees so he can one day move to Manhattan from Gotham City. Between hits he hangs out with his fellow hitmen in a neighborhood bar. The only thing worse than Monaghan's luck at gambling is his luck at picking contracts: they usually blow-up in his face, sometimes literally.
In "Local Heroes" (HITMAN #9-12) Monaghan does not agree to become the sanctioned terminator for a covert government agency charged with monitoring and controlling superheroes. Little does Monaghan realize (What a moron!) that he's going to be set-up by the disgruntled agents to keep him quiet. To further complicate matters, Green Lantern is the patsy the agents dupe into bringing Monaghan down.
In "Zombie Night at the Gotham Aquarium" (HITMAN #13-14) Monaghan and his buddies shoot a bunch of zombie penguins, seals, sharks, dolphins, and an octopus. Little does Monaghan realize (why ruin a streak?) that the fella who hired him is paying less than the corporation that hired his friend. It's not too complicated really.
The repetitious simplicity -- simple-mindedness, even -- of the plots might make one wonder how this book could succeed.
What makes HITMAN special are the creators, of course. Writer Garth Ennis and illustrator John McCrea have pulled out the stops to make HITMAN a black comedy thrill ride. To build momentum, they had Monaghan appear for a short time in their previous collaboration, THE DEMON (DC Comics). When THE DEMON wrapped up, HITMAN was ready to rumble. Ennis is infamous for his ultra-violent tales of hitmen in such series as PREACHER (Vertigo/DC Comics, grade: A+), SHADOWMAN (Acclaim Comics, grade: C+), THE DARKNESS (Top Cow/Image Comics), and UNKNOWN SOLDIER (Vertigo/DC Comics). He mixes drama, humor and violence into a volatile chili that burns the roof of your skull. The inevitable comparison: Ennis is the Quentin Tarantino of comic books. McCrea, meanwhile, has a distinctive, outrageous style that suits Ennis' scripts perfectly. With HITMAN, Ennis and McCrea have achieved a level of violence so excessive it is almost cartoonish -- if you can overlook the gore and viscera splashed across every page that is.. That this bloodfest is set smack dab in the DC Universe is the ultimate twist.
The humor in HITMAN deserves special attention. Ennis loves to throw in sick visual gags: a Siamese twin lugging around his dead twin's decaying body, a dead cat thrown on a spotlight to create a "Cat-Signal" for Catwoman, a man bashing zombie baby seals with a bat. Ennis is not afraid to tweak the other heroes in the DC Universe. One issue has bar patrons signing a petition to have Superman cut his long hair. Monaghan pukes on Batman's boots and publicly humiliates Green Lantern. Finally, Ennis loads the books up with rowdy 'n' randy guy talk, focusing frequently on Monaghan and his friends hanging out over poker or pool. These scenes allow Ennis to segue into touching, guy-bonding comedy, such as the buddies talking about coping with death during the "Final Night" crisis in issue #8.
Introduced in DEMON ANNUAL #2, Monaghan is the only successful new character to come from DC Comics' big "Bloodlines" crossover event of 1993. The theory was that DC would introduce a dozen or two new superheroes -- the New Blood -- in their comics' annuals and all would become instant sensations making DC the number one publisher again. (That might be the ultra-optimistic theory, actually.) What they got was HITMAN -- a single on-going title featuring a single member of the New Blood. Considering how unsuccessful most crossover event spinoffs are, I suppose DC is probably quite happy with the results.
I know I am.
Grade: B+
INTRODUCTION
Even though the field of comic books is dominated by superheroes, I have yet to write a column devoted entirely to the superfolk. Well, let's get down to it, bunky. Here are a few of the more interesting supertitles being published. Not the best, mind you, just interesting. For the best, pick up Kurt Busiek's ASTRO CITY (Homage/Image Comics)(Grade: A+). Meanwhile, here's the good, the bad and the ugly of comic book superheroes: STARMAN, THUNDERBOLTS, and HITMAN. STARMAN is highbrow; HITMAN is lowbrow; and THUNDERBOLTS would be right in the middle if not for its sinister twist.
KILLER LAUGHS
HITMAN #1-20 (DC Comics)
"Okay," Tommy Monaghan begins. "Now, we got Green Lantern backin' us up -- an' that sounds so freakin' hysterical I'm just gonna say it again, 'We got Green Lantern backin' us up' . . . An' that's fine for special effects, but I ain't puttin' my life in the hands of some Keanu-lookin' goof with a magic ring. What I want is you -- with this [gun] -- at that window -- ready to whack anyone takes a shot at me. You cool with that?" (Hitman#12, page 3).
Tommy "Hitman" Monaghan is a superhero in only the loosest sense of the word. He does have super powers and a rigid code of morals that keep him from hurting people he thinks are good. He teams up with other superheroes, such as Batman and Green Lantern, but they generally end up despising him and his methods. Monaghan kills people, you see. Before getting his powers, he was an assassin. Since getting super powers, well, he is still an assassin. Only now Monaghan specializes in assassinating other people with super powers -- but only bad people. Monaghan doesn't fight bad guys so much as he fights guys worse than he is himself. Monaghan is the epitome of the modern day superantihero.
Monaghan received his powers when he survived a bite from, um, a space vampire during an unsuccessful hit. Now Monaghan possesses telepathy and x-ray vision. Not being extremely imaginative, Monaghan has decided to stick with his original occupation, hoping only to score higher fees so he can one day move to Manhattan from Gotham City. Between hits he hangs out with his fellow hitmen in a neighborhood bar. The only thing worse than Monaghan's luck at gambling is his luck at picking contracts: they usually blow-up in his face, sometimes literally.
In "Local Heroes" (HITMAN #9-12) Monaghan does not agree to become the sanctioned terminator for a covert government agency charged with monitoring and controlling superheroes. Little does Monaghan realize (What a moron!) that he's going to be set-up by the disgruntled agents to keep him quiet. To further complicate matters, Green Lantern is the patsy the agents dupe into bringing Monaghan down.
In "Zombie Night at the Gotham Aquarium" (HITMAN #13-14) Monaghan and his buddies shoot a bunch of zombie penguins, seals, sharks, dolphins, and an octopus. Little does Monaghan realize (why ruin a streak?) that the fella who hired him is paying less than the corporation that hired his friend. It's not too complicated really.
The repetitious simplicity -- simple-mindedness, even -- of the plots might make one wonder how this book could succeed.
What makes HITMAN special are the creators, of course. Writer Garth Ennis and illustrator John McCrea have pulled out the stops to make HITMAN a black comedy thrill ride. To build momentum, they had Monaghan appear for a short time in their previous collaboration, THE DEMON (DC Comics). When THE DEMON wrapped up, HITMAN was ready to rumble. Ennis is infamous for his ultra-violent tales of hitmen in such series as PREACHER (Vertigo/DC Comics, grade: A+), SHADOWMAN (Acclaim Comics, grade: C+), THE DARKNESS (Top Cow/Image Comics), and UNKNOWN SOLDIER (Vertigo/DC Comics). He mixes drama, humor and violence into a volatile chili that burns the roof of your skull. The inevitable comparison: Ennis is the Quentin Tarantino of comic books. McCrea, meanwhile, has a distinctive, outrageous style that suits Ennis' scripts perfectly. With HITMAN, Ennis and McCrea have achieved a level of violence so excessive it is almost cartoonish -- if you can overlook the gore and viscera splashed across every page that is.. That this bloodfest is set smack dab in the DC Universe is the ultimate twist.
The humor in HITMAN deserves special attention. Ennis loves to throw in sick visual gags: a Siamese twin lugging around his dead twin's decaying body, a dead cat thrown on a spotlight to create a "Cat-Signal" for Catwoman, a man bashing zombie baby seals with a bat. Ennis is not afraid to tweak the other heroes in the DC Universe. One issue has bar patrons signing a petition to have Superman cut his long hair. Monaghan pukes on Batman's boots and publicly humiliates Green Lantern. Finally, Ennis loads the books up with rowdy 'n' randy guy talk, focusing frequently on Monaghan and his friends hanging out over poker or pool. These scenes allow Ennis to segue into touching, guy-bonding comedy, such as the buddies talking about coping with death during the "Final Night" crisis in issue #8.
Introduced in DEMON ANNUAL #2, Monaghan is the only successful new character to come from DC Comics' big "Bloodlines" crossover event of 1993. The theory was that DC would introduce a dozen or two new superheroes -- the New Blood -- in their comics' annuals and all would become instant sensations making DC the number one publisher again. (That might be the ultra-optimistic theory, actually.) What they got was HITMAN -- a single on-going title featuring a single member of the New Blood. Considering how unsuccessful most crossover event spinoffs are, I suppose DC is probably quite happy with the results.
I know I am.
Grade: B+
December 31, 2017
Loved Hitman being a complete dick to Green Lantern.
November 30, 2023
I thought Green Lantern was dumb as a kid so I enjoyed Tommy humiliating him and his shockingly stupid costume.
April 8, 2022
So my review of the book was going to be 3 stars, but after reading the zombie animal story, I just had to bump it up to 4.
So first thing, Tommy gets approached by some nefarious "government types" who want to employ him to work for them doing what he is doing already. Tommy tell them no, because he doesn't kill "the good ones" and it seems this government department really doesn't care about "Good" or "evil", they're more about ends justifying means. So they trick Green Lantern to go after him (yep, straight up Kyle Rayner Green Lantern), and a pretty hilarious confrontation ensues. After things are cleared up, they team up to put the government types in place. This was a really funny story that really showed Ennis' regard for superheroes. His voice is channeled through Tommy as a diatribe of subtle insults are launched at GL, mostly with him being none the wiser.
The zombie animal story is not for those who are die hard animal lovers. Oh my goodness. Its almost like Ennis was at a bar and made a bet with someone that he could write a story about clubbing cute baby seals and make it make sense within the story. This was a hilarious satirical look at the zombie genre, but also just a funny story about killing a bunch of zombie aquatic animals. It's classic Ennis, and it's damn good.
Really enjoying this series so far. The art in the first volumes was a bit rough, but it seems McCrea is settling into the book a bit more. If you like Ennis, you've got to check this out.
So first thing, Tommy gets approached by some nefarious "government types" who want to employ him to work for them doing what he is doing already. Tommy tell them no, because he doesn't kill "the good ones" and it seems this government department really doesn't care about "Good" or "evil", they're more about ends justifying means. So they trick Green Lantern to go after him (yep, straight up Kyle Rayner Green Lantern), and a pretty hilarious confrontation ensues. After things are cleared up, they team up to put the government types in place. This was a really funny story that really showed Ennis' regard for superheroes. His voice is channeled through Tommy as a diatribe of subtle insults are launched at GL, mostly with him being none the wiser.
The zombie animal story is not for those who are die hard animal lovers. Oh my goodness. Its almost like Ennis was at a bar and made a bet with someone that he could write a story about clubbing cute baby seals and make it make sense within the story. This was a hilarious satirical look at the zombie genre, but also just a funny story about killing a bunch of zombie aquatic animals. It's classic Ennis, and it's damn good.
Really enjoying this series so far. The art in the first volumes was a bit rough, but it seems McCrea is settling into the book a bit more. If you like Ennis, you've got to check this out.
Read
February 12, 2021Three stories in this one. First, Tommy is contacted by a government organization to keep superheroes in line. He refuses, Green Lantern gets involved, and chaos ensues. This one is hilarious for how Ennis takes the piss out of Green Lantern. Speaking of hilarious, the next story is titled “Zombie Night at the Gotham Aquarium.” That should tell you all you need to know. And finally, the annual brings Tommy to Texas for a spaghetti western-inspired romp. I’m not sure how memorable these stories will be in the long run, but they’re fun to read. And once again, Tommy’s heart and positivity shine through.
February 5, 2020
Green Lantern shows up and while I didn't really like this portrayal of him, it was classic Ennis humor. There's also a story about zombie animals at the aquarium which wasn't quite as silly as I thought it would be.
Another good volume of a good series.
Another good volume of a good series.
July 12, 2024
Нарешті вирішив повернутися до відгуків на серію "Hitman" від Ґарта Енніса. Сьогодні говоримо про номери з 9 по 14.
З 9 по 12 у нас відбувається сюжет "Місцеві герої" в якому до Томмі звертається двоє урядовців, які хочуть щоб він працював на них та вбивав металюдей та суперів за їх наказом. Така пропозиція не влаштовує нашого героя й він шле їх куди подалі в результаті чого вони спочатку натравлюють на нього копів, а потім Зеленого Ліхтаря.
Загалом вийшло досить непогано, сам сюжет вийшов більш серйозним за минулі, однак веселі жарти та моменти були присутні. Особливо повеселили петиція про стрижку Супермена та те як Монаґан перехитрив копів. Також у цьому сюжеті нашому герою допомагає детективка Тіґель і як на мене з них вийшла дуже прикольна пара. Щодо Кайла то мені чомусь в голові відклалося, що Енніс по ньому якось жорстко проїхався, я вже був готовий жартувати, що це улюблений сюжет Алекса Росса, але ні. З Кайла тут звісно сміються, але не так сильно як я пам'ятав.
Взагалі, що мені найбільше сподобалося в цій арці це моменти коли Томмі рефлексує щодо смерті Пета. Сцена на кладовищі дуже врізається. І як на мене в цьому найбільша перемога "Hitman" усі персонажі є особистостями. Той же Томмі є живим та симпатичним персонажем за яким хочеться слідкувати.
В 13 і 14 номерах відбувається сюжет "Зомбі ніч в ґотемському акваріумі", який є візитною карточкою і для багатьох улюбленою історією в цьому коміксі.
За сюжетом Томмі та компанія намагаються зупинити вченого який отримав газ здатний воскресити мертвих і який вирішує розпилити його в акваріумну центрі. Сам сюжет є максимально веселим трешачком і нонсенсом в якому наші найманці боряться із зомбі алігаторами, тюленями та іншою морською живністю.
Загалом мене радує, що "Hitman" продовжує бути максимально хорошою та фановою серію з чудовими персонажами.
З 9 по 12 у нас відбувається сюжет "Місцеві герої" в якому до Томмі звертається двоє урядовців, які хочуть щоб він працював на них та вбивав металюдей та суперів за їх наказом. Така пропозиція не влаштовує нашого героя й він шле їх куди подалі в результаті чого вони спочатку натравлюють на нього копів, а потім Зеленого Ліхтаря.
Загалом вийшло досить непогано, сам сюжет вийшов більш серйозним за минулі, однак веселі жарти та моменти були присутні. Особливо повеселили петиція про стрижку Супермена та те як Монаґан перехитрив копів. Також у цьому сюжеті нашому герою допомагає детективка Тіґель і як на мене з них вийшла дуже прикольна пара. Щодо Кайла то мені чомусь в голові відклалося, що Енніс по ньому якось жорстко проїхався, я вже був готовий жартувати, що це улюблений сюжет Алекса Росса, але ні. З Кайла тут звісно сміються, але не так сильно як я пам'ятав.
Взагалі, що мені найбільше сподобалося в цій арці це моменти коли Томмі рефлексує щодо смерті Пета. Сцена на кладовищі дуже врізається. І як на мене в цьому найбільша перемога "Hitman" усі персонажі є особистостями. Той же Томмі є живим та симпатичним персонажем за яким хочеться слідкувати.
В 13 і 14 номерах відбувається сюжет "Зомбі ніч в ґотемському акваріумі", який є візитною карточкою і для багатьох улюбленою історією в цьому коміксі.
За сюжетом Томмі та компанія намагаються зупинити вченого який отримав газ здатний воскресити мертвих і який вирішує розпилити його в акваріумну центрі. Сам сюжет є максимально веселим трешачком і нонсенсом в якому наші найманці боряться із зомбі алігаторами, тюленями та іншою морською живністю.
Загалом мене радує, що "Hitman" продовжує бути максимально хорошою та фановою серію з чудовими персонажами.
February 22, 2023
Ok, I was amused by the zombie aquarium story.
February 2, 2024
A reference to 47! Oh, this author likes me almost as much as I like his writing.
The government, represented by a pencil-pusher called Truman and his brick-wall bodyguard Feekle ('as in matter?'), takes an interest in Tommy to use him to control the superpowered population. If he doesn't play ball, there is plenty of evidence that can be used against him. He refuses, so the cops make a move on him.
The story with the killer zombie animals is a return to full-on humor. Several of Tommy's friends join him on this job - Natt rides shotgun, Ringo gets paid by another party and Hacken with his chainsaw are there for fun. More than anything, this arc shows Tommy interacting with his friends. Because the zombie animals sure don't make sense. Whacking baby seals was never more terrifying.
The government, represented by a pencil-pusher called Truman and his brick-wall bodyguard Feekle ('as in matter?'), takes an interest in Tommy to use him to control the superpowered population. If he doesn't play ball, there is plenty of evidence that can be used against him. He refuses, so the cops make a move on him.
The story with the killer zombie animals is a return to full-on humor. Several of Tommy's friends join him on this job - Natt rides shotgun, Ringo gets paid by another party and Hacken with his chainsaw are there for fun. More than anything, this arc shows Tommy interacting with his friends. Because the zombie animals sure don't make sense. Whacking baby seals was never more terrifying.
June 21, 2020
More good stuff. The main story, Local Hero, is lots of fun, laying some seeds that won't get followed up on until the very end of the series (in some surprising ways, too). And then there's my favorite of the funny stories (Hitman always had two types of stories: serious stories, which tended to have at least some sense of humor to them, still, and funny stories, which were about as far from serious as possible), Zombie Night at the Gotham Aquarium. I've read that story I don't know how many times, and it makes me laugh every time. Such great stuff.
Read
November 4, 2012Not that the first couple of collections weren't fun, and even moving in places, but this is where Hitman really hits its stride, with the first time Tommy's district of Gotham is named as the Cauldron, the first appearance of alcoholic 'superhero' Sixpack...and, crucially, zombie penguins.
June 6, 2015
2015 Reread.
It's good, mindless fun with Green Lantern. Nothing overly special though.
It's good, mindless fun with Green Lantern. Nothing overly special though.
August 16, 2023
First - good news! DC has finally decided to do an omnibus for Hitman by Garth Ennis. It is long overdue. This is a forgotten 90's series that was one of the few bright spots of comics in the 90's.
I am making my way through the old TPBs and this one was fun but a little weaker in terms of writing than the other two. I will say that McCrea's art improved in this collection. It still isn't with some of the greats but it works. I would say the cartoony style might lessen the impact of the humour at times. A more realistic approach would make the over the top violence even crazier, but cartoon art with cartoon violence makes for a more Bugs bunny "this isn't real" feel to it.
There are two main stories - "Local Heroes" and "Night of the Living Dead Fish" (I made that second one up because I can't be bothered to look the real title up).
Local heroes is a great idea but I wish the story had been stronger. The idea is Hitman (as a killer for higher of super beings - but only evil ones) goes up against a real DC hero (Green Lantern) who has been tricked by evil government guys to take Hitman down. So two things 1) the whole premise of the book is Hitman is an assassin for hire of super powered beings but I wish previous stories had him doing this more. I can't even recall if he has been hired to go after super beings yet. I say this because it would set this story up better if he had done a lot of "hits" already. 2) Green Lantern isn't written well so he comes off as a 2D cartoon. The story would work better if I actually believed GL was going to take Hitman down and GL had more depth to him. It would help even if it was harder to convince GL that Hitman wasn't a bad guy but basically Hitman says "you've been tricked you dope" and GL believes him.
The second story is more fun because we see Hitman interacting with his friends. The basic story is he is hired to stop a mad scientist from making zombies out of humans (or animals as it turns out). It is a fun story.
Overall, I still enjoyed this series and look forward to the next one. Tonally it is a bit of a mess. At times it is a silly, over the top, Bugs bunny cartoon of violence but other times there are real dramatic emotional stakes. But even with that concern I like it because it is different and you see a younger Garth Ennis finding his voice which will lead to the masterpieces that are in his future.
I am making my way through the old TPBs and this one was fun but a little weaker in terms of writing than the other two. I will say that McCrea's art improved in this collection. It still isn't with some of the greats but it works. I would say the cartoony style might lessen the impact of the humour at times. A more realistic approach would make the over the top violence even crazier, but cartoon art with cartoon violence makes for a more Bugs bunny "this isn't real" feel to it.
There are two main stories - "Local Heroes" and "Night of the Living Dead Fish" (I made that second one up because I can't be bothered to look the real title up).
Local heroes is a great idea but I wish the story had been stronger. The idea is Hitman (as a killer for higher of super beings - but only evil ones) goes up against a real DC hero (Green Lantern) who has been tricked by evil government guys to take Hitman down. So two things 1) the whole premise of the book is Hitman is an assassin for hire of super powered beings but I wish previous stories had him doing this more. I can't even recall if he has been hired to go after super beings yet. I say this because it would set this story up better if he had done a lot of "hits" already. 2) Green Lantern isn't written well so he comes off as a 2D cartoon. The story would work better if I actually believed GL was going to take Hitman down and GL had more depth to him. It would help even if it was harder to convince GL that Hitman wasn't a bad guy but basically Hitman says "you've been tricked you dope" and GL believes him.
The second story is more fun because we see Hitman interacting with his friends. The basic story is he is hired to stop a mad scientist from making zombies out of humans (or animals as it turns out). It is a fun story.
Overall, I still enjoyed this series and look forward to the next one. Tonally it is a bit of a mess. At times it is a silly, over the top, Bugs bunny cartoon of violence but other times there are real dramatic emotional stakes. But even with that concern I like it because it is different and you see a younger Garth Ennis finding his voice which will lead to the masterpieces that are in his future.
May 17, 2025
I haven't re-read the rest of the Hitman series in a long time, but I think the six issues collected in this TBP might be the most consistently excellent and/or hilarious of the 60-issue series.
It breaks down into two story arcs: Local Heroes (4 issues) and Zombie Night at Gotham Aquarium (2 issues). Local Heroes takes several more major steps towards establishing Tommy Monaghan as one of the great (and wildly underrated) lovable rogues in all of mainstream comic-dom. Tommy gets targeted as a potential recruit by a slimy government agent who wants to use him to rub out superpowered types, including possibly honorable ones. This not only sets off a great cat-and-mouse game, but it also foreshadows some groundwork that writer Garth Ennis would further develop to great success in his later, much more adult-oriented series The Boys. The real comedy mostly comes from Ennis' use of Tommy to poke no end of fun at the silliness and overserious nature of mainstream superheroes - in this case, Green Lantern.
But then we get the two-parter, Zombie Night at Gotham Aquarium. Every time I've read this mini-arc, from when I bought the original issues back in the mid-1990s to every re-read over the years, I crack up. It's such a wild, over-the-top premise that Ennis and McRea somehow pull off. If nothing else, this pair of issues is worth reading, for fans who like some hilariously off-kilter humor.
Oh, and we know Ennis is a great writer, but I will continue to heap more and more flowers on John McRea. His style has always been so uniquely, amazingly suited to Ennis' stories that it's uncanny. The blend of hard-boiled tales with the outrageous humor (along with some real heart and character) is something that not every comic artist, even a great one, can pull off. But McRea does it.
It's perhaps a shame that Hitman has sort of fallen off the public's radar, given how many lesser-known and far less interesting DC characters have seen their days in the sun in one medium or another. But maybe it's totally fine that this precious gem of a series remains right where it is.
It breaks down into two story arcs: Local Heroes (4 issues) and Zombie Night at Gotham Aquarium (2 issues). Local Heroes takes several more major steps towards establishing Tommy Monaghan as one of the great (and wildly underrated) lovable rogues in all of mainstream comic-dom. Tommy gets targeted as a potential recruit by a slimy government agent who wants to use him to rub out superpowered types, including possibly honorable ones. This not only sets off a great cat-and-mouse game, but it also foreshadows some groundwork that writer Garth Ennis would further develop to great success in his later, much more adult-oriented series The Boys. The real comedy mostly comes from Ennis' use of Tommy to poke no end of fun at the silliness and overserious nature of mainstream superheroes - in this case, Green Lantern.
But then we get the two-parter, Zombie Night at Gotham Aquarium. Every time I've read this mini-arc, from when I bought the original issues back in the mid-1990s to every re-read over the years, I crack up. It's such a wild, over-the-top premise that Ennis and McRea somehow pull off. If nothing else, this pair of issues is worth reading, for fans who like some hilariously off-kilter humor.
Oh, and we know Ennis is a great writer, but I will continue to heap more and more flowers on John McRea. His style has always been so uniquely, amazingly suited to Ennis' stories that it's uncanny. The blend of hard-boiled tales with the outrageous humor (along with some real heart and character) is something that not every comic artist, even a great one, can pull off. But McRea does it.
It's perhaps a shame that Hitman has sort of fallen off the public's radar, given how many lesser-known and far less interesting DC characters have seen their days in the sun in one medium or another. But maybe it's totally fine that this precious gem of a series remains right where it is.
March 2, 2024
In "Local Heroes", Hitman Tommy Monaghan is left nursing some serious injuries and mourning the loss of Pat Noonan following the events of the previous volume and feels down on his luck, but decides that things can't get worse and places a thousand-to-one odds bet which involves a pretty sadistic debt collector. But Tommy's luck is far from at its lowest when he becomes the target of a government operation after turning down a job, and the Gotham PD and a shady agency begin to come after him. To make matters worse, the government has roped in Green Lantern (Kyle Rayner) to lead the hunt for Tommy. This arc is followed by "Zombie Night at the Gotham Aquarium" which involves Tommy and pals having to fend of a bunch of zombified sea creatures like seals, sharks, dolphins and penguins. Things go south quickly when Tommy realizes his contract was lowballed compared to his colleagues.
The stories here are ruthlessly goofy but somehow really fun. There's ample black comedy and hacky dialogue, and while it does get a little too over the top at times, Ennis does find ways to dial things back to avoid it from getting tedious. I wouldn't take Ennis' Hitman too seriously since I doubt he was all that serious when writing this series.
The stories here are ruthlessly goofy but somehow really fun. There's ample black comedy and hacky dialogue, and while it does get a little too over the top at times, Ennis does find ways to dial things back to avoid it from getting tedious. I wouldn't take Ennis' Hitman too seriously since I doubt he was all that serious when writing this series.
July 1, 2021
I picked this up because the trade was 5 bucks. At nearly 200 pages, that's a steal as far as comics are concerned. The first volume of Hitman was just okay, but it was neat to see Ennis basically getting ready for his run on the Punisher. I didn't read the second volume, BUT, I did enjoy this volume a good amount more than the first. In general, I think Ennis and McCrea are gelling more, and the comic has it's footing firmly in place by this point. The humor hits a bit better, and the stories are a touch tighter and pretty fun. I have one more volume, and based on the strength of this one, it moved up a few slots in my reading list.
Check it out if you enjoy the work of Ennis or McCrea.
Check it out if you enjoy the work of Ennis or McCrea.
March 19, 2019
I'm not sure I get why Kyle Rayner is so terrible, but it's clear Ennis hates him.
Also, another book where all the women fall all over the main character. Here, I just don't get that Hitman is that appealing. He's pretty amoral with everyone.
Fail moment of the volume: When an Irish-American explains to a black cop why resisting arrest makes you popular in a low-income neighborhood. Woof. That's tone deaf.
Also, another book where all the women fall all over the main character. Here, I just don't get that Hitman is that appealing. He's pretty amoral with everyone.
Fail moment of the volume: When an Irish-American explains to a black cop why resisting arrest makes you popular in a low-income neighborhood. Woof. That's tone deaf.
February 25, 2018
Contains two stories. 5 stars for the first story, 2 stars for the second story.
July 2, 2021
Still good fun. CIA spooks and zombie sea creatures make great cannon fodder.
December 7, 2021
The series hits the stride with this one.
Of the two stories, the first one is way cooler than the second.
Of the two stories, the first one is way cooler than the second.
February 22, 2024
Tommy vs secretive government agencies, Tommy vs Green Lantern, Tommy vs zombie aquarium. Slowly improving, though still suffering from sophomoric Ennisisms.
November 5, 2022
Three hitmen and their sidekick vs. zombie aquarium animals.
Yes.
Yes.
July 29, 2018
Volume 3 collects "Local Heroes" and "Zombie Night at the Gotham Aquarium".
"Hitman" is at a steady, even pace in Volume 3. The art has established itself at a certain level, and so has the writing. "Zombie Night" is one of the most outrageous and funny story arcs I have ever read, one that stuck with me years after I first read "Hitman".
"Hitman" is at a steady, even pace in Volume 3. The art has established itself at a certain level, and so has the writing. "Zombie Night" is one of the most outrageous and funny story arcs I have ever read, one that stuck with me years after I first read "Hitman".
March 9, 2015
This trade contains Hitman #9-14.
The stories here stand well enough alone but there are spoilers for earlier trades. Best to start with volume 1.
Local Heroes is comprised of two multi-part stories. First up is the four issue titular one, with Tommy being targeted for recruitment by a mysterious government agency and featuring a well known DC superhero. As usual with Hitman the core characters are the highlight, and the plot is decent too. Kyle is portrayed way too stupid here, but I have to admit the jokes at his expense are pretty funny.
The remainder of the trade is the two issue Zombie Night at the Gotham Aquarium. This is exactly what it sounds like and really didn't need a second issue. Not actively bad, but not my thing.
So a mixed bag here for me but still a decent entry in the series overall, mostly due to Tommy being such a compelling character and ongoing intriguing plot threads.
The stories here stand well enough alone but there are spoilers for earlier trades. Best to start with volume 1.
Local Heroes is comprised of two multi-part stories. First up is the four issue titular one, with Tommy being targeted for recruitment by a mysterious government agency and featuring a well known DC superhero. As usual with Hitman the core characters are the highlight, and the plot is decent too. Kyle is portrayed way too stupid here, but I have to admit the jokes at his expense are pretty funny.
The remainder of the trade is the two issue Zombie Night at the Gotham Aquarium. This is exactly what it sounds like and really didn't need a second issue. Not actively bad, but not my thing.
So a mixed bag here for me but still a decent entry in the series overall, mostly due to Tommy being such a compelling character and ongoing intriguing plot threads.
August 29, 2016
More Garth Ennis slapstick: I like all this stuff, but some may not. For instance, this whole character, Hitman, may not work so well with mass shootings seemingly on the rise. Ennis is so tongue-in-cheek about genre conventions that the gunplay here works. But, again, your mileage may vary.
And, artist John McRae is a gem. So is the rest of the editorial team, especially color by Carla Feeney.
Great Kyle Rayner Green Lantern team-up, and pretty good Sergio Leone tribute, in two different stories.
Of all the characters created in one set of 1990s DC Annuals in seeming response to Image Comics superheroes, this is about the only character that worked.
Recommended.
And, artist John McRae is a gem. So is the rest of the editorial team, especially color by Carla Feeney.
Great Kyle Rayner Green Lantern team-up, and pretty good Sergio Leone tribute, in two different stories.
Of all the characters created in one set of 1990s DC Annuals in seeming response to Image Comics superheroes, this is about the only character that worked.
Recommended.
June 7, 2012
Ennis brings out a whacked out/wise guy sense of humour to the book and makes the reading experience a sheer pleasure. Besides the main story where Hitman makes a chump out of the Green lantern the last story has awesome gore and zombies! Not just regular zombies but aquatic zombies....Yeah that's right!
The art is also good and creates a nice environment of Gotham city's underbelly. Overall an enjoyable ride!
Cheers!!!
July 9, 2009
this gets five stars just for the "coffin full of dollars" story. a quintessential example of the twisted humor, violence, and love for the classics that make garth ennis so damn enjoyable to read.
March 6, 2025
Pongo "verificar" porque me parece que no leí casi nada de este recopilatorio y lo marqué en su momento por error. Queda pendiente hasta nuevo aviso.
February 10, 2016
My favorite out of the series so far, and is Kyle always that goofy? I don't read much Green Lantern, but wow...
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