Hitman

GARTH ENNIS/JOHN McCREA/DC COMICS

     Tommy Monaghan is a hitman operating out of Gotham City, but, unlike many of his colleagues, he has scruples:  he won’t kill anybody who doesn’t deserve killing.  Tommy, with his faithful partner, the pudgy Natt (fat jokes abound), attempts to follow this personal code while making a living in a world peopled with gangsters, crooked cops, other hitmen, and the occasional superpowered being.

     This book is an absolute hoot.  I have yet to be disappointed by a single issue.  Ennis’s trademark humor and penchant for violence (often taken to hilariously gratuitous lengths) is in abundance, and he takes shots at every aspect of the DC Universe. Monaghan does have a superpower, but it’s so barely emphasized, that I’m not even sure what it is (X-ray vision?).  Monaghan gleefully sticks Green Lantern for the bar tab, knowing full well the costumed crimefighter has no pockets to carry cash (issue 11).  A crestfallen Superman, doubting himself after failing to save a life, finds his spirits buoyed by Monaghan when they happen to cross paths on a roof.  After a reinvigorated Superman flies off after Tommy’s pep talk, Monaghan proceeds to casually blow away a mark (issue 34).  “SixPack” (one of the greatest supporting characters in the history of the medium) is the regular drunk at Tommy’s local bar who fancies himself a superhero, costume and all.  Patrons at “Noonan’s” will hear tales of how he made The Flash “crap in his pants.”  The fledgling hero also forms his own superhero team, “Section-8,” which has to be seen to be fully appreciated.  My meager words cannot do justice to such classic Ennis/McCrea character creations like “Dogwelder.”

     Ennis also plays up his love for the WWII period, with numerous references to films (the arc, “Tommy’s Heroes”), equipment, and, of course, the Germans (a favorite Ennis category).  Tommy’s turbulent, romantic relationship with Tiegel, a feisty, upright police officer (another one of the series’ highlights, issue 21, the consummation of their relationship, is a must read), features, among other things, her German grandfather (Tiegel is black!) raving about the Russian front and believing Monaghan is his former WWII commander.

     Of course, Ennis weaves serious drama throughout all the humorous situations.  Concepts of friendship, loyalty, honor, and morality are explored in Tommy’s relationships with Tiegel and his fellow hitmen, but never in an overbearing, preachy manner.  Ennis stays true to his characters, and never transforms them into vehicles for soapboxing.  Even in the thick of it, Ennis reminds us there is humor in everything, even murder.

     WIZARD gave this comic a ridiculously low rating when they critiqued it; they should stick to such weighty philosophical questions like “Who could pick their nose faster, Quicksilver or The Flash?”  HITMAN is superb.  It is a wild, violent, humorous, FUN ride, and should be read by everyone who despises political correctness and humorless people.

    Hitman completed its' 60 issue run in 2001.  Some arcs are still available in trade format.

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