Customer Reviews

Hitman

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

People who are looking for a second Preacher, this is not it. This book (which collects Hitman #1-3, Demon annual #2 and Batman Chronicles #4) is the first collection of a far more uncomplicated title, but therefore not any less fun, and the writing-style of Ennis is very recognizable here (and that's a good thing). Uncomplicated humurous (great oneliners) action, that's the best way to describe it. Tommy Monaghan is a Hitman with a conscience (who works in Gotham) who is blessed with powers like X-ray vision, telepathy and a incredibly high skill-level. Powers he likes to "abuse" in his interaction with other people, which makes for some hilarious scenes (btw, don't be fooled by him having powers because this is definately NOT a superhero title). He is different from your regular Hitman in the fact that he only takes on contracts to assassinate meta-humans, no 'regular Joe's'. AND he must see a reason for the killing, he won't kill people who he doesn't see as 'the bad guys.'

A group of demons from Hell who call themselves the 'Arkanonne' want to recruit him to be their representative on earth and send out an agent to go get him. Then Tommy gets hired to kill the Joker and he can make a million bucks with it, but he'd have to go into Arkham Asylum to do so. Meanwhile Batman is keeping an eye on the case (because he is naturally interested in everything that involves the Joker) which turns out to be something a little different from what Tommy had first expected it to be.

Like I said, this book is not as complicated as Preacher was. It doesn't really have a continuity where you have to know everything that has gone before to know what's it's about. It is an action-packed, lighthearted read about a group of Hitmen who are close friends (well some more than other) and it's filled with typical Ennis humor and oneliners (which work very well). The artwork of McCrea also needs to be given some credit because after reading it I can't think of anyone I would have liked to see in his place. The scenes follow up fluently and his facial expressions are really good, a very important factor in the book. So for people who want a deep, complicated story where you need to notice everything to see what's going on, this is not the best choice for you. For people who like Ennis' sense of bizar humor, oneliners and a lot of blood-and-guts packed action this would be more than welcome. One of MY favorite series at least.

Garth Ennis is usually at his best when he has total creative freedom on his titles. His character, Hitman (sort of meant to be a super-hero name like BatMAN, SpiderMAN....HitMAN...hehe) was created and debuted in a story involving demons. In fact Hitman's first issue was in The Demon Annual #2. At the time there were other issues to address. Mainly the Demon and whatever thing he's up to. In order to wrap all this up, Ennis first had to continue a similar storyline with demons throughout the first few issues of Hitman's ongoing title. Although very good, it still reads like Ennis really just wanted to get it over with. Hitman, Vol.2 is more the Hitman that we all love. Once the character was established, Ennis had the freedom to move the story arcs into a more 'organized crime' vein. But to know Hitman, you have to start at the beginning which is right here. Garth Ennis' best? Oh, heavens no. But still a worthy read. However if you're new to Garth Ennis, try picking up his best: Preacher.

Just like his awesome series 'Preacher', Garth Ennis manages to create a story that deals with morality, comradery, and bucket loads of bloody violence in 'Hitman'. This first book collects all the major issues that deal with the characters origin; two Batman books and the first three issues of the Hitman series. Although his origin is a bit weak (he receieved telepahty and x-ray vision after being attacked by a demon...go figure) the story quickly skips passed it and gets to the heart of the action. Ennis' usual gallows humour is strongly evident (what happens at a mobsters funeral in the last few issues is hilarious) as is his penchant for nasty head wounds. Albeit, the violence is nowhere near that of the 'Preacher' - he had to tone it down for DC - the writing is strong and McCrea's artwork is great. A fun read from the Irish wonder writer.

I have the individual issues this book reprints. Ennis did a nifty job of dealing with the excess baggage crossovers often bring a writer(I'm talking about Bloodlines, which I heard was terrible). His characterization of Batman is dead-on, and his dialouge is witty. He takes a cliche assassin with a cliche attitude and throws him into definity non-cliched stories.

The tale of a hitman who picks up super powers that let him x-ray everything and read the thoughts of others. He starts by dealing with the fallout from the mob but the real focus is when an alien race employs him indirectly to assassinate the Joker in Arkham Asylum but Batman tries to stop him. This is mostly a lighthearted action piece that doesn't take itself too seriously. You should not either. ARTWORK: C plus; STORY/PLOTTING: B minus; DIALOGUE/CHARACTERS: B minus; OVERALL GRADE: B minus; WHEN READ: end of December 2011.

After a freaky encounter with a space alien god thing, Tommy Monaghan aka Hitman, is left with super powers including telepathy and x-ray vision. Rather than help out or become a superhero like everyone else, Tommy decides to keep going as a Hitman choosing superhero targets and putting him in a different class of Hitman.

Sound familiar? This seems like DC's weak attempt at getting a "Punisher" type character together. Ironically, this 90s effort from Garth Ennis would be a warm up for Ennis' legendary run on the Punisher who would go on to make that series the definitive version of that character.

Ok, so the Punisher didn't have stupid powers like x-ray vision but I think that made him a better character. But that series where the Punisher storylines got all supernatural were the worst and Hitman has a strong supernatural undercurrent to the stories where Hitman's biggest foes are from Hell or some weird alternate reality, snooze...

Besides the sub-par Punisher knockoff and the even weaker storylines featuring gods and monsters, the origin story of how he got these powers has got to be one of the most pointless and poorly thought out storylines Ennis has ever written. I'm willing to let this pass as this was early on in his career, pre-Preacher/Punisher/The Boys, eg. everything great, but that doesn't make this a better comic book. Nor does the inclusion of Batman and Joker improve it.

Overall if you're a diehard Garth Ennis fan and have to read everything he's written, this review won't dissuade you, but if you're thinking maybe Ennis struck gold again with this series, think again. Crap character, crap stories, crap comic book.

Tommy Monaghan is a killer. Professionally. A freak alien type encounter ends up giving him some superpowers. Telepathy and x-ray vision, pretty useful stuff.

After this he decides to specialise. He will only kill bad guy metahumans. When he is given a contract on a green haired clown he comes into conflict with Batman.

Quite a bit of this is amusing, too, even though it doesn't sound like it would be. Monaghan is your likeable rogue type.

Garth Ennis is a great writer. After reading his genius Preacher series, I craved more of his great action and witty dialogue. Did I find it in Hitman? Yes, and no.
Movie, television, and storybook hitmen are always portrayed as the coolest kind of hero. They can kill the bad guy simply because it is there job. What makes Ennis's Hitman even cooler is that he has morals. He'll only take out Metahuman or super-crimanal scum. While this sounds like a cool concept, it doesn't entirely come out as awesome as it should.
A big part of the problem with Hitman is that the artwork is horrible. John McCrea's panels look like they're too crammed to fit all the action. And his depiction of the demons in this book are just lame.
Because this is a DC comic and takes place in Gotham City, Hitman has super powers (X-ray vision and telepathy). While he used his powers to great effect, (He threatens to read Batman's mind to reveal his secret identity) Ennis never gives the powers a specific purpose in the story.
This book does have some great highlights, particularly the Hitman's confrontations with Batman. The action-packed ending in Arkham Asylum is great, even though the villian is a real let down.