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Type of bind: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 741.5973
EAN num: 9781563893148
ISBN number: 1563893142
Label: DC Comics
Manufacturer: DC Comics
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 144
Printing Date: January 01, 1997
Publishing house: DC Comics
Release Date: June 09, 1997
Sale Popularity Level: 297905
Studio: DC Comics
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Editor's Notes and Comments:
Amazon.com Review:
Tommy Monaghan is an assassin; that's right, he's your standard, grade-A hit man. Well, maybe he's not so standard. Tommy also happens to have super powers--just telepathy and x-ray vision, mind you. But let's face it, those are pretty super. Writer Garth Ennis and artist John McCrea have come up with a character that has surprising complexity. By all accounts this hit man should be an antihero, and yet, Monaghan has strict rules for himself: he doesn't shoot anyone he considers 'one of the good guys.' Naturally, there's a lot of subjectivity here, possibly even hypocrisy, but this murky area between good and evil, right and wrong, is one of Ennis's strong points. In what is essentially a superhero setting (Gotham City, home of Batman), this book delivers elements of action, adventure, crime, and horror, all held together by Ennis's funny and believable dialogue. The blurb on the back cover sums it up nicely: 'No fancy costume. No magic tricks. Just plenty of ammo, a pack of cigs, and a pitcher of beer.' --Jim Pascoe
User popularity level:
Rated by buyers 
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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 purple 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.
Rated by buyers -
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 very 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 very first had to continue a similar storyline with demons throughout the very 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.
Rated by buyers 
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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.
Rated by buyers 
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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 very 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 very 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 humour 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.
Rated by buyers -
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 very first book collects all the major issues that deal with the characters origin; two Batman books and the very 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.
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