Hitman: 10,000 Bullets

Synopsis: This reprints Hitman #4-8.

Tommy’s friend from the Persian Gulf War, Natt the Hat, comes to town just in time for Tommy to take a hit on a new vigilante called Nightfist, who’s been stealing cocaine from criminals and dealing it himself. However, it turns out to be a setup, as the surviving Dubelz brother Moe has put a hit on Tommy’s had that has been taken by the ultimate hit man, Johnny Navarone. Tommy survives thanks to Natt’s intervention, but he’s badly injured. The only place for him to hide out is Wendy’s, and she I so nonplussed to find out the truth about Tommy that after he recovers, she tells him to get out of her life forever.

Tommy returns to Pat’s apartment to rest, and finds out that Pat has been tortured to death by Johnny Navarone. Tommy swears vengeance, and he and Natt go to Moe’s house and kill everyone—including Johnny Navarone.

The final story is a bit of a crossover with one of DC’s numerous events—likely Zero Hour—anyway, the sun has gone out and many people are locked inside of their homes while others are running wild on the streets. Tommy, Sean, Natt, Ringo and Hacken are holed up in Noonan’s, and to pass the time they begin telling stories about the time they came the closest to dying.

Good Stuff: This is a very good mix of the very serious and the very silly—Tommy comes very close to having something he’s always wanted—a romantic long-term relationship with Wendy—only to lose it all. Also, he manages to lose one of his best friends in the process. He loses a lot, and he takes a lot.

Much of the humor and storytelling flavor here is provided by the supporting characters. Natt is an excellent character and partner to Tommy, and the relationship between Tommy and Pat is also well explicated in this story. Also, Johnny Navarone is a very good villain with his white suit, cool demeanor, and tremendous competence.

The stand alone story also does an excellent job of standing out, as each of the stories told by Sean, Natt, Ringo and Tommy are the odd things that life throws at you sometimes. Anyway, these stories are just cool.

Not so Good Stuff: I dunno, I think this is pretty gosh darned good.

I give this book 10/10.