Unspoken Issues #163.1 - Hitman #1

In this episode, the crew dives headfirst into the gritty, chaotic world of Hitman #1—the surprise winner of their fan poll with a commanding 63% of the vote. Created by Garth Ennis and John McCrea, this cult-favorite series introduces Tommy Monaghan, a wisecracking Gotham City hitman with a bizarre twist: he’s packing X-ray vision and telepathy thanks to a strange alien encounter. From the very first page, the tone is set—this is no superhero story, but something far more violent, irreverent, and darkly comedic.Jesse and Chris break down the issue’s wild mix of street-level crime, over-the-top satire, and unexpected DC Universe connections. From Tommy’s brutal takedown of the hilariously expendable “Shadow Force” team to his uneasy moral code—no innocents, no cops—the conversation explores how Ennis flips traditional superhero storytelling on its head. The guys also dig into the dynamic barroom camaraderie at Noonan’s, where hitmen swap stories like blue-collar workers, adding a surprising layer of humanity to an otherwise ruthless world.Of course, no Gotham tale is complete without the Dark Knight himself. When Tommy accepts a million-dollar contract on the Joker, it puts him on a collision course with Batman in a short but memorable rooftop showdown. Along the way, the hosts unpack Ennis’ signature style—equal parts satire, shock value, and social commentary—while debating whether this infamous writer deserves his polarizing reputation.