'Hitman' TV Series Teased By DC's Geoff Johns

The CW has found a great deal of success by giving slightly less iconic superheroes the spotlight. Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, and Legends of Tomorrow have created a DC universe that is more coherent and fun than anything in theaters. So why not bring one of the best and lesser known (at least to non-comics fans) characters of the '90s to the small screen?

If a few words from DC's Geoff Johns are any indication, Tommy Monaghan, better known as Hitman, could be coming to the small screen.

Johns, a celebrated comic book writer and DC's President and Chief Creative Officer, sat on a panel at the DC in D.C. event over the weekend, where he fielded a question about Tommy coming to television (via Comic Book Resources). After explaining that anything can happen, he said, "We are talking about Hitman."

Of course, this could lead to nothing. I'm sure there are dozens, maybe even hundreds, of DC characters that Johns and the other creatives working on DC television shows want to introduce into their little universe. But the time feels right for Tommy Monaghan, a character who coexisted with the characters of the DC universe while also subverting them at every turn.

Created by writer Garth Ennis and artist John McCrea in 1993, Tommy Monaghan got his own series, titled Hitman and also written and drawn by Ennis and McCrea, in 1996. The series ran for 61 issues and followed the title anti-hero, a super-powered contract killer, as he lived and worked and killed in the mean streets of Gotham City. Despite his unique abilities (telepathy and X-ray vision), Tommy rarely relied on his powers, instead using his wits and all-too-human skills to get by.

Even though his crude and violent ways clash with what we expect from a traditional comic book superhero, Tommy existed in the mainstream DC Universe and would frequently brush shoulders with Batman, Green Lantern, and other more socially acceptable superheroes. An issue where he meets Superman (depicted above) may be the best story in the entire series. Years later, Hitman remains a very good comic (certain aspects have aged better than others) and it's at its best when it's reminding you that the dark margins and gutters of the DC comic book landscape are filled with fascinating, blue collar weirdos like Tommy and his friends.

In other words, introducing Hitman to television and into the DC TV universe would be a nice palate cleanser from the squeaky clean outlooks of the other shows and it would provide creators with a character who can take the piss out of noble, upstanding citizens like the Flash and Supergirl. Everyone wins!