We’ve been following DC’s releases of teaser images for its upcoming J. Michael Straczynski-helmed revival of the Red Circle characters, with both The Shield and Inferno, and today, it’s time for one of the more iconic heroes from the line: The Hangman.
The initial design work below is by J.G. Jones, while the DC Blog, The Source, has the cover to The Hangman’s issue by Jesus Saiz.
While “The Hangman” has been a popular name for characters since his introduction (both Marvel and DC have characters with the same name), this Hangman is a fairly vengeful hero (you rarely name yourself after an executioner if you don’t follow through with it). If you think it would be hard to have a character going by the name “Hangman” without having a violence-riddled origin story, you’re right. Brother of John Dickering (The Comet), Bob Dickering was kidnapped by gangsters, thinking that he was The Comet. John came to rescue and was killed, and Bob swore vengeance against all criminals and took on the name “The Hangman.”
And yep – DC is promising a look at The Web later today.
April 23rd, 2009 at 5:31 am
Great design through and through but that noose around his neck may become a pain in the neck when someone grab it in a fight ….sorry had to go there.
April 23rd, 2009 at 6:21 am
I collected these characters when they were part of Archie and then Red Circle (all as back issues) When DC rolled out Impact, I felt too many changes were made (Jaguar was now a woman and Web was an organization) Based on what I am seeing so far, I am not terribly impressed. When DC bought Charlton (Classic!) they introduced them in Crisis and slowly integrated them into the rest of the universe so at this point it seems they always belonged. This seems like another rushed introduction and whether they like it or not, absorbed characters do not do as well in a separate universe. Think of Charlton. Blue Beetle’s use in Justice League, Captain Atom as the savior than enemy of the DC Universe, Nightshade as part of the Suicide Squad and then ShadowPact. They came spread out very broadly amongst other DC stories. That would work so much better.
April 23rd, 2009 at 6:26 am
It’s not nearly as bad as his sidekick, Gangland Execution Boy, who has guns attatched to his headgear.
Who else had a noose tied around their neck? I can see him, but I can’t place him. Maybe from Astro City or Bratpack? It seems like he was floating.
April 23rd, 2009 at 6:34 am
great illustration.
and matt, I totally love your contributions to newsarama and that you take the time to answer/police the folks who write to newsarama. However, can we start a trend at this site by seriously toning down the times we use the word “iconic”? It’s really overused!
April 23rd, 2009 at 6:47 am
Looks great. This is a character I’ve long wanted to see in action again — potentially as the original anti-hero type.
Although I think they misfired a bit by choosing Inferno over another established character, Hangman and the Shield are great choices.
April 23rd, 2009 at 7:20 am
I find this trend of reviving golden age characters to be most interesting. It’s way better than just creating new ones to rip off old ones. Plus J. Michael Straczynski is an amazing writer. I’ll be looking into this project.
April 23rd, 2009 at 7:33 am
HDO, I think you’re thinking of Hooded Justice from Watchmen. He also had a noose around his neck.
April 23rd, 2009 at 8:30 am
I’ve liked the other two designs, but this one just doesn’t do it for me. Maybe it’s the Bucky-buttons down the chest…
Oh, and HDO, you are thinking of The Hanged Man from Astro City, who was a Spectre-type character
April 23rd, 2009 at 8:37 am
There’s a few others who have the noose around heir neck. There’s Hooded Justice (as mentioned earlier) and The Hanged Man from Astro City (who is probably the floating one you thought of).
April 23rd, 2009 at 12:50 pm
The Hangman was Enemy Ace’s arch-rival, French pilot who he’d developed a truly grim rivalry with.
You might also be thinking of John Henry from Darwyn Cooke’s New Frontier.
April 24th, 2009 at 10:25 am
Can´t wait to see the Red Circle Charakters join DC Universum.
But isn´t the rope around his neck not a around disability,
when he fights ?
Withou the Rope he is looking better.
April 24th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
He looks GREAT!! I love the costume.!! I’m in!!
The rope isn’t exactly …a rope!!
I can’t wait to see what JMS does with all of the Red Circle characters.
A whole new morning …could be dawning!!
April 25th, 2009 at 8:46 am
How long before this becomes an issue of political correctness? You know damn well someone will complain about the noose imagery and its ties to lynchings in American history. Al Sharpton, anyone?