Hit-Monkey
{{short description|Comic book character}}
{{About|the Marvel Comics character|the television series about the character|Hit-Monkey (TV series)|}}
{{Infobox comics character
| image = Hit-Monkey text cover.png
| converted = y
| caption = Textless cover of Hit-Monkey #1 (April 2010).
Art by Frank Cho.
| publisher = Marvel Comics
| debut = Hit-Monkey #1
(February 2010)
| species = Japanese macaque
| creators = Daniel Way
Dalibor Talajić
| alliances = Mercs for Money
S.T.A.K.E.
| aliases =Hit-Monkey
| powers = *Japanese macaque physiology granting superhuman agility and reflexes
- Expert marksman and martial artist
| cat = super
| subcat = Marvel Comics
| hero = y
| sortkey = Hit-Monkey
|real_name=Unknown}}
Hit-Monkey is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Daniel Way and Dalibor Talajić, the character first appeared in Hit-Monkey #1 (April 2010).{{Cite web |last=Lovett |first=Jamie |date=October 18, 2021 |title=Marvel's Hit-Monkey Debuts New Trailer |url=https://comicbook.com/marvel/news/marvels-hit-monkey-debuts-new-trailer/ |access-date=2023-07-23 |website=ComicBook.com |language=en}}
Publication history
Hit-Monkey debuted in the digital comic on Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited Hit-Monkey #1 (April 2010), created by writer Daniel Way and artist Dalibor Talajić.{{cite web |first=Marc |last=Strom |url=http://marvel.com/news/comicstories.10303.the_coming_of_hitman_monkey |title=The Coming of Hitman Monkey |publisher=Marvel.com |date=November 13, 2009 |access-date=May 29, 2010 }}{{cite web |first=Mick |last=Marshall |url=http://splashpage.mtv.com/2010/02/02/exclusive-hit-monkey-has-arrived-you-have-been-warned/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100205055232/http://splashpage.mtv.com/2010/02/02/exclusive-hit-monkey-has-arrived-you-have-been-warned/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 5, 2010 |title=EXCLUSIVE: 'Hit-Monkey' Has Arrived. You Have Been Warned |work=Splashpage |publisher=MTV |date=February 2, 2010 |access-date=May 29, 2010 }} The one-shot was released in print format a week later and, starting in the same month, he was featured in a three-issue story arc in Deadpool #19-21.{{cite web |first=Dave |last=Richards |url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=24815 |title=Way Makes Things "Tricky" for "Deadpool" |work=Comic Book Resources |publisher=Comic Book Resources |date=February 11, 2010 |access-date=May 29, 2010 }} Cover artist Dave Johnson also accidentally confirmed that Hit-Monkey would be featured in his own three issue limited series,{{cite web |first=Kevin |last=Melrose |url=http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2010/03/cover-story-dave-johnson-on-abe-sapien-the-abyssal-plain-1/ |title=Cover Story
Fictional character biography
An unnamed assassin blows up a squad of enemy soldiers as part of a failed political coup. Marked for death, after four days of fleeing for his life he passes out in the snow and is rescued by a troop of Japanese macaques. With the exception of one monkey, the troop accepts the assassin into their clan. The man knows that he is still hunted, so he trains daily, using snowmen as training dummies. Quietly, the monkey that distrusts him watches and learns the assassin's skills. The assassin's health fails, and while the troop tries to save him, the lone monkey objects, eventually fighting the rest of the troop with his newfound skills.
Because of the violence he displays, the monkey is banished from the clan. Now on his own, the monkey sees a group of men on their way to kill the assassin. He tries to run back to warn his tribe, but is too late: the men kill the assassin as well as the rest of the monkeys. Furious at his clan's slaughter, the monkey picks up extra guns from a bag and kills the entire group of men. Determined to avenge his fallen tribe, the monkey now dedicates his life to killing assassins - under the alias of Hit-Monkey.Hit-Monkey #1, April 2010
In Deadpool #19, Spider-Man finds a local shop owner brutally murdered. Having seen Deadpool in New York earlier, Spider-Man suspects he is the killer, and fights and catches him. Deadpool claims he has an alibi, and after examining the crime scene, says that only one assassin could have pulled off the job so flawlessly: Hit-Monkey. Because Hit-Monkey is known for killing other assassins, they realize that Deadpool is likely on Hit-Monkey's hit list.Deadpool vol. 4 #19 (April 1, 2010) Whatever a Spider Can Part 1: Start Spreadin' the news Spider-Man reluctantly teams up with Deadpool to catch him.
After killing some dirty cops, Hit-Monkey follows Spider-Man in order to find and kill Deadpool. Hit-Monkey accidentally shoots Spider-Man in the fight and seemingly feels bad about it, showing that he is not just a ruthless killer, but a killer of known assassins. Trying to capitalize on this moment, Deadpool attempts to kill Hit-Monkey, but fails and is shot several times. Hit-Monkey leaves him for dead, apparently not knowing about Deadpool's healing factor.Deadpool vol. 4 #20 (April 1, 2010) Whatever a Spider Can Part 2 Deadpool then pretends to be Spider-Man and fakes his death. At "Spider-Man's" funeral, Hit-Monkey comes to pay his respect, thinking he killed him. Deadpool jumps out of the casket to kill Hit-Monkey, but Spider-Man has rendered both fighters' guns unusable so they can't kill each other without blowing themselves up as well. Deadpool doesn't care and pulls the trigger, seemingly killing Hit-Monkey but surviving due to his healing factor.Deadpool vol. 4 #21 (March 24, 2010) Whatever a Spider Can Part 3 Nevertheless, Spider-Man reveals that Hit-Monkey did survive or, at least, that his body was not found. Hit-Monkey later returns for a short cameo.Deadpool vol. 11 #61 (November 26, 2012) Salted Earth Part 1: Innocent of Nothing
In All-New, All-Different Marvel, Hit-Monkey appears as a member of the Howling Commandos.Howling Commandos of S.H.I.E.L.D. #1
Hit-Monkey later joins Domino's incarnation of the Mercs for Money.Deadpool & the Mercs for Money vol. 2 #5
Hit-Monkey is seen with the Howling Commandos when they help Old Man Logan rescue Jubilee from Dracula.Old Man Logan vol. 2 #14-15
Powers and abilities
Hit-Monkey possesses the normal attributes of a Japanese macaque, which includes superhuman agility and reflexes. He is also an expert marksman and martial artist.{{Cite web |last=Austin |first=Michael |date=March 1, 2020 |title=The 10 Most Powerful Animals In Marvel Comics, Ranked |url=https://www.cbr.com/most-powerful-animals-marvel-comics-ranked/ |access-date=2023-07-23 |website=Comic Book Resources |language=en}}
Other versions
An alternate version of Hit-Monkey appears in the "Secret Wars" storyline. In the Battleworld Killville, he is one of the assassins sent to kill MODOK and Angela.“M.O.D.O.K. Assassin #3
In other media
=Television=
Hit-Monkey appears in a self-titled series, voiced by Fred Tatasciore.{{cite web |author=Goldberg |first=Lesley |date=February 11, 2019 |title=Marvel, Hulu Set Four-Show Animated Slate |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/marvel-hulu-set-four-show-animated-slate-howard-duck-modok-hit-money-tigra-dazzler-1185246 |access-date=February 11, 2019 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |publisher=}}{{Cite web |last=Porter |first=Rick |date=February 2, 2023 |title='Hit-Monkey' Renewed at Hulu, Loses 'Marvel' From Title |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/hit-monkey-renewed-season-2-hulu-1235315721/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202213130/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/hit-monkey-renewed-season-2-hulu-1235315721/ |archive-date=February 2, 2023 |access-date=February 2, 2023 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/tv/fall-2021-tv-preview-photos/|title=An exclusive look at 47 of fall 2021's new and returning shows|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=September 17, 2021|access-date=September 17, 2021}} The series was originally conceived as part of a shared universe that would have led up to a special titled The Offenders before it was turned into a stand-alone series.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/marvels-howard-duck-tigra-dazzler-dead-at-hulu-1272751|title=Marvel's 'Howard the Duck,' 'Tigra & Dazzler' Dead at Hulu|website=The Hollywood Reporter|last=Goldberg|first=Lesley|date=January 24, 2020|access-date=January 24, 2020}}{{cite web |url=https://collider.com/modok-hulu-showrunner-jordan-blum-interview-season-2/ |title='Marvel's M.O.D.O.K' Showrunner on Season 2 Plans and What That 'Offenders' Crossover Might Have Looked Like |website=Collider |last=Mancuso |first=Vinnie |date=May 21, 2021 |access-date=May 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521172527/https://collider.com/modok-hulu-showrunner-jordan-blum-interview-season-2/ |archive-date=May 21, 2021 |url-status=live}}
=Video games=
- A video game based on Hit-Monkey was announced to be in development by High Moon Studios and published by Activision for release in 2013. However, this was revealed to be a red herring meant to foreshadow the release of Deadpool.{{Cite web|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/357068/high-moon-reveals-hit-monkey-game/?cid=OTC-RSS&attr=CVG-General-RSS|title=GamesRadar+}}
- Hit-Monkey appears as an unlockable playable character in Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2.{{Cite web |last=GameCentral |date=November 14, 2017 |title=Game review: Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2 is one of the best Lego games ever |url=https://metro.co.uk/2017/11/14/lego-marvel-super-heroes-2-review-building-new-heroes-7077150/ |access-date=2023-07-23 |website=Metro |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Chrysostomou |first=George |date=April 26, 2022 |title=The 10 Best LEGO Games For Beginners |url=https://screenrant.com/best-lego-games-for-beginners/ |access-date=2023-07-23 |website=Screen Rant |language=en}}
- Hit-Monkey appears as a playable character in Marvel Contest of Champions.{{Cite web |last=Paige |first=Rachel |date=June 25, 2020 |title=Entering Marvel Contest of Champions: Hit-Monkey |url=https://www.marvel.com/articles/games/entering-marvel-contest-of-champions-hit-monkey |access-date=2023-07-23 |website=Marvel.com}}{{Cite web |last=Wojnar |first=Zak |date=June 12, 2020 |title=EXCLUSIVE: Marvel Contest of Champions Hit-Monkey & Tigra Trailer |url=https://screenrant.com/marvel-contest-of-champions-trailer/ |access-date=2023-07-23 |website=Screen Rant |language=en}}
- Hit-Monkey appears in Marvel Snap.{{Cite web |last=Foley |first=Tom |date=April 8, 2023 |title=Marvel Snap's Hit-Monkey Is Dominating the Meta |url=https://www.cbr.com/marvel-snap-hit-monkey-dominating-meta/ |access-date=2023-07-23 |website=Comic Book Resources |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Baqery |first=Mohsen |date=June 1, 2023 |title=Marvel Snap: The Best Hit-Monkey Deck |url=https://gamerant.com/marvel-snap-best-hit-monkey-deck/ |access-date=2023-07-23 |website=Game Rant |language=en}}
- Hit-Monkey appears in Marvel Puzzle Quest, including a variant created for the game that wears an E.D.I. Suit with Loki's powers.{{cite web|url=https://www.marvel.com/articles/games/marvel-puzzle-quest-hit-monkey-mercenary-hitman-edi-suit|date=December 22, 2022|title=Piecing Together MARVEL Puzzle Quest: Hit-Monkey (Mercenary Hitman) & Hit-Monkey (EDI Suit)|publisher=Marvel.com|first=Meagan|last=Damore |access-date=2023-07-23}}{{cite web|url=https://d3go.com/creating-a-character-hit-monkey/|title= CREATING A CHARACTER: HIT-MONKEY|publisher=D3 Go!|date=December 22, 2022|accessdate=September 23, 2023}}
Collected editions
| class="wikitable"
|+ ! Title ! Material Collected ! Published Date ! ISBN |
| Deadpool, Volume 4: Monkey Business
| Hit-Monkey One-Shot and Deadpool (vol. 2) #19-22 | December 1, 2010 | {{ISBNT|978-0785145318}} |
| Hit-Monkey: Year of the Monkey
| Hit-Monkey #1-3, Hit-Monkey One-Shot | January 5, 2011 | {{ISBNT|978-0785148593}} |
| Hit-Monkey by Daniel Way: Bullets & Bananas
| Hit-Monkey #1-3, Hit-Monkey One-Shot, Deadpool (vol. 2) #19-21 | October 29, 2019 | {{ISBNT|978-1302920357}} |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{gcdb|type=character|search=Hit-Monkey|title=Hit-Monkey}}
- {{comicbookdb|type=character|id=39635|title=Hit-Monkey}}
- [http://comicvine.gamespot.com/hit-monkey/29-67438/ Hit-Monkey] at ComicVine
=Reviews=
- [http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=user_review&id=1889 Review: Hit-Monkey #1], Comic Book Resources
- [http://comics.ign.com/articles/106/1068484p1.html Hit-Monkey #1 Review], IGN
- [http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/126572345383793.htm Hit-Monkey #1 Review] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303191419/http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/126572345383793.htm |date=2016-03-03 }}, Comics Bulletin
- [http://www.newsarama.com/comics/best-shots-comics-reviews-100215.html Best Shots Reviews: BATMAN & ROBIN #8, HIT MONKEY #1, more], Newsarama
{{Deadpool}}
{{Howling Commandos}}
{{Mercs for Money}}
{{Hitman series}}
Category:Comics characters introduced in 2010
Category:Fictional assassins in comics
Category:Fictional gunfighters in comics
Category:Fictional marksmen and snipers
Category:Marvel Comics animals
Category:Marvel Comics martial artists
Category:Marvel Comics television characters