Hitman #44

Hitman #44, titled 'The Long Road Home,' was published by DC Comics in December 1999 as part of the ongoing Hitman series created by writer Garth Ennis and artist John McCrea. Set within the DC Universe but intentionally distanced from its more traditional superhero elements, the series follows Tommy Monaghan, a hitman operating in the grimy underworld of Gotham City’s Cauldron district. This particular issue serves as a pivotal emotional moment, focusing on the complex bond between Monaghan and his friend Natt the Hat, emphasizing the cynical yet deeply human characterizations that defined Ennis's long-running tenure on the title.

The visual identity of Hitman was defined by John McCrea’s gritty, expressive pencils, which favored a grounded, noir-inspired aesthetic that contrasted sharply with the polished house style of DC Comics at the time. McCrea sought to capture the atmosphere of a tired, urban landscape where the stakes felt visceral rather than cosmic. Upon its release, the series earned a dedicated cult following and critical praise for its dark humor and unexpected pathos, solidifying Hitman #44 as a representative example of how Ennis and McCrea managed to inject authentic character depth into a pulp-inspired mercenary narrative.