Hangmen (DC Comics)

From Hey Kids Comics

Hangmen
Publication information
Publisher DC Comics
First appearance Titans (vol. 1) #20 (October 2000)
In-story information
Member(s) Breathtaker
Killshot
Provoke
Shock Trauma
Stranglehold

The Hangmen is the name of a DC Comics supervillain team.

History[edit | edit source]

The Hangmen herald themselves as next-generation assassins. They were hired by the nation of Qurac to assassinate the mercenary Cheshire. They target her daughter Lian Harper, but she is saved by her father Roy Harper in his Arsenal alias.[1]

During the Infinite Crisis storyline, the Hangmen joined up with Alexander Luthor, Jr.'s Secret Society of Super Villains. Ever the opportunists, the mercenary group used the Society's full-scale assault on Metropolis as a cover to loot the city. When Dr. Psycho discovered their duplicity, he psychically forced a group of citizens to literally tear the Hangmen limb from limb.[2]

During the Final Crisis storyline, the Hangmen also try to apply for membership in Libra's Secret Society of Super Villains. They explain that Doctor Psycho was the one who faked their deaths. They also request the deaths of every single Teen Titan as Libra had promised favors to every member who joins. The third Spectre attacks Libra, attempting to kill him. The Spectre fails and leaves, but not before slaying the Hangmen with ropes of energy.[3]

A new team of Hangmen are fought by Batman and Robin during Bruce Wayne: The Road Home.[4] Killshot was also among the villains involved in an ambush of the JSA.[5]

Membership[edit | edit source]

  • Breathtaker - A devious American girl who can control the wind, using it to suck the air out of her victims' lungs-the perfect way to kill someone without leaving behind any evidence.
  • Provoke - A sadistic Australian who can dominate the mind of one person at a time. He uses this talent to "convince" people to commit suicide.
  • Stranglehold - A Puerto Rican. She is eight feet tall and has enhanced strength.
  • Shock Trauma - A Japanese youth who is the youngest of the Hangmen. He can generate electricity.
  • Killshot - A Russian cyborg who possesses the latest in hi-tech killing hardware, from smart bombs to surface-to-air missiles.

In other media[edit | edit source]

Film[edit | edit source]

  • Shock Trauma of the Hangmen is reportedly featured in David S. Goyer's upcoming Green Arrow film titled Super Max. [6]Whether any other Hangmen are featured is unknown.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Titans (vol. 1) #20-22 (October-December 2000)
  2. Manhunter (vol. 3) #21 (June 2006)
  3. Final Crisis: Revelations #1 (October 2008)
  4. Bruce Wayne: The Road Home: Batman and Robin #1 (December 2010)
  5. Justice Society of America (vol. 3) #29 (September 2009)
  6. "Supermax: Green Arrow Story Details + Villains/Inmates Gallery - Movie News - Latest Movie Reviews and trailers". www.latinoreview.com. Retrieved 2011-01-15.