Marv Wolfman and Gil Kane come aboard to introduce Hangman. Look how the credits note that Wolfman is writing Werewolf. Cute.
This is a very gritty, hardcore couple of issues.
Hangman is created by The Committee, a secret group stalking Jack Russell. Note that it was entirely unnecessary to create The Committee because, under the original premise of this book, Russell was hunted by people who wanted The Darkhold. That original storyline offered much more interesting opportunities–particularly because of the connections to Jack’s deceased father. But it’s the 70s now, so all our villains have to be Corporations and Committees.
Hangman is a vigilante who kills street criminals like muggers and rapists who prey on young women, and then he kidnaps the female victims so he can continue to protect them.
That’s super creepy. And a pretty original modus operandi–you have to say that for the character. And it’s perfect for a horror comic.
Werewolf and Hangman’s paths cross when Hangman tries to “save” Jack Russell’s girlfriend Lissa.
And we see why he’s called Hangman. Previously, he’d been killing rapists with a sickle. But against Werewolf…
Ah. There’s the up-the-nose shot! Classic Gil Kane.
After the big final fight, Werewolf doesn’t kill Hangman, but does seem to leave him to starve to death under a pile of rubble.
Like I said, that’s pretty damn hardcore.