Hit-Monkey

Comic book character

This article is about the Marvel Comics character. For the television series about the character, see Hit-Monkey (TV series).

Comics character

Hit-Monkey

Textless cover of Hit-Monkey #1 (April 2010).
Art by Frank Cho.

Publication information
Publisher| Marvel Comics
First appearance| "Hit-Monkey #1
(February 2010)
Created by| Daniel Way
Dalibor Talajić
In-story information
Alter ego| Unknown
Species| Japanese macaque
Team affiliations| Mercs for Money
Pet Avengers
S.T.A.K.E.
Notable aliases| Hit-Monkey
Abilities|

* Japanese macaque physiology granting superhuman agility and reflexes
* Expert marksman and martial artist

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).[1]

## Development[edit]

### Concept and creation[edit]

Hit-Monkey is inspired by Agent 47 from the Hitman franchise.

### Publication history[edit]

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.[2][3] 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.[4] Cover artist Dave Johnson also accidentally confirmed that Hit-Monkey would be featured in his own three issue limited series,[5][6] a fact later confirmed by Daniel Way at the 2010 Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo.[7][8][9][10]

## Fictional character biography[edit]

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.[11]

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.[12] 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.[13] 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.[14] 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.[15]

As part of the All-New, All-Different Marvel event, Hit-Monkey appears as a member of S.T.A.K.E.'s Howling Commandos.[16]

Hit-Monkey later joins Domino's incarnation of the Mercs for Money.[17]

Hit-Monkey is seen with the Howling Commandos when they help Old Man Logan rescue Jubilee from Dracula.[18]

## Powers and abilities[edit]

Hit-Monkey possesses the normal attributes of an Earth Japanese macaque, which includes superhuman agility and reflexes. He is also an expert marksman and martial artist.[19]

## Other versions[edit]

### Secret Wars[edit]

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 Thor-version Angela.[20]

## In other media[edit]

### Television[edit]

Hit-Monkey appears in an animated self-titled TV series,[21][22] voiced by Fred Tatasciore, airing on Hulu.[23] 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 decided it would be a stand-alone series.[24][25] On Monkey Day, December 14, 2023, it was announced that the second season of the series was coming in 2024.[26]

### Video games[edit]

* 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 the video game Deadpool.[27]
* Hit-Monkey appears as an unlockable playable character in Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2.[28][29]
* Hit-Monkey appears as a playable character in Marvel Contest of Champions.[30][31]
* Hit-Monkey appears in Marvel Snap.[32][33]
* 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.[34][35]

## Collected editions[edit]

Title  | Material Collected  | Published Date  | ISBN

|
|
|

Deadpool, Volume 4: Monkey Business | Hit-Monkey One-Shot and Deadpool (vol. 4) #19-22  | December 1, 2010  | 978-0785145318
Hit-Monkey: Year of the Monkey | Hit-Monkey #1-3, Hit-Monkey One-Shot | January 5, 2011  | 978-0785148593
Hit-Monkey by Daniel Way: Bullets & Bananas | Hit-Monkey #1-3, Hit-Monkey One-Shot, Deadpool (vol. 4) #19-21  | October 29, 2019  | 978-1302920357

## References[edit]

1. ^ Lovett, Jamie (October 18, 2021). "Marvel's Hit-Monkey Debuts New Trailer". ComicBook.com. Retrieved 2023-07-23.
2. ^ Strom, Marc (November 13, 2009). "The Coming of Hitman Monkey". Marvel.com. Retrieved May 29, 2010.
3. ^ Marshall, Mick (February 2, 2010). "EXCLUSIVE: 'Hit-Monkey' Has Arrived. You Have Been Warned". Splashpage. MTV. Retrieved May 29, 2010.
4. ^ Richards, Dave (February 11, 2010). "Way Makes Things "Tricky" for "Deadpool"". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved May 29, 2010.
5. ^ Melrose, Kevin (March 18, 2010). "Cover Story | Dave Johnson on Abe Sapien: The Abyssal Plain #1". Robot6. Comic Book Resources. Retrieved April 11, 2010.
6. ^ Brothers, David (March 22, 2010). "Dave Johnson Accidentally Announces Hitman Monkey's Miniseries". ComicsAlliance. Archived from the original on March 25, 2010. Retrieved April 11, 2010.
7. ^ Mahadeo, Kevin (April 16, 2010). "C2E2 2010: Hit-Monkey Returns". Marvel.com. Retrieved May 29, 2010.
8. ^ Richards, Dave (April 17, 2010). "C2E2: Way Of The "Hit-Monkey"". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved May 29, 2010.
9. ^ Rogers, Vaneta (April 17, 2010). "C2E2 2010: Marvel's HIT MONKEY See, HIT MONKEY 2". Newsarama. Retrieved May 29, 2010.
10. ^ Schedeen, Jesse (April 17, 2010). "C2E2 10: Hit-Monkey Strikes Back". IGN. Retrieved May 29, 2010.
11. ^ Hit-Monkey #1, April 2010
12. ^ Deadpool vol. 4 #19 (April 1, 2010) Whatever a Spider Can Part 1: Start Spreadin' the news
13. ^ Deadpool vol. 4 #20 (April 1, 2010) Whatever a Spider Can Part 2
14. ^ Deadpool vol. 4 #21 (March 24, 2010) Whatever a Spider Can Part 3
15. ^ Deadpool vol. 11 #61 (November 26, 2012) Salted Earth Part 1: Innocent of Nothing
16. ^ Howling Commandos of S.H.I.E.L.D. #1
17. ^ Deadpool & the Mercs for Money vol. 2 #5
18. ^ Old Man Logan vol. 2 #14-15
19. ^ Austin, Michael (March 1, 2020). "The 10 Most Powerful Animals In Marvel Comics, Ranked". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 2023-07-23.
20. ^ “M.O.D.O.K. Assassin #3
21. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (February 11, 2019). "Marvel, Hulu Set Four-Show Animated Slate". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
22. ^ Porter, Rick (February 2, 2023). "'Hit-Monkey' Renewed at Hulu, Loses 'Marvel' From Title". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 2, 2023. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
23. ^ "An exclusive look at 47 of fall 2021's new and returning shows". Entertainment Weekly. September 17, 2021. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
24. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (January 24, 2020). "Marvel's 'Howard the Duck,' 'Tigra & Dazzler' Dead at Hulu". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
25. ^ Mancuso, Vinnie (May 21, 2021). "'Marvel's M.O.D.O.K' Showrunner on Season 2 Plans and What That 'Offenders' Crossover Might Have Looked Like". Collider. Archived from the original on May 21, 2021. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
26. ^ Harrigan /, Will. "Hit-Monkey Season 2 Premiers On Hulu In 2024". Cosmic Book New.
27. ^ "GamesRadar+".
28. ^ GameCentral (November 14, 2017). "Game review: Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2 is one of the best Lego games ever". Metro. Retrieved 2023-07-23.
29. ^ Chrysostomou, George (April 26, 2022). "The 10 Best LEGO Games For Beginners". Screen Rant. Retrieved 2023-07-23.
30. ^ Paige, Rachel (June 25, 2020). "Entering Marvel Contest of Champions: Hit-Monkey". Marvel.com. Retrieved 2023-07-23.
31. ^ Wojnar, Zak (June 12, 2020). "EXCLUSIVE: Marvel Contest of Champions Hit-Monkey & Tigra Trailer". Screen Rant. Retrieved 2023-07-23.
32. ^ Foley, Tom (April 8, 2023). "Marvel Snap's Hit-Monkey Is Dominating the Meta". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 2023-07-23.
33. ^ Baqery, Mohsen (June 1, 2023). "Marvel Snap: The Best Hit-Monkey Deck". Game Rant. Retrieved 2023-07-23.
34. ^ Damore, Meagan (December 22, 2022). "Piecing Together MARVEL Puzzle Quest: Hit-Monkey (Mercenary Hitman) & Hit-Monkey (EDI Suit)". Marvel.com. Retrieved 2023-07-23.
35. ^ "CREATING A CHARACTER: HIT-MONKEY". D3 Go!. December 22, 2022. Retrieved September 23, 2023.

## External links[edit]

* Hit-Monkey at the Grand Comics Database
* Hit-Monkey at the Comic Book DB (archived from the original)
* Hit-Monkey at ComicVine

### Reviews[edit]

* Review: Hit-Monkey #1, Comic Book Resources
* Hit-Monkey #1 Review, IGN
* Hit-Monkey #1 Review, Comics Bulletin
* Best Shots Reviews: BATMAN & ROBIN #8, HIT MONKEY #1, more, Newsarama

* v
* t
* e

Deadpool

* Fabian Nicieza
* Rob Liefeld

Supporting
characters|

* Agent X
* Agent Zero
* Avengers
* Blind Al
* Bob, Agent of Hydra
* Sandi Brandenberg
* Cable
* Colossus
* Copycat
* Death
* Domino
* Emrys Killebrew
* Hit-Monkey
* Hybrid
* Jeff the Land Shark
* Kestrel
* Negasonic Teenage Warhead
* Omega Red
* Outlaw
* Phil Coulson
* Shiklah
* Siryn
* Spider-Man
* Team X
* Weapon X
* Weasel
* Wolverine
* X-Men

Antagonists|

* Ajax
* Apocalypse
* Black Box
* Black Talon
* Black Tom Cassidy
* Doctor Bong
* Grizzly
* Hit-Monkey
* Humbug
* Flag-Smasher
* Juggernaut
* Madcap
* Magneto
* Mister Sinister
* Sabretooth
* Slayback
* Taskmaster
* T-Ray
* Trapster
* William Stryker

Publications|

* Cable & Deadpool
* Deadpool v. Gambit
* Mrs. Deadpool and the Howling Commandos
* Spider-Man/Deadpool
* Wolverine and Deadpool

In other media|

* Deadpool (video game)
* Deadpool (pinball)
* X-Men film series
* Wade Wilson
* X-Men Origins: Wolverine
* Deadpool (film)
* accolades
* marketing
* soundtrack
* No Good Deed
* Deadpool 2
* soundtrack
* "Ashes"
* Marvel Cinematic Universe
* Deadpool and Korg React
* Deadpool & Wolverine
* Deadpool (unproduced TV series)

Related|

* 5 Ronin
* Gwen Poole
* Mercs for Money
* X-Force

* Category

* v
* t
* e

Howling Commandos

* Stan Lee
* Jack Kirby

Original members|

* Nick Fury
* Dum Dum Dugan
* Gabe Jones
* Rebel Ralston
* Dino Manelli
* Junior Juniper
* Pinky Pinkerton
* Eric Koenig

Other members|

* Clay Quartermain
* Frankenstein's Monster (clone version)
* Gorilla-Man
* Vampire by Night
* N'Kantu the Living Mummy
* Warwolf
* Zombie
* Man-Thing
* Glob
* Orrgo
* Hit-Monkey
* Jasper Sitwell
* Manphibian

Supporting characters|

* Happy Sam Sawyer
* Peggy Carter
* Captain America
* Shiklah
* Wolverine
* Bucky Barnes

Opponents|

* Arnim Zola
* Baron Strucker
* Baron Zemo
* Adolf Hitler
* HYDRA
* Madame Hydra (Viper)
* Merlin
* Red Skull

Publications|

| Main|

* Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos
* Shotgun Opera
* Nick Fury's Howling Commandos
* Howling Commandos of S.H.I.E.L.D.
* Mrs. Deadpool and the Howling Commandos

|

Spin-offs|

* Captain Savage and his Leatherneck Raiders
* Combat Kelly and the Deadly Dozen

Related|

* Leatherneck Raiders
* Howling Commandos (Marvel Cinematic Universe)
* Monsters

* Category

* v
* t
* e

Mercs for Money

* Gerry Duggan
* Mike Hawthorne

Founders|

* Deadpool
* Foolkiller
* Madcap
* Slapstick
* Solo
* Stingray
* Terror

Recruits|

* Domino
* Gorilla-Man
* Hit-Monkey
* Machine Man
* Negasonic Teenage Warhead

Supporting|

* Spider-Man
* Uncanny Avengers

Enemies|

* Circus of Crime
* Madcap
* Taskmaster

* v
* t
* e

Hitman franchise

Games|

| Original series|

* Hitman: Codename 47 (2000)
* Hitman 2: Silent Assassin (2002)
* Hitman: Contracts (2004)
* Hitman: Blood Money (2006)
* Hitman: Absolution (2012)

|

World of Assassination|

* Hitman (2016)
* "Sapienza"
* "Hokkaido"
* Hitman 2 (2018)
* Hitman 3 (2021)

Spin-offs|

* Hitman Go (2014)
* Hitman: Sniper (2015)

Films|

* Hitman (2007)
* Hitman: Agent 47 (2015)

Related|

* Agent 47
* David Bateson
* IO Interactive
* Jesper Kyd

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