Section Eight type Book

DC’s Hitman, created by Garth Ennis and John McCrea (of Preacher fame), is a ’90s cult classic. It’s the story of Tommy Monaghan, a superpowered contract killer who specializes in taking out superhumans (and barely using his own superpowers)—and it was a no-holds-barred playground for Ennis and McCrea, showcasing their trademark black humor and biting satire.

Hitman ended in 2001; outside of the odd special or two (like 2007’s JLA/Hitman crossover), the book’s setting and characters haven’t gotten much attention lately. But as many fans noticed when DC announced an exciting, diverse wave of 25 new books slated to debut in June, one of the surprising gems tucked away in the announcement was a book called Section Eight by Garth Ennis and John McCrea—and today, EW has the exclusive first details on the acclaimed team’s return to the DCU.

As Hitman fans already know, Section Eight is the name of the satirical superteam that first appeared in Hitman #18. They’re a motley crew of delusional washups with terrible superpowers, such as grotesque drunkenness and “the power of Frenchness.” Most of them died. So what’s this new Section Eight going to be about?

“Essentially, through circumstances revealed during the first episode, team leader Sixpack returns to Gotham City and sets about reforming Section Eight,” says writer Garth Ennis. “The appalling Bueno Excellente is still around, and Dogwelder manages a mysterious reappearance. Demon barman Baytor is also drafted in. Three new characters qualify for the team—Powertool, Guts and the Grapplah—but that’s only seven. The story essentially involves Sixpack making his way round the DC Universe, trying to sign up that elusive eighth hero. Clearly there’s no shortage of candidates keen to avoid the job.”

Ennis notes that, despite the team’s strong connection to Tommy Monaghan, he won’t be appearing outside of “a very brief flashback appearance in the prologue.” We will, however, be seeing a number of characters from across the established DCU as Sixpack seeks to recruit his eighth teammate, even taking a tour of DC’s mystical realms.

It has been a while since readers have had the chance to revisit the Hitman/Section Eight corner of the DC Universe, but it’s Ennis and McCrea’s intent to make the new book—which will be a six-issue miniseries—reminiscent of everything fans loved about Hitman.

“I suppose we’ll find out soon enough if this is the perfect time for Section Eight to return or not, but I like to think the team will remain true to themselves,” says Ennis. “Obviously there are several new characters, but the tone of the book will be very much in keeping with Section Eight’s previous adventures.”

Section 8 #1 goes on sale June 10, 2015. Your first look at the cover is below, along with the official hype copy:

Image zoom DC Entertainment

SECTION 8 #1

Written by GARTH ENNIS

Art by JOHN McCREA

Cover by AMANDA CONNER

1:25 Variant cover by JOHN McCREA

On sale JUNE 10 • 32 pg, FC, 1 of 6, $2.99 US • RATED T+

Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.

The greatest super heroes of all time, unseen since the end of the hit series HITMAN, have returned for the greatest super hero story ever told!

Befuddled hero Sixpack returns to Gotham City, desperate to rebuild the all-star team known as Section Eight in the face of a deadly threat. He gathers old friends Bueno Excellente, Baytor and the seemingly reborn Dogwelder, along with some new faces—but he still needs that elusive eighth member. And that’s when the Dark Knight Detective gets an offer he can’t refuse in part one of this unforgettable six-issue miniseries.