Make no mistake, this first issue of The Hangman is a challenging work featuring an unsympathetic lead who will be transformed into a vigilante anti-hero in issues to come. Seeing his journey towards redemption -- or something approximating it -- is going to be a fascinating one. For now, the book is a slow burn whose greatest strength is throwing some light on the shades of grey that define us. Read Full Review

Fear, mystery and justice has a new name and it's The Hangman. Read Full Review

Dark Circle is an imprint worth checking out, especially given the example that this issue sets of the type of stories that they're trying to tell. Archie Comics is quickly becoming the publisher to watch. Read Full Review

Though The Hangman was on my interest list since the first cover first landed awhile ago, my interest is upped considerably with this first installment. The twist isn't exactly a shocking or out of this world one but it's executed so smartly and with enough investment in the character to want to see him ended that I'm now even more interested in seeing what happens here. While I do try to keep the number of truly grim books I read to a minimum, this one is definitely on my must-read list to see if Tieri and Ruiz can capitalize on what they've set in motion here and dig deep in some dark and engaging ways. The potential is here and this is probably the strongest of the first issues from Dark Circle Comics yet for me. Read Full Review

This book is creepy and dark. It's heavy coming from Dark Circle. There is language and subject matter that is very adult. It contains a great story and fantastic art. Where this series will lead is intriguing. The Hangman is an interesting character whose status is improving. Read Full Review

If this is where The Hangman starts, I cannot wait to see what's in store for the rest of the series.  Writer Frank Tieri set a pretty high bar here with a death scene that's up there with one of the most memorable and brutal of the year.  This issue finishes just as things really start to pick up, but it will leave you wanting so much more.  Michael Minetta's story is just beginning and it's bound to get darker as it progresses. Read Full Review

This is a good first issue to the series. We have a lot of questions that I’m sure Tieri will answer soon enough. So far, I’m intrigued and ready for more! Read Full Review

The Hangman is a powerful frightening figure. His noose will instill fear. When you are hanging at the end of a noose you will always be afraid. Death is coming for those in the noose. Read Full Review

I'll admit 'The Hangman' won't be for everyone. The pacing is quick, perhaps too quick as it leads to one reveal and then it's over with a mysterious cliffhanger. It reads more like a prelude than a fully realized issue but it's so well done, even in a fleeting way, I can forgive that and look forward to more. 'The Hangman' #1 does what great first issues should do and that's make you want more. Read Full Review

I find a good book leaves you with a nice taste but wanting more. “The Hangman” gave that to me with some wiggle room to improve. With the combination of the best parts of the other Archie lines, there is a lot to enjoy here. There is also a curiosity I need satisfied in how other readers will process the final page. Will they come back or leave this book behind? My hope is they will continue, like I am going to do. Read Full Review

The first issue of The Hangman is perfectly fine, good even. It isn't exceptional, and it may never be, but I'm definitely giving it the benefit of the doubt, and will be back for at least another issue or two. Had their been some more consistent character work (and a cliffhanger that didn't feel kind of out of place), I would be completely on board with this book. Fortunately, there's time for that character work to come in future issues. If this book sounds interesting to you, but you aren't convinced, I would actually lean towards picking up the trade at some point down the line, but hey, that's just me. Read Full Review

I enjoyed this first issue of The Hangman well enough to certainly check out the next. The concept of keeping our title character a total mystery through the entire book was not new or unique, but executed excellently. Will the true hardcore fans of this character feel the same is a question for a different reader. For now, I'm in for the ride, to see where this story is heading. Read Full Review

Great character-building (but not of the main character) with a truly shocking ending… Read Full Review

Overall, The first issue of The Hangman is a strong debut for the series. It has fantastic art by Felix Ruiz, which feels gritty and almost realistic. The colours and lettering by Kelly Fitzpatrick and Rachel Deering respectively, adds life to the world our characters live in. The writing by Frank Tieri is quite by-the-numbers for most of the issue, which means that there are elements that feel cliche and uninspired, but the characterisation is quite fleshed out and they all feel rather believable. On top of that, an unexpected ending offers a lot of potential for the future of this series, and could see The Hangman become a interesting story of supernatural horror crimefighting able add another story of lore to the world. Read Full Review

I'm not ready to give up on The Hangman just yet, however, and hopefully the series will hit its stride with the next issue. If it does, I'll let you know. Read Full Review

One of the weaker starts Ive seen from either a Dark Circle or Archie Horror title, The Hangman #1 has a really classic premise to work with, and the idea of a literal hangman taking on this sacred role is a brilliant one, but the execution here still leaves me wanting. No pun intended. Read Full Review

The story up to and especially including the last-page reveal really seem like they're leading the narrative down a fairly predictable path. It may be too early to judge and perhaps in issue #2 writer Frank Tieri will switch things up and do something unexpected. I'll certainly read #2 and give Tieri a chance to surprise me. As it stands, this looks like a great comic for people who like straightforward “criminals must pay the price for their crimes” story with a supernatural enforcer angle and some outstanding art. I want to see where the story takes me in issue #2 before I decide whether to add this to my pull list or not. Read Full Review

Not much left to say. It'd make a dumb one-shot, but instead it makes a bewildering first issue. It's not that what happens in the final page is confusing, it's confusing that that is how this issue ends. Like we're supposed to get chills at the cleverness of ending it on such a daring note. At least I can sort of relate to not properly knowing how to finish a piece of writing. Take this review for example. Read Full Review