Mr. Truman

MR. TRUMAN

Real Name: Truman (first name unrevealed)

Class: Human

Occupation: CIA agent

Group Affiliation: None

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: Washington, D.C.

First Appearance: Hitman #9 (December, 1996)

Powers: Mr. Truman had the full capabilities of the CIA at his disposal, and was an expert in metahuman affairs.

History: (Hitman #9, 10) - Mr. Truman ran a CIA agency devoted to keeping tabs on and controlling superhumans. Truman thought superheroes were a great diversion for the public, keeping attention away from the workings of the deep state. Truman contacted GCPD Captain JT Burns about Hitman, a metahuman assassin who had ties to her police department. He told Burns he had a proposal for Hitman, and if he accepted she’d never hear from him again. If he refused he wanted Burns to assure him she’d have the GCPD execute him, no questions asked. He said the takedown of a high-profile criminal like Hitman would be a feather in her cap, and Burns agreed. Truman and his bodyguard, ex-green beret Mr. Feekl met Hitman at Noonan’s a bar that catered to hitmen. Truman explained that he wanted to employ Hitman to deal with troublesome metahumans. As much as superheroes had their uses he couldn’t abide by heroes that went after corporations instead of street-level crime or heroes with an environmental position. Hitman said he liked being a freelancer, and would never kill someone he thought of as one of the good guys. Truman made it clear he’d regret his decision. Hitman went to the apartment of his recently deceased friend Pat Noonan, going through his possessions when the GCPD surrounded the building and demanded he surrender. Hitman escaped the GCPD with the help of Detective Tiegel, who knew how corrupt her department was and couldn’t just watch them commit an extrajudicial killing. Truman told Burns he was disappointed in her failure and made it clear the CIA were taking over the operation. Truman called in Green Lantern, convincing him that Hitman had accepted a contract on him and needed to be taken down.

(Hitman #11, 12) - Green Lantern and Hitman fought, but when Hitman realized GL thought Hitman had accepted a hit on him he dropped his gun and promised GL he didn’t kill good guys. Hitman took him to Noonan’s to buy him a round of beer, introduce him to his friends, and explain the situation. He introduced GL to Sixpack, asking if he could put in a good word with the JLA for him. Sixpack didn’t believe Green Lantern was even in the JLA, saying they only took originals and he wasn’t Hal Jordan. Hitman convinced GL, who he didn’t think was too bright, that Truman had duped him, and GL reluctantly agreed to work with him to take Truman down. The entire bar decided GL was a bum when he told Hitman he couldn’t buy the next round because he didn’t keep his wallet in his spandex costume. Hitman and Detective Tiegel made a call to Truman, arranging a meeting and insinuating he was ready to play ball. Hitman told Tiegel about all his recent problems and his gambling addiction, deciding to shoot his shot and telling her his luck had picked up after he met a beautiful police officer. Truman wanted to make sure he’d have the advantage in the meeting, and sent a squad of killers to kidnap Sean Noonan. Noonan didn’t like the idea of being threatened in his own bar and pulled out a mini-gun. He mowed down the killers, and local hero Sixpack chipped in by bashing some of them in the head with a broken beer bottle. Before their meeting Mr. Feekl told Mr. Truman he thought Hitman was too unstable for agency work. Truman said anyone could e controlled with threats of force or rewards, reminding Feekl that he was dismissed for operational assignments because he was an alcoholic and psychotic. Truman saw something in him, and kept him in line by throwing him in a solitary cell when he displeased Truman or his bosses. Hitman made sure Green Lantern and Tiegel were ready to provide backup, with GL already rethinking his involvement. Tiegel put a wire on Hitman and sent him on his way. Hitman met Truman on a street corner outside the Hilton. Truman detailed his mission statement, that superhumans were the greatest threat he knew of to the stability of the U.S. government, and even though most of them were happy with small lives and small battles if they ever rose up they could put an end to the U.S. Truman made it clear he expected Hitman to be loyal and unquestioning, saying that if he decided superman should die Hitman would kill him without question. Hitman turned down Truman again, calling hi ma small and scared little man. Truman ordered his agents who were at the ready to kill Hitman. Tiegel took out a sniper and GL used a power ruing spaceship to cow the rest of the CIA agents. Mr. Feekl went rogue, tired of Hitman making fun of his name, and chased him into a liquor store. They had a shootout and Hitman shot Feekl to pieces. GL was happy the case was behind him, but questioned wether justice had been served at all, and if Green Lantern’s light had a place in the darkness of Gotham. He continued pontificating, and the bored Hitman walked away. Hitman called Truman, making it clear he had recorded their conversation and given several copies to trusted friends who would leak it if anything ever happened to him. Truman agreed that they would stay out of each other’s way.

Comments: Created by Garth Ennis & John McCrea.