Mark Millar unveils new Hit-Girl comic series, Kevin Smith to pen second arc

Earlier today, comic book creator Mark Millar exclusively revealed to Comicbook.com that he's returning to the Hit-Girl character from KICK-ASS for a new ongoing comic book series.

Here's the official solicit for the new book, which is scheduled to hit comic book shelves on February 21, 2018:

"HIT-GIRL IS BACK! The pint-sized Punisher-meets-Polly-Pocket has left America behind and set off to serve justice around the world. First stop: Colombia. A mother seeking vengeance for the murder of her child enlists Hit-Girl to destroy his killer, but Mindy has bigger plans for Colombia’s most-feared hitman."

The first arc of the new series will be written by Millar himself, with art by Ricarso Lopez Ortiz and covers by Amy Reeder, Kim Jung Gi, and Rafael Albuquerque.

When asked about why now is the right time to bring Hit-Girl back into the comic book fold, Millar told Comicbook.com that, "On the one hand, the tenth anniversary and the relaunch of the series with Johnny Romita. But on the other I never wanted them to go away. We sold over a million copies of these trades around the world, and we’ve had two big movies and Halloween costumes and toys. [Hit-Girl] just hit big, but I was too busy with the other series and the company sale prep, but in this past year I could redress that."

When questioned about whether or not he'd be taking on the writing duties of the series for its duration, Millar revealed that filmmaker and comic book scribe Kevin Smith would be joining him for the book's second arc:

"I’ve written the first big storyline, and this of course will also be the first graphic novel. But just like [Kick-Ass] this is an ongoing monthly we’re launching, and every big arc has a superstar creative team. I’m being followed by someone better by the name of Kevin Smith, and his idea is just so unique. Mine takes place in Colombia, his in LA, and every arc will be in a different country. Other creators lined up are Frank Quitely, Rafael Albuquerque, Pete Milligan, Eduardo Risso, Daniel Way. There’s an Asian artist I’m in love with call Kim Jung Gi, and he’s doing a big arc. It’s very high end. We’re spending a lot of money and just hiring people [I’m] obsessed with."

As to whether or not the new Hit-Girl series will crossover with the new KICK-ASS series, Millar told the comic-centric outlet, "No, not the new one. That’s entirely self contained. But we pick up exactly from the last page of [Kick-Ass] 3 and the wee guy Mindy’s taking on and training to be her new [Kick-Ass]. It’s very fun. I’ve actually enjoyed having [Kick-Ass] and [Hit-Girl] in separate books as they’re very different characters who need different types of stories. [Kick-Ass] is very grounded with a tremendous confidence. The character plays by superhero rules because the character is a comic fan. But [Hit-Girl] is basically tiny Frank Castle, so you can’t do that every month, where one is knocking people out and their partner is shooting them in the face."

Lastly, Millar spoke on the matter of Hit-Girl being an ongoing series as opposed to a mini by saying, "Oh it’s an ongoing. Both titles are ongoing monthlies. The second year of [Kick-Ass] is already being written, and I’ve bought three years worth of [Hit-Girl] all at once. There’s some great creators in there. All my favourites. I’m pretty much just commissioning beautiful books I want on my own shelves. This is going to be mega. There’s a lot going on in the background too which you’ll hear about over the next few months."

With comic books being the cat's pajamas in Hollywood, right now, it should come as no surprise that KICK-ASS is seeing something of a major revival. I recall being a big fan of the first film, and exiting the second feeling ambivalent at best. With that being said, I'm totally down to give Hit-Girl #1 a read to see if  Millar's violent and cruel characters of the KICK-ASS universe still pack a punch. Additionally, the prospect of Kevin Smith penning the second arc of the comic also has me intrigued. That dude can write a mean comic, and I look forward to seeing what he does for the already well-established KICK-ASS property.

Be sure to check out Hit-Girl when she returns to comic book shelves on February 21, 2018.