Hangman (Archie Comics)

Hangman is a supervillain character appearing in the Archie Comics universe, primarily as an antagonist to the Mighty Crusaders. There have been multiple versions of Hangman throughout Archie Comics history, but they generally share a similar theme and modus operandi.

The original Hangman was John Dickering, a lawyer who donned the guise of a masked vigilante after becoming disillusioned with the legal system's inability to punish criminals effectively. Dickering used a noose as his primary weapon, dispensing a twisted form of justice by literally hanging criminals. This grim method made him a controversial figure even amongst other heroes, some of whom considered him too extreme.

Subsequent incarnations of Hangman have also maintained the theme of deadly justice, often acting as anti-heroes willing to cross lines that other heroes would not. The identity and origin stories of these later versions have varied, sometimes tied to supernatural elements or different motivations for adopting the Hangman persona.

The character's morally ambiguous nature and violent methods often put him at odds with the more traditional heroes of the Archie universe, such as the Mighty Crusaders and Archie himself. The Hangman's presence usually introduces themes of moral compromise, vigilantism, and the question of whether the ends justify the means.