[1] It is also the source for the film of the same name directed by David Cronenberg, the first cinematic adaptation of a work by John Wagner since 1995's Judge Dredd.

Their leader, John Torrino, an aging hitman blind in one eye, alleges that Tom is actually a mobster named Joey who crossed him 20 years earlier.

He and his childhood friend Richie pulled off a well-planned and spectacular heist, killing local crime boss Lou Manzi and several of his associates.

Tom, then known by his real name Joey Muni, only agreed to help so he could acquire the money that his grandmother needed for an expensive medical procedure on her heart.

Joey narrowly escaped the same fate, losing his finger to and taking an eye from Torrino in the process, and fled the city with the intent of starting over with a new identity, eventually changing his name to Tom McKenna.

Prior to his confession to the police, Tom learns that Richie is still alive and being held captive by someone later revealed to be Manzi's sadistic son, "Little" Lou, who seeks to avenge his father's murder.

He arranges a meeting with Little Lou at a warehouse where he dispatches three more men waiting to ambush him and maims a fourth, who leaves a blood trail that helps the police track down his location later on.

The mob boss grabs an industrial chainsaw and is subsequently killed when Tom pushes him onto the running blade, slicing through his head.