Dark Horse Comics has announced that writer Jeff Lemire and artist Dean Ormston’s creator owned Black Hammer superhero saga will return in 2018 with a new ongoing series titled Black Hammer: Age of Doom. The new ongoing series will continue to chronicle the adventures of the forgotten champions of Spiral City, following the events of the cliffhanger ending of issue thirteen of Black Hammer.
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Cleverly disguised as a classic Superhero serial, Jeff Lemire continues to subvert and praise that era with his Eisner winning run on Black Hammer with another fantastic issue of Black Hammer #11. Although this issue isn’t action packed or filled with a huge set piece cornerstone scene, Jeff Lemire continues to write what he writes best: human melancholy.
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I had to catch up on the past two issues in order to review Black Hammer #8 and let me tell you; it was worth it. Not only were the last two issues incredible, but it made me more excited for this issue. Each issue tends to follow one character’s backstory, and this time it’s Gail, who has become one of my favorite characters of this series due to her predicament. There is something extremely interesting about this old woman trapped in a young girl’s body.
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The first chapter of Dark Horse’s long-awaited superhero science-fiction mystery adventure has arrived! The critically acclaimed action-adventure series by famed creator Jeff Lemire (Essex County, Sweet Tooth) with art by Dean Ormston (Lucifer, 2000 AD) and Dave Stewart (Hellboy), Black Hammer: Secret Origins collects Black Hammer #1–#6 and will hit shelves March 29, 2017.
Read MoreJeff Lemire's grand homage to Golden Age heroes continues with the start of a new arc -- this time exploring the mysterious origins of Black Hammer, the hammer-wielding hero of the streets who sacrificed all he had to save Spiral City. In the spirit of previous issues, two stories of past and present are told concurrently. But how does this week's backstory stack up? Read ahead to find out!
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I’m putting the bottom line at the top this week, this issue is a solid end to a great series. Last month we saw this creative team branch out in both structure and art style for the Colonel’s origin story, this issue dials back the weird and cranks up the eerie for the story of Madame Dragonfly. In a throwback to the Eerie and Creepy comics of old the team has managed to make another unique addition to the first arch. While the plot may not be a strong as some of the previous issues, there are a lot of things to like about Black Hammer #6.
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Black Hammer # 5 is a bold departure from what we’ve seen of the comic so far. In a lot of ways it’s what you would expect from the family’s strangest character. From the structure of the plot to the layouts of the pages themselves, this issue breaks the mold to create a jarring departure form the narrative. In the end its flaw isn’t in what the creators do differently, the problem stems from what stays the same. Keep reading to find out what that is.
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Abe gets his Mrs. Dalloway on and throws a dinner party! Gail makes a bold accessory choice! And someone gets a whole new look! But all joking aside, this is another great issue. I don’t know why you’re even reading this. Have you missed reviews 1-3? You can’t still be on the fence, can you? Why haven’t you bought this comic? Are you waiting for the trade? Cause that’s cool. I can respect that.
Read MoreThis is the second issue to focus on a backstory of one of the characters in the “family.” Although the story does revolve around the theme of alienation, the main character, Barbalien, is an alien after all, that is where the predictability stops. Instead of producing the same tired narrative of a stranger in a strange land who longs for his home, Lemire has created a character who faces true isolation. He also uses this inner conflict to expose other details about conflicts other characters are facing. Another great issue from an outstanding creative team.
While the last issue we focused on Gail, this issue we dive into the past of Barbalien. Forced into traveling to Earth to prevent an interplanetary war, from his first moments on earth he faces pain and alienation. His plight in some ways is similar to Gail’s. Both are outsiders and both feel as though they are trapped by circumstances beyond their control. But while Gail’s conflict comes from being trapped in her own body, Barbalien’s struggle comes from a sort of imposter syndrome. This is an exciting new take on the “alien” character in comics. An outsider on his home world and on planet earth, this issue gives us a look as Barbalien searches for belonging.
While Barbalien’s struggle to find belonging is the main frame of the issue we also witness other characters struggles. Specifically, we see his interaction with Gail reveal more about her character. We also see a little bit of Abe’s relationship with Tammy develop, but we also see some foreshadowing of future conflict within the family since as it’s de facto head, anything he does influences the rest of them as a unit.
Dean Ormston and Dave Stewart continue to put out amazing work. Juxtaposing human language with alien qualities, Ormstrom doesn’t just try to make an alien human. He also emphasizes Barbalien’s strangeness for dramatic effect. He truly makes him look like a monster in one particular panel. He counters this close up of his otherworldliness with several panels depicting his all too human feelings of isolation. Who knew a silhouette could be so sad.
The story continues to move forward, diving deeper into characters and raising the stakes for the family as a unit. From the cover of issue #4 it looks like Abe will be getting the background treatment next, and as for rest of the family, it looks like there might be some hope for them yet.
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Black Hammer #3 Writer: Jeff Lemire Artist: Dean Ormston Publisher: Dark Horse Comics Price: $3.99 Format: Ongoing; Print/Digital
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In case some of you haven’t heard, this issue was delayed after the artist for this series, Dean Ormston, suffered a brain hemorrhage in April last year. The injury caused paralysis along the right side of his body and as a result this issue was delayed for the better part of a year. If this issue’s art is any indication of his recovery, I am happy to say that Dean has bounced back better than ever. This is an excellent follow-up to a brilliant first issue. Marvelous comeback, Mr. Ormston. Great to have you back.
The art in this issue is a testament to not only Ormston’s talent, but perhaps more so to his dedication. It is as if nothing has changed. He and Dave Stewart are an amazing team, bouncing between 
the flashbacks of the glory days of these super heroes to the bleak reality of the small town they are trapped in. There are small differences in the pencil styles between the past and present and Stewart juxtaposes the time frames through great inking. This is a wonderfully drawn comic, dripping with nostalgia and heart.
Second issues are challenging. Where first issues are all hooks, flashes, and bangs, second issues need to balance which plot lines to follow without neglecting. Which character relationships to focus on as well as which characters’ backgrounds need flushing out is an obstacle. Lemire executes this perfectly, flushing out different characters’ relationships. He introduces Lady Dragonfly to the Abraham and Gail dynamic, hinting at some kind of triangle between the three of them. We also see a bit of leniency and understanding on the part of Abraham, who until this point has appeared to be the hard-ass of the group, especially when it comes to Gail. We also get a glimpse of Talky-Walky and Barbalien’s relationship, which was instantly a great addition. The nonchalant Barbalien with the hyper-driven Talky-Walky made for some great humor and heartbreak. It’s great to see other communication and struggles beyond the major conflict which until this point has been Gail and Abraham.
The pacing of the issue is perfect. Lemire lets us know where we’re headed but doesn’t tell us what we’ll find when we get there. From the carefully placed crisis of faith moments scattered throughout the first and second issues and the cover of the next issue, we can safely assume that next issue will revolve around Barbalien’s background, hopefully providing the level insight we received in this issue for Gail.
This is an excellent comeback for the creative team. After six months of not working together it’s good to see a team hit the ground running. I can’t wait to see what this team will do with the rest of the series.
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Black Hammer #2 Writer: Jeff Lemire Artists: Dean Ormston Colorists: Dave Stewart Publisher: Dark Horse Comics Print: $3.99 Format: Mini-Series; Print/Digital
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