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Black Hammer #1-2
Black Hammer: Library Edition, Vol. 1
The first chapter of the highly acclaimed, Eisner Award-winning superhero saga in deluxe, oversized hardcover format.
Collects the first and second volumes of Black Hammer, and Black Hammer: Giant Sized Annual in a deluxe, hardcover, and oversized format with a new cover, sketchbook extras, and more!
Mysteriously banished from existence by a multiversal event, the old superheroes of Spiral City now lead simple lives on a bizarre farm from which there is no escape! But as they employ all of their super abilities to free themselves from this strange purgatory, a mysterious stranger works to bring them back into action for one last adventure!
Collects the first and second volumes of Black Hammer, and Black Hammer: Giant Sized Annual in a deluxe, hardcover, and oversized format with a new cover, sketchbook extras, and more!
Mysteriously banished from existence by a multiversal event, the old superheroes of Spiral City now lead simple lives on a bizarre farm from which there is no escape! But as they employ all of their super abilities to free themselves from this strange purgatory, a mysterious stranger works to bring them back into action for one last adventure!
408 pages, Hardcover
First published November 6, 2018
44 people are currently reading
509 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Lemire
1,436 books3,844 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Jeff Lemire is a New York Times bestselling and award winning author, and creator of the acclaimed graphic novels Sweet Tooth, Essex County, The Underwater Welder, Trillium, Plutona, Black Hammer, Descender, Royal City, and Gideon Falls. His upcoming projects include a host of series and original graphic novels, including the fantasy series Ascender with Dustin Nguyen.
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Jeff Lemire is a New York Times bestselling and award winning author, and creator of the acclaimed graphic novels Sweet Tooth, Essex County, The Underwater Welder, Trillium, Plutona, Black Hammer, Descender, Royal City, and Gideon Falls. His upcoming projects include a host of series and original graphic novels, including the fantasy series Ascender with Dustin Nguyen.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
December 10, 2020
I received this gorgeous library edition as a gift from a friend and I just realized that I've never reviewed it.
My bad.
This is a very cool story.
If you don't already know, the gist is that a group of superheroes saved their world and then disappeared.
Poof!
One minute they were saving the day and the next they were in this weird little town in a world who had no idea who they were. And they were trapped.
One hero, Black Hammer, tried to leave and was vaporized at the edge of the town. So now, here they sit. Miserable and bitter (except Abe) wishing there was a way to leave.
Until the day that the Black Hammer's daughter shows up out of nowhere and gives the group hope that they may be a way home.
But not everything is what it seems!
Dun, dun, duuuun...
Ok, so (for me) it was really enjoyable to see how Lemire borrowed bits and pieces from all the mainstream superheroes and cobbled together an entirely new but entirely familiar team of misfits.
Lemire remains hit or miss with me but I absolutely love the world he's created here. It's a fun, occasionally creepy, little mystery about a ragtag group of almost recognizable heroes that may or may not be able to find their way home.
It ends on a bit of a cliffhanger but their story continues with Black Hammer, Vol. 3: Age of Doom, Part One and ends with Black Hammer, Vol. 4: Age of Doom, Part Two.
Well worth a read.
Recommended.
My bad.
This is a very cool story.
If you don't already know, the gist is that a group of superheroes saved their world and then disappeared.
Poof!
One minute they were saving the day and the next they were in this weird little town in a world who had no idea who they were. And they were trapped.
One hero, Black Hammer, tried to leave and was vaporized at the edge of the town. So now, here they sit. Miserable and bitter (except Abe) wishing there was a way to leave.
Until the day that the Black Hammer's daughter shows up out of nowhere and gives the group hope that they may be a way home.
But not everything is what it seems!
Dun, dun, duuuun...
Ok, so (for me) it was really enjoyable to see how Lemire borrowed bits and pieces from all the mainstream superheroes and cobbled together an entirely new but entirely familiar team of misfits.
Lemire remains hit or miss with me but I absolutely love the world he's created here. It's a fun, occasionally creepy, little mystery about a ragtag group of almost recognizable heroes that may or may not be able to find their way home.
It ends on a bit of a cliffhanger but their story continues with Black Hammer, Vol. 3: Age of Doom, Part One and ends with Black Hammer, Vol. 4: Age of Doom, Part Two.
Well worth a read.
Recommended.
January 31, 2021
With its world-building, humor, and sentimentality, Black Hammer is a love letter to superhero comics.
By examining the origin of these borrowed characters and forcing them into his classic rural existentialism, Lemire humanizes and emboldens them. He examines Golden Age comics, horror comics, comic tropes like DC’s “Crisis,” and characters that are akin to Adam Strange, Mary Marvel, Martian Manhunter, Raven, and Swamp Thing, to name a few.
And it's beautifully illustrated. Like Lemire says, Ormston has a wonderful "idiosyncratic" style that looks like an indie comic while featuring superheroes. And the other illustrators fill in wonderfully.
A Short Note on the Library Edition:
This is a crisply designed book, like all hardcovers from Dark Horse. The jacket-less cover is beautiful. The paper is super thick. The sewn binding all but eliminates gutter loss. Then there’s a sewn-in ribbon bookmark and loads of extras, interviews and illustrations. Totally worth buying over the paperbacks.
By examining the origin of these borrowed characters and forcing them into his classic rural existentialism, Lemire humanizes and emboldens them. He examines Golden Age comics, horror comics, comic tropes like DC’s “Crisis,” and characters that are akin to Adam Strange, Mary Marvel, Martian Manhunter, Raven, and Swamp Thing, to name a few.
And it's beautifully illustrated. Like Lemire says, Ormston has a wonderful "idiosyncratic" style that looks like an indie comic while featuring superheroes. And the other illustrators fill in wonderfully.
A Short Note on the Library Edition:
This is a crisply designed book, like all hardcovers from Dark Horse. The jacket-less cover is beautiful. The paper is super thick. The sewn binding all but eliminates gutter loss. Then there’s a sewn-in ribbon bookmark and loads of extras, interviews and illustrations. Totally worth buying over the paperbacks.
December 29, 2022
I got rid of my Black Hammer trades during the last purge since I saw this was coming out. It seemed like a great time for a reread and it was. I forgot most of the events of the first two Black Hammer trades so it was like mostly new material.
This quirky little nightmare features the heroes of Spiral City stranded in a small town in the aftermath of their final battle with the Anti-God, a town they cannot leave. Is it heaven? Is it hell? Is it something else?
Black Hammer is more than one of those homage comics that keep popping up. While it's partially an homage super hero comic, it's also a creepy ass mystery that also explores the nature of small town life a bit.
While I love the mystery factor, the characters rise above their roots. Barbalien is a gay Martian Manhunter. Abraham Slam is an aging Captain America. Golden Gail is a older woman in a nine year old girl's body. Colonel Weird is Adam Strange if Adam Strange cracked under the strain of all the weirdness. And Madam Dragonfly would be the hostess of a House of Mystery type comic if she weren't the magical portion of the Black Hammer team.
So now I have to wait until July to reread the next batch of reprints. Hopefully they collect all the tie-ins in softcover as well. Five out of five stars.
This quirky little nightmare features the heroes of Spiral City stranded in a small town in the aftermath of their final battle with the Anti-God, a town they cannot leave. Is it heaven? Is it hell? Is it something else?
Black Hammer is more than one of those homage comics that keep popping up. While it's partially an homage super hero comic, it's also a creepy ass mystery that also explores the nature of small town life a bit.
While I love the mystery factor, the characters rise above their roots. Barbalien is a gay Martian Manhunter. Abraham Slam is an aging Captain America. Golden Gail is a older woman in a nine year old girl's body. Colonel Weird is Adam Strange if Adam Strange cracked under the strain of all the weirdness. And Madam Dragonfly would be the hostess of a House of Mystery type comic if she weren't the magical portion of the Black Hammer team.
So now I have to wait until July to reread the next batch of reprints. Hopefully they collect all the tie-ins in softcover as well. Five out of five stars.
December 26, 2018
A stunningly beautiful series in every way, visually and emotionally. It pays respectful homage to classic-age superhero comics while still feeling fresh and new. This quality hardcover edition contains the first two story arcs of the main series (plus a plethora of special features), reviewed here:
Vol. 1: Secret Origins★★★★
Vol. 2: The Event★★★★★
Vol. 1: Secret Origins★★★★
Vol. 2: The Event★★★★★
March 2, 2019
UNDER THE DOME meets UMBRELLA ACADEMY, serviert als All you can eat=Pop=Menu mit unzähligen Anspielungen an die Welt der Superhelden-Comics mit großformatig präsentierter fantastischer Artwork: ein absoluter Wow=Leckerbissen!
June 16, 2024
I genuinely could not be any more in on this world. Absolutely one of my favorite books I’ve read in a while. Incredible world and characters and perfect homages to other mainstream superheroes and universes. Stupid excited to jump into more of this world!
June 14, 2020
As a first time reader I wasn't disappointed it holds up to the hype. Oddly enough this is also the first story by Jeff Lemire I got the chance to read but I am sure it won't be the last. Black Hammer is a really cute and well written Story about a very diverse group of superhero characters that got stranded figuratively and literally.
This might sound boring but with the really complex/likeable characters and occasional flashbacks this ends up being a very entertaining read. I was really impressed by the relationships, it felt really natural and not forced at all, which is probably a strong trait of Lemire as this holds up till the end.
I have to deduct a star (personally) because a lot of plot and story elements that happen towards the second half of the Library Edition are a bit easy to predict, also with the big twist/reveal...
It's a story I can easily recommend, especially to people that are newer to comics.
4.0 out of 5.0 stars
This might sound boring but with the really complex/likeable characters and occasional flashbacks this ends up being a very entertaining read. I was really impressed by the relationships, it felt really natural and not forced at all, which is probably a strong trait of Lemire as this holds up till the end.
I have to deduct a star (personally) because a lot of plot and story elements that happen towards the second half of the Library Edition are a bit easy to predict, also with the big twist/reveal...
It's a story I can easily recommend, especially to people that are newer to comics.
4.0 out of 5.0 stars
March 24, 2023
This was good, an amalgamation of several different types of comic characters, interacting together, which made it more interesting.
January 22, 2019
For whatever reason, after reading his Indie, DC and Marvel work, I have never been "wowed" by Lemire's writing, but Black Hammer made me sit up and take notice. I don't know if it's the creepy, yet expressive artwork. Or if it's the direct homage to classic comics from various decades. Or if I'm drawn to how the characters are simply lonely, either looking for companionship or love, despite being surrounded by others seeking the same. Or maybe it's the central mystery of just "where are they?" which while present, is overshadowed in this first volume by spending time with each character.
Regardless, I'm in. This is a rare treat and can't wait for more.
Regardless, I'm in. This is a rare treat and can't wait for more.
April 30, 2025
Це не перше знайомство з «Чорним Молотом» Джеффа Леміра і Діна Ормстона. Я вже читав цю серію кілька років тому, а зараз вирішив повернутися до неї у форматі бібліотечних видань. Перечитування дозволило побачити більше нюансів, підкреслити деталі, які раніше губилися у загальному сюжеті й відчути змінені емоції.
Група супергероїв відправляється на битву в Спіраль-Сіті із надзвичайної сили антагоністом, Анти-Богом. Зустріч виявилася фатальною, бо вони загадковим чином потрапляють у давно забуте містечко. Історія розповідає про період за 10 років після битви, де ми знайомимося із цими шістьма героями. Їхнє насичене пригодами і увагою життя тепер зводиться до сімейних таємниць і домашньої рутини. Деякі мають химерний вигляд, тому вся група боїться розкриття їхньої таємниці. Тому частина з них обмежена фермою на якій вони живуть, а всі разом не можуть вийти за межі містечка. Спроби одного з них надсилати зонди за периметр міста завершуються безрезультатно, вони зникають безслідно. З іншого боку, місцеві можуть їхати і приїжджати коли їм заманеться, що ставить багато питань перед героями.
Перша арка «Таємниці походження» — це знайомство. Лемір не кидає у центр подій, а дає спостерігати. Кожен випуск розкриває минуле одного з героїв і показує, як воно резонує з їхнім сьогоденням на фермі. Це повільна, інтимна розповідь про втрати, пристосування, внутрішні конфлікти.
Друга, «Подія», відкриває нові аспекти. З'являється несподіваний зв'язок із зовнішнім світом. Це порушує рутину, будить надію на втечу. І водночас — загострює емоції. Ми бачимо глибші травми й стосунки. Але закінчення арки залишає ще більше питань.
Домашнє життя на фермі — не вибір, а в’язниця у яку герої потрапили за волею долі. Для одних — це кінець, для інших — початок і спроба почати нове життя. Вони були супергероями в житті. Тут же змушені грати п’єсу із назвою «Сім’я». Найсильніша сторона коміксу — персонажі. Це не просто алюзії на Супермена, Марсіанського Мисливця чи Шазама. Це глибокі, зламані, трагічні постаті, які намагаються зібрати себе до купи.
Ейбрегем — втомлений боксер без суперсил, але з величезним серцем і комплексами меншовартості, який хоче почати життя наново; Золота Ґейл — доросла жінка, яка застрягла в тілі дитини. Її цинізм, залежність від алкоголю і відчай — це крик болю людини, яка втратила контроль над життям. Марсіанин Варбулець, який був відправлений на Землю і який переживає подвійне відчуження: через расу та сексуальність. Його конфлікт між службою, вірою й собою — один із найсильніших емоційно. Торохтуха — робот-інженерка, єдина хто намагається дізнатися, що знах��диться за межами містечка й на яку звалили усю домашню роботу. Полковник Дивак — персонаж, що втратив лінійність часу. Він розкиданий у світах і спогадах, немов фантом. Мадам Стрекіт — відьма, яка живе окремо в готичному будиночку на болоті й приховує більше, ніж здається.
Дін Ормстон — не типовий художник для супергероїки, завдяки чому комікс виділяється поміж інших. Малюнок Діна Ормстона грубий, із ламаними лініями, непропорційний, але він добре відповідає характеру світу. Доповнюють усе кольори Дейва Стюарта, де палітра не кричуща, а приглушена — ідеальна для теми занепаду, ностальгії, загубленого часу. Деякі випуски малював Девід Рубін і вони теж виглядають добре.
Окремо варто згадати щорічник, що йде бонусом до видання. Це як стислий переказ цілої супергеройської епохи в одному випуску. Місцями кумедний, місцями зворушливий, але чудово доповнює головну історію, показуючи героїв у моменти, коли вони ще були справжніми легендами.
«Чорний Молот» — не стільки комікс про супергероїв, скільки про людей, які колись ними були. Це про старіння, втрату мети, адаптацію до нового життя. Водночас — про надію. Про те, що навіть якщо ти більше не рятуєш світ, ти ще можеш знайти себе. Це не деконструкція жанру, а його рефлексія. Одним словом, мій рекомендасіон.
Група супергероїв відправляється на битву в Спіраль-Сіті із надзвичайної сили антагоністом, Анти-Богом. Зустріч виявилася фатальною, бо вони загадковим чином потрапляють у давно забуте містечко. Історія розповідає про період за 10 років після битви, де ми знайомимося із цими шістьма героями. Їхнє насичене пригодами і увагою життя тепер зводиться до сімейних таємниць і домашньої рутини. Деякі мають химерний вигляд, тому вся група боїться розкриття їхньої таємниці. Тому частина з них обмежена фермою на якій вони живуть, а всі разом не можуть вийти за межі містечка. Спроби одного з них надсилати зонди за периметр міста завершуються безрезультатно, вони зникають безслідно. З іншого боку, місцеві можуть їхати і приїжджати коли їм заманеться, що ставить багато питань перед героями.
Перша арка «Таємниці походження» — це знайомство. Лемір не кидає у центр подій, а дає спостерігати. Кожен випуск розкриває минуле одного з героїв і показує, як воно резонує з їхнім сьогоденням на фермі. Це повільна, інтимна розповідь про втрати, пристосування, внутрішні конфлікти.
Друга, «Подія», відкриває нові аспекти. З'являється несподіваний зв'язок із зовнішнім світом. Це порушує рутину, будить надію на втечу. І водночас — загострює емоції. Ми бачимо глибші травми й стосунки. Але закінчення арки залишає ще більше питань.
Домашнє життя на фермі — не вибір, а в’язниця у яку герої потрапили за волею долі. Для одних — це кінець, для інших — початок і спроба почати нове життя. Вони були супергероями в житті. Тут же змушені грати п’єсу із назвою «Сім’я». Найсильніша сторона коміксу — персонажі. Це не просто алюзії на Супермена, Марсіанського Мисливця чи Шазама. Це глибокі, зламані, трагічні постаті, які намагаються зібрати себе до купи.
Ейбрегем — втомлений боксер без суперсил, але з величезним серцем і комплексами меншовартості, який хоче почати життя наново; Золота Ґейл — доросла жінка, яка застрягла в тілі дитини. Її цинізм, залежність від алкоголю і відчай — це крик болю людини, яка втратила контроль над життям. Марсіанин Варбулець, який був відправлений на Землю і який переживає подвійне відчуження: через расу та сексуальність. Його конфлікт між службою, вірою й собою — один із найсильніших емоційно. Торохтуха — робот-інженерка, єдина хто намагається дізнатися, що знах��диться за межами містечка й на яку звалили усю домашню роботу. Полковник Дивак — персонаж, що втратив лінійність часу. Він розкиданий у світах і спогадах, немов фантом. Мадам Стрекіт — відьма, яка живе окремо в готичному будиночку на болоті й приховує більше, ніж здається.
Дін Ормстон — не типовий художник для супергероїки, завдяки чому комікс виділяється поміж інших. Малюнок Діна Ормстона грубий, із ламаними лініями, непропорційний, але він добре відповідає характеру світу. Доповнюють усе кольори Дейва Стюарта, де палітра не кричуща, а приглушена — ідеальна для теми занепаду, ностальгії, загубленого часу. Деякі випуски малював Девід Рубін і вони теж виглядають добре.
Окремо варто згадати щорічник, що йде бонусом до видання. Це як стислий переказ цілої супергеройської епохи в одному випуску. Місцями кумедний, місцями зворушливий, але чудово доповнює головну історію, показуючи героїв у моменти, коли вони ще були справжніми легендами.
«Чорний Молот» — не стільки комікс про супергероїв, скільки про людей, які колись ними були. Це про старіння, втрату мети, адаптацію до нового життя. Водночас — про надію. Про те, що навіть якщо ти більше не рятуєш світ, ти ще можеш знайти себе. Це не деконструкція жанру, а його рефлексія. Одним словом, мій рекомендасіон.
September 3, 2024
Jeff Lemire does great emotional storytelling, and this is a great love letter and more grounded and real look at superheroes, who they are and how their super heroism effects them, and the people around them, and how people who are used to being independent react to being helpless.
Thanks EPL!
Thanks EPL!
March 21, 2023
This review is for the whole arc (both Library editions).
Well what can I say about this that is positive.
Hmmm I guess in its favor I'd say it is a... story.
Not a particularly interesting, exciting, engrossing, or dynamic one at that. It has characters and a plot, as a story does, but beyond that everything is so simple. It's just kinda dull. Solidly boring. There is nothing really ambitious or novel here. It can't sustain the intrigue of its central premise. Not to mention the "twists" and "reveals" are rather weak and don't hold up under scrutiny. The character arcs are rather one-dimensional. The supposed "emotional payoff" at the end is just throwing around a few feel good and simplistic words like "love" and "family" without any real development, subtext, or weight behind it and yet somehow this is supposed to be profound and meaningful - yeah, not really.
A few characters seemed interesting at first (mainly the dragonfly) but the glimmer of interest quickly fades as it becomes clear there isn't going to be any nuance in the character development. Some of the arcs are just downright contradictory - I.E. a homosexual alien martian who flees Mars because of bigotry (ironically, I don't even recall ever being shown martian females), shape shifts into a human and tries to convince a priest to enter a homosexual relationship under the premise of his life realization of "accepting what you are" and "no longer hiding your identity" all the while hiding his identity as an alien and not accepting who he is as giant ugly red-alien as he pretends to be a human male. Wow, stunning writing. How touching.
Don't get me started on the central revelation/reason behind the mysterious disappearance -
I don't have a ton of exposure to Graphic Novels, but I'm deeply perplexed at how this is so beloved and regarded as a riveting, emotionally touching work.
Well what can I say about this that is positive.
Hmmm I guess in its favor I'd say it is a... story.
Not a particularly interesting, exciting, engrossing, or dynamic one at that. It has characters and a plot, as a story does, but beyond that everything is so simple. It's just kinda dull. Solidly boring. There is nothing really ambitious or novel here. It can't sustain the intrigue of its central premise. Not to mention the "twists" and "reveals" are rather weak and don't hold up under scrutiny. The character arcs are rather one-dimensional. The supposed "emotional payoff" at the end is just throwing around a few feel good and simplistic words like "love" and "family" without any real development, subtext, or weight behind it and yet somehow this is supposed to be profound and meaningful - yeah, not really.
A few characters seemed interesting at first (mainly the dragonfly) but the glimmer of interest quickly fades as it becomes clear there isn't going to be any nuance in the character development. Some of the arcs are just downright contradictory - I.E. a homosexual alien martian who flees Mars because of bigotry (ironically, I don't even recall ever being shown martian females), shape shifts into a human and tries to convince a priest to enter a homosexual relationship under the premise of his life realization of "accepting what you are" and "no longer hiding your identity" all the while hiding his identity as an alien and not accepting who he is as giant ugly red-alien as he pretends to be a human male. Wow, stunning writing. How touching.
Don't get me started on the central revelation/reason behind the mysterious disappearance -
I don't have a ton of exposure to Graphic Novels, but I'm deeply perplexed at how this is so beloved and regarded as a riveting, emotionally touching work.
June 2, 2022
Un bonito homenaje a los comics de superheroes por parte de un Lemire que ya me impresiono en Sweet Tooth y que aquí continua manteniendo el rollo intimista de aquella obra. No solo vamos a vivir las aventuras de estos personajes sino también sus conflictos y problemas, sus dramas pasionales y sus vidas. Lemire nos situa a un grupo de heroes varados en un extraño pueblo después de una batalla que casi acaba con la tierra. Estos heroes no saben como han llegado a una granja que les sirve de casa pero si que saben que no pueden salir del pueblo porque uno de ellos lo intento y pereció horriblemente.
La historia tiene de todo y atrapa muchisimo, este comic me duró horas literalmente. Lemire lleva el homenaje fielmente e incluso se permite poner fichas de los personajes emulando a las que aparecian en los cómics marvel y DC. Una historia fantastica a la que no puedo esperar a hincar el diente en su segundo tomo.
La historia tiene de todo y atrapa muchisimo, este comic me duró horas literalmente. Lemire lleva el homenaje fielmente e incluso se permite poner fichas de los personajes emulando a las que aparecian en los cómics marvel y DC. Una historia fantastica a la que no puedo esperar a hincar el diente en su segundo tomo.
April 5, 2022
Good story. And...
Comics publishers, would it kill you to make it ultra obvious where a series begins? I read volume 1 of this series, then was like, "oh, shit, that's not the start." Then it totally was.
Also, a little tip: I read a lot of comics digitally, and if the volumes can have really obvious numbering ON THE COVER, that'd help. I know, you used to be able to put it into the graphic design or on the spine, but digital comics don't display the spines.
I'm reading Sandman, and it's like Sandman: Preludes and Nocturnes. So...is that volume 1, then?
And sometimes the title has the volume like this: Sandman: Preludes and Nocturnes (Sandman 1). Which is good, but most devices will display it like this:
Sandman: Prelud...
Which really doesn't help.
I know this sounds insane, but a little bit of adaptation from the print to digital would be cool.
Comics publishers, would it kill you to make it ultra obvious where a series begins? I read volume 1 of this series, then was like, "oh, shit, that's not the start." Then it totally was.
Also, a little tip: I read a lot of comics digitally, and if the volumes can have really obvious numbering ON THE COVER, that'd help. I know, you used to be able to put it into the graphic design or on the spine, but digital comics don't display the spines.
I'm reading Sandman, and it's like Sandman: Preludes and Nocturnes. So...is that volume 1, then?
And sometimes the title has the volume like this: Sandman: Preludes and Nocturnes (Sandman 1). Which is good, but most devices will display it like this:
Sandman: Prelud...
Which really doesn't help.
I know this sounds insane, but a little bit of adaptation from the print to digital would be cool.
November 2, 2020
I really like Jeff Lemires work. Usually his work on superheroes just doesn’t connect with me, but this was really fun and definitely drew me in.
June 16, 2021
Quite derivative with amateurish art. Not sure what the fuss is about. Perhaps vol 2 will make it all worth the while.
March 30, 2021
(Zero spoiler review)
I have always liked Lemire's stories, although felt as a writer, he always falls short when it comes to execution. His ability never seems to match his ambition. And the longer this collected edition of Black Hammer went on, the more obvious this became. What is even more frustrating, is that this is an ongoing problem with him. Every book of his I've ever written (and there has only been a few thus far, but some are very well known runs) has always nose dived in quality and ideas the longer the story has gone on. The story was at its most captivating, its most interesting, when it was a handful of down and out superheroes, meandering through this idyllic/frustrating existence. The dynamics between the characters, their interactions with each other and various townspeople was making for a simple yet intriguing tale. I was more than invested in at least a few of the characters (the less tropey ones), and their struggle in coming to term with their current existence. The more 'superhero-y' the book got, the less interested I became. Sure, the odd flashback for the sake of backstory, but the story seemed to be building in a direction I was less interested in, so I had to find my enjoyment with the smaller character moments in between. Not only this, but there was a few character arc choices, one established character and one introduced character, which I really didn't much care for. I won't elaborate on it, as I am not doing spoilers, although I would certainly love to go into detail as to my reason's I didn't care for these choices. The art is serviceable, with its strongest point being its consistency of artist throughout the run. It was never anything revolutionary, but it was nice, and I enjoyed the sameness of it over the thirteen issues. As a quick aside, the annual contained here, which is non canonical to the main arc, was awful, and I didn't even finish it. I was invested in the main story, so I didn't give a toss about a mixed bag of artists telling short, pointless stories of no relevance to the main story. I haven't marked the book down because if it, only because its not canon, although, I wasn't at all impressed with it.
All in all, I really liked Black Hammer, although the direction its heading in come the end of this arc, may not interest me anywhere near as much as this run, although that remains to be seen. I have the second library edition here and ready to go. Here's hoping. 4/5
OmniBen.
I have always liked Lemire's stories, although felt as a writer, he always falls short when it comes to execution. His ability never seems to match his ambition. And the longer this collected edition of Black Hammer went on, the more obvious this became. What is even more frustrating, is that this is an ongoing problem with him. Every book of his I've ever written (and there has only been a few thus far, but some are very well known runs) has always nose dived in quality and ideas the longer the story has gone on. The story was at its most captivating, its most interesting, when it was a handful of down and out superheroes, meandering through this idyllic/frustrating existence. The dynamics between the characters, their interactions with each other and various townspeople was making for a simple yet intriguing tale. I was more than invested in at least a few of the characters (the less tropey ones), and their struggle in coming to term with their current existence. The more 'superhero-y' the book got, the less interested I became. Sure, the odd flashback for the sake of backstory, but the story seemed to be building in a direction I was less interested in, so I had to find my enjoyment with the smaller character moments in between. Not only this, but there was a few character arc choices, one established character and one introduced character, which I really didn't much care for. I won't elaborate on it, as I am not doing spoilers, although I would certainly love to go into detail as to my reason's I didn't care for these choices. The art is serviceable, with its strongest point being its consistency of artist throughout the run. It was never anything revolutionary, but it was nice, and I enjoyed the sameness of it over the thirteen issues. As a quick aside, the annual contained here, which is non canonical to the main arc, was awful, and I didn't even finish it. I was invested in the main story, so I didn't give a toss about a mixed bag of artists telling short, pointless stories of no relevance to the main story. I haven't marked the book down because if it, only because its not canon, although, I wasn't at all impressed with it.
All in all, I really liked Black Hammer, although the direction its heading in come the end of this arc, may not interest me anywhere near as much as this run, although that remains to be seen. I have the second library edition here and ready to go. Here's hoping. 4/5
OmniBen.
June 25, 2020
To be honest I didn't really know what I was getting into when I decided to acquire this book. I just love Dean Ormston's art. Black Hammer takes place after the "golden age" of superheroes has ended, and the survivors are consigned to a rural limbo from which they cannot escape. Meanwhile, the daughter of one of them is convinced they are still alive somewhere, and is determined to find them.
At first I was taken aback by the fact that all of the heroes are, shall we say, inspired by superheroes from other companies (mostly DC but there is some Marvel in there.) Golden Gail is Captain Marvel/Shazam, Barbalien is Martian Manhunter, Randall Weird is Adam Strange, and so on. Some of them are so on the nose that they feel more like swipes than homages. The villain from which they saved the world is obviously Darkseid. Others are more obscure; it took me a while to realize that Dragonfly was Madame Xanadu. I was disappointed that I wasn't getting something totally original.
Eventually I did find myself involved in the story and characters on their own merits. The only problem is that in the fourteen issues collected here, there isn't a whole lot of story (a good portion of the book is spent recounting their origins), and things seem to just be getting started at the end. I'll continue with the second volume and hope for some resolution there.
At first I was taken aback by the fact that all of the heroes are, shall we say, inspired by superheroes from other companies (mostly DC but there is some Marvel in there.) Golden Gail is Captain Marvel/Shazam, Barbalien is Martian Manhunter, Randall Weird is Adam Strange, and so on. Some of them are so on the nose that they feel more like swipes than homages. The villain from which they saved the world is obviously Darkseid. Others are more obscure; it took me a while to realize that Dragonfly was Madame Xanadu. I was disappointed that I wasn't getting something totally original.
Eventually I did find myself involved in the story and characters on their own merits. The only problem is that in the fourteen issues collected here, there isn't a whole lot of story (a good portion of the book is spent recounting their origins), and things seem to just be getting started at the end. I'll continue with the second volume and hope for some resolution there.
February 9, 2021
I don’t know that Jeff Lemire totally nails the concept of Black Hammer, but as with any Lemire project it’s at least fascinating. He’s one of the treasures of the comics industry, and at this point can pursue any idea he has.
The idea of Black Hammer is similar to Watchmen, a comic book about the big picture of superhero lives from a creator nostalgic about prior comic book eras. Alan Moore was obsessed with the Silver Age, although in Watchmen you wouldn’t know it because he was actually riffing on ‘70s comics. Lemire riffs on Golden Age comics, although he draws from later eras as well, in Black Hammer, particularly in the character of Madame Dragonfly and her Cabin of Horrors. Although this collected edition doesn’t finish out the narrative, it strongly suggests Dragonfly as responsible for the central predicament in much the same way as Adrian Veidt, with Colonel Weird in the Manhattan slot and Abraham Slam as Rorschach.
The characters are otherwise pastiches on ones familiar to readers of DC and Marvel. Barbalien is a riff on Martian Manhunter, Weird is Adam Strange, Golden Gail is Captain Marvel, Slam is Captain America. Black Hammer, who is otherwise a meaningless maguffin, is Thor.
And that’s my biggest problem. There’s literally nothing in the narrative that requires Black Hammer to exist. If you gave the role of his daughter to another character, say Abraham Slam himself, the actual lead character, it would strengthen everything. Or Dragonfly. Or Weird. Or Barbalien. Or even Golden Gail! It instead leaves a whole cast of characters Lemire infuses with narratives deeper than their source material little more than talking points. Give any of them that extra push and they all feel deeper. Give it to the guy Lemire never justifies hanging all of this on and it becomes a gimmick. A good gimmick, a nice commentary on traditional superhero comics, certainly.
And, well, I basically have the same opinion of Watchmen, by the way. Purposely blocking Manhattan away from literally the most important plot development of the story is a cheat.
I still recommend reading this, and delving into the wider Black Hammer saga. Absolutely. I just wish these first comics would have been better.
The idea of Black Hammer is similar to Watchmen, a comic book about the big picture of superhero lives from a creator nostalgic about prior comic book eras. Alan Moore was obsessed with the Silver Age, although in Watchmen you wouldn’t know it because he was actually riffing on ‘70s comics. Lemire riffs on Golden Age comics, although he draws from later eras as well, in Black Hammer, particularly in the character of Madame Dragonfly and her Cabin of Horrors. Although this collected edition doesn’t finish out the narrative, it strongly suggests Dragonfly as responsible for the central predicament in much the same way as Adrian Veidt, with Colonel Weird in the Manhattan slot and Abraham Slam as Rorschach.
The characters are otherwise pastiches on ones familiar to readers of DC and Marvel. Barbalien is a riff on Martian Manhunter, Weird is Adam Strange, Golden Gail is Captain Marvel, Slam is Captain America. Black Hammer, who is otherwise a meaningless maguffin, is Thor.
And that’s my biggest problem. There’s literally nothing in the narrative that requires Black Hammer to exist. If you gave the role of his daughter to another character, say Abraham Slam himself, the actual lead character, it would strengthen everything. Or Dragonfly. Or Weird. Or Barbalien. Or even Golden Gail! It instead leaves a whole cast of characters Lemire infuses with narratives deeper than their source material little more than talking points. Give any of them that extra push and they all feel deeper. Give it to the guy Lemire never justifies hanging all of this on and it becomes a gimmick. A good gimmick, a nice commentary on traditional superhero comics, certainly.
And, well, I basically have the same opinion of Watchmen, by the way. Purposely blocking Manhattan away from literally the most important plot development of the story is a cheat.
I still recommend reading this, and delving into the wider Black Hammer saga. Absolutely. I just wish these first comics would have been better.
July 22, 2019
**Black Hammer Library Edition v1 | 85-90%** | #1-13, superhero, mystery, fantasy/sci-fi, drama, mature reader, Dark Horse, Lemire | After fighting the Anti-God, a team of Golden Age superheroes are mysteriously exiled to an isolated town they can’t leave. Captures classic superhero comic and 50’s/60’s pulp sci-fi/horror vibes despite being pointedly modern and self-aware. Feels like Jack Kirby + Mike Mignola + Twilight Zone. Each issue explores backstory/motivations of each superhero character while an overarching mystery about their exile unravels gradually. Dark, deep, emotional, rich, weird character development and world-building. Shows lives back on earth and how they’ve changed in exile e.g. different views on retirement, what happens when an old woman gets trapped in a child’s body, etc. Realistic dialog and cool character interactions/dynamics. Genuine surprises. Analogs to popular superheroes like Martian Manhunter, Captain America, Shazam, Doctor Strange, Thor, etc. The art matches the tone, mood, and blended style/vibes perfectly. Liked the otherworldly Para-zone and blown-out anatomies in particular. Absolute-sized hardcover, bookmark ribbon, art covers + dust jacket. Tons of bonus material. Super excited for the next volume.
January 16, 2019
Just buy the book, its incredibly well done in this giant size library edition format. Did you already read Black Hammer? Good, read it again...that is what I did and It didn't disappoint me at all. Seriously this book is a beast, its massive and can easily double as a weapon because of if size and weight. The panels are so beautiful this big and it just lends to the story.
I am not going to bother reviewing the actual story, its amazing nuff said.
I don't even want to return this book to my work.... sigh....i guess I gotta buy it :)
I am not going to bother reviewing the actual story, its amazing nuff said.
I don't even want to return this book to my work.... sigh....i guess I gotta buy it :)
May 26, 2021
Technically my second read of the first half of the series as I read these issues when they came out as single issues. I have the second hardcover and haven't read the content of that volume so I thought I'd refresh my memory by re-reading before diving into volume 2.
Great story set-up and character selection for this. We'll see how things are resolved.
Great story set-up and character selection for this. We'll see how things are resolved.
May 9, 2024
curti bastante!! a trama é intrigante e bem desenvolvida, contada de um jeito q equilibra bem passado e presente. uma pena q eu ache os uniformes feios pra cacete. tô lendo nas edições da Intrínseca, mas tô marcando essa edição "omnibus" pq não queria q 1/5 das minhas leituras do ano fosse composta por esses encadernadinhos.
February 16, 2020
Descender really hooked me on Lemire’s stuff. Now I am working through his acclaimed run on Black Hammer. While I have no idea where he is going with this I am on board and going along for the ride.
Good stuff
Good stuff
June 22, 2021
First ride into the depths of the Black Hammer world river. I enjoy all the nods to the comic history throughout every issue. After you get your history in things start picking up and leave you definitely wanting more.
August 13, 2020
I would give this a six if I could, one of the best comics I have read in the last 10 years.
December 4, 2020
Story was not great... 13 issues and an annual with very little plot progression.
Art work was very Mike Mignola inspired.
Art work was very Mike Mignola inspired.
November 20, 2021
This book was huge, heavy and awesome. In more ways than one.
The theme of being trapped somewhere and unable to leave is one of my greatest fears , so I'll be thinking about this story for years to come.
The theme of being trapped somewhere and unable to leave is one of my greatest fears , so I'll be thinking about this story for years to come.
October 2, 2022
Lemire is so good at these melancholy slice of life stories that just happen to be about superheroes or hybrid human creatures or whatever. Warren Ellis says in his intro, 'there's none of Moore, Miller, or Morrison's knowing urban psychologies' and I think this comparison is interesting. Another person's version of Black Hammer could easily have veered far more into Watchmen territory, a group of disillusioned old heroes struggling with a normal life, but Lemire is interested in human relationships, not superhuman ones.
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