Reviews

Colonel Weird: Cosmagog by Jeff Lemire

myqz's review

4.0

Great to see the full time hopping potential of Col. Weird fully realized here- he’s been the most interesting character throughout Black Hammer’s long, wide run to me, and Lemire writing this arc feels like putting a bow on everything the series has been up to this point. Crook’s water colors stand in a nice contrast to the styles of Ormston (or Tammaso, Rubin) that I usually associate with the character, and help to illustrate the multi-faced look at grief, regret, and cosmic inevitably.

joshgauthier's review

4.0

With Crook's art capturing a broken, lost Colonel Weird as effectively as we've ever seen, Lemire fully embraces the strangeness of the cosmagog as Black Hammer's strangest hero goes on a journey through the pattern of existence in an attempt to return to the place he is meant to be--a challenge easier said than done for a man who has seen all and forgotten much. Continuing to expand the world of Black Hammer Lemire's character writing shines, giving the reader a glimpse into the ever-repeating cycles of the world and its terrible wonder.

mschlat's review

2.0

Glorious Tyler Crook artwork for a confusing Jeff Lemire story that had me going "Wait, that's it?" at the end.

In Lemire's Black Hammer universe (a pastiche of the classic DC universe), Colonel Weird is a stand in for space characters like Adam Strange. In all the stories to date, he's been portrayed as powerful, but also seriously confused, as his cognition appears to be permanently altered by the dimension hopping and time travelling he's done. This collected miniseries shows his history (along with a number of intriguing glimpses of Black Hammer continuity), but does so in a time jumping fashion that represents the character, but makes for a frustrating reading experience. And the ending seems so light and insubstantial that I wasn't sure what the point of the series of when I was done.

kryten4k's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

renee_pompeii's review

4.0

Enjoyable entry into the Black Hammer oeuvre, with looks into Col. Weird's childhood the most interesting new bits IMO. Art matches the feel of Weird perfectly, as he gets more unhinged it gets loopier as well, which is cool.

lobodepapel's review

5.0

Viajecito en la memoria de alguien que la perdió, aunque es un standalone no se si funcione igual de bien sin conocer el mundo de BlackHammer antes. Pero de que está bien bonito, está bien pinches bonito.

teaandtales1's review

3.0

I love the Black Hammer universe, and Colonel Weird is one of the most confusing characters in the series, so it makes sense that his own spinoff would be very strange. Unfortunately rather than answering some questions, this side story only asks more. The artwork is nice, and it's fine, but unless they plan to write more this story doesn't really add anything.

graypeape's review

5.0

Okay, here's the thing: whether or not you're familiar with the Black Hammer universe, this is going to be jarring and confusing, because that's what Colonel Weird's life is- jarring and confusing. He slips in and out of time, in and out of the Parazone, following a pattern, THE pattern that he has no choice but to follow. In this story, Colonel Weird is sort of bouncing around through time and space, looking for something he's forgotten, something important that he needs if he wants to keep his sanity. We get his origin story here, which I promise will make some sort of sense by the time you get to the end, but damn, it is disjointed at first! This is so appropriate, though, because we're basically experiencing what Weird is experiencing- whatever it is that he's lost keeps him grounded, keeps him from going insane from living such a non-linear life (I got total Billy Pilgrim vibes at times from Weird, it would not surprise me one bit if Vonnegut influenced this character), and without this whatever it is, Weird's grasp on reality is coming apart. As the story goes around through Weird's life, we start to get the pattern he's following- just a taste, not enough to give the pattern away, but enough to get a sense of it. There are events referenced that involve the rest of the Black Hammer gang, that I'm assuming happened in the main storyline, and they're integrated in such a way that if you haven't read that yet (like me), you can still grasp what's going on without getting spoilers (okay, one spoiler that I noticed). Other reviews I've read said you should read the main storyline first or you'll be lost; I think I did fine figuring out what was going on, and would say going in blind added to the feeling of displacement Weird is experiencing, made it more palpable for me, but I might change my mind once I read the earlier work. Weird does find what he was looking for, recovers the memories he forgot (total Rosebud moment, if you ask me), and we're left with a hopeful ending- the pattern has been restored, and won't unravel after all.
I really enjoyed this a lot- the story sucked me in and wouldn't let go, and good gravy, the art! Just breathtaking, so vivid, lurid in the best way possible. Overall a stunning work, and I'll be looking for more Black Hammer A.S.A.P.!

cjordahl's review

3.0

3+, not quite a 4... I feel like I should enjoy this more than I do. Maybe I should reread it at some point. I think I went in expecting more of a story, and more answers... maybe this is one of those books that I should appreciate for what it is rather than knocking it for what it is not.
The art is quite good and definitely fits the writing / character / world.

rogueoneapologist's review

adventurous dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0