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A review by bmaackreadscomics
Black Hammer, Vol. 1: Secret Origins by Jeff Lemire, Dean Ormston, Dave Stewart
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Writing: 1.0 / 1.0
Lemire absolutely nails these first 6 issues. Compelling characters, a mysterious plot, relationships, hopes, dreams. An entire world is already established when some series take 12 issues to do half as much.
Art: .75 / 1.0
Dean Ormston’s art is unique and definitely fits the type of story that Black Hammer is. My only gripe is that it’s just not my favorite kind of style. I appreciate the heck out of it, but I just don’t fully love it. The Para Zone stuff was awesome though.
Characters: 1.0 / 1.0
Abraham Slam, Golden Gail, Madame Dragonfly, Barbalien, Colonel Weird, and Talky Walky are all shaping up to be excellent characters. The fact that I remembered all their names without having to go back and look them up proves that they’re compelling and fleshed out. Very excited to see how they all develop further.
Enjoyment: 1.0 / 1.0
What can I say? I love off-brand superhero stories, I love Jeff Lemire, so there’s no way I wasn’t going to love this trade. I’m excited not just for the continuation of the story now that everyone’s origins are out of the way, I’m also excited to check out all the spinoff series as well.
Originality: 1.0 / 1.0
For being an off-brand superhero story, the main plot of these first 6 issues contain a very minimal amount of superheroing which worked perfectly. Similar to how video game designers need to test some of their ideas in a vacuum, I believe that seeing a superhero live their life outside of the costume is critical to properly establishing the character.
Lemire absolutely nails these first 6 issues. Compelling characters, a mysterious plot, relationships, hopes, dreams. An entire world is already established when some series take 12 issues to do half as much.
Art: .75 / 1.0
Dean Ormston’s art is unique and definitely fits the type of story that Black Hammer is. My only gripe is that it’s just not my favorite kind of style. I appreciate the heck out of it, but I just don’t fully love it. The Para Zone stuff was awesome though.
Characters: 1.0 / 1.0
Abraham Slam, Golden Gail, Madame Dragonfly, Barbalien, Colonel Weird, and Talky Walky are all shaping up to be excellent characters. The fact that I remembered all their names without having to go back and look them up proves that they’re compelling and fleshed out. Very excited to see how they all develop further.
Enjoyment: 1.0 / 1.0
What can I say? I love off-brand superhero stories, I love Jeff Lemire, so there’s no way I wasn’t going to love this trade. I’m excited not just for the continuation of the story now that everyone’s origins are out of the way, I’m also excited to check out all the spinoff series as well.
Originality: 1.0 / 1.0
For being an off-brand superhero story, the main plot of these first 6 issues contain a very minimal amount of superheroing which worked perfectly. Similar to how video game designers need to test some of their ideas in a vacuum, I believe that seeing a superhero live their life outside of the costume is critical to properly establishing the character.