Fraser Simons &
The World of Black Hammer Library Edition Volume 2 by Jeff Lemire
The new direction isn’t something I’m super excited about. The first part especially, with the retelling of WW2 in this universe. I just do not care at all about war/military fiction generally, but then WW2 as well. I’ve had enough of it. The second part was better. A futuristic version of the universe we know. The narrative tension is fine, not great. Eventually a let down when you get to a certain part. But the finale rekindled some momentum. Because I have my brothers copy of the oversized edition of the next one, I’ll continue on. Otherwise I probably wouldn’t.
What a bounce back. One of the best omnibus collections I’ve ever read. The first story is Captain Weird’s backstory, which is done in an American Pastoral way. His childhood is out of a Steinbeck novel, and then it goes into timey-whimey wildness, explaining how he became Weird. It is so Damn good. And then, out of left field, a Barbalien backstory that is queer as hell. Scenes briefly touched on are brought in—his time as a cop, discovering he is queer, gay liberation during the AIDS pandemic. All of it is incredibly well handled. I found it really effecting and moving. Rather than vaguely draw comparisons to his literally being an alien, he feels much more rooted in the world and history, and it is an origin story on par with old favourites, like Superman. And for once, the artwork is incredible across the board for both stories. Great paneling, not a dull moment. Great plot. If you’re going to read any Black Hammer at all, make it this one.
Liked this more than Black Hammer vol1 I think! Works so well in tandem with it, and the actual plot is better crafted for both sets of stories. One, the daughter of Black Hammer, grown—a journalist trying to figure out what happened to the “main cast” of supers. The other, Doctor Andromeda’s life, essentially. While the later was more tangential, I found it overall more surprising and good. It starts off very trite and navigates to an original place, to great effect.
- Edition
- ISBN 9781506719962
Reviews
Liked this more than Black Hammer vol1 I think! Works so well in tandem with it, and the actual plot is better crafted for both sets of stories. One, the daughter of Black Hammer, grown—a journalist trying to figure out what happened to the “main cast” of supers. The other, Doctor Andromeda’s life, essentially. While the later was more tangential, I found it overall more surprising and good. It starts off very trite and navigates to an original place, to great effect.
What a bounce back. One of the best omnibus collections I’ve ever read. The first story is Captain Weird’s backstory, which is done in an American Pastoral way. His childhood is out of a Steinbeck novel, and then it goes into timey-whimey wildness, explaining how he became Weird. It is so Damn good. And then, out of left field, a Barbalien backstory that is queer as hell. Scenes briefly touched on are brought in—his time as a cop, discovering he is queer, gay liberation during the AIDS pandemic. All of it is incredibly well handled. I found it really effecting and moving. Rather than vaguely draw comparisons to his literally being an alien, he feels much more rooted in the world and history, and it is an origin story on par with old favourites, like Superman. And for once, the artwork is incredible across the board for both stories. Great paneling, not a dull moment. Great plot. If you’re going to read any Black Hammer at all, make it this one.
The new direction isn’t something I’m super excited about. The first part especially, with the retelling of WW2 in this universe. I just do not care at all about war/military fiction generally, but then WW2 as well. I’ve had enough of it. The second part was better. A futuristic version of the universe we know. The narrative tension is fine, not great. Eventually a let down when you get to a certain part. But the finale rekindled some momentum. Because I have my brothers copy of the oversized edition of the next one, I’ll continue on. Otherwise I probably wouldn’t.
