Advance Review: Black Hammer / Justice League #1 (of 5)
Dark Horse Comics have quietly been putting DC Comics to shame with their own Justice Society of America-esque Black Hammer books. What better way than to address the balance than put the Justice Society wannabes up against those that followed in their justice seeking ways, the Justice League!
A mysterious stranger appears on Black Hammer farm; at precisely the same time, a counterpart appears in Metropolis. Quicker than you can say “Mxyzptlk” a switchero occurs and the teams aren’t in Kansas anymore.
From a very simple acorn, an interesting story grows. This book is written by Jeff Lemire, who has spent time across the Big Two aisle, along with revitalising Bloodshot for Valiant, before co-creating Black Hammer for Dark Horse. Those who have read preceding Black Hammer books will no doubt recognise that Lemire has a soft spot for Golden Age DC. This has been a bit of a breath of fresh air when you look at the current Justice League books and of course the missing up until September 2019, Justice Society. Lemire doesn’t just rely on old memories; he has filled this book with dialogue that fits both teams in question, with maybe more humor than you would expect from the DC characters; maybe it’s the nonplussed way they react to “just another Starro” invasion that jars. Plot wise, Lemire uses a mirror technique to build up similarities; the tractor scenes especially have a sense of fun.
Michael Walsh provides the art and colors for the book. Very much like the overall plot, Walsh’s art has an almost less is more type of style. There is enough substance to forms that sets the overall themes regarding the DC’s cast; this style also helps create allusion and parallels. The panels work well, carrying the various pacing used throughout the book. The colors are a kind of off bright that helps distinguish the book from the regular Justice League books. Letters are provided by Nate Piekos of Blambot who gets to utilise a range of different fonts to accentuate the characters uniqueness and points of view.
Of course, this isn’t the first time that DC and Dark Horse have gotten together; the Wonder Woman vs Conan book, prior to the latter returning back to Marvel, was a lot of fun. The first issue of this book, goes a long way to continuing that element of fun as an alternative to the more regular Justice League team, with the added spice of yesteryear.
Writing – 5 Stars
Art – 4.5 Stars
[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]
Written by; Jeff Lemire
Art by; Michael Walsh
Letters by; Nate Pikos
Publish by; Dark Horse Comics / DC Comics
Author Profile
- I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow
Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network
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