Review: Black Hammer Vol. 1- Secret Origins

Quick Summary

Pros: The main storyline is interesting. The characters are all great and the mystery behind them makes for some entertaining reveals. The connection to classic comic books, from writing style to characters, is wonderful and unique.

Cons: Though not necessarily a flaw for everyone, those unfamiliar with comic history will miss out on many of the book’s positives.

Overall: This is a solid comic book that matches great storytelling with a unique premise. It takes elements from classic comics and sets them in the present, leading to an interesting examination of the medium. This is then set against an story that is exciting and filled with mystery, ensuring that the book is interesting at every moment. Overall, this is a book that new comic fans will enjoy and longtime comic fans will love.

Story

Black Hammer Vol. 1: Secret Origins, by Jeff Lemire, is an ode to comic books, from the modern age to the golden age, that manages to both celebrate and reinvent a number of comic elements. The celebration occurs through an homage to classic comic books, which ranges from unique deconstructions of classic characters to clever manipulations regarding the storytelling format. Meanwhile, reinvention occurs by bringing these classic elements into the modern age and seeing how the passage of time affects them. All of this is then wrapped around an interesting story and set in a world filled with mystery. The only downside is that readers unfamiliar with comic history will likely miss out on a number of the book’s positives. However, the solid storytelling and creative characters ensure that this is still a wonderful book overall.

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Right from the beginning, the story in Secret Origins is addicting. It involves an isolated group of heroes attempting to masquerade as a normal family, despite clearly not fitting in. This all happens while they also try to find out what exactly brought them to this specific place and if/how they can escape. Their struggle is very engaging and is something all readers will be able to appreciate about this book.

What makes this story more compelling though, is the exploration into the mystery behind the characters themselves. The way in which this exploration is done is what makes the characters and story so compelling. Instead of dumping exposition on the reader all at once, the stories of the past are contrasted against the stories of the present. It allows readers to see how a larger series of events is constantly having an impact on these characters. It also furthers the lore of this universe and helps provide a great deal of worldbuilding to the series.

However, the most interesting aspect of Secret Origins may be the way in which it celebrates comic book history. Each of the characters in Black Hammer is clearly inspired by characters from classic comic books (which are explained below). It then takes these Golden Age ideals and subverts them by thrusting them into present. The effect this has on the characters is incredibly interesting and is made even more so by Lemire’s delicate and thoughtful approach. All of this makes for a story that longtime comic fans will truly enjoy.

The characters aren’t the only aspect of Black Hammer designed to celebrate old comics, as the celebration extends all the way to the writing style. Jeff Lemire’s writing is constantly shifting depending on the era of history being depicted. In flashbacks, thought bubbles and corny dialogue perfectly capture the spirit of Golden Age comics, while the present is written in a style indistinguishable from modern books. This is a small detail but one that goes a long way in making this feel like a true homage to comic book history.

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Art

The artwork throughout Secret Origins is as unique as the story and does a wonderful job in making this book stand out. Dean Ormston’s work is clearly separate from mainstream comics but is still able to imitate a familiar Golden Age style when necessary. In addition, character design is incredible and helps make these already great heroes stand out even further.

The best part about the artwork, though, is how well it suits this particular series. Dean Ormston’s work is gruff and realistic, a style that works well with the serious nature of this comic. This style can also be seen in the book’s structure, which is uncomplicated and straightforward in a way that matches the storyline. All of this is then topped off by Dave Stewart’s equally serious approach to colors. Together, these elements make an already good book even better.

Continuity

Black Hammer Vol. 1: Secret Origins is the very start of the Black Hammer series.

The story here continues in Black Hammer Vol. 2: The Event.

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There are a number of characters, in this series, that are allusions to classic comic book characters. This includes:

• Golden Gail is a clear reference to the Golden Age version of Captain Marvel. Like Gail, Captain Marvel is given superpowers by a wizard, allowing him to transform into a superhero upon saying a magic word. However, Captain Marvel is a child who could turn into an adult, while Gail is the opposite.
  • Captain Marvel first appeared in 1939 in Whiz Comics #2.
• Barbalien, also known as Mark Markz, is a clear reference to Martian Manhunter, also known as J’onn J’onzz. Like Barbalien, Martian Manhunter is a shapeshifting man from Mars who ends up serving as a superhero on earth. Also like Barbalien, Martian Manhunter works as a police officer by day and superhero by night.
  • Martian Manhunter debuted in 1955 in “The Strange Experiment of Dr. Erdel,” a back-up story in Detective Comics #225.
• Abraham Slam seems to be loosely based on Captain America. Both characters were deemed unfit for military service prior to World War II and then went on to become powerful superheroes. However, Captain America’s strength is derived from the super-soldier serum, which allowed him to participate in WWII.
  • Captain America first appeared in 1940 in Captain America Comics #1. This issue is collected in Golden Age Captain America Omnibus Volume 1.
• Colonel Randall Weird appears to be very loosely based on Adam Strange. Like Colonel Weird, Adam Strange is a space-explorer who relies on his jetpack and ray-gun to defeat his enemies.
  • Adam Strange debuted in 1959 in Showcase #17. This issue is collected in both Adam Strange: The Silver Age Vol. 1 and Adam Strange: The Silver Age Omnibus.
• Madame Dragonfly appears to be based less on a specific character and more on the general themes that existed in classic horror comics. Specifically, this character seems to be based on the House of Mystery and the House of Secrets comic series, which both featured a haunted building and a caretaker that introduced stories.
  • The classic House of Mystery and the House of Secrets stories are collected in House of Mystery: The Bronze Age Omnibus Vol. 1 and House of Secrets: The Bronze Age Omnibus Vol. 1.
• Madame Dragonfly’s partner is a clear reference to Swamp Thing. Both characters are humans who become plant creatures after an accident in the swamp.
  • The precursor to Swamp Thing first appeared in House of Secrets #92. However, the real Swamp Thing first appeared in Swamp Thing #1. Both of these issues are collected in either Swamp Thing: The Bronze Age Omnibus Vol. 1 or Swamp Thing: The Bronze Age Vol. 1.
• The Anti-God appears to be an allusion to Galactus. Both are world-ending threats that are defeated by a team of superheroes. The two characters also share a visual similarity.
  • Galactus was introduced in 1966 in The Fantastic Four #48. This issue is collected in both Fantastic Four: Behold…Galactus! and Fantastic Four Epic Collection: The Coming of Galactus.

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