Review: Black Hammer Vol. 2- The Event
Quick Summary
Pros: The storyline and connection to classic comic books continues to be just as good as before. New mysteries are introduced and end up being one of the book’s most compelling aspects.
Cons: The pacing is a bit fast in places. Those unfamiliar with comic history will still miss out on many of the book’s positives.
Overall: This volume delivers on the promise that the first volume created. It inundates readers with an addicting series of unanswered questions and characters whose actions are more interesting than ever before. This makes for a very entertaining story, especially to those readers with an appreciation for classic comic book tropes. The volume’s few negatives are far outweighed by the positives, making this a good book overall. Anyone who enjoyed the first volume should continue reading here.
Story
Black Hammer Vol. 2: The Event continues the tantalizing mystery and novel subversion of comic book history that makes Black Hammer such a compelling series. Writer Jeff Lemire, takes the majority of the first book’s positives and develops them even further here. This allows readers to see a unique take on classic comic book characters and also introduces them to a mystery that is more interesting than ever before. The only problem here is that the volume’s pacing feels a bit off in some places. However, this is still a solid continuation of the series and a good book overall.
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The Event‘s most instantly recognizable positives come from the way in which it continues the previous volume’s dissection of classic comic book characters. A small part of this comes from the continued appearance of reimagined characters, like the Marvel Family and Jack Kirby’s New Gods. However, the larger portion comes from the volume’s examination into how classic characters would react in a modern comic environment. Abraham Slam’s despondence over his decreasing relevancy and Golden Gail’s rejection of all responsibility are realistic approaches to power that are rarely seen in the realm of comics. It is these elements that make this book and series stand out.
In addition, The Event manages to build on its predecessor by creating even more interest in the greater mystery upon which the series is based. Early on, it was established that something is wrong with the world of Black Hammer. The heroes are unable to leave their farm and are stuck in a town where no news passes in or out. Now, readers see that the town and its inhabitants are even stranger than they appear. The library’s books are all blank, the townsfolk don’t seem alarmed by anything, and Colonel Weird has an alarming obsession with preventing the heroes from leaving. All of this gives the situation a very eerie feeling and generates interest in the story as a whole.
This renewed focus on the main characters’ situation is another major positive in this book. The first volume primarily focused on the characters themselves, dipping into their backstories and establishing their roles as heroes. However, with introductions mostly in the past, this volume switches things up by placing priority on discovering the mystery behind the small town of Rockwood.
The only problems with this volume are minor and mostly deal with pacing. The first volume was leisurely paced and allowed a number of plotlines to develop in a natural manner. However, this volume speeds things up a bit and cuts off a few of the book’s more interesting plotlines a bit sooner than expected. These problems are not so substantial that they have a significant impact on the volume as a whole, they simply prevent the volume from being quite as good as its predecessor.
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Art
The artwork in The Event continues to be as charming and unique as it was in the previous volume. Dean Ormston’s pencils continue to give characters and locations a defined look that stands out in the realm of comic books. His work in creatively differentiating the classic comic material from the modern comic material is particularly noteworthy here and makes the book more enjoyable overall.
The Event also contains an issue drawn by David Rubin, whose artwork looks great but is markedly different from the rest of the volume. In some ways, this artistic changeup works, as Rubin’s surrealistic depictions of an alien world perfectly match the story being told. However, his work on the modern portions of this chapter does not quite match the otherwise serious tone that the book has held. The end result is a net neutral effect on the volume as a whole.
Continuity
Black Hammer Vol. 2: The Event continues the story started in Black Hammer Vol. 1: Secret Origins (Review).
The story here continues in Black Hammer Vol. 3: Age of Doom Part One.
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There are a number of characters, in this series, that are allusions to classic comic book characters. This includes:
- Black Hammer seems to be a reference to the Silver Age version of Thor. Both characters have a duel identity that is activated by tapping the bottom of their respective hammers.
- Thor was introduced in 1962 in Journey into Mystery #83. His first appearance is collected in Thor Epic Collection: The God of Thunder.
- Starlok seems to be an amalgamation between Marvel Comics’ Odin and DC Comics’ Highfather. Both characters are rulers of a mystical land where “gods” live.
- Odin debuted in 1962 in Journey into Mystery #83. His first appearance is collected in Thor Epic Collection: The God of Thunder.
- Highfather debuted in 1971 in The New Gods #1. This issue can be found in either New Gods by Jack Kirby or the Fourth World by Jack Kirby Omnibus.
- The Escaper and Whiptara appear to be references to Mister Miracle and Big Barda respectively.
- Mister Miracle first appeared in Mister Miracle #1 and Big Barda first appeared in Mister Miracle #4. These issues are collected in either Mister Miracle by Jack Kirby or the Fourth World by Jack Kirby Omnibus.
- Warpie is a clear reference to Lockjaw. Both characters are teleporting dogs who look similar to one another.
- Lockjaw debuted in Fantastic Four #45. This issue can be found in either Fantastic Four Epic Collection: The Coming of Galactus or Inhumans: The Origin of the Inhumans.
- The Anti-God continues to share similarities with Galactus but also goes on to share similarities with Darkseid as well. All of these entities are creatures focused on the destruction of life as we know it.
- 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.
- Darkseid was introduced in 1971 in Forever People #1. This issue is collected in the Fourth World by Jack Kirby Omnibus.
- The Y-Force is a clear reference to the Marvel Family, who received their powers in a similar manner.
- Sherlock Frankenstein appears to have a vague connection with Lex Luthor. Both characters are villains who go on to form their own successful companies.
- Lex Luthor first appeared in 1941 in Action Comics #23. This issue is collected in Superman: The Golden Age Vol. 2.
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