From modern icon Jeff Lemire (Sweet Tooth, Descender) and artist Teddy Kristiansen comes a dour new chapter in one of comics’ greatest original universes with Black Hammer: Spiral City #1. Featuring letters by Nate Piekos, this new issue sets up where the home of our favorite heroes is headed after the second cataclysm – and how much trouble the town is about to be in. With a compelling, storybook-like script and fitting visual work, this new era in Black Hammer is off to a strong start.
“Black Hammer: Spiral City picks up after The End, following the Second Cataclysm and the rearranging of the universe. Many of its lost heroes have returned, but there is no homecoming parade as anti-superhuman sentiment grows, fueled by recent events and stoked by Malcolm Gold, the former head of T.R.I.D.E.N.T, now running to become Spiral’s new mayor. Making matters worse, Spiral Asylum has shut down with many of its low-risk, mentally ill superhuman inmates being set loose into the streets. With this reshaped Black Hammer Universe as the backdrop, several new stories begin to unfold and intertwine, creating a rich portrait of some lesser-known inhabitants living on the fringes of Spiral City.”
Writing & Plot
Jeff Lemire brings readers back to the home of Abraham Slam and Barbalien in Black Hammer: Spiral City #1, but now the heroes are unwelcome. After the events of Black Hammer: The End, Spiral City is a place afraid of its own past and what heroes may bring. Many blame the catastrophes on the actual heroes, relegating the supers to 2nd class citizens. Lemire tackles this story with a combination of storybook-like overhead narration and his usual brand of naturalistic dialogue. Each character is introduced (or reintroduced) with their scene that sets the stage for the coming story and how they are coping in this new version of the world. Even with Lemire’s wording about the dire situation Spiral City faces, the narration feels neatly juxtaposed to the actual in-story sequences in a neat way to bring all the pieces together. All of the characters have intriguing stories going into the next chapter, but none can beat Inspector Insector. Other than the top-tier name, his friendly-noir attitude and dialogue being at odds with the conflict and refuse in Spiral City makes him immediately likable and charming. I would read an Inspector Insector solo series in a heartbeat.
Art Direction
Teddy Kristiansen’s visual work in Black Hammer: Spiral City #1 manages to nail a variety of thematic tones with unique artistic style. Kristiansen switches from a children’s storybook style while illustrating Lemire’s narrative introduction and transitions, to a more conventional (but still unique) comic-book form with ease. His thick, crayon-like linework is filled in by his watercolor styled hues, pulling readers into the dreariness of the wrecked, troubled city. His character designs are unmistakable, and his facial animation work is stellar. From Lemire’s original designs to the new characters like “the Princess,” but none can take away the spotlight from our trench coat-clad Inspector. Kristiansen’s panel direction is nothing out of the ordinary, but it carries the story along at a careful even pace. As great as the main story’s art is, the highlight is still the clever transition points. Kristiansen’s picture book art style in these sequences brings the cast of characters to life in a new light, with a brighter tone that offsets the sequences to show a more “idealized” reality for these superheroes. Nate Piekos’s lettering is another star in this comic. His word balloons are filled with tonally expressive lettering that fits the mod of every scene perfectly – but once again, it’s the transitions that really set his work apart. The children’s book aesthetic of Piekos’s lettering on these pages is the extra touch that makes the sequences work. Overall, Spiral City is a visually rich start to this series.
Verdict
Black Hammer: Spiral City #1 is an intriguing opening chapter to this new series in one of the best original universes in the comics medium. Jeff Lemire’s script is clever and compelling, crafting a dire situation and setting up tension for the new & returning cast of characters. Teddy Kristiansen’s visual work is thematically deep and detailed, perfecting the reading experience with his dour views of Spiral City and his stellar character work. Be sure to grab this debut issue when it hits shelves on November 13th!
