Black Hammer/Justice League: Hammer of Justice #1

Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artist: Michael Walsh
Letterer: Nate Peikos
Publishers: Dark Horse Comics & DC Comics

The Black Hammer universe hits the mainstream on July 10th. Jeff Lemire teams up with Michael Walsh for a miniseries with Dark Horse’s Black Hammer and DC’s Justice League. Black Hammer/Justice League: Hammer of Justice #1 joins Barbalien, Abraham Slam, and the rest of the Spiral City gang with Batman, Wonder Woman, and the heroes of Metropolis. For fans of Black Hammer, the crossover is recognition of the following that has been steadily growing around Lemire’s creation. And, the five-issue arc is a perfect opportunity for Justice League fans to introduce themselves to the indie comic.

Hammer of Justice #1 opens as a mysterious stranger appears simultaneously in Metropolis and on the farm where the Black Hammer heroes are trapped. A surprise twist then upends the universes of both superhero groups, just as Starro, a giant alien starfish, attacks Metropolis. The result promises to provide fans with some interesting encounters and situations. What kind of conversation would Golden Gail, a cantankerous aging woman trapped in the body of a nine-year-old girl, have with Batman? How would Diana Prince or Barry Allen react to being stranded on the Black Hammer farm?

The comic also allows Lemire to return to his roots at DC Comics. Prior to his stint in creator-owned work such as Image’s Gideon Falls and Ascender, Lemire contributed to DC’s New 52 series, including some work on Justice League Dark. And, Walsh has an opportunity to extend on his indie output, after the success of Comeback. He has done work for numerous Marvel titles such as Star Wars, Jughead, and Amazing Spider-Man.

I look forward to his interpretation of the Black Hammer universe.