**Jeff Lemire teams up with Dark Horse Comics to bring us a new twist on the superhero in Black Hammer #1**

Black Hammer #1 script by Jeff Lemire with art by Dean Ormston and colors by Dave Stewart

Jeff Lemire is back with a brand new script teaming up with Dark Horse comics this time around. After what was originally an indefinite postponement due to a serious illness; Black Hammer is thankfully right where it belongs, on our shelves and in our hands. Lemire is like a jack of all trades in the comic book world; having written for the big 2 (Marvel and DC) and Valiant comics, along with some of his great original work like Essex County. Instead of writing about heroes we may already be familiar with; Lemire now has the chance to give us something new and exciting. Black Hammer is a new take on the classic superhero comic book.

*SPOILERS AHEAD: YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!*

Black Hammer #1 starts out humbly enough with what seems to be an ordinary old farmer at an average farm on a very unremarkable day. The art instantly sets the tone and the mood of this book, you feel set in and comfortable but that doesn’t last for long. Very quickly by page 3 you are instantly thrown for a loop when little 9 year old Gail uses the F word and flies off. It becomes crystal clear that this is no ordinary farmer and there is also something very remarkable about this day as well. It happens to be the 10 year anniversary of the day these extraordinary people were mysteriously stranded in this unfamiliar world.

These were once a group of superheroes, some of the best it would seem. They fought a big bad back on their world and in defeating that enemy they somehow became stranded on our world. Long forgotten and written off as no more than urban legends, these former heroes are trying to survive in foreign world. There are lots of questions surrounding how they came to be where they are and who might be looking for them back on their home world. Lemire had me hook, line and sinker; instantly wanting to know more. He gave away just enough of the plot so you can follow what has happened, but not too much as to bore the reader too quickly.

I think Black Hammer will do really well with the readers who are bored of the same old superhero routine. Jeff Lemire is writer with a great track record of wowing readers; so if your going to take a chance on a new book this is a very safe bet. My opinion is that Black Hammer #1 is a solid start with plenty to grow on and that is why I give it a 10/10 for a new book. I love how Ormston’s art sets the tone, and I love the darker version of superheroes; this could be the start of something really amazing here. Don’t forget to pick up your copy of this new #1 book because it will be into the second printing before you know it. Black Hammer #1 is available for new comic book day Wednesday from Jeff Lemire and Dark Horse Comics.