Black Hammer (comics)#Issues
{{short description|American comic book series}}
{{Infobox comic book title
|title=Black Hammer
|image=Black_Hammer_1_cover.jpg
|caption=Cover of Black Hammer #1 (July 2016). Art by Dean Ormston.
|schedule=Monthly
|format=Ongoing
|genre= Superhero
Metafiction
|publisher=Dark Horse Comics
|date=July 2016 – 2024
|issues=
|main_char_team=
|creators=Jeff Lemire
Dean Ormston
|writers=Jeff Lemire
|artists=Dean Ormston (2016–2019)
Caitlin Yarsky (2021–2022)
Malachi Ward (2021–2023)
|colorists=Dave Stewart
|letterers=Todd Klein (2016–2019)
Nate Piekos (2019–present)
|editors=Brendan Wright (#1–7)
Daniel Chabon (#1–present)
|creative_team_month=
|creative_team_year=
|TPB = 1. Secret Origins
|ISBN = 9781616557867
|TPB2 = 2. The Event
|ISBN2 = 9781506701981
|TPB3 = 3. Age of Doom – Part 1
|ISBN3 = 9781506703893
|TPB4 = 4. Age of Doom – Part 2
|ISBN4 = 9781506708164
|TPB5 = 5. Reborn – Part 1
|ISBN5 = 9781506714264
|TPB6 = 6. Reborn – Part 2
|ISBN6 = 9781506715155
|TPB7 = 7. Reborn – Part 3
|ISBN7 = 9781506720159
|TPB8 = Streets of Spiral
|ISBN8 = 9781506709413
|TPB9 = Visions – Vol. 1
|ISBN9 = 9781506723266
|TPB10 = Visions – Vol. 2
|ISBN10 = 9781506725512
}}
Black Hammer is an ongoing American comic series created by writer Jeff Lemire and artist Dean Ormston, published by Dark Horse Comics.
Plot
Ten years ago, Black Hammer and six other superheroes saved Spiral City from the Anti-God, but in the process became trapped in Rockwood, a timeless Twilight Zone-ish town. Shortly after the heroes arrived, Black Hammer died while trying to escape. In the present, the six heroes live on Black Hammer farm with very little hope of ever escaping Rockwood.
Publication history
=Phase I=
Jeff Lemire originally conceived of Black Hammer in 2007, intending to draw the story himself after the end of Essex County.{{cite web|last1=Sunu|first1=Steve|title=Lemire Explores Superheroics in "The Black Hammer"|url=https://www.cbr.com/exclusive-lemire-explores-superheroics-in-the-black-hammer/|website=Comic Book Resources|date=7 July 2014 |accessdate=February 9, 2018}} In 2008, he pitched the series to Dark Horse editor Diana Schutz. The pitch was accepted, but Lemire was unable to begin work until he finished The Nobody and Sweet Tooth for Vertigo, then his exclusivity contract for DC Comics prevented him from working on the series from 2010 to 2014.{{cite web|last1=Renaud|first1=Jeffrey|title=Jeff Lemire Goes DC Exclusive|url=https://www.cbr.com/jeff-lemire-goes-dc-exclusive/|website=Comic Book Resources|date=6 July 2010 |accessdate=February 9, 2018}} When Lemire returned to the series in 2014, he was working on so many projects that drawing it himself was no longer possible, so he teamed up with artist Dean Ormston for the title. According to Lemire, it was important for Black Hammer to not to look anything like mainstream superhero comics. He wanted the series to stand outside of superhero comics and comment on them, not become one of them. For this, Ormston's art style was deemed perfect.{{cite book|last1=Lemire|first1=Jeff|title=The Real Secret Origins of Black Hammer (Afterword in Black Hammer – Volume 1: Secret Origins)|date=March 29, 2017|publisher=Dark Horse Comics|isbn=9781616557867|url=https://www.darkhorse.com/Books/26-744/Black-Hammer-Volume-1-Secret-Origins-TPB|access-date=February 9, 2018}}
Black Hammer #1 was originally scheduled for release March 2015, but Ormston suffered a cerebral hemorrhage,{{cite web|last1=Brett|first1=White|title=Dark Horse's "Black Hammer" Delayed|url=https://www.cbr.com/dark-horses-black-hammer-delayed/|website=Comic Book Resources|date=21 April 2015 |accessdate=February 9, 2018}} which left the right side of his body partially paralyzed. After months of rehabilitation, Ormston recovered. The first issue of Black Hammer came out July the following year. Lemire continued working on the series while Ormston recovered. Dean Ormston's working pace was greatly reduced, so he sometimes worked with layout assistance from Peter Gross.{{cite book |last1=Lemire |first1=Jeff |last2=Ormston |first2=Dean |title=Black Hammer: Age of Doom – Part 1 |date=January 2, 2019 |publisher=Dark Horse Books |location=Sketchbook section |isbn=9781506703893}} Because of this, Lemire has scripts written well ahead of the release schedule.{{cite web|last1=Edgar|first1=Sean|title=Nate Powell, Matt Kindt, Dustin Nguyen & More Expand Jeff Lemire's Black Hammer Universe in New Annual|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2016/09/exclusive-matt-kindt-dustin-nguyen-more-friends-ex.html|website=Paste Magazine|accessdate=February 17, 2018}}
In 2017, Jeff Lemire started to expand the Black Hammer universe with spinoff titles, starting with Sherlock Frankenstein and the Legion of Evil. The spinoffs are identified by a "From the world of Black Hammer" banner along the top of the cover.{{cite web|last1=Salvatore|first1=Brian|title=An Interview With Our Best Writer of 2017, Jeff Lemire|url=http://www.multiversitycomics.com/interviews/jeff-lemire-yir-2017/|website=Multiversity Comics|date=4 January 2018 |accessdate=February 9, 2018}}{{cite web |last1=Dueben |first1=Alex |title=Jeff Lemire opens up about BLACK HAMMER, writing superheroes, & trying new things |url=https://www.comicsbeat.com/jeff-lemire-interview-black-hammer/ |website=Comics Beat |date=9 July 2019 |accessdate=July 11, 2019}} Early on, Black Hammer and its spinoffs were frequently referred to as "The Hammerverse" (not to be confused with David Drake's Hammerverse) by editor Daniel Chabon in the letter columns, though the official branding is now "The World of Black Hammer".
==''Sherlock Frankenstein and the Legion of Evil''==
In October 2017, shortly after the cliffhanger ending of Black Hammer #13, Dark Horse Comics launched Sherlock Frankenstein and the Legion of Evil, the first Black Hammer spinoff miniseries, written by Jeff Lemire with art by David Rubín. The series focused on Lucy Weber, a young investigative reporter searching for the truth about what happened ten years ago when her father, the Black Hammer, disappeared.{{cite web|last1=Marnell|first1=Blair|title=Mike Mignola covers Sherlock Frankenstein & the Legion of Evil # 1|url=http://www.craveonline.com/entertainment/1293195-exclusive-mike-mignola-covers-sherlock-frankenstein-legion-evil-1|website=Crave|accessdate=February 17, 2018}} The miniseries introduced numerous characters that would go on to play larger roles in future stories, such as Cthu-Louise and Grimjim.
==''Doctor Andromeda and the Kingdom of Lost Tomorrows''==
Originally published as Doctor Star and the Kingdom of Lost Tomorrows, this second Black Hammer spinoff miniseries was written by Jeff Lemire with art by Max Fiumara was launched in December 2017. The series focuses on Doctor Star (later renamed Doctor Andromeda), a Golden Age superhero and contemporary of Abraham Slam.{{cite web|last1=Dandy|first1=Jim|title=Doctor Star Takes Center Stage in New Black Hammer Spinoff|url=http://www.denofgeek.com/us/books-comics/black-hammer/269508/doctor-star-takes-center-stage-in-new-black-hammer-spinoff-exclusive-preview|website=Den of Geek|accessdate=February 17, 2018}}
The series was retitled "Doctor Andromeda and the Kingdom of Lost Tomorrows" following a legal issue with another publisher. As Lemire himself explained in a 2020 interview:
"I have been cagey about this because the honest truth is that there was a legal issue with the name and its similarity to another publisher's character and there is very little I can actually discuss. But we worked it out very amicably with that other publisher and we agreed to change his name and costume a bit. Not any drama or anything, it was all very civil. The good thing is the name changed, but the story is exactly the same. And that original printing of Doctor Star trades and floppies will probably be collector's items to a degree now, I guess.This being Black Hammer, I do have a fun meta way of explaining the name change within the universe itself that will unfold next year in some new Black Hammer projects".{{cite web|title=Black Hammer's Jeff Lemire and Tate Brombal Chat Barbalien: Red Planet|url=https://comicbook.com/comics/news/black-hammer-barbalien-spinoff-interview-jeff-lemire-tate-brombal/|website=ComicBook.com|accessdate=September 23, 2020}}
Doctor Andromeda originally appeared in a cameo role in the original Black Hammer series as an homage to Starman, specifically the incarnation written by James Robinson, to the point that the character's alter ego was named "Jimmy Robinson".
==''Black Hammer: Age of Doom''==
Black Hammer series ended and was relaunched as Black Hammer: Age of Doom in 2018.{{cite web|last1=Sagers|first1=Aaron|title=Jeff Lemire and Dark Horse End Black Hammer and Will Return With Age of Doom|url=http://www.syfy.com/syfywire/exclusive-jeff-lemire-and-dark-horse-end-black-hammer-and-return-with-age-of-doom|website=Syfy Wire|accessdate=February 17, 2018}} Lemire explained the name change in a press release:
"One thing Black Hammer has always done is comment on the history of superhero comics and we live in a world where superhero universes seem to be rebooted, relaunched, and rebirthed every year. It felt like we needed to play around with that idea, but put a Black Hammer spin on it".{{cite web|title=The Eisner-Award Winning Comic Book Saga "Black Hammer" Returns in 2018|url=https://www.darkhorse.com/Blog/2582/nycc-2017-eisner-award-winning-comic-book-saga-bla|website=Dark Horse Comics|accessdate=February 17, 2018}}
Age of Doom finished the story that Lemire had originally pitched to Dark Horse about the superheroes stranded on Black Hammer farm. However, in a July 2019 interview, he explained this was simply the end of Phase I, and went on to tease developments for Phase II with more spinoffs and a new core Black Hammer series.{{cite web |last1=Lemire |first1=Jeff |title=JOKER, THE QUESTION and THE FUTURE OF BLACK HAMMER! |url=https://jefflemire.blogspot.com/2019/07/joker-question-and-future-of-black.html |website=Jeff Lemire's Blog |date=11 July 2019 |accessdate=July 12, 2019}}
==''The Quantum Age''==
The Quantum Age, a spinoff set in 2141 (originally 3041, but this date was revised in the trade paperback) about a group of superheroes, inspired by the heroes of Black Hammer Farm, was released in March 2018.{{cite web|title=C2E2 2018: Jeff Lemire and Wilfredo Torres Explore the Future of Superheroes|url=https://www.darkhorse.com/Blog/2685/c2e2-2018-jeff-lemire-and-wilfredo-torres-explore|website=Dark Horse Comics blog|publisher=Dark Horse Comics|accessdate=March 28, 2018}} The series deals with some of the aftermath of Age of Doom.
==''Black Hammer ’45''==
Black Hammer ’45, a four-issue miniseries about the Black Hammer Squadron in World War II, was published in December 2018. This miniseries marked the first time a Black Hammer title wasn't solely written by Jeff Lemire, with Ray Fawkes joining as co-writer.{{cite web |last1=Estrella |first1=Ernie |title=Exclusive Reveal: Black Hammer '45 Miniseries Will Turn Back the Clock to the Golden Age |url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/black-hammer-45-miniseries-dark-horse |website=SyFy Wire |accessdate=December 10, 2018}} Matt Kindt, who had previously worked on the Black Hammer: Giant-Sized Annual, returned as the artist.
=Phase II=
==''Skulldigger + Skeleton Boy''==
Just prior to SDCC 2019, Newsarama announced Skulldigger + Skeleton Boy, a six-issue miniseries about the vigilante Skulldigger, written by Jeff Lemire with art by Tonci Zonjic. The series had previously been mentioned in the Stranger Things / Black Hammer Free Comic Book Day 2019 issue{{cite book|last1=Lemire|first1=Jeff|last2=Fawkes|first2=Ray|last3=Rubín|first3=David|title=Stanger Things / Black Hammer|date=May 4, 2019 |publisher=Dark Horse Comics|page=Credits page|url=https://digital.darkhorse.com/books/0f868ba77c7a4d4ab5cde71b4dc826b8/free-comic-book-day-2019-general|access-date=July 24, 2019}} and in The World of Black Hammer Encyclopedia.{{cite book |last1=Brombal |first1=Tate |title=The World of Black Hammer Encyclopedia |date=July 3, 2019 |publisher=Dark Horse Comics |page=27 |url=https://digital.darkhorse.com/books/e48c7dd43d544671af3e5195bddcae7f/world-of-black-hammer-encyclopedia |access-date=July 24, 2019}} Jeff Lemire said that this book would be the first title in "Phase II" of the Black Hammer universe. Early on, Lemire had planned on drawing the series himself, but he couldn't find time in his schedule.{{cite web |title=Twitter AMA recap |date=9 October 2019 |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/BlackHammer/comments/dfng3u/twitter_ama_recap/}}
==''Colonel Weird: Cosmagog''==
Colonel Weird: Cosmagog, a four-issue miniseries was published in October 2020, written by Jeff Lemire with art by Tyler Crook.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/dark-horse-expands-black-hammer-universe-colonel-weird-1267843|title=Dark Horse Expands 'Black Hammer' Universe With 'Colonel Weird' (Exclusive)|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=9 January 2020 |language=en|access-date=2020-01-10}} It looks at Colonel Randall Weird's past and his future beyond the ending of Black Hammer: Age of Doom. Lemire described the series as a bridge from the Phase I Black Hammer series to the stories he has planned for the future.{{cite web |last1=Caraballo |first1=Jose |title=Exclusive: Jeff Lemire Talks BLACK HAMMER'S New Spinoff Comics |website=Screen Rant |date=21 April 2020 |url=https://screenrant.com/black-hammer-comic-barbalien-cosmagog-preview/ |accessdate=April 23, 2020}}
==''Barbalien: Red Planet''==
Barbalien: Red Planet, a five-issue miniseries written by Jeff Lemire and Tate Brombal with art by Gabriel Hernández Walta was announced in spring 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/black-hammer-spinoff-comic-launch-timed-lgbtq-pride-month-1284127|title='Black Hammer' Spinoff Comic to Launch Timed to LGBTQ Pride Month|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=12 March 2020 |language=en|access-date=2020-03-13}} The miniseries explores Mark Markz's time as a police officer during the 1980s AIDS crisis. It was originally scheduled to launch in LGBTQ Pride Month, but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
==''Black Hammer: Visions''==
In November 2020, Dark Horse announced an eight-issue anthology series, with each story from different creative teams.{{cite magazine |last1=Holub |first1=Christian |title=Patton Oswalt is writing a Black Hammer comic |url=https://ew.com/books/patton-oswalt-writing-black-hammer-comic/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly}} Lemire has clarified that Visions is not in continuity.{{cite web |last1=Lemire |first1=Jeff |title=ASK ME ANYTHING #2 (PART TWO) |url=https://jefflemire.substack.com/p/ask-me-anything-2-part-two |website=Tales from the Farm|date=23 November 2021 }}
==''Black Hammer: Reborn''==
This will be the core title of Phase II. It will be a twelve-issue series with a new artist, Caitlin Yarsky. Dean Ormston will continue to work in the World of Black Hammer on another title with more of a horror focus. The series jumps ahead twenty years after the finale of Black Hammer: Age of Doom with Lucy living in the suburbs with her partner and children.{{cite web |last1=Weiss |first1=Josh |title=First Look: Jeff Lemire Returning To Spiral City This Summer With 'Black Hammer: Reborn' |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/joshweiss/2021/03/15/first-look-dark-horse-returning-to-spiral-city-this-summer-with-black-hammer-reborn |website=Forbes}} Lemire described it as "Lucy Weber's Mid-Life Crisis on Multiple Earths".{{cite web |last1=Lemire |first1=Jeff |title=BLACK HAMMER REBORN! |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CMccWP2F5tb/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/jefflemire/2530021764819819355 |archive-date=2021-12-25 |url-access=registration|website=Instagram}}{{cbignore}} It will focus on Lucy Weber as the new Black Hammer and include Skulldigger in a prominent role as well as many other returning characters.
==''The Unbelievable Unteens''==
Dark Horse announced a new spinoff reuniting Jeff Lemire and Tyler Crook, The Unbelievable Unteens in May 2021.{{cite web |last1=King |first1=Samantha |title=EXCLUSIVE: The World Of Black Hammer Expands In New Jeff Lemire Series |url=https://screenrant.com/black-hammer-new-spinoff-unbelievable-unteens-exclusive/ |website=Screenrant|date=20 May 2021 }} This story is set to focus on comic artist Jane Ito meeting one of her comics creations. Earlier that year, Lemire had posted a teaser image by Crook featuring Jack Sabbath holding the fictional final issue of The Incredible Unteens.{{cite web |last1=Lemire |first1=Jeff |title=Spoiler... |url=https://twitter.com/JeffLemire/status/1367195541441040392 |website=Twitter}}
==''The Last Days of Black Hammer''==
In March 2022, Lemire launched The Last Days of Black Hammer, a 110-page comic that was serialized weekly through his newsletter, Tales from the Farm. Drawn by Stefano Simeone, this story is a prequel to the original Black Hammer run, set in 1986 and focused on Joe Weber and his family.{{cite web |last1=Lemire |first1=Jeff |title=CDoS: ANNOUNCING THE LAST DAYS OF BLACK HAMMER (PART 1)! |url=https://jefflemire.substack.com/p/announcing-the-last-days-of-black |website=Tales from the Farm}}
==''Colonel Weird and Little Andromeda''==
Like The Last Days of Black Hammer, Colonel Weird and Little Andromeda was originally serialized through Jeff Lemire's Tales from the Farm newsletter. Written by Tate Brombal, the series has work from many artists. Ray Fawkes drew the framing sequences, while Tyler Bence, Shawn Kuruneru, Ariela Kristantina, Dani, Marguerite Sauvage, Andrea Sorrentino, Tyler Crook, Yuko Shimizu, and Nick Robles all drew self-contained stories within the framework.{{cite web |last1=Whitbrook |first1=James |title=Black Hammer
==''Black Hammer: The End''==
In September 2021, Lemire posted an image on Instagram teasing Black Hammer: The End.{{cite web |last1=Lemire |first1=Jeff |title=Black Hammer: The End teaser |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CUFcpWLLjAy/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/jefflemire/2667664340897640498 |archive-date=2021-12-25 |url-access=registration|website=Instagram}}{{cbignore}} After it was announced that he had entered into an exclusive deal with Image Comics, Lemire posted a newsletter explaining what this would mean for Black Hammer—that the deal had an exemption for all his Black Hammer work. However, he also mentioned that he was planning to bring Black Hammer to an end in 2023.{{cite web |last1=Lemire |first1=Jeff |title=On My Image Exclusive Deal... What does it mean for Black Hammer and Substack?! |url=https://jefflemire.substack.com/p/on-my-image-exclusive-deal |website=Tales from the Farm |date=6 January 2022 |access-date=January 8, 2022}} He has since clarified that The End will wrap up all the storylines that have been building over the last few years, and will set the stage for a whole new era of Black Hammer stories in 2024 and beyond.{{cite web |last1=Lemire |first1=Jeff |title=Looking Ahead to 2023 Part 1: BLACK HAMMER: THE END! |url=https://jefflemire.substack.com/p/looking-ahead-to-2023-part-1-black |website=Tales from the Farm |date=29 December 2022 |access-date=August 30, 2023}}{{cite web |last1=Lemire |first1=Jeff |title=BLACK HAMMER: THE END IS FINALLY HERE! |url=https://jefflemire.substack.com/p/black-hammer-the-end-is-finally-here |website=Tales from the Farm |date=8 August 2023 |access-date=August 30, 2023}}
=Phase III=
==''Black Hammer: Spiral City''==
In July 2024, Dark Horse Comics announced a new seven-issue miniseries, Black Hammer: Spiral City, the first in a new phase, written by Jeff Lemire and drawn by Teddy Kristiansen. The series debuted November 2024.{{cite web |last1=Rivera |first1=Joshua |title=The weirdest superhero universe rises from the dead in Black Hammer: Spiral City |url=https://www.polygon.com/24200673/black-hammer-spiral-city-jeff-lemire-dark-horse |website=Polygon |access-date=July 19, 2024}}{{cite web |title=SPIRAL CITY RISES FROM THE ASHES IN JEFF LEMIRE’S “BLACK HAMMER: SPIRAL CITY” |url=https://www.darkhorse.com/Blog/4142/spiral-city-rises-from-the-ashes-in-jeff-lemires-b |website=Dark Horse Comics |access-date=July 19, 2024}}
=Crossovers=
Beginning in July 2019, Dark Horse Comics and DC Comics released "Hammer of Justice," a five-issue Black Hammer and Justice League crossover miniseries, written by Jeff Lemire and drawn by Michael Walsh. In the initial announcement, Lemire assured readers he would keep Black Hammer character-driven and free of unnecessary tie-ins and events. "Hammer of Justice!" is not "a throwaway imaginary story" and will have lasting repercussions for future stories in continuity.{{cite web |last1=Bailey |first1=Benjamin |title=Exclusive: DC's Justice League Meets Black Hammer in "Hammer of Justice!" |url=https://au.ign.com/articles/2019/03/13/exclusive-dcs-justice-league-meets-black-hammer-in-hammer-of-justice |website=IGN |date=13 March 2019 |accessdate=March 13, 2019}}
As to the topic of further crossovers in future, Lemire said: "If there is a very good story to be told, I am open to it, but I doubt we will see many, or any, other crossovers in the future. This particular opportunity really worked and was a great once in a lifetime chance to tell a really fun story".{{cite web |title=Black Hammer And Justice League Crossover In World-Colliding Event |url=https://previewsworld.com/Article/231428-Interview-Black-Hammer-And-Justice-League-Crossover-In-World-Colliding-Event |website=PreviewsWorld |accessdate=July 11, 2019}} He has mentioned that artist Dean Ormston would like to do a Hellboy crossover if Mike Mignola was interested.
=Future=
In his email newsletter, Lemire has spoken about a few upcoming titles that have yet to be formally announced.{{cite web |last1=Lemire |first1=Jeff |title=HAPPY NEW YEAR - THINGS TO COME |url=https://tinyletter.com/JeffLemire/letters/happy-new-year-things-to-come}} Dean Ormston will be drawing a Madame Dragonfly miniseries. Following Black Hammer: The End, Lemire said he aimed to bring the series back to one core Black Hammer book for a while.
Lemire has also mentioned he'd like to do a sequel to The Quantum Age called The Quantum World with artist Wilfredo Torres. He's also mentioned that he intends to come back to Black Hammer at some point after The End, when he's had a few years' break, to do a Golden Gail story.{{cite web |title=Jeff Lemire EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW! (2022) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjtAImt270s&t=2449s|website=YouTube}}
=''Tales from the Farm'' online stories=
In September 2021, Lemire launched a new iteration of his Tales from the Farm newsletter through Substack, a place where paying subscribers would have access to behind-the-scenes material and new stories.{{cite web |last1=Lemire |first1=Jeff |date=31 August 2021 |title=TALES FROM THE FARM |url=https://jefflemire.substack.com/p/tales-from-the-farm-post-1 |access-date=January 31, 2022 |website=Tales from the Farm |publisher=Substack}}{{cite web |last1=Lemire |first1=Jeff |date=31 August 2021 |title=Tales from the Farm: Welcome to the first installment of this strange new adventure… |url=https://jefflemire.substack.com/p/tales-from-the-farm-post-1 |access-date=September 1, 2021}}{{cite web |last1=Lemire |first1=Jeff |date=13 October 2021 |title=Tales from the Farm: Mazebook: Cover Process |url=https://jefflemire.substack.com/p/mazebook-cover-process/comment/3228142}} On January 31, 2022, he began the first of several planned World of Black Hammer projects.{{cite web |last1=Lemire |first1=Jeff |date=31 January 2022 |title=CDoS: ANNOUNCING THE LAST DAYS OF BLACK HAMMER! |url=https://jefflemire.substack.com/p/announcing-the-last-days-of-black |access-date=January 31, 2022 |website=Tales from the Farm |publisher=Substack}}
On September 1, 2022, Lemire posted that he would no longer be serializing stories through the newsletter due to increased demands on his schedule. (He was showrunning the Essex County television adaptation at the time.) The Colonel Weird and Little Andromeda story was left incomplete until its hardcover collection in March the following year.{{cite web |last1=Lemire |first1=Jeff |date=31 August 2022 |title=Tales from the Farm: Year 2 |url=https://jefflemire.substack.com/p/tales-from-the-farm-year-2/comments |access-date=March 23, 2023 |website=Tales from the Farm}}{{cite web |title=COLONEL WEIRD AND LITTLE ANDROMEDA HC |url=https://www.darkhorse.com/Books/3011-098/Colonel-Weird-and-Little-Andromeda-HC |access-date=March 23, 2023 |website=DarkHorse.com |publisher=Dark Horse Comics}} On this topic, Lemire said, "I naïvely thought I could juggle comics with doing that show, but it just became obvious that it was like a full-time job ... The last year has been basically just the show."{{cite podcast |url=https://www.podbean.com/media/share/dir-rv6a6-16f655a6 |title=Word Ballon Comics Podcast: Jeff Lemire Talks Swamp Thing and his Latest Creator Owned Series |website= |publisher= |host=John Siuntres |date=February 23, 2023 |time=28:00 |access-date=March 30, 2023}}
Issues
class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="text-align: center" |
colspan="8" |Phase I |
---|
Series
!Issue !Release Date !Story !Art !Colors !Letters !Cover |
rowspan="14" |Black Hammer |#1 |July 20, 2016 | rowspan="14" |Jeff Lemire | rowspan="6" |Dean Ormston | rowspan="6" |Dave Stewart | rowspan="6" |Todd Klein |
|
#2
|August 17, 2016 | rowspan="5" |
|
#3
|September 21, 2016 |
#4
|October 19, 2016 |
#5
|November 16, 2016 |
#6
|December 21, 2016 |
Giant-Sized Annual (2017) |January 18, 2017 |Michael Allred |Ray Fawkes |Todd Klein |
|
#7
|March 22, 2017 | rowspan="2" |Dean Ormston | rowspan="2" |Dave Stewart | rowspan="2" |Todd Klein | rowspan="2" |
|
#8
|April 19, 2017 |
#9
|May 24, 2017 | colspan="3" |David Rubín |
|
#10
|June 21, 2017 | rowspan="2" |Dean Ormston | rowspan="2" |Dave Stewart | rowspan="2" |Todd Klein | rowspan="2" |
|
#11
|July 26, 2017 |
#12
|August 23, 2017 | colspan="3" |David Rubín |
|
#13
|September 20, 2017 |Dean Ormston |Dave Stewart |Todd Klein |
|
colspan="8" style="background: #000000;" | |
rowspan="4" |Sherlock Frankenstein and the Legion of Evil |#1 |October 18, 2017 | rowspan="4" |Jeff Lemire | colspan="3" rowspan="4" |David Rubín | |
#2
|November 22, 2017 |
|
#3
|December 20, 2017 |
|
#4
|January 24, 2018 |
|
colspan="8" style="background: #000000;" | |
rowspan="4" |Doctor Star and the Kingdom of Lost Tomorrows |#1 |March 7, 2018 | rowspan="4" |Jeff Lemire | rowspan="4" |Max Fiumara | rowspan="4" |Dave Stewart | rowspan="4" |Nate Piekos |
|
#2
|April 4, 2018 |
|
#3
|May 2, 2018 |
|
#4
|June 6, 2018 |
|
colspan="8" style="background: #000000;" | |
rowspan="7" |Black Hammer: Age of Doom |#1 |April 18, 2018 | rowspan="7" |Jeff Lemire | rowspan="5" |Dean Ormston | rowspan="5" |Dave Stewart | rowspan="5" |Todd Klein |
|
#2
|May 23, 2018 |
|
#3
|June 20, 2018 |
|
#4
|August 22, 2018 |
|
#5
|September 19, 2018 |
|
#6
|October 17, 2018 | colspan="3" rowspan="2" |Rich Tommaso |
|
#7
|November 21, 2018 |
|
colspan="8" style="background: #000000;" | |
Black Hammer |FCBD 2018: |May 5, 2018 |Jeff Lemire |Dean Ormston |Dave Stewart |Todd Klein |N/A |
colspan="8" style="background: #000000;" | |
rowspan="6" |The Quantum Age |#1 |July 4, 2018 | rowspan="6" |Jeff Lemire | rowspan="6" |Wilfredo Torres | rowspan="6" |Dave Stewart | rowspan="6" |Nate Piekos |
|
#2
|August 1, 2018 |
|
#3
|October 10, 2018 |
|
#4
|November 14, 2018 |
|
#5
|December 12, 2018 |
|
#6
|January 30, 2019 |
|
colspan="8" style="background: #000000;" | |
Black Hammer |Cthu-Louise |December 12, 2018 |Jeff Lemire |Emi Lenox |Dave Stewart |Todd Klein |
|
colspan="8" style="background: #000000;" | |
rowspan="5" |Black Hammer: Age of Doom |#8 |February 27, 2019 | rowspan="5" |Jeff Lemire | rowspan="5" |Dean Ormston | rowspan="5" |Dave Stewart | rowspan="5" |Todd Klein |
|
#9
|March 27, 2019 |
|
#10
|May 8, 2019 |
|
#11
|July 3, 2019 |
|
#12
|September 18, 2019 |
|
colspan="8" style="background: #000000;" | |
rowspan="4" |Black Hammer ’45 |#1 |March 6, 2019 | rowspan="4" |STORY | rowspan="4" |Matt Kindt | rowspan="4" |Sharlene Kindt | rowspan="4" |Marie Enger |
|
#2
|April 3, 2019 |
|
#3
|May 1, 2019 |
|
#4
|June 5, 2019 |
|
colspan="8" style="background: #000000;" | |
rowspan="2" |Black Hammer |FCBD 2019: |May 4, 2019 |Jeff Lemire | colspan="3" |David Rubín |N/A |
The World of Black Hammer Encyclopedia |July 3, 2019 |Jeff Lemire |Various |Dave Stewart |N/A |
|
colspan="8" style="background: #000000;" | |
rowspan="5" |Black Hammer / Justice League: Hammer of Justice! |#1 |July 10, 2019 | rowspan="5" |Jeff Lemire | colspan="2" rowspan="5" |Michael Walsh | rowspan="5" |Nate Piekos |
|
#2
|August 14, 2019 |
|
#3
|September 11, 2019 |
|
#4
|October 9, 2019 |
|
#5
|November 13, 2019 |
|
colspan="8" style="background: #000000;" | |
Black Hammer{{cite web |title=SDCC 2019: Peek Into the Black Hammer-verse |url=https://www.darkhorse.com/Blog/3006/sdcc-2019-peek-black-hammer-verse |website=Dark Horse Comics |accessdate=July 24, 2019}} |3 for $1 |November 6, 2019 | colspan="4" align="left" |ʀᴇᴘʀɪɴᴛs:
|
|
class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="text-align: center" |
colspan="8" |Phase II |
---|
Series
!Issue !Release Date !Story !Art !Colors !Letters !Cover |
rowspan="6" |Skulldigger + Skeleton Boy {{cite web|last1=Arrant|first1=Chris|title=New Black Hammer Title Centers on Skulldigger + Skeleton Boy|date=3 May 2024 |url=https://www.newsarama.com/46121-new-black-hammer-maxi-series-centers-on-skull-digger-+-skeleton-boy.html |publisher=newsarama}} |#1 |December 18, 2019 | rowspan="6" |Jeff Lemire | colspan="2" rowspan="6" |Tonci Zonjic | rowspan="6" |Steve Wands |
|
#2
|January 15, 2020 |
|
#3
|February 19, 2020 |
|
#4
|September 23, 2020 |
|
#5
|October 21, 2020 |
|
#6
|February 24, 2021 |
|
colspan="8" style="background: #000000;" | |
rowspan="4" |Colonel Weird: Cosmagog |#1 |October 28, 2020 | rowspan="4" |Jeff Lemire | colspan="3" rowspan="4" |Tyler Crook |
|
#2
|November 25, 2020 |
|
#3
|December 30, 2020 |
|
#4
|January 27, 2021 |
|
colspan="8" style="background: #000000;" | |
rowspan="5" |Barbalien: Red Planet |#1 |November 18, 2020 | rowspan="5" |Tate Brombal | rowspan="5" |Gabriel Hernández Walta | rowspan="5" |Jordie Bellaire | rowspan="5" |Aditya Bidikar |
|
#2
|December 16, 2020 |
|
#3
|January 20, 2021 |
|
#4
|February 17, 2021 |
|
#5
|March 24, 2021 |
|
colspan="8" style="background: #000000;" | |
rowspan="8" |Black Hammer: Visions |#1 |February 10, 2021 |Dean Kotz |Jason Wordie | rowspan="8" |Nate Piekos |
|
#2
|March 10, 2021 |Bill Crabtree |
|
#3
|April 14, 2021 |Johnnie Christmas | rowspan="2" |Dave Stewart |
|
#4
|May 12, 2021 |Diego Olortegui |
|
#5
|June 9, 2021 |Leonardo Romero |Jordie Bellaire |
|
#6
|July 14, 2021 |Malachi Ward & Matthew Sheean |Dave Stewart |
|
#7
|August 18, 2021 |Melissa Duffy |Bill Crabtree |
|
#8
|September 22, 2021 | colspan="2" |David Rubín |
|
colspan="8" style="background: #000000;" | |
rowspan="12" |Black Hammer: Reborn |#1 |June 23, 2021 | rowspan="12" |Jeff Lemire | rowspan="4" |Caitlin Yarsky | rowspan="4" |Dave Stewart | rowspan="12" |Nate Piekos |
|
#2
|July 21, 2021 |
|
#3
|September 1, 2021 |
|
#4
|October 13, 2021 |
|
#5
|October 27, 2021 | rowspan="4" |Malachi Ward & Matthew Sheean | rowspan="4" |Malachi Ward |
|
#6
|November 24, 2021 | rowspan="3" |
|
#7
|December 29, 2021 |
#8
|January 26, 2022 |
#9
|February 23, 2022 | rowspan="4" |Caitlin Yarsky | rowspan="4" |Dave Stewart |
|
#10
|March 23, 2022 |
|
#11
|April 20, 2022 |
|
#12
|May 18, 2022 |
|
colspan="8" style="background: #000000;" | |
rowspan="4" |The Unbelievable Unteens |#1 |August 11, 2021 | rowspan="4" |Jeff Lemire | colspan="3" rowspan="4" |Tyler Crook |
|
#2
|September 8, 2021 |
|
#3
|October 13, 2021 |
|
#4
|November 10, 2021 |
|
colspan="8" style="background: #000000;" | |
rowspan="6" |Black Hammer: The End |#1 |August 30 2023 | rowspan="6" |Jeff Lemire | colspan="2" rowspan="6" |Malachi Ward | rowspan="6" |Nate Piekos |
|
#2
|September 27, 2023 |
|
#3
|October 25, 2023 |
|
#4
|November 22, 2023 |
|
#5
|January 17, 2024 |
|
#6
|March 27, 2024 |
|
class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="text-align: center" |
colspan="8" |Phase III |
---|
Series
!Issue !Release Date !Story !Art !Colors !Letters !Cover |
rowspan="7" |Black Hammer: Spiral City |#1 |November 13, 2024 | rowspan="7" |Jeff Lemire | colspan="2" rowspan="7" |Teddy Kristiansen | rowspan="7" |Nate Piekos |
|
#2
|Scheduled for |
|
#3
|Scheduled for |
|
#4
|Scheduled for |
|
class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="text-align: center" |
colspan=7|Tales from the Farm stories |
---|
Series
!Chapter !Release Date !Story !Art !Colors !Letters |
rowspan=3|The Last Days of Black Hammer |The Hyperguild War! |January 31 – March 17, 2022 |rowspan=3|Jeff Lemire |rowspan=3 colspan=2|Stefano Simone |rowspan=3|Nate Piekos |
Black Hammer No More
|March 31 – April 28, 2022 |
Cataclysm Crossover
|May 19, 2022 – July 7, 2022 |
rowspan=12|Colonel Weird and Little Andromeda |Parts 1–4 |April 6 – May 5, 2022 |rowspan=5|Tate Brombal |colspan=2|Ray Fawkes |rowspan=12|Steve Wands |
Para-Zoned
|May 18, 2022 |Tyler Bence |Bill Crabtree |
Martian Mayday
|May 25, 2022 |Shawn Kuruneru |Jordie Bellaire |
Utopia Born
|June 8, 2022 |colspan=2|Ariela Kristantina |
Interlude I Willow D. Whisper: Chaotic Investigator |June 15, 2022 |Dani |Jordie Bellaire |
Cataclysm
|June 22, 2022 |colspan=3|Ray Fawkes |
Para-Zone Island
|June 29, 2022 |rowspan=6|Tate Brombal |colspan=2|Marguerite Sauvage |
A Girl and her Eyeball
|July 6, 2022 |Andrea Sorrentino |Dave Stewart |
Cosmic Sheep
|July 13, 2022 |colspan=2|Tyler Crook |
The End of Eve
|July 20, 2022 |colspan=2|Yuko Shimizu |
Interlude II Chasing Chaos |July 27, 2022 |Dani |Jordie Bellaire |
Randall's Story
|August 3, 2022 |colspan=2|Nick Robles |
colspan=2|Untitled Black Hammer: Visions story
|August 4, 2022 |David A. Robertson |colspan=2|Scott B. Henderson |Uncredited |
colspan=2|Betwixt, Between
|August 24, 2022 |colspan=4|Lucy Sullivan |
Collected editions
= Trade paperbacks =
class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="text-align: center" |
colspan=5|Black Hammer trade paperbacks |
---|
Title
!# !Release Date !Material collected !ISBN |
Black Hammer: Secret Origins{{cite book|last1=Lemire|first1=Jeff|last2=Ormston|first2=Dean|title=Black Hammer – Volume 1: Secret Origins|date=March 29, 2017|publisher=Dark Horse Comics|isbn=9781616557867|url=https://www.darkhorse.com/Books/26-744/Black-Hammer-Volume-1-Secret-Origins-TPB|access-date=February 9, 2018}} |1 |March 29, 2017 |
|{{ISBNT|9781616557867}} |
Black Hammer: The Event{{cite book|last1=Lemire|first1=Jeff|last2=Ormston|first2=Dean|last3=Rubín|first3=David|title=Black Hammer – Volume 2: The Event|date=December 20, 2017|publisher=Dark Horse Comics|isbn=9781506701981|url=https://www.darkhorse.com/Books/26-745/Black-Hammer-Volume-2-The-Event-TPB|access-date=February 9, 2018}} |2 |December 27, 2017 |
|{{ISBNT|9781506701981}} |
Black Hammer: Age of Doom – Part I{{cite book|last1=Lemire|first1=Jeff|last2=Ormston|first2=Dean|title=Black Hammer – Volume 3: Age of Doom – Part 1|date=January 2, 2019|publisher=Dark Horse Comics|isbn=9781506703893|url=https://www.darkhorse.com/Books/3000-806/Black-Hammer-Volume-3-Age-of-Doom-TPB|access-date=September 29, 2018}} |3 |January 2, 2019 |
|{{ISBNT|9781506703893}} |
Black Hammer: Streets of Spiral |— |September 11, 2019 |
|{{ISBNT|9781506709413}} |
Black Hammer: Age of Doom – Part II |4 |December 18, 2019 |
|{{ISBNT|9781506708164}} |
Black Hammer: Reborn – Part I |5 |February 2, 2022 |
|{{ISBNT|9781506714264}} |
Black Hammer: Reborn – Part II |6 |June 1, 2022 |
|{{ISBNT|9781506715155}} |
Black Hammer: Reborn – Part III |7 |October 4, 2022 |
|{{ISBNT|9781506720159}} |
The Last Days of Black Hammer |— |February 22, 2023 |
|{{ISBNT|9781506731124}} |
Black Hammer: The End |8 |June 11, 2024 |
|{{ISBNT|9781506732534}} |
class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="text-align: center" |
colspan=4|The World of Black Hammer trade paperbacks |
---|
Title
!Release Date !Material collected !ISBN |
Sherlock Frankenstein and the Legion of Evil{{cite book|last1=Lemire|first1=Jeff|last2=Rubín|first2=David|title=Sherlock Frankenstein and the Legion of Evil|date=May 9, 2018|publisher=Dark Horse Comics|isbn=9781506701981|url=https://www.darkhorse.com/Books/3000-879/Sherlock-Frankenstein-the-Legion-of-Evil-From-the-World-of-Black-Hammer-TPB|access-date=February 9, 2018}} |May 9, 2018 |
|{{ISBNT|9781506705262}} |
Doctor Star and the Kingdom of Lost Tomorrows{{cite book|last1=Lemire|first1=Jeff|last2=Fiumara|first2=Max|title=Doctor Star and the Kingdom of Lost Tomorrows|date=November 14, 2018|publisher=Dark Horse Comics|isbn=9781506706597|url=https://www.darkhorse.com/Books/3001-593/Doctor-Star-The-Kingdom-of-Lost-Tomorrows-From-the-World-of-Black-Hammer-TPB|access-date=September 29, 2018}} |November 14, 2018 |rowspan=2|
|{{ISBNT|9781506706597}} |
Doctor Andromeda and the Kingdom of Lost Tomorrows (revised edition) |April 28, 2021 |{{ISBNT|9781506723297}} |
The Quantum Age
|April 10, 2019 |
|{{ISBNT|9781506708416}} |
Black Hammer ’45
|October 16, 2019 |
|{{ISBNT|9781506708508}} |
Colonel Weird: Cosmagog
|January 27, 2021 |
|{{ISBNT|9781506715162}} |
Barbalien: Red Planet
|May 12, 2021 |
|{{ISBNT|9781506715803}} |
Skulldigger + Skeleton Boy
|June 2, 2021 |
|{{ISBNT|9781506710334}} |
The Unbelievable Unteens
|March 9, 2022 |
|{{ISBNT|9781506724362}} |
= Hardcovers =
class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="text-align: center" |
colspan=5|Black Hammer hardcovers |
---|
colspan=5 style="background: #000000;"|Bʟᴀᴄᴋ Hᴀᴍᴍᴇʀ |
Title
!Release Date !Material collected !ISBN |
Black Hammer / Justice League: Hammer of Justice! |March 25, 2020 |
|{{ISBNT|9781506710990}} |
Black Hammer: Visions – Volume 1 |October 13, 2021 |
|{{ISBNT|9781506723266}} |
Black Hammer: Visions – Volume 2 |February 2, 2022 |
|{{ISBNT|9781506725512}} |
Colonel Weird and Little Andromeda |March 22, 2023 |
|{{ISBNT|9781506733821}} |
= Library editions =
Awards
class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" |
Award
! Year ! Category ! Nominee ! Result |
---|
rowspan=16|Eisner Awards
|Best New Series |Black Hammer |{{win}} |
Best Lettering
|Todd Klein |{{win}} |
Best Writer
|Jeff Lemire |{{nom}} |
rowspan=5|2018{{cite web|title=2018 Eisner Awards Nominations|url=https://www.newsarama.com/39672-2018-eisner-awards-nominations.html|website=Newsarama|accessdate=April 29, 2018}}
|Best Continuing Series |Black Hammer |{{nom}} |
Best Writer
|Jeff Lemire |{{nom}} |
Best Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team
|David Rubín |{{nom}} |
Best Coloring
|David Rubín |{{nom}} |
Best Coloring
|Dave Stewart |{{nom}} |
rowspan=4|2019{{cite web|title=2019 Eisner Awards Nominees|url=https://io9.gizmodo.com/here-are-your-2019-eisner-awards-nominees-1834336533|website=io9|date=26 April 2019 |accessdate=June 13, 2019}}
|Best Single Issue/One-Shot |Black Hammer: Cthu-Louise |{{nom}} |
Best Continuing Series
|Black Hammer: Age of Doom |{{nom}} |
Best Writer
|Jeff Lemire |{{nom}} |
Best Lettering
|Todd Klein |{{win}} |
2020{{cite web|title=32nd Annual Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSUgRvQPdj0|website=YouTube|accessdate=July 25, 2020}}
|Dave Stewart |{{win}} |
rowspan=3|2021{{cite web|title=33rd Annual Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuVslpoC2nI|website=YouTube|accessdate=July 25, 2021}}
|Best Limited Series |Barbalien: Red Planet |{{nom}} |
Best Writer
|Jeff Lemire |{{nom}} |
Best Graphic Album—Reprint
|Black Hammer – Volume 2 (library edition) |{{nom}} |
Harvey Awards
|Book of the Year |Black Hammer: Secret Origins |{{nom}} |
rowspan=2|Ringo Awards
|2019{{cite web |title=2019 Ringo Awards |url=https://ringoawards.com/2019-ringo-awards/}} |Best Series |Black Hammer: Age of Doom |{{win}} |
2020
|Best Series |Black Hammer: Age of Doom |{{nom}} |
rowspan=2|Tripwire Awards
|Best Collection |Black Hammer – Volume 2 (library edition) |{{won}} |
Best Colourist
|Dave Stewart |{{nom}} |
In other media
A film and television development was reported to be in development with Legendary Entertainment in November 2018. This deal included not just Black Hammer, but all its associated titles, effectively opening the door to create a cross-platform film and television shared universe.{{cite news |last1=Gustines |first1=George Gene |title=Black Hammer, an Indie Comic, Gets a Major Film and TV Deal |work=The New York Times |date=13 November 2018 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/13/movies/black-hammer-comic-book.html |accessdate=December 10, 2018}} Both Jeff Lemire and Dean Ormston are executive producers, and Lemire will be actively involved in the adaptations. Lemire described his involvement as follows:
"I decided with Black Hammer, because it's so personal and near and dear to my heart, if I was ever going to option and develop it, I had to be intimately involved. As far as that adaptation, I do have to be the one that is creatively steering that ship, like the comic".{{cite web |last1=Estrella |first1=Ernie |title=Exclusive: Jeff Lemire Confirms He's Writing the Black Hammer Pilot and Will Be Closely Involved with the Adaptation |url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/jeff-lemire-black-hammer-pilot-comic-adaptation |website=SyFy Wire |accessdate=December 10, 2018}}
Lemire wrote a pilot script for the initial project with Legendary and a series bible,{{cite web |last1=Lemire |first1=Jeff |title=New Sweet Tooth Series and More |url=https://tinyletter.com/JeffLemire/letters/new-sweet-tooth-series-and-more}} but in April 2021 Legendary Entertainment's option on the series was passed and Lemire was looking a new home for it.{{cite web |last1=Grunenwald |first1=Joe |title=INTERVIEW: Jeff Lemire & Caitlin Yarsky talk BLACK HAMMER: REBORN |url=https://www.comicsbeat.com/jeff-lemire-caitlin-yarsky-black-hammer-reborn-interview/ |website=Comics Beat|date=7 April 2021 }}