Black Hammer Giant-Sized Annual

Writer: Jeff Lemire | Artists: Dustin Nguyen, Emi Lenox, Nate Powell, Matt Kindt, Ray Fawkes | Colorist: Dave Stewart | Cover: Jeff Lemire

Jeff Lemire really has his own special universe going on in Black Hammer. This has transformed from a story about a team stuck on Earth unable to return home into one heck of an interesting character-centric tale. 

With the giant-sized annual, we not only get varying styles and techniques of art but we also get a look back in time with something that mysteriously connects all of our characters. 

The work from this dream team of artists brings the journey through Colonel Weird's eyes to life with their varying styles. Seriously, I loved this. It made each character's aspect of the story feel different, unique and special. 

It was that little extra thing that every giant-sized annual needs to justify its giant-sized price ($5.99 in this case). Just to make it clear, this book is worth the cover price. 

Lemire's characters, dialogue, and skill balancing the past, present and future is damn impressive. It's crazy to say because he's done so much great work, but this might be some of the deepest, well-rounded work of his career. 

Seriously, Golden Gail. There is so much going on with this character. She is a woman. Her superpowers turn her into a little girl. She is stuck on earth in a little girl's body. She smokes, drinks, swears, yells and cries a lot. 

The panels with Gail laying in a field, having a drink and a smoke while "getting her buzz on" are everything you need to know heading into her sad backstory. 

If me hyping Lemire's work doesn't get you fired up for this book, then at least do it for the interesting take on art for an annual. 

Rating: 9/10 When it comes to giant-sized annuals, it doesn't get much better than Jeff Lemire's Black Hammer