>Big, crazy crossovers are certainly not an anomaly in superhero comic books, but there’s something extra special and strange about the worlds of Black Hammer and Justice League combining. Yes, you read that right: this summer, we’re getting Black Hammer/Justice League: Hammer of Justice, a five-part mini-series written by Jeff Lemire with art from Michael Walsh.
>The heroes of the DC Universe are no strangers to interacting with alternate dimensions and weird worlds, but this event is a first for the burgeoning universe of Black Hammer, which follows the weird and wondrous lives of five superheroes who start the series trapped on mysterious farm after a saving the world. Published by Dark Horse Comics, Black Hammer nabbed the Eisner for Best New Series in 2017 and went on to spawn multiple spin-offs.
>In a lot of ways Black Hammer is a meta-commentary on the DC Universe, but Lemire told IGN that pairing up the two worlds really highlighted the differences in them.
>“Of course, there are some surface similarities, like both Martian Manhunter and Barbalien being Martian heroes, but when you put them together, it allows the uniqueness of both worlds to really come through,” Lemire said.
>Details on the plot are being kept sparse for now, but we do know the crossover kicks off when a strange man arrives simultaneously on the Black Hammer Farm and in Superman’s home of Metropolis, both worlds are warped, and DC villain Starro launches an attack. The cast includes heavy-hitters from both worlds, like Batman, Wonder Woman, Superman, Golden Gail and Colonel Weird. The idea of Superman having to interact with Golden Gail (a grown woman stuck in the body of a child who’s prone to smoking and swearing) is more than enough to get us fired up.
>While this event looks to be insanely epic, Lemire wants Black Hammer fans to know that he has no intention of turning his creation into an endless superhero event machine.
>“The joy of Black Hammer, for me, and I presume many of its fans, is to read superhero comics that are character driven without endless tie-ins and events,” he noted. “So, I don’t want Black Hammer to become that. But this was an excellent opportunity to tell a really fun story and, hopefully, to bring Black Hammer to a bunch of new readers. I have too many stories of my own that I still want to tell.”
I've completely lost the plot of Black Hammer. All the side issues and series. When was the last issue of the main story published?
Jordan Nelson
>That’s not to say that this is an event without lasting repercussions, though. Lemire is quick to point out that what happens in this series will be very real.
>“Obviously, I want [Black Hammer] to continue to grow and evolve autonomously,” he said. “But that doesn’t mean that this is just a throwaway ‘imaginary story’ either. It will have an emotional impact on both sets of characters, and there is one other aspect that will have a more lasting effect, but I can’t spoil that here.”
>Lemire is bringing a lot of his friends along for the ride; Black Hammer/Justice League: Hammer of Justice #1 features covers by Michael Walsh, Andrea Sorrentino, Yanick Paquette, Yuko Shimizu, with colors by the mighty Dave Stewart. It’s clear that this thing is going to be huge, which is pretty surreal when you consider how small Black Hammer started. We asked Lemire if he ever envisioned something like this and he was quick to reply that he never imagined it would get this big.
>“[Black Hammer] started as a simple story of five superheroes stranded on a farm. And it’s important to me that I always keep that in mind. When I grow the Black Hammer Universe, it all has to come from that core, and from that same place of emotional and character-driven storytelling.”
>Black Hammer/Justice League: Hammer of Justice #1 goes on sale July 10 and is now available for pre-order.
Because Marvel doesn't want to do crossovers anymore
Cameron Flores
>man who is bad at writing team books chooses to write two teams in a single book
Adam Smith
Age of Doom 8 came out a few weeks ago.
Evan Gomez
They kinda got back to it like two weeks ago.
Brody Davis
I thought Black Hammer would be shorter. Never expected so many comics and story lines and now crossovers.
Elijah Jenkins
Better be Hal that died.
Charles Green
These covers are great. I wish they had one by Ormston, though, unless I over looked it.
Ethan Turner
>the burgeoning universe of Black Hammer, which follows the weird and wondrous lives of five superheroes who start the series trapped on mysterious farm after a saving the world Goddamn Lost. Fuck you, Lost. You ruined it all.
It's just a visual reference to the first issue's cover
Aaron Allen
Based DC and based DH, who know how to have and provide fun.
Xavier Miller
Because Marvels no fun. Which is a shame
Gabriel Cruz
So this will be canon or not?
Andrew Harris
I’m glad DC is still doing crossovers
Blake Morales
Still better be Hal and yeah, I knew it was a reference. I've been following it since the start best I can. Seems like theres always some new Black Hammer comic that will eventually tie into the main story line.
Nicholas Reyes
Black Hammer is overrated, you heard it here first
Nathaniel Hall
Goku X Superman when?
Daniel Cooper
It might be canon for Black Summer and whatever dc title Lemire works on.
Justin Allen
Like Inferior Five?
John Murphy
DC/Dark Horse are the best crossovers.
Justin Garcia
Alright
Jeremiah Green
Holy crap, those faces.
Jose Jenkins
Could be.
Jack Lopez
I miss when non-Big Two stuff used to cross over with each other
Luis Foster
Pretty sure Pam and WB put the kibosh on the LooneyTune&HannaBarbera crossovers now (even cancelling the vol 2 of the DC Looney Tunes crossovers).
It’s good to see this and Batman/TMNT Vol 3. I hope this means that crossovers aren’t done for.
Jackson Jenkins
I think WB announced a new LoonyToons show too, so we can kiss those crossovers goodbye until there's another regime change
Eli James
Lemire hasn't written anything good in ages
Ian Harris
>what happens in this series will be very real """"Real"""" to the Black Hammer title, maybe, but there's no fucking way it's gonna affect the DC status quo.
John Russell
I was thinking about that. Aren't crossovers non canon?
Brayden Brooks
Exactly, they're not. People will mention the cosmic egg from the end of JLA/Avengers that got mentioned in ONE SINGLE issue of JLA. That shit never got mentioned again. Ever.
Dominic Harris
The cosmic egg played a big part in Busiek's Trinity.
Noah Stewart
Is that any good?
Lincoln Martinez
Well... in terms of weeklies it's not as bad as Countdown, Futures End, Earth 2 World's End, or Wolverines... but that's really where the positivity ends. Just kind of bland and not worth the 52-issue investment.
Evan Anderson
No
Gabriel Peterson
Give me a quick rundown.
Easton Miller
bump
Matthew Jones
You'd think Marvel would take better advantage of being owned by Disney. An Avengers and Star Wars crossover would be like printing money.
