Advance Review: Black Hammer: Cthu-Louise One-Shot
Another week and yet another school based, angst wrenched “I am so different than everyone” drama. This time around though, there is definitely a monster in the playground; but it might not be quite who you think!
Louise is the human / Cthulhu grandchild of a sewer dwelling Cthulhu, who happened to transform her dad prior to her birth. Still, trying to make best of her situation, Louise goes about her business, putting up with a tumultuous home and an even more torturous school life, with the walk to school being the starter to which the school bullies are the main course. Now at the end of her tether, she makes a deal with her almost devil of a grandfather, to be normal. But will the price be to high to pay?
Black Hammer co-creator Jeff Lemire pens this one-shot, giving the old high school trope a twist of Sherlock-ian horror. Lemire’s writing at first glance seems a little bit too light for many horror fans; Lemire however strives to give Louise a real sense of character by using the familiar. I am sure the things that Louise goes through will have a level of recognition for many people. But by doing this, Lemire unintentionally maybe, dials down the horror. This probably has more to do with that pesky familiarity. After all, how many times have seen the hero of the piece also been bullied? The dialogue works for the most part, but again suffers from being seen loads of times before.
The art is supplied by Emi Lenox, whose style seems to have inspired a slew of artists. There is an easy going feel to events, with Lenox’s simple lines diluting the horror again. Even when things start going a bit gruesome, the horror of the “little girl” in the big world still doesn’t really get the message across. With that said, Lenox pulls out the stops with Louse when she finally makes her choices. Colors are supplied by Dark Horse stalwart Dave Stewart who forgoes his usual Mignola inspired shadows and greens for a more day-glow approach. Todd Klein’s letters are equally easy on the eye, though he does give the Cthulhu’s a different visual tone.
Part of the charm of Black Hammer is that the stories inhabit that place between old school stories, laced with the familiar with a slice of the unorthodox thrown in for good measure. The problem for me with this book is that, with the popularity of all the different aspects, there actually isn’t that much of anything that is unorthodox! Fans of those involved, may well enjoy this book, as will those who love Black Hammer.
Black Hammer: Cthu-Louise One-Shot is due to hit comic book stores on December 12th
Writing – 3.5 Stars
Art – 3.5 Stars
Colors – 4 Stars
[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]
Written by; Jeff Lemire
Art by; Emi Lenox
Colors by; Dave Stewart
Letters by; Todd Klein
Published by; Dark Horse Comics
Author Profile
- I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow
Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network
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