Never fitting in.
Creative Staff:
Story: Jeff Lemire
Art: Dean Ormston
Colors: Dave Stewart
Letterer: Todd Klein
What They Say:
He was born into the Red Tribes of Mars. He walked the streets of Spiral City as a police officer by day, vigilante hero by night. And now he s trapped in the sleepy-but-sinister Rockwood. In each of these places, Barbalien has been an outsider. He’s never felt at home. Maybe, in the end, home is not a location . . . it’s something to find in other people.
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
Black Hammer’s universe is expanding later this year but the core storyline is the big draw still. Lemire and Ormston continue to do things that delight me, particularly in issues like this where there’s very little in terms of actual changes or advancements to the storyline but we get some really good character moments. These all help to build toward the bigger moments so when they do hit they have a lot more impact because you actually care about them, their stories, and what has brought them together – and driven them apart. Ormston really delivers in this one when it comes to Barbalien as well as there’s so much that has to be conveyed all while still working this particular style that simply connects very well for me.
The present day material in this issue outside of Barbalien is pretty good as we get to see that Gail has reached her point of not wanting to be a part of it anymore and is ready to go through the barrier to end it all. There’s a real sadness here that’s built upon what has come before that makes it all the more heartwrenching to watch unfold, especially knowing the friction that has existed between her and Barbalien. Abraham’s story isn’t one that brings anything new but it’s a turning point as he’s being brought in for questioning over the disappearance of the sheriff, which will cause problems. The biggest thing in this period in terms of the overall arc is that we get our most recent arrival realizing even more about how non-real this place is, that the people that inhabit it are like props that are the vision of someone who thinks that this is what people are like. When it starts showing some of the repetitive nature of things I started getting a Westworld vibe from it.
With Barbalien, or Mark, we get a better look at his past when he was working as a cop and doing good work there. The routine of it isn’t delved into but made clear about how he serves the public by day and spends his nights as a hero, working through the threats that are faced and just getting it done. But even in this period of the past the accusations of being gay are made with all the damage that comes with it, pushing him to the limit of what he’ll take. That helps to reinforce the way he is in the present with Father Quinn, who Mark believes is in denial about his own feelings and that Mark really knows the truth about it. The back and forth is solidly done and it ties in well to how Mark isn’t going to spend his life not being himself, which is a bit amusing considering he really is leading two lives here.
In Summary:
Black Hammer has a solidly small and personal issue here for Mark/Barbalien in all the right ways, giving us another look at his past, the bond he has with Gail, and how assured he is in what he wants from life. That runs well alongside what we see with Gail struggling with this existence and the threat that Abraham is now facing from the locals. Add in a little more about the truth of this place that’s coming through thanks to a fresh set of eyes that hasn’t been worn down by it and I’m digging this as a strong if quiet chapter in the work.
Grade: B+
Age Rating: 13+
Released By: Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: July 26th, 2017
MSRP: $3.99
