PopCultHQ received an advanced review copy of DOCTOR STAR & THE KINGDOM OF LOST TOMORROWS:
FROM THE WORLD OF BLACK HAMMER #1 from Dark Horse Comics. Available March 7th, 2018, the creative team for this series features writing from Jeff Lemire, art by Max Fiumara, colors from Dave Stewart, and letters by Nate Piekos.
Here’s PopCultHQ’s spoiler-free review of…
DOCTOR STAR & THE KINGDOM OF LOST TOMORROWS: FROM THE WORLD
OF BLACK HAMMER #1
Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artist: Max Fiumara
Colorist: Dave Stewart
Letterer: Nate Piekos
Cover Artists: Max Fiumara,
Jordie Bellaire & Declan Shalvey
This dual-narrative story set in the world of the Eisner-Award winning Black Hammer series chronicles the legacy of a Golden-Age superhero.
An aged crime fighter desperately wants to reconnect with his estranged son, who he hoped would one day take the mantle of Doctor Star. Over the course of the story, we learn his World War II-era origin, how he got his powers, his exciting astral adventures, the formation of some of Black Hammer’s greatest heroes, and more in this heartbreaking superhero tale about fathers and sons.
PopCultHQ’s Comic Book Review:
DOCTOR STAR & THE KINGDOM OF LOST TOMORROWS:
FROM THE WORLD OF BLACK HAMMER #1
Writing:
Jeff has truly struck gold with the entire Black Hammer series. Now he takes a step back in time to the Golden Age. However, he is focusing on one of Spiral City’s other prominent defenders. A peerless and tireless champion of justice, law and order. The man who lit up Spiral City’s night, Doctor Star. This first issue is a pure, glorious recollection of a time when being a hero meant reaching beyond the borders of Earth for the mysteries of the unknown. Thanks to Jeff, readers will get to come along on such an adventure.
Art:
Max’s artwork is lavish and amazing to look at. If the book was just his art alone, it would be just as compelling as it is wedded to Jeff’s storytelling. Even the pages with art taking place in the present, the details bring everything to such life. But it is the artwork set back in the 1940’s, there is where Max really has a ball. And everyone who enjoys throwback art and classic comics heroes shall enjoy Max’s contribution to that golden time.
Dave outdid himself this time with the colors. As with Max’s art set during the 1940’s, there is such an energy to it, a bright and evocative energy that speaks of a time of heroes and great deeds. The color choices for the present pages are a bit more dour, to reflect the inner thoughts and sad feelings of the former Doctor Star. Another notch on Dave’s belt, and this one is a doozy.
Nate added his own touch to the book with the letters. Even though things like Doctor Star’s inner thoughts have their own style, it is the power those words carry that matters. Nate projects the Doctor’s voice, a voice of regret, of wishing to turn back the clock in spite of the past. It is a beautiful thing he has done and it’s all laid out there for readers to see.
PopCultHQ’s overall assessment:
Journey back to the Golden Age, back to the 1940’s and WWII. To a time of heroes and adventures, a shining and glorious time. That is what Jeff Lemire and the rest of the team working on this comic have set out to achieve. And in a style that pays homage to a certain star-themed hero from a different publisher, it is crystal clear that this is one comic series people won’t want to miss.
PopCultHQ’s Rating:
5 Out of 5 Stars
DOCTOR STAR & THE KINGDOM OF LOST TOMORROWS:
FROM THE WORLD OF BLACK HAMMER #1 can be pre-ordered from the links below
and available at your local comic shop and online retailers Wednesday, March 7th!
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Be sure to follow the creative team!
Writer – Jeff Lemire
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Artist – Max Fiumara
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Colorist – Dave Stewart
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Letterer – Nate Piekos
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Publisher – Dark Horse Comics
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