PopCultHQ received an advanced review copy of DOCTOR STAR & THE KINGDOM OF LOST TOMORROWS:
FROM THE WORLD OF BLACK HAMMER #3 from Dark Horse Comics. Available May 2nd, 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 #3
Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artist: Max Fiumara
Colorist: Dave Stewart
Letterer: Nate Piekos
Cover Artists:
Max Fiumara (Main)
Dustin Nguyen (Variant)
On the hunt for a cure for his sick son, astral crime fighter Doctor Star heads to the moon only to discover an intergalactic federation called the Star Sheriff Squadron looking for a leader to defend the galaxy!
* Ties directly into the Eisner-Award winning Black Hammer comic books series and is written by main writer Jeff Lemire.
* Featuring art by Abe Sapien artist Max Fiumara!
PopCultHQ’s Comic Book Review:
DOCTOR STAR & THE KINGDOM OF LOST TOMORROWS:
FROM THE WORLD OF BLACK HAMMER #3
Writing:
For issue #3, Jeff pulls a complete turnaround move and will surprise fans. Not only does Doctor Star make a second journey to space, there is a huge surprise along the way. It has echoes of several classic hero story types (specifically DC). Those story types being from Legion of Superheroes, Green Lantern, and a little smattering of the New Gods as well. But where do these elements show up? Well, faithful fans will have to read the newest book and find out. Be prepared to have the heartstrings tugged on as well. All of the script that takes place in the past, it lays a heavy amount of stuff on both the hearts of readers and of Doctor Star.
Art:
As with issue #2, Max goes interstellar again. But now, instead of alien monsters and black holes, he gives everyone a different taste of outer-space. And in doing so, the sheer creative genius of his style bursts forth. Especially with what people will see on pages 8-9, 22-23 and page 24. It will blow minds and excite the inner fan of all. Especially when people start to make the connections to those DC archetypes mentioned in the above paragraph.
There is something magical about Dave’s coloring here. Specifically on the same pages listed above dealing with Max’s artwork. Over the course of the series, Dave keeps on upping things with each new issue and more amazing coloring. However here, while certain aspects of the coloring may appear simplistic to some, to this reviewer’s keen eye it is pure magic.
Lettering for the new issue gave Nate something new to play with: lettering the dialogue for a whole host of alien beings. But more so than that, these aliens are of a singular mindset, a heroic mindset. Every word that comes from the lead speaker’s form, lettered by Nate, drips with a surge of heroism and sheer adventure. If these creatures show up again in issue #4, that will mean more of this great heroic speak.
PopCultHQ’s overall assessment:
There is something of a yin and yang to the latest Doctor Star comic. A good and bad balance, reflecting the sorrow and guilt he is wracked with, yet also reflecting a bright spark of hope and wonder too. All who pick up a copy of the book will see this for themselves, and be pricked by another yearning urge to know what happens next.
PopCultHQ’s Rating:
5 Out of 5 Stars
DOCTOR STAR & THE KINGDOM OF LOST TOMORROWS:
FROM THE WORLD OF BLACK HAMMER #3 can be pre-ordered from the links below
and available at your local comic shop and online retailers Wednesday, May 2nd!
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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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