For much of the world, June is the beginning of Summer, which brings us a lot of big and truly epic storytelling. Comic books continue to give us all that and more, but June 2021 really delivered on some smaller, quieter, and creepier issues. This includes some superheroes and a focus on independent horror. I tend to look at the books that are outside of the typical and June was a really solid month in comics, but here are some of my highlights. As the world sloooooowly begins to return to normal let’s look at some returns in comics.
An Anticipated Return “Black Hammer Reborn” #1
One of the best books from Dark Horse Comics returns in its latest iteration. The last time readers had an issue that was part of the main series was September of 2019 and while the “Black Hammer” universe has expanded with quite the list of excellent spin-offs, a return to the main arc has been highly anticipated as co-creator and writer Jeff Lemire has worked on other projects within and outside of this universe.
Always ready to subvert expectations and shake things up to make for the best story possible, Lemire does exactly that with “Black Hammer Reborn” #1. Time has moved forward, not all of the closure we wanted or, at least expected, is given. Things are not good. The last time we saw Lucy Weber she had taken on her father’s mantle as the all-powerful Black Hammer, and now we get an older, down-trodden wife and mother of two, with a mediocre mid-level job. It’s both a fascinating change and character arc, and wholly depressing all at once. We do get some finer details hashed out in terms of when certain parts of the story take place, how past events played out, and hints at where the future of “Black Hammer” is going.
Artist Caitlin Yarsky picks up where co-creator Dean Ormston left off. Her work feels right at home here as a counterpart to Ormston’s work, but with a softer, modern painted style. Less pock-marked and grungy, more every day normalcy, which suits this arc perfectly.
Even with so much new and different material, this new issue is the outstanding return that fans have waited patiently for. It stands on its own while being able to pull from past issues from the entire saga. Its strength lies in smart storytelling that grasps at superhero comic homages and a sympathetic heart.
A Return to Great Horror Comics “Bunny Mask” #1
Lately smaller publishers have been delivering on indie horror, fantasy, and science fiction. One of those publishers is Aftershock Comics and this month’s release of “Bunny Mask” #1 is just one of the shining examples. You can check out my full thoughts on the issue here. A fantastic horror yarn that builds up not only an intriguing mystery, but dread with every turn of the page.
I had a hard time doing so, but I wanted to narrow this category to just one of the praise-worthy horror books that released recently. While I already gave a full review of the issue, I felt this was a good place to talk about the importance of its strengths and what makes it a strong entry for horror comics in today’s market. As a sub-genre of comic books, horror has always been hit or miss, and more often campy than actually scary. Out of the various mediums of horror stories, comics may have the steepest hill to climb both in elevating their quality and legitimacy in the eyes of the average reader. There are no camera tricks, jump scares, or score backing the horror so it is really in the hands of the writers and artists to craft something that is truly horrifying.
Writer Paul Tobin does a bit of genre blending with “Bunny Mask.” The first issue works both as a crime thriller and supernatural haunt. No matter what the ultimate answers are revealed to be, there is evil at work. It doesn’t matter if that evil is a force from inside a person or an other-worldly presence. The characters never feel safe, and in turn you won’t either. Working with artist Andrea Mutti, the two create an introduction to this story that is the strongest parts of a Wes Craven, Neil Marshall, or even a M. Night Shyamalan film.
Continued belowWe need more comics like this to expand and show true talent within the horror genre and if the big publishers aren’t going to put them on shelves, look to the little guys to save the day and ruin your sleep schedule.
The Return of the Twist “The Nice House on the Lake” #1
You might be saying, “Chris, you just said you only picked one new horror book for this. Isn’t this a horror book, and from DC Comics, no less? One of the big guys?” And I say, “This is my article, this comic wasn’t a horror, no matter how hard it was marketed as one.”
Released under the Black Label imprint where DC likes to put out there spookier, gorier, and all around more adult content, “The Nice House on the Lake” #1 is a twisty turny mystery that looks to be leading to some sort of sci-fi thriller. From the cover and all marketing materials this looked to be the next big serial killer/haunted house/crime & murder comic. Really any of those genres would have felt at home within James Tynion IV, Alvaro Martinez Bueno, and Jordie Bellaire’s premiere issue, but what we get is much more intriguing and bizarre.
No spoilers here, but the basic premise is that a group of people from all different backgrounds and professions are invited for a weekend at a mutual acquaintance’s luxurious lake house. As they gradually arrive, the questions and confusion mount. The reveals come slow and steady until we finally start to understand why they’ve been asked here. Nothing about this issue is typical or easy to predict. As the issue progresses you will pick up on things before the characters do, but only at the pace at which Tynion wants you to reach. A fantastic first issue that tossed aside any assumptions or expectations I had from the cover (you all know the old adage).
There are plenty of horror and thriller tropes throughout with a modern sensibility to it all. This isn’t something that could have been written like this even 20 years ago. Even if the story isn’t what you are expecting there is no denying its ability to pull you in. Besides, who can turn down an invite to a swanky lake house?
A Return to Form “Hellboy: The Hidden Land #4”
The final issue of the latest “Hellboy” miniseries both neatly wraps up the story, while setting up the further adventures of an adolescent Hellboy. Mike Mignola’s beloved demon is years away from becoming the paranormal investigator fans know, but that doesn’t stop him from getting into equally wild adventures as a child. This is a return to form for Mignola in a few ways. Having given an end to this universe, he and his hand-picked co-creators can now go back to flesh out past stories that expand and give some new meaning to the “Hellboy” and “BPRD” universe as a whole. It also allows him to explore themes and genres that have inspired him for many years, but perhaps he hasn’t been able to really dive into until now. Working with sometime collaborator Tom Sniegoski you can see a blending of their interests, which tend to overlap, especially when bring Hellboy into a more fantastical story.
A loving homage to classic films like “King Kong” (1933) and the brilliant comic “The Adventures of TinTin” which ran on and off from 1929 to 1983. It captures its lost world vibe throughout. At times it struggles to be more than its inspirations. It works very well as a introduction to this world for new and young readers, but when it does begin to look at the emotional aspects and bigger picture is when it really shines. A return to inspirations, the heart of “Hellboy,” and to top quality are what makes it one of the strongest issues in the run and one of the best pick-ups in June.
