Ever wonder what happens to those superheroes written out of continuity by the cosmic crises that routinely rewrite the fabric of fiction universes? For at least some of the heroes of Spiral City, the answer is that they find themselves trapped on a mysterious small farm in a quaint little town in a world much like our own, where they must pose as a decidedly dysfunctional family. For some, this new life is a blessing and a chance for a normal existence; for others, it's a curse they'll never stop trying to overcome. Writer Lemire (Roughneck) combines his talent for both high-concept sf and gothic tales of country living to craft a strange and melancholy tale of larger-than-life characters who are forced to reckon with what's left when their adventures come to an end. Ormston's (2000 AD) illustrations deftly capture both the uncanny and small moments of human drama that make this volume such a compelling and complex read. Verdict Lemire is the rare talent who is embraced by both mainstream and independent comics fans, and this title should have massive appeal for both.-Tom Batten, Grafton, VA © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Lemire's best stories (the Essex County trilogy) are permeated with loss-his characters are always pining for something that once was and can never be again. While reveling in the pulp fantasies of silver age superhero comics and EC's lurid sci-fi/horror stories, this collection is as much a study of loneliness and isolation as it is a superhero deconstruction. It opens with six former superheroes who've been mysteriously trapped on a small farm for a decade. Each chapter, beautifully illustrated by Ormston (Lucifer) with eerie, stripped-down realism, explores each hero's identity, origins, and path to ending up on the farm. As the narrative unfolds, the haunting backstories add greater context and intrigue to the mysteries of the present. There's an astonishing clarity to the characters and their motivations amid what could easily become a convoluted backstory filled with interstellar exploration, multiverse travelling, alien diplomacy, and quiet farm life. If Black Hammer lives up to its early promise, it will deserve a place on the shelf right next to the Watchmen series. (Apr.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.