What a bounce back. One of the best omnibus collections I’ve ever read. The first story is Captain Weird’s backstory, which is done in an American Pastoral way. His childhood is out of a Steinbeck novel, and then it goes into timey-whimey wildness, explaining how he became Weird. It is so Damn good.

And then, out of left field, a Barbalien backstory that is queer as hell. Scenes briefly touched on are brought in—his time as a cop, discovering he is queer, gay liberation during the AIDS pandemic. All of it is incredibly well handled. I found it really effecting and moving. Rather than vaguely draw comparisons to his literally being an alien, he feels much more rooted in the world and history, and it is an origin story on par with old favourites, like Superman.

And for once, the artwork is incredible across the board for both stories. Great paneling, not a dull moment. Great plot. If you’re going to read any Black Hammer at all, make it this one.