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This week’s Wednesday Comics Reviews looks at Hammer Head #1!Plus, The Prog Report!
Hammer Head #1
Writer:Ed Brisson
Artist:Damian Coucerio
Colorist:Dee Cunniffe
Letterer:Pat Brosseau
Publisher:Mad Cave Studios
In the horror genre, there is a concept of the final girl. The last survivor against the monster, killer, etc. that gets to walk away bloodied and thankful for her pyrrhic victory. Yet, what would happen to the final girl after the monster is defeated? What if she was forced to participate in the sequel? Well, Hammer Head #1seeks to explore the answers to these questions and more. The story opens with the protagonist Jules is struggling to live in the world after being the sole survivor of the Hammer Head Killer. Jules’ coping mechanism of choice is drugs and following a drug sting she finds herself in a strange prison environment along with other prisoners. As the prisoners get to know one another, they discover they are being manipulated into a confrontation with the returned Hammer Head.
WriterEd Brissonalongside artistDamian Couceriocraft a horror comic that feels very much self-aware, much in line with Cabin in the Woods or even Scream. Brisson’s characterization of Jules is familiar but realistic. There is definitely a throughline in the issue about trauma as Brisson uses non-linear flashbacks to give us a hint of the initial Hammer Head event and how that left Jules scarred for life. This frequent use of intercuts and flashbacks can be jarring at times as there isn’t much of a visual distinction between the present and past, but it is quickly picked up. I found the mystery behind the prison to be the most interesting part as Brisson hints at a much more personal connection between Hammer Head, the Warden, and Jules. In that regard I feel like the issue elevates a bit higher than the typical slasher story.
That is not to say the slasher is not interesting. Coucerio’s design for Hammer Head is visually intriguing and horrifying. What can I say, I am a sucker for a character using a massive hammer as a weapon. The violence is visceral and grotesque and Courcerio’s eye for detail is appreciated as it makes the pages pop. The pacing of the issue is brisk as Coucerio and Brisson balance world building, character development, and plot progression with a high degree of success. Yet even with the quick pacing, Coucerio’s panels and layouts are clean and impactful. The reveal of the returned Hammer Head is the perfect example of the pacing coming together to leave the issue on a high note.
Overall, I found this comic to be enjoyable and a great horror comic for the spooky season, especially if you like the slasher genre.
The Prog Report
2000AD #2502(Rebellion): So, for our first review back, I think the natural starting point is the new Dredd story, Judge Dredd: The New Futureby writers Rob Williamsand Arthur Wyatt,artist Henry Flint,and letterer Annie Parkhouse.Long-time readers of this space will recall this is the creative team behind one of my favorite 2000ADstories in recent memory, Judge Dredd: A Better World. And while they say this is less of a direct sequel to that story and more of a spiritual successor, it picks up directly from the ending of the earlier comic. This time, they make the interesting choice of setting part of the story from the POV of a journalist, trying to publish what is essentially the legacy of A Better World. This is a nice engine for a follow-up, creating a natural question to move us forward: will he get the information about there before facing Mega-City justice? I know the answer is probably not, but all of these storytellers are so good, I can’t wait for the chapters to come to slowly confirm my most cynical suspicions. This week’s cover (above) is by Lee Milmore. As always, you can pick up a digital copy of The Prog here. And it is also now available weekly in US comic shops! —Zack Quaintance
Column edited by Zack Quaintance
Read past entries in the weekly Wednesday Comics reviews series or check-out our other reviews here!
