As multi-dimensional strife continues to plague the heroes, familial conflict occurs in the real world as Lucy and Rose are at odds about the legacy of Black Hammer. In order to save all that is dear, decisions have to be made, and someone is going to have to make a choice that will affect everyone.
Lemire presents reasonable dilemmas in regard to the kind of effects one can experience when living the superhero life or living in another world that isn’t from your home reality. It can take a toll on anyone, and it surely takes a toll for Lucy’s daughter, Rosie as she’s at her wit’s end amongst all of the other conflicts that are plaguing the multiverse. All of the other variants of The Vanguard also face the dilemma of being amongst strangers, all of dying earths that all have lost a Black Hammer, and with none available to them, wither in hope against their soon-to-be battle against Anti-God. Lemire knows how to create despair and desperation but he also knows how to create meta moments that perfectly weave into the narrative of a story without disrupting the flow of the story. Everything feels purposeful and that makes this book a fulfilling read for anyone that has been following every series that has led up to this series.
I appreciate how vital the art in this book is to the point that a panel in a single page is used as the cover of this book. Which makes everything that occurs throughout feel purposeful and important. That’s something that is often missing in mainstream superhero comics and is refreshing to see here. Malachi Ward is fantastic at crafting visual narrative between the panels. His art style is clear, yet emotive due to his use of texture and color. Along with Nate Piekos’s lettering, this book is an entertaining yet heartfelt delight. It’s one of those comic series that one would regret not reading when it was being published on the stands. Add this to your pull list for New Comic Book Day.
Newsdesk