Jeff Lemire delves further into the world of Black Hammer with a new title, Colonel Weird Cosmagog, from Dark Horse. Issue 1 is released this week.
In the premier issue, Lemire writes about Colonel Weird, of course. Weird has appeared out of the clear blue sky, over the desert. He comes alone, to earth, as an old man. When he steps into a familiar gas station, long abandoned, he begins a journey to understanding his life. Specifically, through flashbacks, he has the opportunity to see his life unfold. It’s a multidimensional experience, with the atmosphere of a ‘stoned’ state of mind; passive, in place, yet traveling through time and space.
Speaking of time, this issue is a verrrry quick read. Say five minutes. Okay, eight. Lemire puts us into the head of Colonel Weird, and artist Tyler Crook draws, colours and letters his way through things familiar and fresh. It’s cosmic, it’s interconnected with Black Hammer, it’s mind-bending. But for fans of Black Hammer, it’s a natural progression, a way to see through the eyes of one of its most enigmatic characters.
The drawings are open, clear, indie-styled line renderings, tinted with rich colour and grey. Plenty to transport the reader for a very brief glimpse between the paper covers of Lemire’s consciousness.
Dark Horse, Colonel Weird Cosmagog #1, $3.99 for 24 pages of content.
Newsdesk