By Zack Quaintance — The Jeff Lemire master-minded Black Hammer Universe is one of the most-interesting recent success stories in superhero comics, and today we have some picks for the best Black Hammer comics. These books essentially started as a mystery on a farm that starred a bunch of composite superhero homages, characters that took pieces of recognizable heroes, slammed them together with some humanity, and emerged as something new. That initial mystery story was so successful, that Lemire and his collaborators were able to spin it off into an entire world of new stories.

And friends? This week they are all on sale. Yes, as you’ll soon see below, there has never been a more affordable way to jump into and catch up on all the great Black Hammer comics you’ve been missing. Take a look at our favorites, grab them, and get lost in a world where everything feels familiar and new all at once.

Enjoy!

Best comiXology Sales: Best Black Hammer Comics

Black Hammer Library Edition, Vol. 1 - Vol. 2
Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artist: Dean Ormston with Emi Lennox and Rich Tommaso
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Mysteriously banished from existence by a multiversal event, the old superheroes of Spiral City now lead simple lives on a bizarre farm from which there is no escape! But as they employ all of their super abilities to free themselves from this strange purgatory, a mysterious stranger works to bring them back into action for one last adventure!
Collects the first and second volumes of Black Hammer and Black Hammer: Giant Sized Annual with a new cover, sketchbook extras, and more!
Why They’re Cool: These are the two volumes you’ll definitely want to start with. Spanning a combined total of nearly 800 pages, this will take you through the initial mystery on the farm from which everything else in this universe steams. And, really, you could just read these comics, but be warned — chances are once you’ve experienced this story, you’ll want to dive into the rest, all the side stories and other pieces to this growing world.
Prices: $12.49 each or $24.98 for both
Buy Them Here: Black Hammer Library Edition Vol. 1, and Black Hammer Library Edition Vol. 2\

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Black Hammer/Justice League: Hammer of Justice!
Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artist: Michael Walsh
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics/DC Comics
Jeff Lemire! Michael Walsh! DC Comics and Dark Horse Comics team up for the ultimate superhero crossover event! A strange man arrives simultaneously on Black Hammer Farm and in Metropolis and both worlds are warped as Starro attacks! Batman, Green Lantern, Flash, Wonder Woman, Superman, and more crossover with Golden Gail, Colonel Weird and the rest of the Black Hammer gang! Collects Black Hammer/Justice League: Hammer of Justice #1–#5 and features pinup art by Yanick Paquette, Yuko Shimizu, Matteo Scalera, Andrea Sorrentino, Evan ''Doc'' Shaner, Jill Thompson, and more!
Why It’s Cool: Despite featuring a crossover between the Black Hammer cast and some of the most famous characters on the planet, this series for whatever reason flies a bit under the radar, but friends? Armed with the artwork of Michael Walsh, it’s easily one of the most entertaining start-to-finish stories in all of Black Hammer, with extra points for readers who are fans of DC Comics generally.
Price: $7.49
Buy It Here: Black Hammer/Justice League - Hammer of Justice!

Barbalien: Red Planet
Writers: Jeff Lemire and Tate Brombal
Artist: Gabriel Hernandez-Walta
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Mark Markz has found his place on Earth as both a decorated police officer and as the beloved superhero, Barbalien. But in the midst of the AIDS crisis, hatred from all sides makes balancing these identities seem impossible-- especially when a Martian enemy from the past hunts him down to take him back, dead or alive. Collects issues #1–#5 of the series.
Why It’s Cool: This is one of the most poignant series in Black Hammer, featuring as it does a Martian Manhunter homage built upon themes that involve LGBTQ issues. It’s also just a well-done, character-driven story executed well by a fantastic creative team. Also, if you haven’t read it already, make sure to check out our interview about this book with Tate Brombal and Gabrien Hernandez-Walta!
Price: $5.99
Buy It Here: Barbalien - Red Planet

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Doctor Andromeda and the Kingdom of Lost Tomorrows
Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artist: Max Fiumara
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
This dual-narrative story set in the world of the Eisner Award-winning Black Hammer series chronicles the legacy of a Golden-Age superhero. An aged crime fighter desperately wants to reconnect with his estranged son, who he hoped would one day take the mantle of Doctor Andromeda. Over the course of the story we learn his World War II-era origin, how he got his powers, his exciting astral adventures, the formation of some of Black Hammer's greatest heroes, and more in this heartbreaking superhero tale about fathers and sons. Collects the entire series of Doctor Andromeda from New York Times bestselling and Eisner-winning creator Jeff Lemire!
Originally published as Doctor Star and the Kingdom of Lost Tomorrows, this collects the entire series from New York Times bestselling and Eisner-winning creator Jeff Lemire!
Why It’s Cool: This is the Black Hammer miniseries that is most likely to make you cry, featuring as it does a poignant father-son narrative about a hero who made choices at a great personal cost. It’s a bit of a James Robinson-era Star Man homage, and it’s absolutely gorgeous.
Price: $5.99
Buy It Here: Doctor Andromeda and the Kingdom of Lost Tomorrows

Skulldigger and Skeleton Boy: From the World of Black Hammer Vol. 1
Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artist: Tonci Zonjic
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
From the world of the Eisner Award-winning Black Hammer series comes a dark tale of tragedy! Spiral City finds itself trapped in a vicious cycle of crime, corruption, and violence. With the heart of the city at stake, a vigilante rises in Skulldigger. However, when the nefarious Grimjim escapes from prison, will Skulldigger and his ward, Skeleton Boy, be enough to save Spiral City? Collects Skulldigger #1–#6 from the Eisner Award-winning writer of Jeff Lemire and superstar artist Tonci Zonjic!
Why It’s Cool: I have a pretty simple equation when I’m shopping for comics, Tonci Zonjic + new work = instant purchase. This book is no exception. Published immediately after the main narrative about the farm mystery had concluded, this book had a pretty steep task ahead of it, needing to deliver readers a clear reason to stay engaged with this world and its narrative. Blending elements of Batman and Punisher with a cast of characters who had their own very human issues, it wildly succeeded.
Price: $5.99
Buy It Here: Skulldigger and Skeleton Boy

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Zack Quaintance is a tech reporter by day and freelance writer by night/weekend. He Tweets compulsively about storytelling and comics as Comics Bookcase.