While the exploits of heroes from both the Marvel and DC universe are well-known, there has been another comic book universe that has steadily grown in recent years and follows the exploits of both heroes and villains from across different dimensions, times, and settings. This universe began with the launch of Black Hammer by Jeff Lemire and Dean Ormston, courtesy of Dark Horse Comics. Although the series began by following a central team of heroes, this alternate universe has expanded, as its creator has offered different takes on classic characters and comic tropes in its exploration of the bizarre and often heartbreaking reality of these types of fictional universes.
Building from the standard Golden Age -- with many of its heroes coming into prominence in the onslaught of World War II -- the true story of Black Hammer began in its Bronze Age the meeting of its Golden Age heroes These heroes had reached the age of retirement and the new generation of superheroes that had emerged to carry the torch. In 1986, seven of the world's greatest heroes -- comprised from multiple generations -- worked together to battle a being known as Anti-God in an event called the Cataclysm. This obvious take on the standard Crises that repeatedly strikes the DC multiverse (especially these days) did not end with the heroes emerging victorious or with the birth of new stories and heroes, however. Instead, these seven heroes were transported to Rockwood, a small country town, with no indication of whether or not they had managed to save the day.
From their initial appearance, these heroes remained trapped in this Twilight Zone-esque world for ten years, which is where the series begins. Many characters in this group serve as analogs for other well-known heroes. Abraham Slam emerged as a hero during World War II, being trained in boxing as he was considered unfit for service, similar to Marvel's leading Avenger. There is also Barbalien and "Talky-Walky", whose backgrounds and identities set them apart from the characters that clearly inspired them. The bizarre nature of this world truly emerges with the likes of Golden Gail and Colonel Weird, a hard-drinking and smoking woman trapped in the body of a little girl and an utterly insane take on Adam Strange. As these heroes deal with the nature of their existence, it is their eccentricities and personalities that have allowed this world to flourish.
Although the majority of the series places focus on these heroes trapped on a small farm, the titular Black Hammer also plays an integral role. Originally one of the heroes trapped in this realm, Joseph Weber was the first to risk an attempt at escape. Unfortunately, this attempt ended with his death, a stark warning for the rest of the heroes. However, back in Spiral City -- the setting of the group's original battle -- Lucy Weber continues to investigate and search for her father's whereabouts and the location of the other missing heroes. Here, the series is given the opportunity to follow a world that lost its greatest heroes in an instance, showing the remnants of a comic book universe that lost much of what made it so special.
Aside from the main series, there have been plenty of spinoffs to fill in the gaps. Known as "The World of Black Hammer," these different series each offer their own unique stories and settings. For example, Black Hammer '45 follows an air squadron battling the forces of evil at the height of World War II. Doctor Andromeda and the Kingdom of Lost Tomorrows sees Golden Age hero, Doctor Star, face the consequences of his life of heroics when he must confront the family that he left behind. Besides focusing on the early days of this universe, The Quantum Age follows a new group of heroes, inspired by those lost in the Cataclysm, battling an oppressive regime in the year 2141. These spinoffs have also followed darker figures of the Black Hammer universe, such as its versions of Lex Luthor and the Punisher, in Sherlock Frankenstein and the Legion of Evil and Skulldigger + Skeleton Boy.
Spearheaded by one creative head, the Black Hammer universe offers comic book readers something that other universe simply cannot: actual development. Set throughout the ages, Lemire has managed to create a world of heroes and villains that have developed through time, allowing fans to see how these characters are permanently changed by the events that surround them. At the same time, these series use their inspiration to take the characters in truly bizarre directions, utilizing the tropes of the superhero world to the utmost possibilities. Luckily, newcomers can begin with the original Black Hammer series, entitled "Secret Origins", or they can even begin with the crossover, Black Hammer/Justice League: Hammer of Justice!, as another introduction.