Hammer Lass Brings A Glimmer Of Hope In A Dreary Landscape In Quantum Age #4

The last vestiges of the Quantum League are trying to get the band back together to save the universe. To do that, they need help from their robotic colleague Archive, but he’s gone back home to mother, who has been revealed as Talky Walky. As a quick reminder, Quantum Age takes place about 125 years in the future, past the current Black Hammer series so this is a pretty cool tie-in. Writer Jeff Lemire is not done connecting those dots though.

Quantum Age started as this fun idea to see what the future of Black Hammer might hold and it’s quickly turned into something so much more. It’s not just an ode to the Legion of Super Heroes either. This is heavily tied to everything that’s come before as Lemire builds this impressive universe filled with possibility and compelling characters.
This issue gives us a look at the new Black Hammer, Lyndda going by the name Hammer Lass. What I like about this series is that it doesn’t give you every single detail about a character or their origin. Instead, you get just enough information, which gives you a good idea of who they are and where they come from. You can fill in the blanks with your own thoughts and the brilliant artwork from Wilfredo Torres.

Hammer Lass’ design is awesome and she has a few different looks as we get a look at her throughout different times in her super hero career. Her hairstyle changes too which is a nice touch. I particularly like the large mohawk she sports in the main part of the story. The overall design for the costume hearkens back to the original Black Hammer. It’s a classic super hero look that will never go out of style.
The hammer itself is a pillar of strength. I love the way she wields it, like a force of blunt power. It’s not unlike Mjolnir. Energy crackles around it when it’s put to use. At times, it floats out, becoming the filler between panels as Hammer Lass flies into action.

Hammer Lass and the other members of the Quantum League stand out in this book. Their bright costumes represent this one light of hope in an otherwise bleak and dark futuristic landscape. Colorist Dave Stewart makes them stand out in this manner. Their vibrant costumes pierce through the shadows and misery of this time to give us a reason to look to the skies again.
This dreary tone is captured in Talky Walky’s robotic voice. Letterer Nate Piekos uses rectangular word balloons for the now giant robot with a blocky font. This gives off a cold, emotionless demeanor that’s matched by the sterile and inhuman world it lives on.

I barely had a chance to pick my jaw up off the floor from the cliffhanger ending of the previous issue before we’re hit with another startling final page. Quantum Age was already a solid read, but these two most recent issues have taken it to new heights. Black Hammer is redefining what super hero comics can do and this series is no exception.
Quantum Age #4 from Dark Horse Comics is currently available at your local comic shop and digitally through ComiXology and Amazon Kindle.