Quantum Age: From the World of Black Hammer

The Eisner Award–winning Black Hammer series by Lemire (Essex County) returns with a new cast of retro-futuristic characters. The once-teenage heroes of the Quantum League series have become a ragtag band of rebels, striving to save the universe from a galactic dystopia brought by the betrayal of one of their own. As Martian exile Barbali-Teen gathers retired and hidden ex-Leaguers, Lemire fits together plot puzzle pieces (which will make better sense to those familiar with the already extensive line of comics). The arc also cleverly pays homage to DC’s Legion of Super-Heroes, with appearances by Martian Manhunter and Swamp Thing. The crisp art by Torres (Black Panther) is vibrant even during quiet pauses, and his panel sequences flow smoothly, with more nuanced coloring than typical genre fare. Boasting a diverse cast of characters (and inter-species romance), sly moments of humor, and smart scripting, this fast-paced saga chock-full of heroes puts a fresh spin on familiar themes of rebellion. It’s a welcome tour through an entertaining sci-fi universe in the vein of Mike Mignola’s Hellboy comics. Agent: Charlie Olson, InkWell [em](May) [/em]