Hammerfist #1

Image Comics

Written by Rick Remender

Art by Steve Epting

Colors by Matt Hollingsworth

Letters by Rus Wooton

The Rundown: A criminal takes a job with some dangerous consequences.

Mike is a small time criminal and addict in a small town who performs contract murders for drug money. After a night of meth and sleeping in his car, he is awakened the next morning by a couple looing to hire him for a job in another town. A job that will take care of him financially for the rest of his life.

With nothing more to lose and no concept of right and wrong, he agrees and meets the rest of the crew before they load into a van and head for a small town bank. Mike immediately realizes something is wrong with the locals before his benefactors disappear into a vault. The bank winds up surrounded by cops and Mike realizes too late that this robbery is about something more than money when they emerge with a powerful weapon that falls into his hands.

The Story: Remender crafts a dark, thrilling and entertaining story in this first issue. There are great layers to both the plot and the characters and Mike is an interesting protagonist both in his motivations and actions. He is not a good guy. He isn’t necessarily a good person and yet he’s written in a way that draws you in. I like that there is a growing mystery throughout the story mixed in with outrageous action and violence. I really want to see where this story goes.

The Art: Epting crafts beautifully stylish art throughout the issue. There is a wonderful, gritty pulp feel to the imagery and characters that I love.

About The Author

Deron Generally

See author's posts