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Sledgehammer '44 #1 Review

By Jeremy Whitley
March 5, 2013 - 23:09

Sledgehammer '44 is a new miniseries out from Dark Horse Comics which is set in the world of, and assembled by the creators who have become synonymous with, Dark Horse Comics' historical fiction world of Hellboy.  While World War II is very much part of the Hellboy mythos, this book takes us into the middle of the war, whereas Hellboy starts at the end.  This is an important distinction, as it means the book is essentially leap frogging the known Hellboy universe.

When it comes right down to it, Sledgehammer '44 is a World War II superhero book.  There's an established tradition here and it's been well worn over the years.  We come in along with a group of American soldiers in Nazi Germany who are on a mysterious mission to support a super soldier of sorts.  This is the way every WWII Captain America story starts and it's the same here.

Except, instead of Captain America, our super-soldier is a mysterious metal man.  Nobody knows anything about him, but it quickly becomes evident that he is a one man army for which the Nazis are not fully prepared.  However, when things take a turn, the super soldier finds himself leaning on the average men of the American army.

So, the question becomes, how does it measure up to these stories with which it shares so much?  The answer is that it measures up quite well.  Mignola and Arcudi know both the genre and the world inside out.  While we're taking a peek into a pre-Hellboy Mignola-verse, it still feels very much like the world to which we've become accustomed.  The hero of the book has several names, but remains mysterious.  We don't really know who or what he is, but nothing would surprise me.  While there were only a few moments that really blew me away, the story holds up pretty well, even in the crowded space it inhabits.

The art is the really standout feature of this book.  While the Mignola-verse has a pretty well established house style, Jason Latour easily demonstrates how easy it is to shine within that world.  All of the characters feel real and solid, but naturally the high point is giant robot battle.  Who doesn't love giant robot battle?  Especially when it's between our hero and a giant Nazi killing machine.  Latour really makes these pages count.  It's also helped tremendously by Dave Stewart's colors.  The book oscillates between a muted sepia and the wild blue which is associated with our hero's powers and it couldn't feel more part and parcel with the universe.

In short, while it leaves as many questions as it does answers, Sledgehammer '44 #1 is a solid start to the two part series.  Whether it be the dangling threads at the end of this story or the brilliant artwork, you'll definitely want to find your way back for issue 2.

Rating: 7.5 /10

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12