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Sledgehammer 44 #2 Advanced comics review

By Leroy Douresseaux
April 9, 2013 - 15:20

Sledgehammer 44 #2 cover - by Mike Mignola - image

Part 2 of 2

Sledgehammer is a superhero character created by Mike Mignola, sort of his spin on Iron Man.  The character appears in a new two-issue, comic book micro-series, entitled Sledgehammer 44.  The series is written by Mignola and John Arcudi, drawn by Jason Latour, colored by Dave Stewart, and lettered by Clem Robins, with covers by Mignola.

Sledgehammer 44 opens in August 1944 in D’ebene Chiot, France, as an American military patrol attempts to destroy a German armory there.  The Americans, however, are really just support troops, as the military launches “Project Epimetheus,” also known as Sledgehammer, the man in a suit of iron armor.

Sledgehammer 44 #2 opens with four Americans taking on small German advance patrol.  The prize for the victorious side is Sledgehammer.  American Dale Glesham and Patrick Redding lead the charge for the American side, with their American comrades, Bunkers and Muralla dragged along.

One of the American’s is grievously wounded, and Glesham has to make a decision about a possible last stand.  Meanwhile, another American faces his fate after he is confronted by the truth about Sledgehammer.

THE LOWDOWN:  Call it the Hellboy-verse or the Mignola-verse, but by any name, Dark Horse Comics’ line of Mike Mignola-produced comic books is simply wonderful.  Sledgehammer 44 is a fine slice of that universe of most-excellent dark fantasy and monster comics.

The first issue of Sledgehammer 44 was basically Mignola and Arcudi’s entry into the genre of war comics, but with a sci-fi twist and some high-action.  Sledgehammer 44 #2 is also in the venerable tradition of war comic books, but with something extra.  Even with the fantastic elements, this comic book manages to be surprisingly human.  If Mignola and Arcudi can write more stories like this, hopefully, they will give us more Sledgehammer.

What if Jason Latour cannot draw more Sledgehammer?  Perhaps, Mignola and Dark Horse Comics  can also find another artist whose composition can convey the natural and the supernatural.

POSSIBLE AUDIENCE:  Fans of Mike Mignola will want to try Sledgehammer 44.

 

Rating: 9 /10

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12