Over midway through my Black Hammer binge, and things seem to have settled into a series of melancholy prequels about damaged men who aren't coping well with super powers or life or whatever. Here we have an ode to absent fathers. Cue up Harry Chapin's "Cat's in the Cradle" and have at it if that's what works for you. ( )

Very cool, retro and sad. I liked the art in this better than the Black Hammer art and the story was very touching. I wonder if he'll take this any further with flashbacks like "The Adventures of Doctor Star". I don't think so, this seemed more like an idea for a story than an idea for a character. ( )

Superhero comics have never been my favorite, but then Jeff Lemire created the world of Black Hammer. The main series is about of a group of Golden Age Superheroes who seem to be trapped in a small town but they have no idea where it really is. Lemire is now expanding his World of Black Hammer with several short spinoff series that are adding to the story in interesting ways.

This one is about a man who was a scientist and adventurer who became a superhero and traveled to other worlds. He left his wife and young son at home. Returning home after what to him was a short time, he realized that time passed differently and his family had been abandoned for years.

Now Doctor Star is an elderly former superhero who is trying to reconnect with his son who is now an adult and is dying of cancer.

This one volume story works as a standalone even if you haven't read any of the other Black Hammer books.

Lemire's at his best when telling stories of fractured and damaged families. This father and son story is heartbreaking but beautifully told.

The artwork by Max Fiumara is excellent. The detail in some of the full-page panels is incredible. ( )