#black hammer: spiral city

[omercifulheaves]

Black Hammer: Spiral City #1 Art by Mike Mignola and Duncan Fegredo

[jkparkin]

Black Hammer: Spiral City #5 (Dark Horse, April 2025) variant cover by Tyler Crook

[smashpages]

Black Hammer: Spiral City #1 (Dark Horse, November 2024) variant cover by Mike Mignola

[graphicpolicy]

Preview: Black Hammer: Spiral City #3

Black Hammer: Spiral City #3 preview. With crime in Supertown out of control, insect gumshoe Inspector Insector sets out to discover what's driving it #comics #comicbooks

[found-family-tournament]

Found Family Tournament Round 1 Part 28 Group 140

Propaganda and further images under the cut

Rusties: Rodney Copperbottom, Lugnut/Lug, Fender Pinwheeler, Piper Pinwheeler, Diesel Springer, Crank Casey (& Wonderbot, Aunt Fanny, Cappy)

Protectors of Spiral City: Abraham Slamkowski/Abraham Slam, Mark Markz/Barbalien, Gail Gibbons/Golden Gail, Madame Dragonfly, TLK-E WLK-E/Talky Walky, Colonel Randall Weird (& Joseph Weber/Black Hammer)

Submissions are still open!

Rusties:

Within the societal structure of Robot City, there exists a social class referred to as Outmodes. Outmodes are robots whose parts are no longer being manufactured and, due to their economic status, cannot afford to purchase the newer, upgraded ones on the market. The fate of all outmodes is to be sweeped up, smelted down, and repurposed, when their old, broken bodies eventually fall apart. The Rusties are a ragtag group of outmodes living out of a boarding house. With the assistance of Rodney’s inventive prowess, they begin repairing other outmodes themselves. The film culminates in them fighting/defeating the evil robots responsible for the despicable treatment of outmodes.

Protectors of Spiral City:

A group of superheroes that once defended the sprawling metropolis of Spiral City. By killing the Anti-God, a malevolent cosmic being that threatened to destroy all of existence, they unwittingly upset the cosmic balance between good and evil. In order to prevent the universe from correcting itself and resurrecting the Anti-God, Spiral City’s heroes were forced to permanently exile themselves to another dimension. They now reside on a farm within the town of Rockwood, a timeless pocket dimension of sorts, where they attempt to pass themselves off as a (rather dysfunctional) family.

[earth-1218designate]

[geekcavepodcast]

"Black Hammer: Spiral City" Announced at Dark Horse

The next Black Hammer series from Dark Horse is Black Hammer: Spiral City from writer Jeff Lemire and artist Teddy Kristiansen. The comic will follow a new cast of characters struggling to survive in a chaotic world.

"Black Hammer: Spiral City picks up after The End, following the Second Cataclysm and the rearranging of the universe. Many of its lost heroes have returned, but there is no homecoming parade as anti-superhuman sentiment grows, fueled by recent events and stoked by Malcolm Gold, the former head of T.R.I.D.E.N.T, now running to become Spiral’s new mayor. Making matters worse, Spiral Asylum has shut down with many of its low-risk, mentally ill superhuman inmates being set loose into the streets." (Dark Horse)

Black Hammer: Spiral City #1 (of 7) goes on sale on November 13, 2024. The debut issue features a main cover by Teddy Kristiansen and variant covers by Mike Mignola, Matt Wagner, and Duncan Fegredo.

(Image via Dark Horse - Teddy Kristiansen's Cover of Black Hammer: Spiral City #1)

[sylusonychinus]

Episode 12 – A Line in the Rain

Series Masterlist Next Episode

It had been a few days since their quiet evening together. Since Zayne had looked at her like she was the only person in the world. Since he’d smiled at her in a way that left her heart aching.

Reader stood in the corner of the bustling hospital lobby, clipboard in hand, pretending to review the staff schedules. But her eyes weren’t on the clipboard. They were on him.

Zayne stood near the nurses' station, deep in conversation with one of the staff members. His sleeves were rolled up as usual, his posture relaxed but commanding. She watched as he leaned slightly closer, nodding at whatever the nurse was saying, his expression a mix of attentiveness and quiet authority.

And then—he smiled.

Not the smug, teasing smirk he often gave her, but a genuine, warm smile that softened the sharp angles of his face.

It wasn’t for her.

Her chest tightened painfully.

She tried to shake it off, but her mind betrayed her, spiraling back to thoughts she couldn’t escape.

MC.

The woman she had seen with him that night in the lobby. The woman whose name had come up in passing conversations. The woman who, as far as Reader knew, was his fiancée.

Reader bit her lip, her fingers tightening around the clipboard.

She had no right to feel this way. She knew that.

But no matter how much she tried to rationalize it, her thoughts kept drifting back to that night.

The way his hands had traced her skin, the way he’d whispered her name like it was something sacred.

It wasn’t just the memory of the physical closeness that haunted her—it was the way he’d looked at her afterward, like there was something unspoken hanging in the air between them.

And yet—he belonged to someone else.

She thought about the way he interacted with everyone. His charm, his competence, the effortless way he commanded respect.

She wasn’t special.

She was just… there.

And their arrangement—this messy, complicated thing between them—it couldn’t continue.

She knew it.

She just didn’t know how to tell him.

—

That evening, Reader walked home in a haze, the weight of her thoughts pressing down on her. The sky above was dark and heavy, clouds threatening to burst at any moment.

By the time she reached her building, the first drops of rain had begun to fall, cool and sharp against her skin.

She stood in front of the entrance, staring blankly at the door.

Then—

“Reader!”

She turned sharply at the sound of his voice, her heart skipping a beat.

Zayne was striding toward her, his hair damp from the rain, his shirt clinging to his skin.

Her throat tightened. “Zayne, what are you—”

“Get in the car,” he said, cutting her off.

She blinked. “What?”

“It’s pouring. I’ll drive you.”

“I’m already here—”

“Get in,” he insisted, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Before she could protest further, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward the sleek black car parked by the curb.

The rain was coming down harder now, soaking through her clothes as Zayne opened the passenger door for her.

“Zayne, I don’t—”

“Just get in,” he said, his voice softer this time, but his gaze was firm.

Reluctantly, she slid into the seat, the scent of leather and his cologne enveloping her.

He climbed into the driver’s side, shaking droplets of water from his hair before starting the engine.

The ride was quiet, save for the sound of rain pelting against the windows.

Reader stared out at the blurred city lights, her chest aching with every passing second.

When they reached her apartment, she hesitated before unbuckling her seatbelt.

“Thanks for the ride,” she said quietly, her hand on the door handle.

But before she could step out, his voice stopped her.

“Reader.”

She froze, her heart hammering in her chest.

“Talk to me,” he said, his tone uncharacteristically gentle. “What’s wrong?”

Her grip tightened on the door handle.

She couldn’t do this.

Not with him looking at her like that, like he actually cared.

Taking a shaky breath, she turned to face him.

“We need to stop,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Zayne’s brows furrowed. “Stop what?”

“This,” she said, gesturing vaguely between them. “Whatever this is. It needs to stop.”

His expression darkened. “Why?”

“Because it’s wrong,” she said, her voice breaking. “You have someone. You’re engaged, Zayne. And I… I can’t keep pretending this is okay.”

He stared at her, his jaw tightening.

“Is that really what you want?” he asked quietly.

She looked away, tears stinging her eyes. “It doesn’t matter what I want.”

“It does,” he said, his voice firm. “It matters to me.”

She shook her head, unable to meet his gaze. “It’s over, Zayne.”

Silence filled the car, heavy and suffocating.

As she reached for the door, his voice broke through the tension.

“One more day,” he said, his voice soft yet resolute.

She turned, her heart clenching at the rawness in his eyes.

“What?”

“Give me one more day with you,” he said, his tone almost pleading. “Just one day, Reader. Then we’ll stop. I promise.”

Her resolve wavered, her chest tightening with the weight of his words.

One more day.

Could she survive that?

She nodded slowly, her voice barely audible. “Okay.”

The faintest hint of relief crossed his face, but the ache in her chest only deepened.

She stepped out of the car, the rain drenching her as she walked to her door. She didn’t look back, afraid that if she did, she wouldn’t be able to let go.

Behind her, Zayne sat in the car, his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly as the rain poured around him.

Both of them knew that one day wouldn’t be enough.

Taglist: @nezuswritingdesk @divxvx @demon-master-zero @mcdepressed290 @syluslittlecrows @seris-the-amious @beaconsxd @wcelmedarling @kaiii07 @sickleddreamer

a/n: hewwow everyone so sorry for not posting exams have been hell ive been admitted to the hospital my lifes just been shit but im okay now! hope yall enjoy this just a few more episodes and iressistable will finally end :3

[allflooby]

Comics from Arcane for the week of December 18, 2024: Savage Sword of Conan 6, Milestone Universe: The Shadow Cabinet 2, Jonny Quest 5, Jenny Sparks 5, Green Lantern/Green Arrow World's Finest Special 1, Resurgence of the Valiant Universe 4, Epitaphs from the Abyss 6, The New Gods 1, The Rocketfellers 2, Star Trek Lower Decks 2, The Wrong Earth Dead Ringers 5, From the World of Minor Threats: Barfly 4, Dark Knights of Steel Allwinter 6, Daredevil 16, Black Hammer: Spiral City 2, Shadowman Soul Eaters 3, Action Comics 1080, Titans 18, Wonder Woman 16, Absolute Batman 3, The Question: All Along the Watchtower 2, Nightwing 121, and Nexus Scourge 1. Huge week. Seems like just about every DC title I get came in all at once.

[jkparkin]

Black Hammer: Spiral City #5 (Dark Horse, April 2025) cover by Teddy Kristiansen

[smashpages]

SDCC | Jeff Lemire + Teddy Kristiansen present a ‘new beginning’ in ‘Black Hammer: Spiral City’

The seven-issue miniseries set in a chaotic new world begins this fall.

[graphicpolicy]

Preview: Black Hammer: Spiral City #2

Black Hammer: Spiral City #2 preview. Inspector Insector sets up office in Supertown while an evil political force enforces its totalitarian policies on the city #comics #comicbooks

[thefreelanceangel]

"Seeing you like this is a rare treat."

Sweat soaked his hairline, a few streaks cutting through the soot on his face. Tiny black specks marred the leather apron, showing where sparks were flung up from his tapping hammer, and the acrid smells of the Goldsmiths' Guild rose even above the sweat-soaked cotton and leather he wore.

The dull edge of the barrel dug into the back of her thighs, adding another layer of ache on top of everything else she felt. Aetherical healing did quite a bit, but she'd not lingered long enough for them to finish up everything.

He reached up and cupped her face, leather glove hot against her skin, and carefully tipped her jaw up. "Look at me."

C'allie did.

"What happened? And why did you come here? To me?"

"Roronji."

His face hardened immediately. The fingertips against the side of her face tensed, pressing to her flesh, before he caught himself. "Was he going after you specifically?"

"Lyngnagl."

"...did you reach out to Mags?"

She rubbed her bare arms. Ul'dah wasn't known for a particularly cold climate, but the inner city didn't feel the desert sun in the same way. During the day, it became mildly warm. At night, it bordered on frigid if it wasn't on the ground level. Around them, the air felt too cold.

"She's dead," C'allie muttered.

"When?"

"A year back."

His thumb carefully moved over her cheekbone, pushing jagged locks of hair away from her skin. "Roronji?"

"Likely. Kadiar said a mining accident." C'allie's tail carefully moved, curling over her scraped knee. "He doesn't know anything."

"She didn't tell him?"

"No."

"You didn't tell them?"

Faces flicked through her mind. C'allie felt her left ear try to move when she winced, lopping against her hair. "No."

"Anything?"

"No. How could I?" She paused. "They know ... most of everything else. As much as is safe for them to know." She licked her dry lips. "They don't know about you."

He didn't say anything to that. How could he? The last time they'd come face to face, he'd shot her through the abdomen and she'd broken a blade off in his back. Mags and Lyngnagl'd both been alive, and in love. Roronji'd argued half the night about what they should do, only for that argument to spiral into what'd sent them all (bleeding) in separate directions. Who'd want to tell a family about that?

"Lyngnagl dead. Mags dead." He exhaled at last. "That explains why you came to me." C'allie's gaze shifted. His hand on her face exerted gentle pressure. "Look at me."

"If you'd taken this to Kugane," Osric Yar said calmly, "I likely would've helped Roronji hunt you down." His thumb ran lightly across her cheekbone before moving to her hanging ear. "Come. I'll tell the guild master I have a family emergency and we'll start piecing things together. Hm?"

[apocalypse-eyes]

Vermin (work in progress)

I.

My body is a rotten animal. My bicycle is left under the water. I haven't got to understand myself yet and I still came here to kill. I can pass through surfaces easily as my self is a semi-transparent layer. Dead water air and the stagnant sea. There was some paint on these hands when i found them.

The air is all saturated with smoke. I know you can see me when you look out your window. It doesn't really mean anything. Like peat soil, I'm standing in the way of the road. Cars look at me. And I forget what I'm supposed to do. Weren't you like this when you were still in your body? Some alcohol would change you, I can feel in this stomach now the way that you were. Your phone got destroyed in the water so there's no one else for now. The earth will tilt beneath us when I get sober. So you recover me. I found myself in dreams like you. The fallen trees in the forest that were incapable of decay. It's too late. The trees were all turned into ash, a fine white powder, while those grotesque tessellations of smoke replace their plumage.

The city used to be surrounded with trees. It was a part of the world. I don't know what these words still mean when I remember them. You take control at times I get too calm to follow death. Attached together, we're everything attached together. I can't really understand what you want except that missing a thumb like this is spiraling.

Your body is inconvenient. I went to your apartment when I found you and I pulled apart your strange collections. It seems you were in love, from the way that you didn't live in your room for a while. The plant there was dying. Its vines were all turning blond and brackish strands of hair, like pitiful handfuls can be clutched from a scalp. Your life was getting dismal with love.

I think that I came here to kill someone. There's signal interference. The pistol you kept in the closet, I took that out the first night and we walked around the city together. You start to understand yourself when it's losing connection. I was still damp from the fall. Still walking around there wrenched and bloody. You don't look them in the eye when there is smoke coming out of your clothes. Black smoke fills the sky at night and it turns back to white and red in the morning.

I keep walking home to your hole in the floor. The place you were disappearing. You're gone now, except those chemical reactions and you occasionally wake in the night. I need to keep drinking so I can stay in control of this terrible dream. You look at the ceiling or into the mess of green skeletons outside and keep thinking it won't be like this forever.

And everyone knows it's too late for pollution. You may as well eat the pigeons off the street. You may as well eat the rats and arthropods before the water rises. There's someone at the door. The window is broken so it's very cold in here. We talk in the surface of water that your face reflects and you try to explain yourself sometimes. I told you that we're going to kill. It doesn't seem to bother you much. It's just okay that we are going to kill someone. The world got to be like that while you were alive.

A clot of hair in the drain, that's how I describe it. I need to be inebriated to float back on the surface. The scraps of dead souls that can molder together. Spaces between, congealed tension and reconstitution. You understand it if you don't. No one thing or another. Those particles of smoke who pulled you out of the water when you died. It's not as simple as that. There isn't death.

You walk around with the body when I can't get numb anymore. He was at the grocery store again and it felt like falling under the water. The hammer from the wind that dragged you off the bridge. It was the grating in the middle that felt treacherous before. You get used to some things and then they kill you. I can't hate you like you wanted me to, and you can never want to be in love with me.

[cybercitycomix]

Top New Misc Comic Releases for the Week of November 13th, 2024.

Arcbound #1,

Barbarella #2,

Black Hammer: Spiral City #1,

GI Joe #1,

Heat Seeker Combustion Gun Honey #1,

Power Rangers Prime #1,

Resurgence XO Manowar #1,

Terminator #2,

Tmnt Mutant Nation #2 +

Wynd the Power of the Blood #1.

[waltwhitmansbeard]

"here. take this gun. don't pull the trigger unless it's absolutely necessary."

Can we get some sweet perc'ahlia, please? :D

here. take this gun. don't pull the trigger unless it's absolutely necessary. gonna set this one in gwtf since that's also my modern au, apparently.

The sound wakes Percy from a dead sleep, sends him shooting up from the pillow, eyes instantly wide and searching. It's pitch black in this apartment, black-out curtains drawn tight because it would take an act of the gods to get Vex to wake up with the sun. Even now, as his heart hammers a mile a minute, she's just barely stirring, still clearly in the clutches of sleep as she mumbles, "Percy darling?"

He heard it. A creaking, or maybe snapping? Something from the hall outside, he's sure. They're in a nice area of the city, all brick and marble, but that invites a different kind of danger, one where shiny things attract all manner of monsters in the dark.

He's just about to tell her what he'd heard when it happens again: a muffled bumping, just outside their door. That, at least, rouses her properly, gets her to sit up next to him. "What was that?"

He doesn't answer, because he doesn't know. Instead, he reaches into the stately nightstand beside the bed and pulls out his gun, the one she hates but he cannot go to sleep without. Her hand grips his shoulder. "Percival, don't."

Ignoring her still, he reaches back into the drawer and retrieves a second weapon, this one much smaller and less powerful. He twists around to press it into her hand. "Here. Take this gun."

Her eyes nearly pop out of her head. "In what world—"

"Don't pull the trigger unless it's absolutely necessary." This, he doesn't say, is why he wanted her trained, why he's been nagging her to go to the range with him sometimes, just so she's not a complete novice with the thing—but no, it's the archery classes she's been taking that are supposed to keep them safe.

He swings his legs out of bed and begins to pad out of the bedroom and into the living area, eyes scanning in the near total darkness. Nothing stirs, but as he approaches the front door, the sound grows louder, more insistent. He tightens his fingers around the grip of the gun. Behind him, Vex's shuffling gait pulls his attention—he'd really rather she stay back, keep hidden unless and until the worst happens—but he focuses on the task at hand. Silently as he can, he slips up to press his eye to the peephole.

Nothing.

The hallway is empty.

He turns back to Vex, who mouths, What is it? He shrugs. He undoes the chain and the deadbolt, and then slowly, so slowly, creaks open the door, the gun just at his side.

"WOOF!"

All the money in the world, and Percy never in a million years would have bet that the cause of all this worry is this, an enormous, shaggy, dark brown mutt panting happily in the hall, here on the fourth floor of their rather upscale building. Percy stares, gaping, at the dog, who boofs again.

"What the hell?" The door is wrenched open further as Vex strides up to get a look. Her squeal is nearly inaudible as she instantly falls to her knees, gun abandoned on the entry table. "Well look at you!"

There's a dog. A street dog, judging the matted fur and the stench, and Vex is letting it lick her face as if she's known the thing since it were a puppy. "Vex'ahlia..."

"Well move out of the way, Percival, and let him in!"

Things have spiraled out of his control so very, very quickly. Within seconds, Vex is inside on the couch with the dog, scratching behind his ears and ordering Percy to fill up a bowl with water for him. He obeys robotically, knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that while he may have been fast asleep not five minutes ago, he is now a dog owner, whether he likes it or not.

"Vex'ahlia, he probably has fleas..." he attempts weakly, but Vex is already listing out all the things they'll need to do and get in the morning, like checking for a microchip and buying dog food and getting him to a groomer. Eventually, he leaves her to her whirlwind excitement, returning to the two firearms to their place in his nightstand drawer and crawling under the covers, resigning himself to whatever chaos awaits this house in the morning.