“Hammer Head #1” Review – Hitting the Nail in the Head

The Run Down

What would you do if the cops randomly arrested you for seemingly no reason and brought you to an unknown location? What if they somehow knew your traumatic past and used it against you in a twisted game? Those are the exact questions Ed Brisson presents us with in “Hammer-Head”. Come join Anthony and me if you don’t want to feel alone in the madhouse!

Writer: Ed Brisson
Artist: Damien Couceiro
Colorist: Dee Cuniffee
Letterer: Pat Brosseau

The Writing

Anthony: This is a strong first issue, y’all! Ed Brisson knows how to get under your skin! The mystery surrounding the prison is compelling, while Jules gives the story an emotional center amid all the violence and uncertainty. She starts pretty unlikeable, but as her story unfolds, you can’t help but feel for her. The book moves quickly, but it still gives the characters enough room to feel like people and not just disposable bodies in a horror setup. It’s got a bit of a “Cabin in the Woods” vibe, only it isn’t total nonsense.

Eda: Right from the start, it’s clear that, as with most horror, Brisson’s telling a story with a very relevant message. A problem that’s been ongoing for decades in the US is that of our prison/legal system. Couple that with today’s interest in true crime and darker entertainment, and you have yourself a recipe for a solid horror foundation. That’s exactly what this first issue is: a solid start.

Within just a little over thirty pages, Brisson manages to hook you in and set up a multitude of questions. How did Jules get here? How does the warden know her and her past? Most importantly, why is she being forced to relive her trauma with these seemingly random people? These are just a few of the questions I asked myself, and I’m so excited for whatever Brisson has planned going forward!

The Art

Anthony: Damien Couceiro’s art is raw, expressive, and perfect for horror. Every act of violence feels painful, hallways feel claustrophobic, and the final pages deliver the kind of shock horror you came for. Dee Cunniffe’s colors do a lot of work as well, using cold blues, sickly greens, and bursts of red to make the book feel grimy and dangerous.

Eda: Matching the vibes of Brisson’s writing is the art and colors of Damien Couceiro and Dee Cunniffe. When it comes to Couceiro’s penciling and inking, every single bit feels intentional. Like it all tells its own story to help shape this world. The characters we see are of varying ages, genders, and heights, each design indicating a life lived. That all just makes it hit even harder when things get visceral, and boy, do things get bloody.

Lending to this is the fact that Cunniffe colored everything to perfection. The blood looks viscous, and Jules’ world looks properly drab and dreary, indicating either lost hope or no hope in sight. The way the colors make the world is truly a sight to behold. As for the lettering, Brosseau did a fantastic job of keeping things easy to follow while making sure we knew exactly how to read each piece of dialogue.

Final Thoughts

Anthony: “Hammer Head #1” is a tense, violent, and gripping debut that feels like a mash-up of “Person’s Unknown” and “Cabin in the Woods”. It has the energy of a prison thriller, the unease of survival horror, and just enough mystery to make us want to see where this nightmare goes next.

Eda: “Hammer Head #1” is a near-perfect first outing from Brisson as he creates a horrifying tale wrapped around an intense, uncomfortable, and necessary message. With a fantastic team behind him, this is a horror run you’ll want to pay attention to. I know I will be.

Anthony’s Grade: 8.5/10
Eda’s Grade: 9.5/10
Overall Grade: 9/10

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Comments

Do you plan on checking out “Hammer Head #1”? If you’ve read it, what did you think? Let’s discuss in the comments below!