Curious origins of mysterious character...
When I first picked up this comic, one look at the cover told me I should expect a Clint Eastwood clone, although I was soon proved wrong. He`s actually a detective, which I thought was a pleasant surprise. But, there is a certain something about the character Caleb Hammer, he`s another guy haunted by a tragic past...
...and there`s something else about him, I just can`t put my finger on...
Hammer, working for Pinkerton Detective Agency, arrives in the town of Manacle, Wyoming. He`s on the trail of two Indian War veterans, who have left a trail of robbery and death in their wake. During his hunt, we get several flashbacks to Hammer`s past. It appears that he was once a clergyman whose faith is lost after the bizarre death of his wife, then later, his brother and then one of his prisoners.
Hammer finally tracks down the two outlaws. They`re hiding in a cabin, keeping a family as hostage...
Strange part here - playing on the outlaw`s superstitions, Hammer impersonates an ancient Indian spirit. In the hut, the young boy in the family has an epileptic fit, and one of the nervous outlaws shoots the boy dead. Hammer enters and knocks out both baddies...But, once again, tragedy surrounds him, with the death of the young boy...
So...what is it about Caleb Hammer?
Earlier in tale, a town ruffian remarks Hammer `ain`t human!` when he shows uncanny speed and accuracy and breaks a pistol apart with his hands(?!). Is this some supernatural element? Is he cursed? Some holy vengeance for losing his faith? Misfortune and tragedy seem to follow him, is he just damn unlucky or just a victim of cruel fate, or am I missing some moralistic point??
...Ah! That`s it! The Clint Eastwood link! Remember that movie, Pale Rider, Eastwood plays a mysterious stranger, is he Death or an angel?
The Coming of Caleb Hammer (this tale`s actually titled `The Devil`s Starry Anvil!`) left me a little baffled, and the end result that I didn`t really care much for this depressing character.
The always excellent artwork from Tony DeZuniga gets this two and a half stars...