The Hammer: One Big Lie

In 1998, Dark Horse published this single-issue comic from writer/artist Mike Mignola, a standalone story that distills the creator's signature blend of folklore, shadow, and dry wit. The Hammer: One Big Lie follows a man who inherits a mysterious hammer and must contend with the supernatural forces it attracts, showcasing Mignola's stark, atmospheric art and his talent for turning a simple premise into a quietly mythic tale. As a one-shot from the peak of Mignola's early career, it stands as a compact, self-contained example of the moody storytelling that would define his later work.