Hammer at the premiere of a production of ‘Von Bach’ in Hollywood.
Von Bach: the Graphic Novel
Doctor Heinrich Von Bach was the nineteenth-century scientist resurrected from the dead by his own ungodly invention. At least that’s the story Hollywood told when they got hold of the gothic romance novel written about the good doctor. For a hundred years they’ve made as many films based on the bloody life and undeath of Von Bach.
Today, a major studio is finishing a big budget “Von Bach” movie. But suddenly, the real Von Bach returns to life in Hollywood and he is going to teach the cast and crew the true meaning of “development hell.”
VON BACH! Greater than the power of life! Greater than the power of love! He possessed the greatest power of all! SUBPOENA POWER!
Playwright Owen Hammer has adapted the play for the comics medium and versatile artists Mariano Navarro and Hernán Cabrera will be bringing his vision to life.
“Von Bach” is a satire that pokes fun at pop culture and society in general. Nonetheless, there is a powerful story about the search for meaning and the struggle for one’s own dignity. And of course, some genuine scares!
Writer: Owen Hammer
Art: Mariano Navarro
Color: Hernán Cabrera
177 pages in full color featuring the complete story, bonus art and a new introduction by Kevin VanHook
You can buy the first chapter of “Von Bach” from the fine folks at Scout Comics, and you can choose from three different covers! The complete graphic novel will be available soon.
In 1888, DOKTOR VON BACH explains his work to aspiring writer ELSA JAEGER and Elsa’s self-appointed guardian BRONWYN. Is Von Bach a pioneer or a mad scientist?
In 2013, Hollywood Studio head HILARY RUBENS and her mentee MINNA TSENG brainstorm the one hundredth ‘Von Bach’ film.
MINNA, HILARY and director PETER MAY discuss yet another roadblock to completing their new ‘Von Bach’ film.
The gang plots to make a computer generated Von Bach for their movie, perhaps unintentionally using black magic for the second time . . .
MINNA, HILARY and PETER try to get the movie in the can, but even a wall of flame can’t stop CONNOR KRUPA from trying to take the film in a different direction.
CONNOR is more than just a smug douchebag. Oh, he IS a smug douchebag, but with the law on his side, he scores a victory and stops MINNA and HILARY with a court order.
We flash back to 1888 and learn what really happened to Dr. Von Bach. Elsa and Bronwyn are shocked by his resurrection, but also sense an opportunity.
Von Bach arrives in Hollywood to discover that he is a celebrity . . . not because of his life but because of his death.
Von Bach, now acclimated to the modern world, begins the process of suing Worldwide Pictures, teaching them a whole new meaning of "Development Hell."
Is Connor falling apart or does he truly have the metaphorical silver bullet that will destroy Von Bach?
Von Bach is reduced to working a humiliating job and Minna tries to comfort him. However, there is a deeper tragedy under the surface and Minna is about to discover it.
Von Bach goes full monster and attacks the set. Take five, everyone.
— Press —
Here’s what the critics are saying about “Von Bach,” so when we call the book “critically acclaimed” you know we’re not being sarcastic. Also, see some video interviews with Owen Hammer (sorry, but you must actually look at Owen Hammer if you watch these).
“The crisp story and crisp art engage immediately with vivid appeal, pop in the gentle flow of color and art, pop in the sharp humor running incessantly through the dialogue, pop in the perspective always moving the camera angle and series of angles page to page, sometimes bursting outside the lines without splashing, pop for the magnificent expressiveness in every character at any spoken scene perfectly synched in the art and the phrase as if they were molded together . . .”
Terry Hammond ultimately describes himself as a “big Von Bach fan[,]” in this article to which I can say “aw shucks” or nothing at all. Read the article HERE.
“[A]n enjoyable time and art structure that wastes nothing . . .”
Jake “Fracadactyl” Palermo takes a deep dive into the first five chapters of “Von Bach” and finds so much of the complex subtext, you’d think the author put it there on purpose. But seriously, the review is thoughtful and gives you a very good idea about what to expect if you actually (first buy and then) read “Von Bach.” Read the article HERE.
“[A] really good, fun read. I enjoyed it.”
The world-famous comic book podcast Comic Crusaders sent Johnny “The Machine” Hughes to interview Owen “The Hammer” Hammer and ask him about “Von Bach” and other comic book related topics and if you like seeing a pumpkin-headed man say “uuuuuh” a lot, your ship has come in! You can view the original 54 minute interview HERE and you can find Hammer Comics’s 14 minute edited version HERE.
This time comic book podcast Comic Crusaders sent Johnny “The Machine” Hughes and The Random Dude Josh Einfalt to interview Owen “The Hammer” Hammer and ask him about “Von Bach” after the series was completed. See Owen Hammer blink so much that you’ll think he’s sending a secret message in Morse Code. You can view the original 65 minute interview HERE and you can find Hammer Comics’s 13 minute edited version HERE.
“I liked Von Bach and I would recommend it.”
Beatrice Bove of the respected comic book web site A Place to Hang Your Cape somehow got assigned the task of reviewing “Von Bach” (some sort of mix-up, I assume) and she loved it. Read the review HERE.
“It feels fresh. The story moves along well with great characters and snappy dialogue. The art is a dream. It's a book I highly recommend!”
John Wilcox interviews Owen Hammer about Von Bach and other comics-related topics. You can read it HERE.
“Von Bach is a tightly written, gloriously drawn & colored piece that will grab you tightly and delight you.”
John Wilcox wrote a review of Von Bach the complete graphic novel. You can find it HERE or read below:
Von Bach : The Complete Graphic Novel (Hammer Comics)
My my, what have we here? A graphic novel based on a play about folks wanting to make a film based on a book about a legend. Sort of. Confused? Don't be. Von Bach is a tightly written, gloriously drawn & colored piece that will grab you tightly and delight you. It is the brainchild of writer Owen Hammer who is joined by artist Mariano Navarro and colorist / letterer Hernan Cabrera. It's many things. A satire. An action piece. A puzzle. In the end it's just a great tale that does not waste your time!
The graphic novel is packed with extra features. Background on the play the graphic novel is based on. Character designs. Page breakdowns. This is a sumptuous book. Throw in an intro by Bloodshot creator Kevin VanHook and you've got a can't-miss package! My absolute highest recommendation!
