John Henry: The Steam Age

by Dwayne Harris

John Henry, a former slave, wasn't about to let some new-fangled steam hammer replace his ability to earn an honest wage as a steel-driving man. He'd beat that machine, or die with his hammer in his hand. We all know the outcome of that legendary contest. In this alternate history, however, John doesn't die in his heroic effort, but instead slips into a coma, only to awaken to his worst nightmare. A robotic uprising has occurred, and a new age has dawned - the Steam Age! Now the only thing that can free the human race from the very machines they've created is John and his hammer. John Henry: The Steam Age is an exciting re-imagining of the story of John Henry in a steampunk setting.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Steampunk

88 pages, Paperback

First published December 4, 2012

Reviews

[Clay Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked the steampunk super hero vibe of this work.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the good and bad things about this pandemic lockdown is the rich bunch of freebies that various publishers have offered. It's bad though because this was like the third series were after reading the first issue, I needed to read the rest.

Dwayne Harris does absolute justice to the legend of John Henry in this steampunk version of the story. All the books are checked. I really hope, considering the closing panels, that there is a follow up to this great book. What I particularly love, or one of the aspects that I love, is the character of Polly, John Henry's wife, who really gets a good role in this book. I would love to see a book just about her.

If you like folklore, you need to check this out.

[David Schwan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A steampunk version of the legend of John Henry. This version picks up after the classic competition of man versus machine only soon after an evil genius is poised control the world with his army of robots and analytic engine which controls them. Nice graphics.

[Jenna Idenward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doesn't pass the Bechdel test or make a whole lot of chronological sense, but otherwise pretty darn awesome. It's Victorian steampunk set in the alternate Civil Rights Era with actual references to things like the Exclusion Act and centering on a folk hero whose super intense hammer is literally forged from his chains as a slave (again, the timeline kind of breaks down quickly on this one). But still cool!

[KWinks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love American tall tales and steampunk so this one had great appeal. Add in an awesome story and great art and I was hooked. My only complaint is in the construction. I was the first to read this and I always treat books gently, but while I was reading this two pages came loose and a staple is working it's way out of the spine and is going to cut someone's hand if I don't get some tape on it. Shame.

[Kare · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like it. I love steampunk and this is an interesting POV of an American legend. Also appeals to the apocalyptic futuristic genre.

[Matt Kruse · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting story, well told and well drawn.