Review: Hammer and Bolter – “Double or Nothing”

If you’re new to Hammer and Bolter, it’s an anthology show that tells short stories from all over the Warhammer universe. “Double or Nothing” takes us back to the Age of Sigmar, where a bunch of medieval Spacemarines known as the Stormcast Eternals, looking down on a clan of Orruks, who are the Age of Sigmar version of the Orks. The Orruks have a striking resemblance to World of Warcraft‘s orcs, down to the big size, and giant tusks. Hamilcar is the man. This man walked right into the Orruk settlement, and challenged the head of this clan. The shenanigans Hamilcar manages to conduct while trying to get the leader fight him. He goes so far as to bet recognition, to his pet companion, to his armor, to the gift of immortality. I thoroughly enjoyed this.

There’s a lot to like in “Double or Nothing,” with most of it being Hamilcar himself. Hamilcar is the funniest character to come from any episode churned out on Warhammer+, hands down. The tactics he had single-handedly going against the war band of Orruks was so hilariously stupid, he somehow made it work.

The animation for “Double or Nothing” has similar animation style to The Interrogator, but I think the angular designs coupled with the brighter colors and lighter tone, may lend itself better to an episode like “Double or Nothing” instead of The Interrogator. Most of the time, the Warhammer universes take themselves serious. “Double or Nothing” takes that notion, and tosses it out the window. Hamilcar needs his own series.