Andy Diggle is a ninja. He stealthily appears in unexpected places, weaves his literary kung fu and then disappears in a puff of smoke. He is consistently the best writer in comics who does not write a regular book. His Green Arrow: Year One was so character-defining that it served as the inspiration for the ArrowTV series. His recent series for Image, Snapshot! was a delightfully disturbing paranoid thriller, and his aborted run on Action Comics exploded with potential. Losersredefined the heist genre over at Vertigo while his runs on Daredeviland Thunderboltswere underrated gems. Now, Diggle, aided and abetted by artist Aaron Campbell, bring their magic over to Dynamite in their new book, Uncanny.
The inevitable X-Men fan that picks up this book through the Pavlovian response of seeing the word "uncanny" on a comic cover is in for a rare treat. Uncannyis a super-powered caper book about a hustler named Weaver who possesses the power to absorb the talents of others. In a fight with a skilled martial artist? No problem, Weaver can borrow those skills and level the playing field. Uncanny is the study of what happens when a dishonest man has amazing powers. The story begins with Weaver trying to hustle a casino owner in Singapore while borrowing the gambler’s acumen at games of chance. Weaver somehow gets made, and the story begins.
The story’s pacing is frenetic. It does not give readers the chance to breathe as Weaver races to escape the casino by borrowing the gifts of some of the more badass members of the security detail. Diggle masterfully reveals Weaver’s powers while giving readers insight into what makes the immoral protagonist tick all they while crafting a feverishly paced robbery story. It’s like Diggle is making up a category of storytelling as he goes as we bear witness to the birth of the super powered heist genre.
Diggle does not do it alone as Campbell is able to keep up with the furious pace. His action is ripped right from the best John Woo fight scenes and his lush details of Singapore are a sight to behold. The world of Uncanny is one of beauty and excess juxtaposed with the underbelly of corruption, all of which are encapsulated in Campbell’s images combined with the usual lush colors Dynamite has become famous for.
But it is Weaver that sells the story. He has a Han Solo-like charm combined with a fascinating special ability that creates a comic experience unlike any other. Uncannyis based in a world where a man with an amazing ability can steal anything, from a fortune in cash or a defining human talent. Uncanny looks scaled back, a no-frills kind of comic, but once the cover is cracked, fans will witness a thrill a minute, balls-out crime story. Uncannyis an action packed tale of immorality and excess, and it shouldn’t be overlooked in a very crowded week of comics.
Story: 8/10
Art: 8/10
Overall: 8/10
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Just read the 4th one. Pretty cool story overall. Fun idea. Art style is unique and engaging.