Advance Review: The Pressure Is On In `No/One’ #2
by Tom Smithyman
Overview
In only its second issue, No/One has established itself as a must-read book. The characters are complicated. The writing is crisp. The mystery is deep. The artwork is strong. What more could you ask for in a comic book?
Overall
9.5/10Only two issues into the No/One limited series, and the pressure is already building. 
Cop Ben is being pressured by his chief to retire after being shot in the last chapter. Meanwhile, Ben just had to bury one son and the other is in jail under suspicion of being a serial killer.
Julia is a reporter for the local newspaper who is being pressured by her editors and the paper’s marketing team to use her new podcast to sensationalize the murders plaguing Pittsburgh.
And the city’s police department is stressed by trying to stop the apparent copycat killings as well as deal with the mysterious vigilante No/One, who saved Ben’s life last time. A new high-profile murder only to the pressure for the cops.
It’s enough that you can’t help but hear the Queen song playing to a crescendo when you read the comic.
It also makes for a great read.
That’s thanks in no small part to a very smart and compelling script written by Kyle Higgins and Brian Buccellato. These writers demand your attention. You have bought their book – and, by God, you’re going to pay attention to all the storylines or get quickly left behind. Some may see that as a downside. But we need more stories that command a higher level of thinking like No/One.
The pair also does a good job of reminding the reader what happened previously. (While the series is still in its infancy, plenty has happened in this narrative before the first issue even started. There’s a wiki section in the back of the book to help readers keep track of things.)
Artist Geraldo Borges makes things interesting even when things get talky. There is near constant kinetic energy in every panel. Borges also does a nice job of showing readers what the character is feeling without having to read the word bubble. And it doesn’t hurt that he does a nice job of capturing various Pittsburgh landmarks. (Full disclosure: I’m from Pittsburgh and am watching for these things!)
Colorist Mark Englert’s use of deep blues and shadows add to the already spooky mood set by the rest of the creative team.
No/One is already a hit. The only downside is for the creators, who must be feeling the pressure to maintain the storytelling quality at this great level.
No/One #2 will be available for purchase on Wednesday.