Advance Review: ‘Uncle Sam: Special Election Edition’ Rides Again
by Benjamin Hall
Summary
A down-on-his luck man by the name Sam is what this tale is about. Well, him and the history of the United States of America he is having visions of. How does this all relate to the concepts of Uncle Sam and America? Also will the man by the name of Sam’s luck change?
Overall
7.5/10There are various parts of this work that could trigger a reader. The most obvious example is how the main character rantings and visions come across as a mental health issue. This could be distressing for a reader with any of a number of mental health issues who might compare their experiences with Uncle Sam’s. Add in the lack of help Sam gets throughout the majority of this story, much less offers of such, and one can see similarities to our world’s ablest ways. Thus, certain readers may struggle with, or in select cases not even be able to finish, reading the beginning pages of this collection.
The art, including the new cover, is splendid in its realism. Yet, the choices in perspective sometimes cause pacing issues. Such is the case during the scenes where Uncle Sam is walking or running. In these scenes moments occur which suggest that time is happening do to character actions and positions. However, the amount of depth and position of one panel in comparison to others creates a sense of clashing times. Also there are sometimes breaks in the sequencing of the art that are equivalent to jump cuts in movies. These breaks/jump cuts occur are obvious due to things like Uncle Sam facing one direction and then in the next panel facing the opposite.
On the plus side this work still holds value for its subversion of the idea that America is a number one anything when there is so much divisive and bloody history. It also still reflects to readers how much promise and potential America can have.
Lastly, the updates are why readers and/or collectors might want this new edition. Specifically the back matter has some new essays, and there is a little updating of an older essay from Uncle Sam: The Deluxe Edition (2009).
The creative team for this comic collection’s story consists of writer Steve Darnall, co-plotter/illustrator Alex Ross, and letterer Todd Klein. Also includes an introduction by author/culture critic Greil Marcus.
Uncle Sam: Special Election Edition is due out from Abrams ComicArts on August 7th.
