A mystery hangs over the city of Pittsburgh. Or, more accurately, mysteries. Who is No/One? Who is Roe? Who is to be held accountable? After a bombastic opening, No/One continued with a follow-up issue allowing a chance to get to know the cast of characters a little better. Now, issue #3 has arrived, and it feels like the threads are beginning to unravel.
Please note. This is a special two-in-one review, looking at issues #2 (released April 19) and #3.
Image Comics
Issue #2 saw Julia Page’s popularity get in the way of her reporting, No/One encountering the police, and Ben Kern dropping a twist decision during a public press conference. In short, Pittsburgh is in chaos.
Issue #3 continues to pull on these threads. Juliacontends with people trying to push narratives on the podcast, the police are even more antagonistic with Ben, and Lieutenant McGarrity orders Singh and Harper to focus more on No/One.
After issue #1 set the tone of the series, issue #2 allowed the reader to explore further the cast surrounding No/One, as well as what the very idea of a cast it is. The series’ biggest strength is its ability to delicately balance such a large cast of characters in such a fulfilling way. Each one feels like they are leading their own story and could be the villain of this one. It’s a testament to the skill of writers Kyle Higgins and Brian Buccellato that each character feels fully developed, as if they live outside the panels. It’s this level of character work that brings the mystery to life.
One thing issues #2 and #3 did so well was making No/One feel like a true vigilante. We see only glimpses of the titular hero, making them feel as mysterious to the readers as they do to the characters in the book. This less-is-more approach works wonders for engaging with readers and getting them into the story.
Engagement is the other element elevating the book. It’s not fair to describe the series as just a comic book. More aptly, it’s an experience. There are data dumps to find, podcasts to listen to, and ‘Knowpedia’ pages to read at the end of each issue. Each element works in tandem with the comic to develop the story and characters, bringing them to life in a unique and fulfilling way. With each passing issue, I’ve found my investment in solving this mystery alongside Teddy and Julia growing. No/One isn’t a book you are just reading, but one that makes you feel like you are participating.
Image Comics
This is undoubtedly thanks to the creative team working together to create a series that feels totally one of a kind. Higgins and Buccellato has created a story that feels like The Departed meets Batman, populated with characters who only continue to grow more complex.
The art team of artist Geraldo Borges, colorist Mark Englert, and letterer Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou deserve major credit for the stunning work on the page. The art has an overall cinematic feel, with big splash titles and dynamic colors in wintery Pittsburgh, while dialogue and sounds are punctuated in the best ways. The dynamic layouts, art, and lettering help elevate the story’s world, engrossing the reader in the world of No/One.
If you’ve read this far, it should come as no surprise that I’d recommend anyone reading comics to pick up No/One. Issue #2 delivered a fulfilling expansion of the world, and issue #3 does a great job of exploring who our characters are.
The creative team behind No/One continues to deliver not only a fulfilling comic each month but a tremendous experience outside of the panels for the readers to dig into, crafting deep and thoughtful lore of the characters and world. The characters are complex, the mystery is gripping with lots of social commentary, and the art is terrific to look at. In short, No/One is one of the best experiences you can have when opening a comic book.
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