The weekly mystery series by Ram V and Dan Watters is back with The One Hand #3 this week. The mystery is getting much more juicy after last week’s The Six Fingers #2. Now that we’ve seen a bit more about the killer, Ram V, and Laurence Campbell bring us closer to the truth in a third issue that leans more heavily on sci-fi elements than ever before.
The One Hand #3 opens with men walking through smoke in hazmat suits. The alien imagery connects with detective Ari Nasser’s nihilistic comments, to say the least. The last issue opened similarly; he was only referring to how we can’t escape life. Now, he’s commenting on how it’s a romantic notion that anyone would clean up the mess of humanity after we’re gone. They’re dark thoughts by a man who was supposed to retire but can’t let himself before solving the case.
This issue leans into the “coincidence” of the case, starting with a truck turning over so close to where a victim was killed. Things come to a head when Nasser insists on interviewing the man he put away in prison who committed murders of a similar style. Everything hinges on this scene, directly affecting Nasser’s ability to work the case going forward.
Meanwhile, Nasser’s love of a sex-working robot continues to be explored. A bit sad and, at the very least, an outsider of sorts, it’s interesting to see Nasser cling to this robot. It leads to some interesting ideas surrounding the case, which directly link to the futuristic sci-fi elements of the series. That’s nice, as the sci-fi elements have been less explored.
Anyone who was thinking this story was too slow, be prepared for some developments in the final pages. Not only does Campbell disturb to the max with the visuals, but Nasser may be closer than ever to pinpoint the killer.
Coincidence is only a clue in disguise.
Credit: Image
Visually, this issue is cold and calculated. A gruesome attack leads the charge for the most gripping scene, and Campbell uses the strange shapes the killer draws on walls to break up the attack. It’s an interesting way to somehow connect the decades-long serial killings to the event. Lee Loughridge’s colors are also spectacular, with the warm glow of city lights adding an ominous feel in one scene or a play with shadow in another. The purple glow of the night sky is also intriguing, adding a futuristic feel to the story.
There are also some exciting clues here and there. It’s nice to see the creative team not hold our hands but convey truths and clues so that we can do some digging. Regardless of how things play out, it’ll be fun to reread these series in one sitting when it finishes.
The One Hand #3 heats up the impending conflict between the detective and the killer as sci-fi elements seep into the web of clues. If you’re not reading this already, stop what you’re doing and buy up the back issues. This is riveting edge-of-your-seat comics.
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