Uber #4 - Review

Uber #4

Writer:
Kieron Gillen

Illustrator:
Caanan White

The story so far...

1945 Europe.

Days before the fall of Berlin, a secret German program for manufacturing enhanced humans turns certain defeat into unlikely victory - and horror. As part of the following offensives, Hitler orders his generals to prepare a terror mission against Paris. Meanwhile, spy Stephanie has returned a portion of the secret of Uber manufacture to Britain. The Allies are now attempting to create enough Ubers - and pray one of them is able to stand against the seemingly unstoppable power of the human Battleships.

What can you expect from this issue?

A story that is really picking up in pace (not that it was slow in past issues) but you definitely get a sense that the race is on for both sides. The Nazis appear to have the upper hand at the moment with a fully established superhuman force making their way to Paris to wreak havoc. Britain of the other hand is just trying to get their superhumans up and running having stolen the 'science' from the Nazis. A guest appearance by Winston Churchill can be expected. This issue focuses mostly on Britain's attempts to meet the challenge being posed by the Nazis and make sure they secure the upper hand in the war. It outlines the challenges and difficulties faced by the British in creating their own superhuman force and the dangers of getting it wrong. Meanwhile, Germany's superhumans appear organised and on their way to destroy Paris.

What did I like about this issue?

I am convinced that Uber is a great story and a hit comic book. I did have minor reservations about it in the beginning but this series is keeping a fast pace and remains interesting. Gillen is clever at slowly revealing the process by which superhumans are created. The mysterious powers of the crystals keeps the reader guessing throughout the story. This is a very different kind of war story. The bad guys might just win WWII! Gillen's superhumans are the equivalent of the problem faced by the Allies in WWII had the Nazis been able to perfected nuclear warfare. I see similar parallels and the reader is constantly forced to consider an alternative reality of a Nazi victory.

White's illustrations give Gillen's writing a dark and gruesome edge. I just love the way he draws spy Stephanie. Did anyone else notice her hair colour change on the second to last page of the issue? Or am I wrong? Irrespective, I love the intensity of this character and her sense of purpose and mission which can only be conveyed through White's masterful illustration. White is great at giving the Nazis a really dark feel. Grey clouds and terror surrounds the Nazi superhumans as they travel across Europe. A real sense of fear comes through in the art panels devoted to the Nazis superhumans.

A discouraging distraction...

I was disturbed to read that there are commentators out there that have formed an unjust view that Gillen and/or White have created Nazi propaganda in the creation of this comic book. This was observed by Bleeding Cool website...

Bleeding Cool Article 

On a more positive note, I also enjoyed reading this article by USA Today...

USA Today Review 

There are clearly ethical issues with creating a book that would contemplate a Nazi victory at the end of WWII. I really think Gillen and White have a comic book that explores the horrific extent people and nations might go to achieve their own goals of State. This is a clever book for sensible comic book enthusiasts. This is not a piece of Nazi propaganda, but a fictional exploration of what nations do to achieve victory in times of conflict.

So what do I give it?

Grade: A

This is a great comic book. I am keen to see what happens in the next issue? Will the Nazi superhumans get to Paris? I guess we'll have to wait and see.

Enjoy!