Product Description

Clad in star-spangled rags, a mystery man named Sam wanders the streets of an anonymous American city, struggling to remember his true identity and the purpose in his life. But he's plagued by inner voices and a parade of icons come to life that carry him on a time-travelling journey into the dark heart of America...and hint at his own violent past. Is he Uncle Sam -- or one of U.S.? Nominated for an Eisner Award, this moving tale of a down-and-out icon is filled with the passionate and striking imagery readers have come to expect from Alex Ross, the award-winning artist of Kingdom Come and Marvels.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #134659 in Books
• Published on: 2000-06-23
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 104 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
Having gloriously portrayed DC's apocalyptic future (Kingdom Come) and Marvel's glorious past (Marvels), Alex Ross turned his gaze to an even older American icon and, armed with Steve Darnell's eloquent prose, proceeded to look into its dark heart. The result is one of the more radical and beautifully presented pieces of political fiction of recent times. In an unnamed city, a vagrant named Sam wanders aimlessly, dressed in patriotic garb, struggling to remember his true identity. Plagued by inner voices, Sam careers into a time-travelling journey where he confronts America's darkest moments and his own violent past. Ross's art is, as ever, stunning, yet furthering his considerable talent of allowing fantastical figures to mingle with "the real world" (continued with Superman: Peace on Earth). Once again, Ross's coupling with a strong writer provides another cohesive and stunning collaboration, with Darnell complementing the frank visuals with some uncompromisingly direct criticism of America. Between them, they fabricate a journey in which Sam is thrust into a delusional kaleidoscope of America's worst crimes against itself. Sam witnesses historical events rife with betrayal, lies, bigotry and unstinting violence, bringing him to the hardest question of all: "Ask not what your country's done for you. Ask what your country's done to you". By the end of this often uncomfortably inquisitive, but unquestionably valid read, it is hard to escape the truth of Sam's savage accusation that America is naught but a glossy, vapid advertisement for a product that does not exist. Uncle Sam is a remarkable feat, never preaching, but candid in its portrayal of a culture that has morally eroded due to corruption and human fallibility. --Danny Graydon

Customer Reviews

fierce psychoanalysis of an American myth&history
Old man on a sidewalk stretches his hand to you. Is he begging - or demanding something? Uncle Sam in ragged striped pants, goatee looking for his hat - a "real" myth character - or just an old wino, repeating catchphrases of 200 years of an American political tradition, while revisiting key moments of American history... Blood and betrayal of innocents - is it all there is? Yes. But with retelling comes an understanding, so Uncle Sam can become more human... This disturbing and very frank story is brilliantly told and beautifully painted. It's a piece of art from storytelling as from visual point. Worth to have - each time of re-reading brings new details, new dimensions to this excellent book.

You think you know the USA ?
Alex Ross and Steve Darnall have created a masterpiece worthy of a wider audience than that of most graphic novels. This is a complete re-examination of the history of the United States through the eyes of the mythical Uncle Sam.

Many aspects of the States' seedier past are portrayed in what is a reflection of what the USA aught to be. The whole piece is brought to vivid life by classic Alex Ross artwork.

Should be compulsory reading amongst the Bush administration!

Uncle Sam - Simply Brilliant
Just finished reading this and Frankly I simply could not get over how much I loved it. Great writing, beautiful artwork, and a theme that forces you to think. Verbally bashing America has become a sport in itself in the past few years, and anyone who participates will simply adore this work. But for everyone else there is still a great story here and, as I said, it forces you to think. All I would say, to those who might vicariously enjoy the slagging off of the American dream, is to look at it and see the mirror that is Britain. Despite being set across the pond, this is still a book that is painfully relevant to us.