Uncanny01-Cov-PhillipsDynamite has announced the second tile in its new “Crime Line.”  Uncanny will be the new title from Andy Diggle and Aaron Campbell, concerning a shady character who can borrow people’s skills running into an international conspiracy.  Which is to say something along the lines of a thriller with a slight touch of superhuman activity around the edges.

Diggle’s about to get his highest profile U.S. book as he’s set to take over Action Comics, but until that hits the stands he’s probably best known for another thriller comic – The Losers, which managed to make it to the big screen a while back.  He also did an original graphic novel for Vertigo’s defunct “Vertigo Crime” initiative called “Rat Catcher” about a mole/assassin in the Witness Protection Program that I thought highly of.

I do find it interesting that as Vertigo Crime goes away and there’s a changing of the guard at Vertigo, Dynamite’s Crime Line launches with titles from two regular Vertigo writers in Garth Ennis and Andy Diggle.  It’s likely just a coincidence, but Vertigo was trying to cultivate something with their crime efforts and Dynamite has stepped into that marketplace, if not into the exact OGN format.  With a semi-sequel to 100 Bullets returning to Vertigo in the form of Brother Lono, it will be interesting to see if there ends up being some sales synergy between the Crime Line and the new Vertigo.  And really, if you’re looking to build up a genre, it’s better to have multiple publishers putting out material in it.

Official PR follows:

Andy Diggle’s Upcoming UNCANNY Series from Dynamite
Blends Paranormal Abilities with Fast-Paced Crime Thrills

March 14th, 2013, Mt. Laurel, NJ:  Dynamite proudly confirms that fan-favorite writer Andy Diggle (Action Comics) will helm the new series Uncanny, set to launch in June as the second title in its burgeoning Crime Line.  Illustrated by the immensely talented Aaron Campbell (The Shadow), Uncanny #1 will ship with two covers by superstar artists Jock (The LosersDetective Comics) and Sean Phillips (CriminalFatale), split in equal ratio.  A special exclusive variant will be available as well, featuring the artwork of Dan Panosian (Avengers: Citizen Kang) and offered only to comic fans who enroll in subscription programs with their preferred comic book retailer.


Uncanny introduces Weaver, a man born with an uncanny ability that allows him to steal other people’s skills – their memories, abilities, and expertise – for a limited time.  A man with a power like that could change the world; but as a professional gambler, con-man, and thief-for-hire, Weaver prefers to look out for Number One.  That is, until he finds himself drawn into a dangerous game of international intrigue where the rules keep changing, the players are hidden… and the first thing he stands to lose is his life.  And maybe, just maybe, he isn’t so unique after all…

The anticipation for Andy Diggle’s new Uncanny series has been building since New York Comic-Con 2012, when it was announced that the red-hot writer would be helming an upcoming, yet unspecified series as part of Dynamite’s highly-touted Crime Line.  With a huge list of high-profile comics under his belt (including DaredevilHellblazer, and Thunderbolts), plus as one of the industry’s premiere writers of crime fiction thanks to his acclaimed work on The Losers, Diggle will certainly bring a wealth of genre experience and edgy innovation to the new Dynamite launch, a title with the foreboding tag line: “Six billion skill sets. One last chance.”

“I’d been talking to Nick Barrucci off and on for years about doing something for Dynamite, and I’m thrilled that we’ve lined up a project that pushes all of my buttons,” says Diggle.  “Uncanny is an edgy, fast-paced crime thriller with just a hint of the paranormal.  In other words, exactly the kind of comics I love to write – and to read.  It’s very freeing, not having to pull your punches, to be able to present new characters without the reader knowing their entire life history in advance.  Instead, the reader gets to discover this new world as Weaver does.  They go on that journey with him.  And it goes to some pretty dark places.”

“Andy Diggle is one of the most incredible writers in comics today.  As a fan, I find each series that he writes more engaging than the previous one,” says Nick Barrucci, Dynamite’s President/CEO.  “I enjoyed his Hellblazer run, but when I read his Green Arrow: Year One and The Losers, I wanted to read more of Andy’s work and sought out his earlier comic series to read.  And I’m glad I did!  Having now read much of his body of work, I have a deep respect for his skill as a writer.  After several years of exclusivity with DC and Marvel, I’m excited that Andy will be working with Dynamite on a series and genre that he loves.  Uncanny is going to blow everyone’s minds.”

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3 COMMENTS

  1. Not a fan of the name, Xmen comes to mind and that isn’t what I want going in to a new creator owned crime book. I will still get it because of the creators and genre though.

  2. YAY for more crime comics! I likely won’t be reading this because I’m losing my taste for supernatural elements, but I really hope they have success!

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