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