Our group is in the zone of Possibility with a machine that can create anything. Undiscovered Country #17 presents the possibility of the infinite with an interesting proposal and debate about what to do and how to proceed. In an issue revolving around Ace, we get to learn more about his character and the hope of the possible, that feels grounded in reality, that he represents.

Written by Scott Snyder and Charles Soule, Undiscovered Country #17 begins the issue focused on the possibility of music and ends on something grander. The group is presented with an offer to use the tool in front of them to rebuild the realm they’re in and then use it to create anything they want. And that’s literally anything. They can create a cure for disease, a weapons system to protect themselves, the possibilities are endless. And that sums up a lot of what this arc is about, the possibility of America.

One scene in the issue sticks out and it’s the discussion of what the United States is good at. That’s selling and exporting its own legend. That its message told some sort of truth. In this realm, all of those legends come together and the result is a mess of a situation. But, it’s also clear those legends mean nothing without the people to share them and believe in them, and more importantly to create new ones. There’s a to to chew on in this arc and issue which makes what to ruminate on much more interesting than the specifics of the issue.

Giuseppe Camuncoli and Leonardo Marcello Grassi continue their fantastic art. Matt Wilson provides the color whole Crank! handles the lettering. The small details of the issue is what stands out as readers will linger on pages to catch the references and hints as to what things represent. Ships in the background are throughout history and concepts and that alone is interesting but it’s the reveal at the end that’ll leave readers excited to guess the references.

Undiscovered Country #17 continues grand ideas. The issue, and series, is one that will challenge readers to think through its themes and debate themselves the concepts within. It’s also a story that can be appreciated for its surface level action and entertainment. In other words, it’s a comic that captures so much about what America is about.

Story: Scott Snyder, Charles Soule Art: Giuseppe Camuncoli, Leonardo Marcello Grassi
Color: Matt Wilson Letterer: Crank!
Story: 7.5 Art: 8.0 Overall: 7.6 Recommendation: Read

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: comiXology – Kindle – Zeus Comics – TFAW

Undiscovered Country has been a fascinating series taking us on a twisted tour of what makes up America. After exploring individual liberty and innovation, the series takes us to Zone Possibility where we get to examine the myths and entertainment that have spun from the country. Undiscovered Country #16 focuses on American music giving readers a condensed history. As the issue points out, there’s a hell of a history here, far too much to pack into one issue. So, we’re given the basics and shown that there’s far more creation there than any of us realize.

In search of the Anything Engine, the issue feels like it’s full of riddles and puzzles as everyone attempts to figure out what to do next. That’s everything from singing to dealing with the “One-Man Band”. Writers Scott Snyder and Charles Soule have put together an interesting issue with Undiscovered Country #16. There’s a bit less of a funhouse feel to the issue and instead it shifts to challenging the readers in some ways. Music is presented to sign that the reader can attempt to decipher along with the characters. There’s a nice tease as a drum beat is discussed and readers can guess as to its significance and what it is before the reveal. It’s an exploration of music in both reading and listening.

The visuals for the series continue to intrigue. Giuseppe Camuncoli and Leonardo Marcello Grassi have fun with some of the music eras hinted at. A joke about disco is groan worthy but still funny. The One-Man Band is creative and creepy in its design and presentation. The duo continue to create and explore new worlds visually while keeping the series’ look coherent and consistent. Matt Wilson‘s colors continue to enhance everything as greens and pinks help create an unease about the issue. Crank!‘s lettering enhance the emotion and delivers some punch to scenes.

Undiscovered Country #16 is an interesting issue. It doesn’t quite challenge readers about America’s essence like previous issues. But, Undiscovered Country #16 does challenge readers to think about the nation’s contributions to music. It’s an issue that will hopefully spur more investigation much like the characters within must do.

Story: Scott Snyder, Charles Soule Art: Giuseppe Camuncoli, Leonardo Marcello Grassi
Color: Matt Wilson Letterer: Crank!
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.1 Recommendation: Buy

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: comiXology – Kindle – Zeus Comics – TFAW