Cross dimensions into a fascinating cartoon world with the first-ever complete collection of the Eisner Award–nominated series!
Oliver is different. His mother’s mysterious past isn’t the only thing that sets him apart from other 12-year-olds. He has unexplainable, campy powers that more often than not land him in trouble… But the most outlandish and astonishing is yet to come, as a dark presence pursues Oliver from the most whimsical recesses of the unknown…and the strange and mysterious past of his family will be more than he ever could have imagined!
Eisner Award–nominated writer Tony Fleecs (Stray Dogs) and award-winning artist Dave Wachter (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) bring their multidimensional coming-of-age fantasy to its stunning conclusion for the first-time ever for one complete collection!
Tony Fleecs is the writer and artist of In My Lifetime, an autobiographical comic book. First published in 2006, ‘Lifetime was an immediate critical success, featured twice in Wizard Magazine, in the Comic Buyer’s Guide and on the Ain’t-It-Cool-News.
Fleecs has since been a contributor to anthologies including; Postcards: True Stories that Never Happened (nominated for the 2008 Eisner and Harvey awards for best anthology), Boom Studios’ Pulp Tales and C.B. Cebulski’s Wonderlost. He and writer, Josh Fialkov, provided the Li’l FireBreather backup stories for Phil Hester’s 2nd FireBreather series at Image Comics. Last year saw his first work for hire writing work when he scripted the comic book adaptation of the classic John Holmes film, Tell Them Johnny Wadd Is Here, widely regarded as the first comic book based on a porno to not be completely awful.
This year, Tony will co-write and illustrate the graphic novel Jeff Steinberg: Champion of Earth (again with Fialkov) for Oni Press.
His company Fleecs Design (who’s talent roster includes only himself) has a client list that features Disney, 20th Century Fox, Bongo Comics, Marvel/Rittenhouse, The Milwaukee Brewers, Cincinatti Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Stan Lee’s POW! Entertainment, The Weinstein Company, Monster Garage, Taco John’s, major hospitals, insurance providers and banks.
His comics have been published by Random House (Villard), Image Comics, Silent Devil Productions, Boom!, IDW and Terminal Press.
Everyone once in a while you get a comic that simply has you in awe. This could be from stellar storytelling, fantastic artwork, or a unique plot. In the case of the 10-issues of Uncanny Valley its all three. Writer Tony Fleecs and artist Dave Watcher have crafted a unique story that blends the real world with the toon world with heart, emotion, suspense, and adventure.
Oliver is different. His mother’s history in Burbank, California isn’t the only thing that sets him apart from other 12-year-olds–he has unexplainable, campy powers that more often than not land him in trouble… But the most outlandish and astonishing is yet to come, as a dark presence pursues Oliver from the most whimsical recesses of the unknown… and the strange and mysterious past of his family will be more than he ever could have imagined.
This is the kind of series that had me utterly hooked following the first issue. While you come for the unique style of mixed art styles, it's the meaning and story behind why they exist in this series that makes for a great experience. A family mystery with adventure and heart that blends so well together.
While the story gets ahold of you, it's the artwork that makes Uncanny Valley standout. Watcher shows off his skills by combining multiple styles of illustrations and artwork to bring the toon world to life in the comics real world. Using distinct styles to differentiate between the toons and humans made the comic a visual feast for the eyes.
Uncanny Valley is a beautiful 10-issue miniseries with an outstanding plot and a ton of heart, all while being a stunning display of mixed art styles. Tony Fleecs and Dave Watcher created something special and unique with this miniseries, making it one of my favorite of recent years.
Thank you so much to BOOM! Studios and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I'd like to start off by saying that I Like my comics - and I especially like when creators make great use of the comic format itself as it can allow for some really neat and creative ways to tell stories. That's exactly what's happened here, and I don't think any other medium would suit this story (they could absolutely adapt it to animation but it wouldn't have without the original story in this format), credit where credit is due, and it's Right Here. The story almost immediately starts unfolding whilst simultaneously not giving away too much - you're hooked Instantly + the art is great. The way different styles are used and they're clearly different yet it all blends together, it's lively and lovely. At its core this is a story about growth and connection. Whether it means (actually) growing up and/or growing into the person you are is up to the reader, I think you might grow with the story as well. And then there's connection (and community) which I can't really say anything about without giving away potential spoilers, but let's just say I really liked the ways in which the main character had various hands reaching out to him to grab and guide him, we were really tagging along with him figuring out the next step in the adventure. All in all, great read, especially if you want to read a fun and fast paced story in your free afternoon
This comic follows a boy as he discovers that he’s half cartoon and, according to the villain, The First, he must die to save the toons’ world. We follow Oliver as he reconnects with long-lost family and learns the importance of being brave and embracing his differences. Throughout the comic, you’ll also spot a handful of characters who may seem strangely familiar.
I found this to be a quick read, but I felt it lacked something that would make me call it a five-star read or one I’d revisit again. That said, I would definitely continue with the series if a sequel is ever released.
S/O and TY to NetGalley and the publisher BOOM! Studios for the eARC of this collected edition.
A really unique use of different art styles that define the realities of this blended real life/Oliver’s world/cartoon world crossover story that uses the comic book medium to its full potential. The story has a lot of heart and there’s a lot of dense character work that plays out through conversations that didn’t feel overwrought. A thoroughly enjoyable coming of age story.
I’d recommend this to readers who like cartoon nostalgia, creative super powers, and good vs evil.
Interesting premise of a half human, half cartoon kid where the villain of the cartoon world is convinced the kid's personal sacrifice is the key to saving them all. The pre-established characters from various animated worlds being in the same universe is genuinely so fun, especially to experience them interacting. I really appreciated the art style changes between worlds and the level of differentiating details. I do wish that there was more depth to the villain's character arc, but, in the end, the main characters stole the show, as did that parental cameo towards the end!
Thanks to BOOM! Studios and NetGalley for the arc!
Thank you to NetGalley and Boom Studios for a digital copy of this graphic novel in exchange for my review!
This graphic novel was so fun! The blending of the toon world and the real world was so well done and interesting. There were a ton of references to older cartoons, and while I am not familiar with many of them I am sure that many would find great nostalgia in them. The story was fun and intriguing, with deep moments as well! I wish that the story made a bit more sense as to how exactly the real world was impacting the toon world but it was still good nonetheless.
Saturday morning cartoons meet existential crisis in a fun and captivating story that blends realistic artwork with familiar cartoons. ‘Uncanny Valley: Complete Collection’ contains all 10 issues of the Eisner-nominated series and all covers and variants. While there are some slapstick moments, this is a story about parenting pitfalls and growing up feeling different. Wachter’s art attacks itself with wide styles ranging from realism to Hanna-Barbera to Winsor McCay and many well-known others. Fits well between with ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit?’ and ‘Field of Dreams’. This is a dollar bin win.
Great read!!! Getting to see again all oldies cartoon, story about them all was soooo great!! Story about trying to stop their world disappearing. Such a great combination with basically every cartoon characters!!! Great artwork!! Love the storyline!! . . Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for giving me the chance to read this book in advance~
Yeah, so this was cool, real cool. It's about a kid who is part toon and has these evil cartoons trying to capture him. Dave Wachter does a bang up job with the art. Drawing in all kinds of different styles for the real world and then all the different cartoon styles. I really liked who the bad guy turned out to be too. My only complaint is that I wish there was more.