The One Hand #5 Review: A Mind-Bending Finale

The One Hand #5

Review

Rating

9

Good

Writer: Ram V.

Artist: Laurence Campbell

Publisher: Image Comics

Release Date: June 19, 2024

Page Count: 32

Format: Single-issue

Detective Ari Nassar’s journey to catch the One Hand Killer ends in a fantastic issue that brings answers while opening up more questions. Don’t be surprised if it will take a few rereads to piece together the story’s big picture.

The One Hand #5

Review

Writer: Ram V.

Artist: Laurence Campbell

Publisher: Image Comics

Release Date: June 19, 2024

Page Count: 32

Format: Single-issue

Detective Ari Nassar’s journey to catch the One Hand Killer ends in a fantastic issue that brings answers while opening up more questions. Don’t be surprised if it will take a few rereads to piece together the story’s big picture.

Rating

9

Good

I’ve always believed that the beauty of comic books is in how stories come in all shapes and sizes. That sentiment applies perfectly to what’s unfolding within the pages of The One Hand and The Six Fingers. To call what Ram V, Dan Watters, and company are doing ambitious is putting it lightly. The dual narratives told through the two comics have created a rich tapestry of mysteries that reveal new layers with each new issue. Even as someone not super into the mystery genre, I have been hooked on learning more about these comics’ intriguing stories within a fascinating sci-fi world. But now that we’re reaching the end of the road, does the finale stick its landing? Keep reading for my full review of The One Hand #5 to find out!

Overview

Detective Ari Nassar finally uncovers the truth after his rogue pursuit of the One Hand Killer. But as he finds himself in a room discussing the events of the thrilling case, he questions if the answers he found were what he was looking for. With the pieces falling into place, the detective faces a harrowing revelation that things are not as they seem within the city of Neo Novena.

Image: Image Comics

Review

I come into this review with the big challenge of gushing about The One Hand #5 without spoiling too much of its story. But I will say this: The final issue delivers plenty of answers to the mystery that’s been brewing in the series alongside The Six Fingers. The kicker there is that the revelations were far from what I expected. Funnily enough, one of the theories I had about the story’s mystery even gets explicitly called out as wrong by Detective Nassar himself. Reading that small moment made me realize how engrossed I have been with the two comics. It also shows how well-thought-out the entire narrative is now that we’re at the end of the road. But while this is the finale of The One Hand miniseries, it is technically the penultimate issue in its overarching story with The Six Fingers. With the true final issue in the story dropping in just a few weeks, I will have my eyes glued to seeing how everything ultimately ties together.

With how The One Hand’s captivating story unfolds, don’t be surprised if it takes a couple of read-throughs to piece everything together. I’ll admit I had to go back a few times just to get things right for this review. But really, that experience encapsulates what’s been so fun about this series. The story is written with such an entrancing flow that it’s easy to get swept away even if you may not be entirely sure about what’s happening. It’s like watching a David Lynch film for the first time and riding the wave of experiencing something absolutely insane. Details about the mystery are masterfully spread throughout the story to keep you guessing about its bigger picture. It makes you feel as if you’re in the shoes of Detective Nassar himself. Then when the truth finally comes crashing down, it makes for a satisfyingly haunting end to the detective’s side of the story.

Image: Image Comics

Considering this is the first time I’m covering The One Hand with a review, I must give the art team the flowers they deserve. As phenomenal as they have been throughout the miniseries’ entire run, they pulled out all the stops for the final issue. Laurance Campbell delivers plenty of haunting illustrations and panelwork that drive up the story’s suspense. Then the colors by Lee Loughridge and letters by Aditya Bidikar beautifully set the tone as the story gets progressively stranger the deeper it goes. With so much talk about puzzles in the comic, it’s poetic how everything about the art fits together perfectly.

Final Thoughts

The One Hand #5 delivers a mind-bending finale to Ari Nassar’s story. Now that we’re close to the end, it’s safe to say that this series, alongside The Six Fingers, is a must-read for people who love diving into enthralling mysteries. It’s been an incredible ride because of how well the two comics blend different elements to make a very intriguing world and narrative. This collection of comics feels like a rare experience that we don’t get to see pulled off so well very often.  If you’ve been waiting for this series to wrap up, now is the perfect time to catch up and immerse yourself in Detective Nassar’s chase for the truth about the One Hand Killer.

Image: Image Comics

Why You Should Read The One Hand

• When read alongside The Six Fingers, The One Hand delivers a comic book experience unlike any other.
• The series is a wild ride of mysteries and sci-fi that leaves you guessing after each issue. 
• The talents of Ram V. and Laurence Campbell combine for a mind-bending story that is a trip to read through.