The All-New Atom #1-2
My Life in Miniature Part 1 & 2
Gail Simone and John Byrne are back together again. So who requested that they reunite? Just checking...
For me, their recent run on Action Comics held my attention but not my excitement. As an example of their prior work leading into this review, I have to admit I wasn't turned off by their Superman stories, but I wasn't really blown away as the months passed. It felt like an okay run compared to others who've handled the title. Really, it never seemed to hit it's stride and fit in with the other Superman titles. That being the case, it's with a bit of trepidation that I welcome their return as they take on the fan favorite and often under appreciated DCU hero, Atom.
This time out, the dynamic due of DC-dom (I think Byrne may pay people to say that so I'm covering my bases just in case) have set their sites set on an Atom. I don't say the Atom as this story doesn't center on the original Atom... Ray Palmer [link]. The title simply kick starts a new series set within the surroundings of Dr. Palmer's life while replacing him with a new kid on the block, Dr. Ryan Choi. Where is the original Atom? Is the fate of Ray Palmer something the series will address? We'll just have to wait and see.
In the meantime, while we wait, I would like to lodge an official pretest and maybe start a petition (hey, it worked for Green Lantern ... link). I liked the original Atom and I'll admit up front that Byrne and Simone are going to have a hard sell going forward leaving Ray Palmer out of the All-New Atom series. I'm keeping an open mind, but I see shades of an "all-new" Doom Patrol way to close to the surface of my recent reading memory and cringe just a little fearing a typical "Byrne-ing" of DCU history and continuity. Here's hoping DC's current continuity king Geoff Johns has the tale and any revisionist writing of the DCU on a short leash. I would hazard a guess this is the case due to the heavy role both Ray Palmer and his ill fated ex-wife Jean Loring [link] played in Identity Crisis. Here's hoping Jean (as Eclipso) pays a visit to Ivy Town soon.
As the tale unfolds issue #1 you will need to have done your homework and tuned in for the Brave New World one-shot which offered an eleven page preview for The All-New Atom #1 (among other new DC titles). There's some crucial content presented in that prequel. You can survive without reading it, but I do admit that those eleven pages were some of the best in Brave New World and I enjoyed them enough to gain some hope for (and a desire to read) the new series.
Given that the opening story is titled "My Life in Miniature" and is based on ideas and concepts developed by Grant Morrison, my trepidation eased a little and a smile crept across my face as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern and Hawkgirl turned up within the first couple pages.
I might be coming around a little as I turned each new page. I'll even go so far as to say I was pleasantly surprised as I made it through the issue. From the start, I liked the lead character and Atom replacement, Dr. Ryan Choi. He's no Ray Palmer, but I already like his style. He doesn't feel like another cookie-cutter kid hero surprised by his newfound powers. It feels as if he has the best qualities of Peter Parker (aka Spider-Man) and Jack Knight (aka Starman's) rolled into one. He borrows from Parker's lovably nerdy science everyman style and Knight's personal pride standing by what he enjoys, who he is and never letting the world's opinion both him. Both styles were established early and respectably within issue #1. Nice.
I like the quirky nature of the faculty and the eerie, at times Twin Peaks feel of Ivy University, it's faculty and it's environment. I already like the scholarly quotes littered through the first issue and the obligatory Honey I Shrunk the Kids moment when Ryan first activates the size changing belt is well handled and grounds the series in some semi-real science. A nice touch and more of a theme for the series than an afterthought.
Ryan finds himself surrounded by and eclectic mix of scientists within this issue. I'll admit my eyes began to roll a little as scientists are usually a little misrepresented in my view within comics. The test tubes and beakers are usually over emphasized and the personal side of the pursuit of knowledge (and just how cool that can be) is sometimes missed. In my day job I work with physicists, chemists, biologists and mathematicians on a daily basis so I feel well qualified to judge their characterization here. I find them to be fascination people and (stereotyping just a little) genuinely passionate about their work. Over the course of the last few months, I've personally witnessed two physicists almost come to blows over wave vs. string theory. They really are out to change the world and seeing them cast as respected hero support within the All-New Atom is a nice change of pace.
As the story unfolds, man's best friend is cast in a somewhat unfavorable light this time out. It appears dogs are a key part of an alien invasion from the microverse. I'm maintaining an open mind, I promise, regarding the story and from the first page to the last, I have to admit that I really liked issue #1. Well worth the $2.99 price tag DC has placed on the issue.
All-New Atom #2
Moving into issue #2, we find the self proclaimed "Lighter Than Air Society" of scientists hard at work trying to figure out how to outfit the all new Atom. It's interesting to see them shoot some legitimate holes in the ant riding concept put forth by Ant-Man over at Marvel's house of ideas and even Image. Again, with issue #2, I find myself being won over by the science-geek feel of the series. I think the approach of this title is best summed up when Dr. Ryan Choi explains "Guy's, we live in a world where Dr. Fate and the Spectre have a weird set of physics all their own. It's our job to make sense of it." Nice.
Ray Palmer, the original Atom, my not be present in the series, but his spirit is alive and well. His history as the Atom seems to be everywhere and the primary characters pay him homage on almost each page I turn. If we couldn't have Ray back, it looks like Ryan may be the next best thing and a quality hand picked replacement. The original Atom is his hero and that seems to bode well for the series.
Ryan approaches the role of scientist with excitement and the role of hero with unease. As with many of the best heroes, taking a stand for what's right clearly wasn't his goal in life. As he dives down a sewer drain into his first real adventure as a hero, he explains to the reader "I have two teammates on my side... mass and density." He takes comfort in science if not in adventure and, holding true to his hero says "wish me luck Ray" as he goes in search of an abducted street performer.
After two issues, I have to say that Gail Simone and John Byrne have found their mark with the All-New Atom. I think their style will be well suited for this series. As you know, I wasn't real warm to the series at first glance but after this start and the well placed dueling duet of surprise endings within issue #2 (aka critter in the sewer found and possible primary antagonist unveiled), I have to say I'll be back for issue #3 and would like to officially welcome the new Atom to the DCU. My only question... How many issues will it take to make it back to "100 days later" and the Justice League of America sitting tied up before the alien invasion fleet. I'm ready for a nice cross-over Ms. Simone. Let's roll...
Scale of 1 to 10 ... 6
August 20th, 2006 ... Review by Chuck
Official Word from DC...
The All-New Atom #1
Written by Gail Simone; Art by John Byrne and Trevor Scott; Cover by Ariel Olivetti
The startling adventures of the new Atom begin in this series based on concepts developed by comics superstar Grant Morrison, written by Gail Simone (VILLAINS UNITED) with Art by John Byrne (ACTION COMICS) and Trevor Scott (THE AUTHORITY) and gorgeous covers by Ariel Olivetti (SPACE GHOST)!
Strange things have been happening in Ivy Town since Ray Palmer disappeared. In fact, it appears that the the whole town's been experimented on for decades. Enter Ryan Choi — the young hotshot professor who's filling the empty slot on Ivy University's teaching staff... and who inadvertently ends up filling the old Atom's super-heroic shoes!
Can Choi make a difference in a town more creepy and mysterious than anyone ever realized? And can he live up to the towering legend of his predecessor?
DC Universe | 32pg. | Color | $2.99 US
The All-New Atom #2
Written by Gail Simone; Art by John Byrne and Trevor Scott; Cover by Ariel Olivetti
Ryan investigates disappearances in Ivy Town and stumbles on the shambling creature M'ngalah and his deformed hordes! Meanwhile, one of The Waiting is given a version of the Atom's bio-belt and becomes the hyper-violent Dwarfstar! What's the connection between all these mysterious events in Ivy Town?
DC Universe | 32pg. | Color | $2.99 US | Mature Readers
Taking a look into the future...
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Cover of Atom #3 |
Cover of Atom #4 |
