Post by ryokowerx on Sept 25, 2011 20:28:44 GMT -5
(cross-posted from my Facebook account. I hadn't originally intended on picking up all the new #1s but the 50% off deal at DCBS turned out to be too good to pass up. Feel free to discuss, agree or disagree)
So what the hell is this? I'm going to try to write a review of each of the new #1 issues put out by DC Comics. For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, DC Comics (home of Superman, Batman, etc.) is completely restarting most* of the history they have established with their comic books since 1939. (* some continuity remains but all events that remain are considered to have happened within a five year span of time) If you're still confused, think of it as everything being set back to square one and all these superheroes are new things to show up rather than a given part of the world.
Anything I say from this point on is my opinion and reflects only my feelings. Please take your nerd rage elsewhere if you disagree or at least be civil in your disagreement.
NOTE: I have not read Flashpoint #5 which kicks off this new history so I'm going to try to approach these issues as if someone completely new to comics were picking them up for the first time. If you're interested in what I have to say, I'd encourage you to go to your local comic book shop (if you have one) or you can buy them digitally at Comixology (http://www.comixology.com).
PLOT SUMMARY:
The issue opens with a rat and a homeless man sleeping in alley. We then cut to Captain Atom fighting a giant robot before he transmutes the armored robot into dust. Unnerved at this new power, Captain Atom flies back to The Continuum, a research facility where he was turned into the superhero. There he meets Ranita Carter and Doctor Megala, the head scientist. Dr. Megala theorizes that the new power is a result of his growing control over nuclear forces but runs the risk of dissipating a part of his body that might kill him. Just as that sets in, Captain Atom is alerted to a reactor in New York going critical and a volcano forming. He flies and quickly absorbs the radiation but puts him dangerously on the verge of overloading. He turns the magma eruption from the volcano into snow. He plunges himself into the core of the volcano but can't take any more and begins to dissipate in the lava.
THE ART:
For anyone who knows anything about comics, the fact that Freddie Williams II does the art should be enough to get you excited. Using the same art style he used on Batwoman, the art has a soft feel and is appropriate for Captain Atom's new gaseous look.
THE STORY:
I'm biased to detest anything that J. T. Krul puts pen to. I hate being right. Captain Atom is now either Doctor Manhattan from Watchmen or Firestorm depending upon which one you're more familiar with. Despite being a new hero, Captain Atom is saddled with a story that we've all seen before where he ends up sucking in too much energy and going to pieces. The only difference now is that, instead of a big mushroom cloud, he just dissipates into millions of component atoms. To be fair, there isn't anything here that is terrible - just horribly horribly predictable and brings nothing whatsoever new to the table.
VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY:
Really there are much better comics than this one to spend your $2.99 on. It's mediocre at best. This might be a good comic for someone who knows nothing about the character but otherwise is completely forgettable.
NEXT WEEK:
Birds of Prey #1, Blue Beetle #1, Catwoman #1, DC Universe Presents #1, Green Lantern Corps #1, Nightwing #1, Supergirl #1 and Wonder Woman #1.
CAPTAIN ATOM #1
So what the hell is this? I'm going to try to write a review of each of the new #1 issues put out by DC Comics. For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, DC Comics (home of Superman, Batman, etc.) is completely restarting most* of the history they have established with their comic books since 1939. (* some continuity remains but all events that remain are considered to have happened within a five year span of time) If you're still confused, think of it as everything being set back to square one and all these superheroes are new things to show up rather than a given part of the world.
Anything I say from this point on is my opinion and reflects only my feelings. Please take your nerd rage elsewhere if you disagree or at least be civil in your disagreement.
NOTE: I have not read Flashpoint #5 which kicks off this new history so I'm going to try to approach these issues as if someone completely new to comics were picking them up for the first time. If you're interested in what I have to say, I'd encourage you to go to your local comic book shop (if you have one) or you can buy them digitally at Comixology (http://www.comixology.com).
WARNING! SPOILERS OFF THE PORT BOW CAP'N!
PLOT SUMMARY:
The issue opens with a rat and a homeless man sleeping in alley. We then cut to Captain Atom fighting a giant robot before he transmutes the armored robot into dust. Unnerved at this new power, Captain Atom flies back to The Continuum, a research facility where he was turned into the superhero. There he meets Ranita Carter and Doctor Megala, the head scientist. Dr. Megala theorizes that the new power is a result of his growing control over nuclear forces but runs the risk of dissipating a part of his body that might kill him. Just as that sets in, Captain Atom is alerted to a reactor in New York going critical and a volcano forming. He flies and quickly absorbs the radiation but puts him dangerously on the verge of overloading. He turns the magma eruption from the volcano into snow. He plunges himself into the core of the volcano but can't take any more and begins to dissipate in the lava.
THE ART:
For anyone who knows anything about comics, the fact that Freddie Williams II does the art should be enough to get you excited. Using the same art style he used on Batwoman, the art has a soft feel and is appropriate for Captain Atom's new gaseous look.
THE STORY:
I'm biased to detest anything that J. T. Krul puts pen to. I hate being right. Captain Atom is now either Doctor Manhattan from Watchmen or Firestorm depending upon which one you're more familiar with. Despite being a new hero, Captain Atom is saddled with a story that we've all seen before where he ends up sucking in too much energy and going to pieces. The only difference now is that, instead of a big mushroom cloud, he just dissipates into millions of component atoms. To be fair, there isn't anything here that is terrible - just horribly horribly predictable and brings nothing whatsoever new to the table.
VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY:
Really there are much better comics than this one to spend your $2.99 on. It's mediocre at best. This might be a good comic for someone who knows nothing about the character but otherwise is completely forgettable.
NEXT WEEK:
Birds of Prey #1, Blue Beetle #1, Catwoman #1, DC Universe Presents #1, Green Lantern Corps #1, Nightwing #1, Supergirl #1 and Wonder Woman #1.