BatWolverine
07-07-2006, 03:35 PM
The All-New Atom #1
Story Title: 'My Life in Miniature' (Part One: Indivisible)
Writer: Gail Simone
Penciller: John Byrne
Inker: Trevor Scott
Cover Artist: Ariel Olivetti
Colorist: Alex Bleyaert
Letterer: Travis Lanham
Asso. Editor: Tom Palmer Jr.
Editor: Mike Carlin
Published by: DC Comics
Based on ideas & concepts developed by Grant Morrison
Review by: Batman_Wolverine
As I wrote last week (in my review of DC: Brave New World), this is the only ‘full’ ongoing title to come out from that special, and from what the previews showed us….the weakest. The only reason I even picked this issue up was to just do the obligatory ‘getting the #1 issue’. And now that I have finished reading it, I think I’ll have to spare some money for the future issues. Now that doesn’t mean that it is mind blowing but for a new series, ‘The All New Atom’ has a much more respectable start than say…the Green Lantern Corps (also, in my pull list).
For anyone who hasn’t got the DC: BNW special, they might find the first few pages a bit confusing, but not so much that it hampers the rest of the issue. Heck, I got that special and even I had to go back and check up….these guys are such losers (at least for me). And that is the weakest part of at least this issue. But seeing as it is just the beginning and this story is more about the Ryan Choi, the man than about ‘The New-Atom’ and his heroics, I didn’t mind it…much.
As I said, a major part of this issue is for introducing Ryan, and that is what happens next. Right from his Nerdy-Ninja-Teen days (back in Hong Kong) to his Hottie-Newbie-Professor (in Ivy Town). As in DC: BNW, Ray Palmer isn’t completely swept away and even without actually being there/shown, he is able to make his presence felt.
As with the other spanking new hero (taking up a older mantle) i.e. Blue Beetle (BB), TANA (The All-New Atom) also gets his own supporting caste, and just as with BB, these guys are also make for an interesting read.
Now as for the hundred million atom question, the all important belt does show up, and it even works….much to the surprise and eventually dismay of one unlucky rodent.
John Byrne. Got to mention him, after all even more than Gail Simone’s name (writing) it was Byrne’s being here that has been….umm, controversial. Without going into that again, I’ll to say that the artwork (including the inks and colors) are good, except in a couple of places where the faces seem a bit rushed.
Also, in case anyone missed, check out the JLA on the second page. Anyone surprised to see it i.e. its members? Especially with the recent special guests in (part 2 and 3) of Superman’s ‘Up, Up and Away’ arc.
Conclusion: Although not mind blowing, The All-New Atom gets off to a respectable start.
Favorite Quote: “Help!” --Wile E. Coyote (Page 18)
RATING: 8.5/10
Newsarama Style Rating: Story: A-, Art: A-
PS: Took me some time in getting this up, what with all the problems on the site. (Have removed the other 'multiple' posts)
Story Title: 'My Life in Miniature' (Part One: Indivisible)
Writer: Gail Simone
Penciller: John Byrne
Inker: Trevor Scott
Cover Artist: Ariel Olivetti
Colorist: Alex Bleyaert
Letterer: Travis Lanham
Asso. Editor: Tom Palmer Jr.
Editor: Mike Carlin
Published by: DC Comics
Based on ideas & concepts developed by Grant Morrison
Review by: Batman_Wolverine
As I wrote last week (in my review of DC: Brave New World), this is the only ‘full’ ongoing title to come out from that special, and from what the previews showed us….the weakest. The only reason I even picked this issue up was to just do the obligatory ‘getting the #1 issue’. And now that I have finished reading it, I think I’ll have to spare some money for the future issues. Now that doesn’t mean that it is mind blowing but for a new series, ‘The All New Atom’ has a much more respectable start than say…the Green Lantern Corps (also, in my pull list).
For anyone who hasn’t got the DC: BNW special, they might find the first few pages a bit confusing, but not so much that it hampers the rest of the issue. Heck, I got that special and even I had to go back and check up….these guys are such losers (at least for me). And that is the weakest part of at least this issue. But seeing as it is just the beginning and this story is more about the Ryan Choi, the man than about ‘The New-Atom’ and his heroics, I didn’t mind it…much.
As I said, a major part of this issue is for introducing Ryan, and that is what happens next. Right from his Nerdy-Ninja-Teen days (back in Hong Kong) to his Hottie-Newbie-Professor (in Ivy Town). As in DC: BNW, Ray Palmer isn’t completely swept away and even without actually being there/shown, he is able to make his presence felt.
As with the other spanking new hero (taking up a older mantle) i.e. Blue Beetle (BB), TANA (The All-New Atom) also gets his own supporting caste, and just as with BB, these guys are also make for an interesting read.
Now as for the hundred million atom question, the all important belt does show up, and it even works….much to the surprise and eventually dismay of one unlucky rodent.
John Byrne. Got to mention him, after all even more than Gail Simone’s name (writing) it was Byrne’s being here that has been….umm, controversial. Without going into that again, I’ll to say that the artwork (including the inks and colors) are good, except in a couple of places where the faces seem a bit rushed.
Also, in case anyone missed, check out the JLA on the second page. Anyone surprised to see it i.e. its members? Especially with the recent special guests in (part 2 and 3) of Superman’s ‘Up, Up and Away’ arc.
Conclusion: Although not mind blowing, The All-New Atom gets off to a respectable start.
Favorite Quote: “Help!” --Wile E. Coyote (Page 18)
RATING: 8.5/10
Newsarama Style Rating: Story: A-, Art: A-
PS: Took me some time in getting this up, what with all the problems on the site. (Have removed the other 'multiple' posts)