DC All In: The Atom Project #1 - 6

It's week three of my DC All In readthrough and that means it's the third of four series. It's also the final in the ever so subtly connected trifecta after Challengers of the Unknown and the Question All Along the Watchtower (because they all lightly speak/hint of each other).

It's time for Justice League: the Atom Project (because it gets 'Justice League' at the front of it for some reason).

Written by Ryan Parrott and John Ridley with art by Mike Perkins and colours by Adriano Lucas, the Atom Project follows a trio of heroes with the word 'Atom' in their name. In the wake of past events where Amanda Waller stole all the powers in the world, some powers have not returned to their original holders but have instead inserted themselves into people who are wholly unprepared for the experience. As the Atoms, Ray Palmer and Ryan Choi, attempt to undo this mess, they find an unusual assist in Captain Atom the metal covered powerhouse who also lost his powers, but has instead gained a new ability, the ability to absorb and transfer any power. However, while the Atoms see this as a great tool, others see the heroic captain as a weapon, leading to his escape and going on the run, with many powerful people hot on his heels.

A little bit of a convoluted mess when I recap the story, I must admit, as I read the series issue by issue, month by month, I must admit that I felt the story itself was as much of a mess as my recap. However, upon re-reading it in a whole, I feel that the Atom Project is yet another example that DC really need to add a recap page to their comic issues (something I've mentioned before).

Anyway, I digress.

I feel that Parrott and Ridley have written an engaging thriller, something in the vein of the Fugitive crossed with Lucy. What I really enjoy about this series is it's focus on the nature of power, with multiple characters treating the literal power the Captain Atom holds in different ways. In fact, I really felt that this idea really helped fleshed out the character of Captain Atom, a character I've only encountered fleetingly (the most during Justice League Generation Lost ... I really need to re-read that). Here though, Captain Atom is depicted more as a real person who, despite his dedication to the Military, is an individual who puts the wellbeing of all above all else (including, possibly, his own life).

This is counter to the antagonists, all of whom have differing motivations but all desire control of Captain Atom's new power set. From the villainous Inferno, wanting to further their own ends, to the Air Force General who seeks this power to reinforce his country's status and even the usually heroic Ray Palmer, who despite wanting to help his titular counterpart, is also seeking validation for his skills.

In fact, two of these three villains are possibly a negative for the story in my eyes. While my knowledge of Ray Palmer isn't much more extensive than that of Nathaniel Adam (a.k.a Captain Atom), the image of Ray shrinking into nothingness at the conclusion of Identity Crisis (I really need to re-read that too) is seared into my brain. As such, seeing him here, as this hyper-focused scientist who attempts to contain Capt. Atom gives him bad guy vibes in the same vein as Mr Terrific in Challengers or the Unknown and feels a little jarring.

However, it's the other villain, Inferno, which I struggle with as it feels almost shoe-horned in. Whereas the inclusion of General Eiling makes sense, more so given John Ridley's attachment to the series (his prior works have always given me a sort of counter-authoritive vibe), Inferno (who, I'll be honest, I'm unsure if they are actually the real Inferno from the JLU series, given their late stage identity reveal, or just other villains using a smokescreen) feels like a shoe-horned supervillain to ensure the title maintains its Superhero connection and not negatively tar any authoritive organisation (which, sadly, would have made for a more interesting pay-off I think).

Beyond the role of the villains, the story also struggles due to the time jumps between past and present, making things a little difficult to follow.

I've spoken tonnes about the writing and story (which is my strength), but while art critique is not a huge proportion of my wheel house, I have to say that I really enjoyed the artwork here. Between them, Mike Perkins and Adriano Lucas utilise a real moody art style, which really brings out the thriller-esque notions of the story. As I looked over those panels, I got a real Mitch Gerads vibe to it, especially from his Sheriff of Babylon work, crossed with Rick Burchett's work on the Archie comics series, the Black Hood.

Overall, despite the bad points I mentioned, the Atom Project was, overall a good read. Entertaining, intriguing and, maybe above all, a little thought provoking, this series came from a place where I generally thought it wasn't for me to one that I'd certainly like to check at again in a couple of years.

And that's usually a good thing to be to remain in my collection.

So, that's 75% of DC All In done. Up next; Black Canary: Best of the Best.

DC All In: The Question All Along the Watchtower #1 - 6

So, after going through Challengers of the Unknown last week, I decided to continue going through the DC All In series I had picked up by reading the Question All Along the Watchtower #1-6.

Written by Alex Segura witth art by Cian Tormey and Romulo Fajardo Jr. (who, I just realised is on his second All In title), The Question All Along the Watchtower follows the second Question (no longer the only Question, as Charlie Sage has somehow returned to life since 52. Who knew?), Renee Montoya as she joins the Justice League Unlimited at the behest of the Trinity as the head of security. Now sporting a new Sheriff-esque outfit, a new Phantom Zone connected gun and the same old hat and face mask (although there are moments I'm sure the former more closely resembles a cowboy hat), the Question, along with a team of allies which includes her former paramour Batwoman, is tasked with investigating the mysterious enemy attempting to infiltrate, take control of, and maybe even destroy the Watchtower and the JLU with it.

Ever since her introduction as the titular Question during the events of 52, I've always had a soft spot for Renee Montoya. Final Crisis Revelations was the main bright spot to come out of that event for me and, along with Renee's damaged and redemption seeking life, her depiction has always resonated. Therefore, upon seeing this first issue on the shelf at my LCS, it felt like a foregone conclusion to pick it up, even if character (and I mean Montoya AS the Question) creator Greg Rucka was not on scribing duties.

Fortunately, I certainly felt that Alex Segura filled those shoes more than adequately when penning this story. While the plot isn't without its holes (I mean, why would a community of Superheroes need a 'Sheriff'?), Segura has written a truly engaging and interesting mystery, one perfect for the Noir-esque Question to sink her metaphorical (because her mask gives her no facial features ... Yeah, I oughta stop with the comedy) teeth into. In fact, when I say that Question is a very crime noir like character, Alex Segura seems to have noticed that too. The whole series, with the exception of the odd scene which still doesn't reveal the villain/heightens the intrigue, comes across as quintessential Marlowe and Spade level crime fiction, as every moment, every piece of dialogue, every moment of narration reads from Montoya's perspective as a gumshoe.

Like I said, though, the story isn't perfect. There are moments where the the story feels too ... crowded (for want of a better word) in both characters and what is taking place. Meanwhile, with the reveal of the main villain, it struck me how much of their dialogue has a very Victor Von Doom style of speech, something I don't think I'd have expected from this character, along with the alteration to their power set. Finally, there is then that suspension of disbelief factor where it seems crazy that saving the day would come down to a nonpowered superhero with the likes of Superman, Green Lantern and Wonder Woman all supposedly residing on this space station also.

That said, I do feel, with the writing, that the good does outweigh the bad,especially with the inclusion of Superman villain the Eradicator, who operates as the villain's main henchman with both a cool look and a nice level of sass.

Meanwhile, I really enjoyed Cian Tormey's artwork, which had this very energetic feel to it, something akin to Iban Coello and/or Ivan Fiorelli's work on the most recent run of Fantastic Four. I will admit that I would have preferred the colours and tone to be a little darker and more Noir-ish, but Fajardo Jr. still offers up a colourful yet grounded pallette to help the pencil's energy pop.

Once again, the ending of this series gave me some pause for thought. However, unlike with Challengers of the Unknown, it was more a case of tone than story conclusion (I always expect an ending much less light and hopeful for a character/s like the Question). Otherwise, the Question was entertaining and engrossing story, a good read that, while maybe not amongst the creme de la creme of my collection, certainly is deserving of a place and a re-read in a couple of years (once I've cycled back through everything else).

So, two down, two to go. Next up is the last of DC All In mini crossover titles (i.e. titles which have ever so slightly referenced each other): The Atom Project.

DC All In: Challengers of the Unknown #1 - 5

Some time back, I had said to myself that I was going to move towards wholly trades, as a way of saving myself space.

Well, it appears that I'm not as patient as I thought I was.

Since the beginning of 2025, I've found myself going (somewhat) all in on DC All In. Four titles have made their way onto my pull list either due to an enticing concept (Black Canary: Best of the Best), an awesome cover (The Atom Project) or something either historically or personally nostalgic (Challengers of the Unknown, The Question All Along the Watchtower).

Well, now they've all finished releasing issues (and I've finally reached the end of a more turbulent time in my life), I figured I'd read each series in full ...

... Starting with Challengers of the Unknown #1-5

Challengers of the Unknown, by Chrisptoher Cantwell, Sean Izaakse and Romulo Fajardo Jr., sees the eponymous team serving as the Justice League's elite investigative team aboard the Watchtower in the wake of Darkseid's (apparent) death. When the League discovers a number of anomalies that could somehow be connected to Darkseid, the core team of Prof, Ace, Red, Rocky and June are sent to investigate with a Superhero partner. However, when each member starts to experience differing, unusual situations when reaching these various anomalies, it becomes apparent that the Challengers, once having cheated death, are now becoming connected to Darkseid and his Omega energy.

Quite the unusual plot breakdown, huh? To be honest, the story itself is quite a convuluted tale, so much so that it's difficult to break it down without going too in depth and spoiling it. That said, this difficulty shouldn't be marked against the series, when it has plenty other good (and bad) points.

As mentioned, I picked this series up due to the name, as Challengers of the Unknown are something of a concept precursor to the Fantastic Four. In fact, so much was the series a character only draw, that as I write this I've realised that the great Chris Cantwell (Star Wars: Obi-Wan, but also Fantastic Four: Road Trip) and the tremendous Sean Izaakse (Fantastic Four. Other stuff too, I'm sure, but predominantly FF) created it.

And, for the most part, this wonder team certainly lives up to its reputation. I felt that Chris Cantwell has written a truly engrossing mystery, making it all the more interesting by finding a subtle connection between the Challengers and Darkseid. Cantwell has really made the Challengers feel like a major player in the DC universe with this story, especially by bringing in other, smaller teams like the Sea Devils and many other non-powered characters under their umbrella to make the Challengers a multi-layered, multi-talented operations unit.

Meanwhile, Sean Isaakze and Romulo Fajardo Jr. knock it out of the park on art duties, giving Challengers of the Unknown this colourful, adventurous vibe which doesn't feel too over the top for this mystery-esque tale. Everything about the panels here are beautifully rendered and perfectly coloured, giving the whole thing this Ed Benes look (from when he was on Birds of Prey) or even a Paco Medina or R.B. Silva vibe (which given the all worked concurrently on Fantastic Four and I'm pretty sure I've said previously that their styles look so identical, certainly makes sense).

However, this Challengers story is ruined for me by two things. First, to a lesser extent, is the depiction of Mr Terrific and (maybe the Justice League as a whole). While this is a Challengers story and they are the heroes, it makes sense for an 'ally' to be the antagonist during an event where there is no real villain. However, it really felt that Terrific was almost intentionally trying to destroy the Challengers and obstruct their mission every which way, to the extent that I kept turning pages expecting a panel of some villain ripping off a Terrific mask, Mission Impossible style.

For me though, the biggest issue I had was the ending, or rather the story's lack of same. While the rest of Cantwell's story feels like it has been fully fleshed out, the story ends like there is still an issue or two left in the tank. However, rather than giving us those issues, we are directed to elsewhere under the 'All In' banner, a tactic which reeks of corporate meddling to make an extra buck and annoys me no end.

So, as a result of the last page revelation, the sour taste left in my mouth makes this an ok read in my book (though only barely). I do feel Cantwell, Izaakse and Fajardo Jr. Have poured some tremendous work into this series, but the non-end really puts a dampener on what came before it.

Ok, rant over. Now onto something (hopefully) a little more positive; The Question All Along the Watchtower.