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.
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