The All New Atom

It may not be that far of a Throwback but Ryan Choi’s solo comic carear has come to an end. This week’s Throwback is 25 images, one image from each of the 25 issues, of The All New Atom starting back in August 2006.

If you still need to catch up on Professor Choi’s adventures check out the trades of The All New Atom.

LWIC: A Belt make a “TWACK” Sound

SpaceBooger’s weekly review of last weeks comics is back giving a fresh take on 5-day-old comics:

Amazing Spider-Man #561

Wow! This is not what I expected when this “Paper Doll” story first began. I was not digging the paper thin stalker as a real threat or even a true villain. The paparazzi aspect I liked from the start – it makes sense since the DB has a new owner, the paper would modernize and make quick money.

Both of these story lines ended well, especially the one I was not originally fond of. Both story lines fit well into the elaborate larger story that has been taking place since One More Day, yet both were a refreshing escape from the “woe is me” and the “I don’t even have enough money to fight crime” motifs.

Last the art; at first I did not like Marcos Martin’s art… but after reading this issue I will miss his Frank Quietly/Daryn Cook take on Marvel’s key character.

Detective Comics #845

The cover blatantly announces the return of Catwoman, yet there are only about two pages featuring her in the issue. Good thing that the book had another, better story to tell.

Dini’s “one and done” stories have been quite fun and this one is no exception. This is a hard issue to write about without spoiling the story, so I’ll just say seeing Batman peruse an amateur Detective Forum to get a fresh take on a murder mystery is quite clutch.

Nightwing #145

Having a pregnant wife and our first baby boy due in early August, the scene where the hundreds of children are being born from one mother created an odd feeling.

Aside from the weirdness of the birth, and I cant wait for related dream where my child is born that way, Nightwing is what the 1970’s and 1980’s Batman was. This issue featured high action with a bizarre mystery against a villain out to rule the world; just like the old Batman stories.

I will avoid my “Batman Lite” rant, but I do have to say Nightwing is that perfect cross between the confident ass kicking machine and witty/sarcastic hero – a perfect blend between the Big Two’s main characters; Batman and Spider-Man.

As insane as this story line may seem, the dialog and interaction between all of the characters from the Bat-family down to the two main villains make Nightwing a comic that could have easily held its own back in the day.

Rann-Thanagar Holy War #2

I am predicting that the panel to the right is foreshadowing the coming of Lobo. If I am right, I fear that all of the enjoyment I have for this mini-series may be lost. So instead of focusing on what may happen, lets talk about the entertainment from this particular issue.

I love science fiction, I love space operas in the DCU, and mostly I loved Ron Lim’s art on the Silver Surfer. Add these three things together and I don’t care if the same story is redone every couple years with a new twist… heck there are countries in the Middle East who are constantly at war so why couldn’t Rann and Thangar be? Plus a couple new characters are added into this installment: the new Captain Comet and the Weird.

Robin Spoiler Special #1

This book has been getting a lot of bad press, or blogging about it on the net… but I liked it.

I am a sucker for one-shots and the Bat-family, especially a character from the Chuck Dixon run on Robin. I always liked the love triangle between Steph and Tim, it reminded me of the great Superman-Lois-Clark love triangles of the past.

The first story in this issue showed the dynamic of Steph and Tim’s relationship in both costume and street clothes. The differences between clean cut Tim and living on the edge Steph are fun to watch with Steph being the leader and more aggressive out of costume. In costume is another story, here Robin takes the leader and aggressor role. This first story and the dynamic between these two similar but different characterswas a lot of fun to read .

The second story could have easily been titled “Spoiler: Year One.” It dealt with where Steph went after faking her death and how hiding in Africa was not who she really was. The art was beautiful for this story and because of that, the story worked. I believe that Steph can be part of this “new” Bat-family… especially since she used Batman’s shtick to save the day.

Trinity #1

WOW! I have never been a fan of Mark Bagley because in my mind Erik Larson drew the best Spier-Man and Bagley followed up Larson’s run on the title.

With that being said, I have to admit his art is quite pretty and he can draw one awesome looking Batman. I loved 52 because of the story, not because of the “B” characters. On the flip side, I was disappointed by Contdown, not because of the “B” characters but because of the story. Trinity I liked, even though it didn’t feature “B” characters; it has one of the best introduction stories I have read in a long time… I can’t wait to read the next issue. Usually I am one who hates continued issues that do not feel complete, but with a weekly series, I can handle it just like I do for television shows.

The story starts out with an awesome setup of a cosmic being that looks to be more powerful than Marvel’s Mighty Galactus ending with what looks to be the beginning of a cosmic “anti” trinity. Oh and I am calling it now that the “Enigma” is the Riddler from some Earth… yes I believe it will be that obvious and thats part of the fun.

and…

THE BEST COMIC OF LAST WEEK:
The All New Atom #24

First off, how come nobody told me that the next issue was the last issue? I had to find out by reading the caption at the end of the issue! Why the hell do I have all of you fake internet friends on forums and whatever-spaces if you are just going to keep secrets from me? The All New Atom has been one of my favorite “must read first” comics every month and now it will be no more.

This story line, with the Ryan’s own subatomic monster wreaking havoc in both the real and subatomic world has not been one of my favorites, but the one liners and coherent story that tied all the way back to issue #1 made up for my dislike of mutant worm thing. In this issue almost all questions are finally answered, including some that were supposedly answered back in issue 20. It seems as if Ray Palmer never knew Ryan Choi and the letters and the Atom’s belt left for Ryan was all part of Chrono’s elaborate plan.

What plan am I referring too? I don’t know but next issue, the final issue, we will find out. I was worried that all of the details that were clues for future stories and the snappy dialog would be lost once Gail Simone left the title, but Rick Remender has moved the story forward towards the “big finish” seamlessly. As much as I will be sad to see the final issue, this has been the best 25 consecutive issues I have ever read and collected; making this easily the BEST COMIC OF LAST WEEK.

Last Week In Comics: Earth’s New Inconvenient Truth

SpaceBooger’s weekly review of last weeks comics is back giving a fresh take on 5-day-old comics:

Bizzaro is a backwards Superman vs Non who’s name is Non backwards.

Action Comics Annual #11 is the conclusion to the Last Son arc that originally started in 2006. When the arc started I was enjoying the new take on the Zod, the Kryptonian criminals from the Phantom Zone, and even the young Chris Kent.

Seeing Lex Luthor share with Superman all the ways that the evil genius had concocted to kill the Kryptonian so that together they could put Zod and his army back into the Phantom Zone was classic. The only part, other than waiting so long, that I have questions about from this issue is where is Chris?

In the stories that take place after the first parts of this story line in the monthly series we see Chris living as Lois and Clark’s adopted son, yet he goes missing at the end of this annual… so how did he come back? Wikipedia has an interesting take on this story and the fact that Chris has been featured in recent Superman comics: “Interestingly, due to the pronounced scheduling problems with the arc, a line of dialogue was incorporated into Action Comics Annual #11 (“I even got to meet Robin.”) that insinuates that the invasion of Zod’s army took place after Chris received his wristwatch, which would place the events of Superman #664, 668, and 673 chronologically before those of Action Comics #846 (despite the fact that the latter was released earlier).”

If not for the dialog and story that is all the Atom would do
“shrink and punch stuff really hard.”

All New Atom #23 continues the saga of the monster from Ryan’s blood. Last issue Ryan enlarged a monster from in his blood that was making him ill. The monster then rampaged through Ivy Town attacking people. In this issue we see that the monster did not eat/kill it’s victims, but instead sent them to a microscopic savage lane. I still don’t get the whole “monster in the blood” aspect and that makes this “savage land” story weird.

I liked this concept better when it was (and still is – read below) called The War That Time Forgot.

I know that Spidey has always been slightly Emo, but drugs?

Amazing Spider-Man #558 features both new villains from Brand New Day: Menace and Freak…both of which I hate. Menace may be a good villain after the connection, or no connection, to Osborne and the Green Goblin is made but this is dragging on too long. And don’t get me started on the mutated stem cell drug addict… Bring back the Mayan Snow Ninjas, they made Spidey the best comic of that week.

Three words: Childs Play – Chucky

When I started to get back into comic in the ’80s one of the first Batman arcs I purchased was the Grant and Breyfogle Scarface origin. Detective Comics #844 gives the origin of the new, and possibly now deceased, Ventriloquist and Scarface. Even though the action was limited in this issue I enjoyed the detail and intricate nature of the origin. The only gripe I have is where is Jezebel Jet, the woman that is rumored to make Bruce give up the Bat, instead we get the continued flirtation with Zantana.

Iron Man: Manowar – A Valiant/Marvel Crossover and Game – Part 2

Invincible Iron Man #1 had a cover that made me think of big Joe’s work at Valiant Comics yet the inside featured a story that most people could just pick up and enjoy. This was not my favorite issue of Iron Man, but with the success of the movie this comic is a great starting point for new readers.

In the words of Indiana Jones and Silent Bob: “No ticket!”

Nightwing #144 featured some of most fluid action shots of a hero who was a circus acrobat prior to being a vigilante. Not only has Nightwing been confident, smart, and high on action the story has also been engaging. It may be developing slowly but I like the character moments – this was a great read.

Veterans from every war fighting a T-Rex – SWEET!

The War That Time Forgot #1 was exactly what I expected – soldiers fighting in Jurassic Park. I never read the original title and I am not sure if the original featured soldiers from all different wars stuck in this savage land. I loved this book until the end… I am looking forward to the next issue hoping to explain and make sense of this issue’s last page.

and…

THE BEST COMIC OF LAST WEEK:
Rann-Thangar Holy War #1

I thought former Vice President Al Gore was worried about humans ruining the Earth.

I love good Science Fiction, hence the site’s name: SpaceBooger. You know a comic is automaticaly the best comic of the week when imediately after reading it you pull out the Adam Strange, Rann-Thangar War, Mysteries in Space, and 52 to reread in preperation for the rest of the miniseries.

Last Week In Comics: Mayan Snow Ninjas!

SpaceBooger’s weekly review of last weeks comics is back giving a fresh take on 5-day-old comics:

All New Atom #22 continues to entertain us with the attack of the killer virus, or subatomic monster. No, I am not referring to the virus that was built up in Countdown to Final Crisis and wiped out a whole Earth in one issue… No this virus is from the blood of one superhero know as the Atom. The monster that was enlarged from Ryan Choi’s blood continues to ravage Ivy Town like something out of a “B Movie.” As much as I want to pull a MST3K on this issue, I can’t because it was a fun read:. Te best part of the issue is a tossup between the angry homeowner and the demise of the forced romantic interest.

Amazing Spider-Man #555 had the Webhead being all emo like, cracking jokes with Wolverine, and then fighting Mayan Snow Ninjas… Yeah… I said Mayan Snow Ninjas… At first I was disappointed by the continual whining by Peter Parker and even more annoyed by the random encounter with the Mayan Snow Ninjas… But after thinking about all of the Avengers books and this Secret Invasion crap… I decided this silliness is just what Marvel needs. Reading this issue again for the review I decided that I liked this randomness from a Marvel book… it was kind of different… it was fun.

Detective Comics #843 almost made Best Comic of Last Week. It’s dialog was superb from the interaction of Batman and the scared security guard to the flirting of Zatanna, shown above. The issue showed the return of Scarface with a new Ventriloquist, any comic with a well written Scarface is a good comic in my opinion. As I already mentioned the best part of this issue was Zatanna almost begging Bruce to “go steady” since she was the one to erase his memory.
WTF!
As much as I would be interested to see how writers would handle a Batman/Zatanna love affair I think it is quite odd that Batman would be willing to fool around with someone who could, and already had, erased his memory during Identity Crisis. If it was not for that little weirdness this comic and the inclusion of the Moose, this comic would have easily been the best of last week.

Tec 843 also has the return of the recipient of one of Batman’s best KO punches as shown in Friday Night Fights: Knockout! Round 12.

Nightwing 142 again plays the strengths of Dick Grayson well. Nightwing is a master detective like his mentor, but unlike his mentor he is a people person and a leader. All of these character traits are played out well in this team up with Robin to infiltrate the base of those responsible for reanimating dead super-villains. The interaction between Nightwing and Robin was funny it almost reminded me of a Wonder Years episode. Even though it was a sub par ending to the story arc the interaction between the original Boy Wonder and his newest replacement made this issue a fun read.

Secret Invasion #1… Crap! I should have not flipped through it before I read it because once I came to this checklist for 33 crossover issues with more to come after summer I decided not to read it. Thanks Marvel way to scare me off. I only buy Spider-Man comics and was willing to give this “big event” a chance so that maybe I would get back into the Marvel universe upon the completion of the crossover, but NO you had to scare me away with too many tie in titles.

and…

THE BEST COMIC OF LAST WEEK:
Action Comics #863

Action Comics #863 was the final issue of the saga of the future Justice League and its crusade against aliens. When this story arc first began it started off slow and I still had an awkward taste from the last interaction of Superman and the Legion in “The Lightning Saga,” but as the story moved on I really began to like it more. The ending seals the deal. Now after seeing Superman being the Superman I remember and enjoy from my youth (see the above image) and stopping a war with just his presence and command, I have to admit that this is my favorite Superman arc since Infinite Crisis… yes this even surpasses the phenomenal “Up Up and Away!” story arc.

Other comics worth mentioning… but maybe not worth buying:

Countdown #4: Ok, we apparently are back to the Jason, Kyle, Dona, Mary, and Ray Palmer story… well after a couple issues of non related content to their cause I completely lost interest. There is only three issues to go so I will finish the series, but I have to admit that the writing and pacing of this weekly series will make me think twice before picking up the next weekly series.

Supergirl #28: MMM DROP!

Last Week In Comics: Who Cares What World We’re On?

SpaceBooger’s weekly review of last weeks comics is back giving a fresh take on 5-day-old comics:

The All New Atom 21 continues it reliance on scientific inner dialog, minus all the quotes. With Ryan being the only character in two thirds of the book inner dialog is a must. I remember when almost magically the thought balloons disappeared from comics, I miss them at least I have inner dialog… and the Head!

The Head loves old sitcoms, who doesn’t… and why was Buddy never left in charge?

The All New Atom 21 showed Ryan Choi dive into a sample of his own blood looking for problems caused by using the dwarf star material that allows him to shrink. Some great science is explained as to why he modifies his costume to swim with cells in his own blood. Inside his blood the Atom finds an unknown microbe a fight ensues leaving Ryan ill. Great set up and a great first issue by the new creative team… almost the best comic of last week.

Well said Rip Hunter!

Justice League – New Frontier Special #1 was a great! The only reason I will not give it the honors of being the best comic last week is that everything in this issue has been done before. Just because it has been done before… some of this seems better. I remember reading the Dark Knight Returns and watching that monumental battle where the mere mortal Batman defeats the god-like alien Superman. The first chapter of the New Frontier Special is a missing chapter depicting the battle briefly mentioned in the original mini-series. The battle is what you expect, but Darwyn Cooke adds the nostalgia and appeal from of the New Frontier Series. The other two stories were great reads and in today’s comic market they can be hard to find. As

Nightwing #142 was the Best Comic of Last Week!
Many people like to talk about Nightwing… or complain that he was going to be the martyr death of Infinite Crisis yet complained that his solo series sucked since Chuck Dixon left. I have always loved Nightwing and it seems that Peter Tomasi realizes who Nightwing really is and what fans expect of him.

Many say that Tomasi is finally understands the character and understands how a Nightwing solo series should be written, but I think its more of a rebuilding. I loved the Dixion & McDaniel run but it was about Dick becoming his own hero. Tomasi is not continuing that, instead he has turned Nightwing into a full fledged hero deserving his own book. No more is Nightwing “Batman Lite” he now is forging his own way as a hero.

In this issue we see Nightwing being a detective, not a dark knight detective like his mentor, but a detective that is well liked by the whole DCU. In Nightwing’s quest of the metahuman grave robbers Dick asks for help from Doctor Mid-Nite, borrows equipment from Batman, and jokes with the newest boy wonder who has joined on this quest. Nightwing 142 is the Best Comic of Last Week because like the title character it is likable, has all the bells and whistles, and its a hell of a lot of fun.

Other Mumbles

Amazing Spider-Man 552: The third creative team makes it debut… and nothing happens. Peter has more bad luck, gets even more bad publicity, is shot at by NYPD, and a new lackluster villain appears. The only thing keeping me around is the big picture, and that is still looking good.

Countdown 8: For the last couple of weeks I have been complaining that the story was OK, yet the pacing was too fast. This issue the pacing finally slows down enough to realize that many events may tie together nicely, yet they seem random. I am ready for the ending… real ready!

Detective Comics 842: Filler!
Yup thats about it. This comic is a perfect example of a Fill-In Issue. Batman decides not to worry about his own hallucinations in his self titled series or the fact that his creation Brother Eye took over Apokolips last week, instead he is traveling around the world to learn about his new “cursed” armor.

Green Lantern 28: I don’t know what to say other than I liked it. I’m not too sure of my opinion on the multi colored lanterns, but the dialog between Hal and Sinestro was great. The fact that the Alpha Lanterns were created so that the Green Lanterns would fear doing wrong is a great concept. Geoff Johns has weaved a great tale since the Rebirth of Hal Jordan and I look forward to reading more.

Last Week In Comics: The Dream Team

The All New Atom #20 wraps up the majority of the story lines of the series thus far, including the villain behind all the weirdness in Ivy Town. Not only does it revel both Ryan’s wildest dreams we also get to see Ivy Town attacked by giant Godzilla rubber-suit like monsters… Seriously, what more could you want from a comic?

 

Amazing Spider-Man 549’s story was not as strong as the grip that Jackpot looks to have on Spidey’s rear.

 

Sticking to the really bad one liners:
Countdown #12 was not only weak in how it handled the side stories, but it also had the weakest punch ever!

 

Nightwing #141 was the BEST COMIC LAST WEEK!

I may have enjoyed Atom #20, but Nightwing 141 was everything I expect from a Comic Book, especially from a non super-powered hero. Many have said that the problem with Nightwing is that he is Batman-Lite. Because of this misconception I feel that many people have a hard time writing the character. Many writers tried to hard to do something totally different to avoid the “Batman-Lite” stigma; anyone remember Devon Grayson?

Starting last issue Peter Tomasi has began to handle Nightwing not as Batman-Lite, but as a hero who learned from and looked up to the Batman. Instead of approaching Nightwing as another Batman, Tomasi’s Nightwing is a homage to Batman – a Batman that the average person without powers and all that angst can relate too. This issue shows Nightwing studying New York so that he can patrol efficiently and even getting new gadegets, just like Batman. Also in this issue there is something that is nothing like Batman – Dick Grayson. In this issue we see Dick flirting and it seems natural and not as forced as Bruce Wayne. More importantly we see the rest of the DCU interact with Dick in a caring manner, as a person not just as a shadowy figure that they work with.

If you are in need of reading a good comic, a comic with a hero, a hero who is not full of angst, and a hero who is straight up likable then read Nightwing 141, it is the Best Comic of Last Week!

Batman Confidential 12 gives us the finale of yet another take on the origin of the Joker that is an enjoyable ending to fun story.

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