Writer: Brian Clevinger
Artist: Scott Wegener
Publisher: Red 5 Comics
EDITOR's NOTE: The second issue of Atomic Robo will be in stores this Wednesday, November 14.
I think what will make this book great to read is the accessibility over the long run (I say long run because I expect this book and publisher to be around for quite some time). With the first two issues, the creative team in charge of this book wants to make each and every issue readable to anyone that happens to wander by their title, no matter which issue it is. Not many comics can say that, nor would want to, but I find it refreshing.
Robo is taken on a bit of a flashback to the golden days while taking on a horde of gigantic ants, thanks to a letter from a family member of one of his old war buddies. I’ve seen this in other Red 5 books as well, how awesome is it that an army of towering pests attacks a city and the book focuses on a sentimental flashback. AR decides to take matters into his own hands, using cars and street signs to take down the bugs. All the while, science nerds are in a chopper arguing about imaginary physics.
I love this comic! It chooses not to take itself too seriously, while still paying attention to what makes a comic cool. It’s easy to see that people who care about their readers create these books on a monthly basis.
The journalist in the park also added a unique feel for Robo as well. On one hand, the cavalier attitude he takes to the office make the action scenes very fun to read. On the other, there is a certain amount of melancholy to the idea that all of his buddies are either dead, or headed that way. Everything he does in life, he sort of walks alone. In essence, he’s a robotic Steve Rogers.
Wegener managed to carve a unique look for AR, which isn’t as easy as it sounds after thousands of trees have been sacrificed for the sake of robot drawings over the decades. I find it interesting that even though he knows he doesn’t have a mouth to eat or drink with, he chooses to walk around in jeans and a t-shirt in the park. There are also human aspects to his robotic build as well that add to his personality. Robo has very expressive eyes, and his movements show that his adaptive programming has done its job over 80-plus years of existence. Vocabulary is often how creators try to make a robot unique, but Scott takes it a few steps further. Again, how very refreshing.
I would be remiss if I didn’t point out that while this has been a fun couple of issues for the AR team, the problems that I feel hold Elephantmen back from greatness could also come into play for this title. If each issue tells a cute little story, but doesn’t advance the character towards an overarching goal for the book, it will run in place till it gets cancelled. Of course, I may be jumping the gun here, and I think that Paul Ens and Scott Chitwood know what they are doing from my conversations with them so far.
For now, though, I get the pleasure of reading about a very enjoyable character that walks around with a bunch of geeks while protecting the country he fought three wars for. He’s a throwback of sorts, while bringing a futuristic mentality to the table. Be on the watch for Red 5 Comics, they will be a major player very soon in the comics market.
What did you think of this book?
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