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| Guy Ricketts |
 Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 1:47 am |
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Joined: 27 Dec 2006
Posts: 4672
Location: Detroit, Michigan
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issue one
"That's not part of the deal, Lao! You can't just eat any prisoner we bring down here!"
- James Woo
"First Contact"
Jeff Parker - writer
Carlo Pagulayan - penciler
Jason Paz - inker
This first issue is the answer to my fervent wishes I have had since I read the original six-issue series some three years ago. This day has finally arrived, with this new ongoing series that ties the team into Marvel's main tapestry and making them an essential part of the universe. Being the current big event of sorts, our team is brought into the "Dark Reign" storyline, showing how they deal with Norman Osborn's villainous schemes.
It starts off with one of Osborn's operatives, Man-Mountain Marko, attacking one of Atlas's facilities, leading to a battle with Namora, Gorilla Man, M-11 the Human Robot, and Marvel Boy. Later, Venus has her own subtle assault on Osborn, using her hypnotic charms on Sentry until a deal of sorts is struck that will allow the Agents to operate under his regime. And then there is some intrigue regarding the future of the team, since they are actually good guys posing as bad guys - that's the simple version, as it is more compex than that.
This first issue is a nice inauguration for the series, as the team face challenges inside and out and fight to do the right thing in the increasingly moral murkiness of the Marvel Universe.
This is just some good clean fun to read, much like the six issue series was when I first discovered these guys back in 2006.
But wait...there's more.
There is also a backup story by Parker and artist Benton Jew that gives us a 1958 mission, in which the team investigates a threat in Cuba involving Fidel Castro and Che Guevara. During this mission they encounter Wolverine. This issue is a bit more light hearted in nature, and also quite entertaining.
I see a bright future for this series, and hopefully more and more readers will discover this jewel of a title. It really is a fun read.
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| Guy Ricketts |
| Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 8:15 pm |
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Site Admin
Joined: 27 Dec 2006
Posts: 4672
Location: Detroit, Michigan
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issue two
"And I enter the virtual bowels of Uranus. Ewww."
- Venus
"The Sale / The Dragon's Corridor - Part I"
Jeff Parker - writer
Artists, present day: Carlo Pagulayan, Jason Paz and Jana Schirmer
Artsits, 1958: Gabriel Hardman and Elizabeth Dismang Breitweiser
I am so delighted these guys are back and in a monthly series.
This second issue begins a new arc and involves the members of the Atlas group demonstrating weapons to members of the Osborne commanded ATF, led by "reformed" villain Grizzly. This is to help make their front as a team of bad guys more convincing.
There are some clever character moments here, especially for Ken Hale/Gorilla Man and Namora. I love Hale's smarmy salesman bit with Grizzly, and Namora's violent reaction when Grizzly dares point a weapon at the robot member, M-11. Classic stuff.
The story moves back and forth between now and the 1950's, where the team is investigating a mystery involving a spooky Russian fighter jet. While providing insight into how the team was then and how they are now, it was a bit jarring at times with the somewhat awkward transitions between the past and present sequences. They are abrupt and the transitions were a bit rough, which disrupted the smooth flow of the story. I did appreciate the different art styles of the two eras, which did help in the transition and give the feel of just how long ago the two periods were.
Overall, a very fine piece of graphic storytelling... |
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| Guy Ricketts |
| Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 12:30 am |
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Joined: 27 Dec 2006
Posts: 4672
Location: Detroit, Michigan
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