To say I didn’t like the first issue of Captain Atom was an understatement. There was a major disconnect in the first issue, trying to push Captain Atom to literally being a carbon clone of Dr. Manhattan the character he inspired. On the second issue though these things are balanced out, almost feeling like a completely different series, more along the lines of the tone JT Krul was trying to go for in the first issue. It does feel weird that this is the same team, yet the feel is so much more interesting than what the first issue showed us. Luckily for us fans the direction this is heading in is a step in the right direction.
The issue follows up from the ending of the first as Captain Atom has saved New York City, seemingly losing himself in the process. As he’s putting himself back together again, I liked how Krul explains Atom’s way of learning how to do this. That disconnected cold voice from the first issue is replaced by a voice that’s much more normal in tone. Just as he puts himself together, I was impressed by Freddie Williams II artistry showing all the voices in support of Captain Atom, needing help, and disapproving of Atom. A barrage of words just hitting him all at once. The entire sequence came together and is what started the beginning of turning me around on this series.
When he gets overwhelmed by all the voices, we get the next step to what turned this title around for me, the cast is starting to get established more. Captain Atom appears back within the lab,
we get a full scope of the cast as Dr. Megala gives you the history of how Captain Atom came to be created. I wish more of this would have been put into the first issue, that origin would have been great for a new fan and explaining just how Atom came about. Now the series is on the right path. It’s interesting to me to see how everyone reacts towards Atom in the lab. From Ranita’s more concerned reaction towards him, to the newest member of our cast Alexander having more of a extreme reaction to him. Nicely balanced though for the most part.
As Captain Atom is hovering over the lab and he finds a message within the others he’s receiving from a teen dying of a rare form of cancer wondering if he could help him out. That turns out to be a beautifully done story with genuine heart and emotion to it. Williams II has a nice style going with this issue and there’s some distinctive improvements over the first issue showing here. I have to mention that Jose Villarubia’s coloring is amazing in this issue. His color work with Captain Atom does a great job with a mix of muted tones and almost watercolor like coloring for Atom himself. With that story leads into the last pages that shows further development of a villain introduced in the first issue that I’m still not entirely sure about. From the strength of this issue though I’m more than willing to find out more.
Captain Atom marks the most radical shift I’ve had on a series in a long time. From not being a fan of the first issue to now seeing where this series is going to eventually go. JT Krul and Freddie Williams II have finally found a nice flow with this series and I say keep it up because I really like it. Now the potential in the book is starting to show and I’m glad I took a shot on the second issue. Any of the Dr. Manhattan influence on the series was nullified. Anyone who’s wanting to give Captain Atom a shot, pick up this issue, I’m dead serious, go and pick up the second issue. A good show of just what this series has to offer. Well done team, you have my buying dollar and a spot on my pull list.
