Saturday, April 6, 2013

Rhonda Pineda is your New 52 Atom



Sorry for the late acknowledgment, but following 2012's cameo debut in DC Comics - The New 52 FCBD Special Edition #1, the New 52 Atom was more properly introduced in Justice League #17-18 as Rhonda Pineda. She quietly took part in the "Throne of Atlantis" crossover, indicated only by dialogue balloons, joining numerous other heroes in coming to the assistance of a Justice League on the verge of defeat by the forces of Ocean Master. The Atom stopped bombs that would have sank part of the Eastern Seaboard, and then was sponsored by Cyborg for League membership.

The Atom discretely entered the League Satellite during a membership mixer, shunning small talk by looking on from hiding. When prospect Platinum was hijacked by forces unknown and forced to attack the League, the Atom saved Platinum's "life" by protecting her Responsometer after Firestorm liquefied her body. The Atom was joined by Element Woman & Firestorm as the first recruits onto the League since the Martian Manhunter's term ended in conflict. They beat out Black Canary, Black Lightning, Blue Devil, Goldrush, Nightwing, Vixen, and Zatanna, although many of these prospects declined consideration. Dick Grayson especially gave a flat "no" to Batman's face.



I'm not fond of the bland "Rhonda Pineda" name, but I don't have a problem with making the Atom female. I do have a major problem with ruining the perfect symmetry of Gil Kane's costume design with stupid '90s ornamentation and long flowing hair. Still, it's much better than anything they gave Ryan Choi to wear. There's been a bunch of different costumes teased for the character though, including a vastly different one seen on solicitations for an upcoming cover. Jesus Saiz drew the character well, and it'll be interesting to see if there's further plans for Pineda beyond adding more women to the team.

2 comments:

Luke said...

I like the hair, but I agree with you on the belt -- lose it! Looking forward to learning some more about this All New All New Atom !

Diabolu Frank said...

Yeah, like anything. She's quite the little enigma. I already like her better than Ryan Choi though, because she's had a half dozen different costumes and they've all been better than his. Hell, she could even have the same second hand Peter Parker personality, and it would be perfectly fine, because she has a vagina instead of being one.