2009 Black Lantern Breach design by Joe Prado

Click To Enlarge


I believe at this point I own a complete set of Breach, and I think I managed this feat for less than ten bucks, with change enough for a hamburger (and not just a Jumbo Jack.) I haven't read a single issue yet, but I've heard nothing but good things about the book, and I've tended to enjoy Bob Harras' writing more often than not.

Breach was conceived as a relaunch of Captain Atom, until the company decided to go a different way and have Harras convert his ideas to serve a brand new character. I liked the Post-Crisis Captain Atom, but that version of the hero had been both flagrantly unfaithful to the Ditko original and seriously mangled by Armageddon 2001. If through some quantum field tap dancing Nathanial Adam became Breach, and Allan Adam came back from '60s Charlton as the all-classic Captain Atom, I think DC would be a better place (especially if no one ever mentioned Monarch again.) Instead, Breach was tossed into the pool of post-Zero Hour derivative/revamped trademarks that Geoff Johns assigned to "Earth-8" as duplicates of (often only slightly) more famous Earth-1 heroes. Breach could have been to Captain Atom as Power Girl is to Supergirl, but instead he was killed during Infinite Crisis. I had to wiki that fact, because Captain Atom gets breached all the time, but I guess a Breach breach meant the dude actually died. Good or not, I'm pretty sure Breach would have to have been better than Infinite Crisis, which was no Millennium, right?

UPDATE: I have been informed Breach was actually killed in Countdown: Arena. Holy f'n shnikies that's lame. I read fewer and fewer DC Comics and feel better and better about that fact.

• All the designs at Bleeding Cool
• Black Lantern Wonder Woman version 3 @ Diana Prince
• Black Lantern Geist @ DC Bloodlines
• Black Lantern Damage @ Power of the Atom

2009 Black Lantern Damage design by Joe Prado

Click To Enlarge


This was supposed to have posted last week, but I didn't realize the auto-publish never kicked in. Bygones.

It still ticks me off to think of the stupid, pointless waste of killing Grant Emerson. There were a ton of fun concepts no one ever played with after the Damage series ended, not the least of which being his accidental leveling of the city of Atlanta, GA. The genetically engineered "son" of a fair chunk of the All-Star Squadron, the kid was powerful enough to ignite the Big Bang at the end of Zero Hour, and he owed his existence to Vandal Savage. In a universe with a lot of meh villains, Damage could have made a fantastic heel turn. Instead, he was a cheap death in an overrated event at a time when he was treated as a second-rate Nuklon... a character lacking the popularity to have much impact in passing, and at a time when everyone expected a reset button to undo all the killing anyway.

Damage went through a number of costumes, and every single one of them was seriously happening, thanks to their incorporating nuclear and bio-hazard iconography. I believe this is also the best of all the designs Joe Prado is selling. I don't know the price because it's listed with a "PI," but I know the character himself was sorely undervalued. Thanks to Bleeding Cool for promoting this piece in a gallery.

• Black Lantern Ballistic @ DC Bloodlines
• Black Lantern Wonder Woman version 1 @ Diana Prince

2009 Black Lantern Adam Cray design by Joe Prado

Click To Expand


Call me dense, but I only just now realized that Ray Palmer got his stupid Marty McFly life preserver Teen Titans combat vest from Adam Cray. I'm not sure when the hell I became aware of this MacGuffin's existence, but he was cemented as a footnote in my mind through the first '90s Atom Special. Let's face it, this dude came to be because John Ostrander wanted a shocking death in the last days of his Suicide Squad series, and whether he was designed as a red herring or it was a retro-continuity shell game along the lines if Armageddon 2001, the guy was born to die. I find him silly in his attempted commando coolness, and sillier that he only shows up to point out that people found an Atom pseudo-guest stint more entertaining than any solo run the guy's tried to carry since Sword of the Atom

• All the designs at Bleeding Cool
• Black Lantern Wonder Woman version 2 @ Diana Prince
• Black Lantern Razorsharp @ DC Bloodlines
• Black Lantern Steel II @ Justice League Detroit
• Black Lantern Doctor Light @ The Idol-Head of Diabolu

2009 Black Lantern Atom I design by Joe Prado

Click To Enlarge


It isn't as if most of the Black Lanterns were terribly effective during their reign of terror in Blackest Night, but what the hell did Al Pratt get to do? Dude's one of the earliest super-heroes, which seemed to only earn him a spot amongst the other dead men of the Golden Age in tormenting the Justice Society of Younger Counterparts or slightly less dead old fogies. The one major Atom "family" fatality went to Eclipso/Jean Loring. Now I realize of every super-family, including Wolverine's, the Atom tree marks possibly the worst application of that informal comic book term. Still, when zombies rise up, they ought to eat their own, right?

The design was a pretty basic melding of the original Atom costume and the standard Black Lantern suit, with a bit of Atom's second costume thrown in for flare. This piece of rotting (but in no way rotten) Golden Age Atom art was spotlighted in an article at Bleeding Cool, and can be purchased here.

Wizard: The Comics Magazine #136: Ultimate DC Atom (January, 2003)

Wizard Magazine was a, shall we say, polarizing presence in comics over the course of its near twenty year run. I bought it for the first several issues for reasons that escape me, seeing as how they were pretty terrible. I very much preferred Amazing Heroes, but it was black and white without a price guide, so Wizard slaughtered them in short order. The quality improved dramatically within the first year, and held until sometime in the 30s, by which point the few legitimate journalists/interviewers/feature writers they had bailed. The format then fully embraced the mentality of a lad mag for geeks with market manipulation at its core.

The joint was full of frustrated wannabe writers who seemed to think every comic should be like the X-Men, and started commissioning artists to help them put together fan fiction proposals to articulate that viewpoint. What a wet dream it must have been when Marvel Comics launched a new side line of entry-level books unburdened by continuity featuring their biggest stars. Once the Ultimate line hit big, everyone turned their eyes to DC to see when they would do the same. Proving once again "DC" somehow stands for "Superman and Batman" Comics, the company has offered two Ultimate knock-off lines consisting of two series each. Aside from an acclaimed Superman story, lateness has defined all of DC's attempts, to the point where the Batman book of the second line will probably come out before the one from the first line wraps up, and lord knows if Adam Hughes' take on All-Star Wonder Woman will ever see the light of day.

Seen from that perspective, the Wizard staff's low concepts for Ultimate DC aren't nearly as narrow and unimaginative as they seemed in 2003. Then again, two wrongs don't exactly make a right, do they?

Like the Martian Manhunter, the Ultimate Atom was relegated to the supporting cast in Ultimate JLA. While it sucks to be a designated team player instead of a solo star, I find this Atom revision a lot more interesting than Ryan Choi. The costume is more her own, and even a Peter Parker personality would have been more original if applied to a heroine.

SUPPORTING CAST: Filling out the JLA's ranks is the Atom, a female scientist. In addition to shrinking her size to that of an atom, she can also adjust her body's mass while small.

Aside from appearing in silhouette on Green Lantern John Stewart's shoulder in a group shot and taking advantage of a camera's perspective to show up in battle against Despero, that's all they wrote for Ultimate Atom. Both pieces of art were by Ken Lashley and his Draxhall Jump Studios.

Ultimate DC Day continues here...
Ultimate Batman and Aquaman
Ultimate Wonder Woman @ Diana Prince
Ultimate Green Lantern, Flash, and Superman @ DC Bloodlines
Ultimate JLA @ The Idol-Head of Diabolu

Justice #9 (February, 2007)

Previously in Justice...

In a dream, Hawkman and Hawkgirl fell blazing from the sky... "The Atom survives the day, I think."

From the Justice League Satellite, Red Tornado monitored the Earth.

Suddenly, Red Tornado rose up from his seat and wrapped his own fingers around his neck... In Ivy Town, Ray Palmer watched the dire news.

Carter and Shiera dodged potentially lethal fire... Ray Palmer was shot, his last phone call to Jean...

Comatose, Ray Palmer survived his wound and was transported to the hospital.

The Mighty Mite didn't recognize Giganta as he dive-bombed her eye, sending the Wonder Woman villainess through a wall and down the side of the building.

Doc Magnus, having rebuilt Red Tornado, contacted Wonder Woman in her invisible jet with the android's report.

The Atom had been studying the artificial worms found by his present friends Hawkman and Hawkgirl at the Fortress of Solitude.

Red Tornado was part of a group sent to capture Gorilla Grodd, but their efforts failed due to the intervention of Sinestro.

At the Fortress of Solitude, Ray Palmer offered another pint-sized report. "I'm thinking that by selectively expanding the molecules of aspects of both the Thanagarian armor and the Atlantean air-breathing apparatus, I should be able to create a means of protecting the members of the League not covered by [Doctor] Magnus' idea." The Atom was referring to a battle-ready containment suit which would prevent mind-controlling worms from entering the Justice League's bodies as they prepared their counter-offensive. Those not safeguarded by Palmer's adaptations would "wear" the liquefied Metal Men over their own forms. As for the Mighty Mite, Atom opted for an old school space suit, jet pack, and laser rifle. Transformers-- roll out!

Continue the story through these character-specific posts:

• Captain Marvel and Metamorpho at DC Bloodlines
• Batman & Company at Justice League Detroit
• Gorilla Grodd & the Martian Manhunter at The Idol-Head of Diabolu
• Cheetah: From Bruce Wayne's private files in the Batcomputer at Diana Prince

"Chapter Nine" was plotted and painted by Alex Ross. The script was provided by Jim Krueger, and the penciled layouts by Doug Braithwaite.

Atomic acCount for April, 2011

DC UNIVERSE ONLINE LEGENDS #5-6
Written by MARV WOLFMAN and TONY BEDARD
Art by MIKE S. MILLER, ADRIANA MELO and HOWARD PORTER
Covers by ED BENES
In issue #5 of this twice-monthly epic, Brainiac’s attack on the JLA Watchtower is met with fierce resistance — but the tide turns when he reveals his true goal! And in the bleak, blasted future, Lex Luthor reveals his own plan for killing Brainiac . . . but at what cost to his “allies”?
And in issue #6, Luthor and his ragged team of future survivors take the fight to Brainiac in a final, desperate attempt to stop his invasion of Earth — but will it be enough? Back in the present day, a catastrophe takes place that will forever change the face of the DCU!
Issue #5 on sale APRIL 6
Issue #6 on sale APRIL 20
32 pg, FC, $2.99 US, RATED T

When Mike S. Miller was drawing JLA shortly before he was seemingly blacklisted for a) publicly criticizing homosexuality b) had issues related to a comic company he formed or c) something else entirely, and had a longish but civil email debate with him about that first one. We ultimately agreed to disagree, and I remained a fan of his work, so I'm really glad to see him on this title. In fact, despite my misgivings about the project, there is a lot of talent attached to this book I dig, and the Atom just may serve as the tipping point that gets me to try the first trade collection.

BRIGHTEST DAY #23-24
Written by GEOFF JOHNS and PETER J. TOMASI
Art by IVAN REIS, PAT GLEASON, ARDIAN SYAF, SCOTT CLARK and JOE PRADO
Cover #23 by GARY FRANK
Cover #24 by DAVID FINCH
1:10 Variant Covers by IVAN REIS
It’s the beginning of the end as we head toward the epic conclusion to BRIGHTEST DAY! The mystery of the heroes’ return and the secrets of the white forest are revealed! Plus, Captain Boomerang draws closer to completing his mission! And at last, it’s Firestorm vs. Deadman!
And in the extra-sized issue #24, a new age for the DC Universe begins! A long shadow is cast across the world in a a finale that will have everyone talking! Twelve heroes and villains were resurrected, but that doesn’t mean it will remain that way as the new champion of Earth is chosen!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
#23 on sale APRIL 6 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US, RATED T
#24 on sale APRIL 20 • 48 pg, FC, $4.99 US, RATED T

Firestorm vs. Deadman. That should translate to continuing Atom cameos, but I can't get excited about anything here. Maybe when the spin-off start rolling out?

HEROES OF THE DC UNIVERSE: BLACKEST NIGHT: INDIGO-1 BUST
BASED ON THE ART OF IVAN REIS
SCULPTED BY JIM MADDOX
The BLACKEST NIGHT continues in mini-bust form!
Each month in 2011, DC Direct releases a mini-bust featuring a character from the hugely popular DC Comics’ epic BLACKEST NIGHT.
Indigo-1 continues the HEROES OF THE DC UNIVERSE: BLACKEST NIGHT bust line! The sculpture features Indigo-1 atop a special base that displays the spectrum of lantern symbols.
The bust is hand-painted, cold-cast in porcelain, measures approximately 5.75” high x 5” wide x 5” deep and is packaged in a 4-color box.
Limited Edition.
On sale September 14, 2011 * Bust * $70 US

How long is the statute of limitations on featuring Indigo Tribe crap since blog left that outfit?

BLACKEST NIGHT: INDIGO LANTERN 1:4 SCALE POWER BATTERY AND RING PROP REPLICA SET
From the pages of BLACKEST NIGHT!
Mysterious yet influential, the members of the indigo tribe use their power staffs to spread compassion amid the darkness of the Blackest Night.
For nine consecutive months in 2011, DC Direct releases a 1:4 scale light-up Power Battery and light-up Ring Prop Replica Set featuring a color from the spectrum of the hugely popular DC Comics’ epic BLACKEST NIGHT.
The Indigo Lantern 1:4 Scale Power Battery and the Indigo Power Ring sit in a translucent display and are removable from the stand. Both light up, featuring manual on/off switches.
The Power Battery measures approximately 2.875” high (minus handle) x 1.75” wide x 2.375” deep and is made of PVC/ABS. The Power Ring fits most sizes and lights up when worn. The translucent acrylic display measures approximately 1.5” high x 2” wide
x 3.25” deep. The set is packaged on a 4-color blister.
On sale September 14, 2011 * Mini Prop Replica Set * $35 US

Ditto.

Atom Smasher

JSA ALL-STARS: GLORY DAYS TP
Written by MATTHEW STURGES
Art by FREDDIE E. WILLIAMS II, HOWARD PORTER and ART THIBERT
Cover by FREDDIE E. WILLIAMS II
The Justice Society of America spinoff group barely survived their first mission alone! Luckily, their no-nonsense stance on justice carried them through, and now they’re investigating a bizarre drug cartel consisting of genetically altered jungle animals that’ll lead the All-Stars into a confrontation with actual gods and goddesses. Collected from issues #7-13!
On sale MAY 18 • 160 pg, FC, $17.99 US

Sorry to you Al Rothstein fans who haven't been served by this column in the past. Then again, with the (appropriately?) minuscule traffic this blog gets, and the presumably tiny minority of comic readers who care about the former Nuklon, what are the odds?

Captain Atom

JUSTICE LEAGUE: GENERATION LOST #23-24
Written by JUDD WINICK
Issue #23 art by FERNANDO DAGNINO
Issue #24 art by AARON LOPRESTI
Covers by DUSTIN NGUYEN
1:10 Variant cover by KEVIN MAGUIRE
DC’s bi-weekly JUSTICE LEAGUE reaches its shocking conclusion!
In issue #23, WONDER WOMAN and the JLI find themselves face-to-face with the ultimate weapon Maxwell Lord has been planning since the beginning of GENERATION LOST. The world seems to be revolting against the human race. Can our heroes defeat Lord’s machinations?
And in the extra-sized issue #24, the final battle is here! But who will be the victor?
Retailers please note: These issues will ship with two covers. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
#23 on sale APRIL 13 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US, RATED T
#24 on sale APRIL 27 • 48 pg, FC, $4.99 US, RATED T

Who's sorry to see this one ending? The consensus ranges from "alright" to "meh," from what I gather.