Pick of the Week
What did the
iFanboy
community think?
Pulls
Art by Nick Pitarra & Cris Peter
Size: 24 pages
Price: 3.50
There’s something in the air in the world of comics. Well, let me amend that. There’s several things in the air in the world of comics: whirling in the ether of the world of comics are a whole bunch of things people are griping about, but there’s also things to praise. While one side of the comics world is reveling in the fun of superheroes (which is totally fine but for me lately, seems like a bit a “been there/done that”), the other side is basking the in the fun of new ideas. Quite honestly, it’s times like this that I get the most excited about collecting comics. This week, that something in the air that has me the most jazzed is Jonathan Hickman, Nick Pitarra and The Manhattan Projects #2.
Following in the footsteps of last week’s Pick of Saga #2, The Manhattan Projects #2 is another great example of the potential for thrilling stories in the world of comics that I would never have thought of. I have to admit that I’m full on embracing the new ideas being put forth by Image Comics. I was discussing this topic with my local comic ship proprietor and in that discussion I think I stumbled on the situation for myself. With so much of the weekly comic racks filled with super heroes, and heroes I’ve been reading for 20+ years, it makes sense that I’m looking for something new. I totally get and understand the appeal of YOUR FAVORITE HEROES FIGHTING EACH OTHER IN A WAY THEY’VE NEVER DONE BEFORE, and I’m pretty sure that 15 year old me would be loving every minute of it, but today I realized that I’m looking for something a bit more in my comics. I’m starting to evolve as a reader and I’m looking for something a bit more complex and complicated from my comics.
Enter Jonathan Hickman, Nick Pitarra and The Manhattan Projects. For those who missed the first issue, and likely this issue, the premise is simple. It’s World War II time and the government has brought together some of the world’s greatest scientists to develop the projects that the US needs to win the war, and beyond. Based on the idea of the scientists who developed the atom bomb in The Manhattan Project, Hickman has taken the real world history of science and given it a creative tweak perfect for comic books. In the first issue we were introduced to Robert Oppenheimer, the main scientist behind The Manhattan Project and now the director of The Manhattan Projects, but of course with a devilish twist that I don’t want to spoil for anyone who didn’t read issue #1. In this issue, we’re introduced to another scientist, Richard Feynman, an American scientist best known for his work in quantum physics. He becomes another player on Hickman’s chessboard of scientists, joining Oppenheimer and Albert Einstein.
Now tell me, how is that not the most compelling concept you’ve heard in months? Even better, it’s one of the best comics being published right now as Hickman and Pitarra are exceeding expectations in the execution of that concept. But hold on, it gets better.
In addition to building one of the most compelling, fun concepts I’ve heard in ages, Hickman takes it up a notch in this second issue and adds in the greatest villains known to comics, Nazis. Which makes perfect sense when you think about it. Given that Hickman is playing with history and real figures as the basis of The Manhattan Projects, it makes perfect sense to add Nazis to the mix. As involved in science as the United States were during World War II, the Nazis were as well, in fact so much more. Hitler in his mad pursuit for world domination had the greatest German minds working for him to aid in his mission. This should come as no surprise to comic fans, as we’ve read of Nazis and their failed quests before, but when you think about it, most comics tend to focus on Hitler’s preoccupation with the Occult. Not in The Manhattan Projects. No occult here, rather just one word that motivates both sides of the war: science.
When Hickman teamed up with Nick Pitarra on The Red Wing, I enjoyed his art a lot but it don’t blow my mind. With The Manhattan Projects #2, it’s clear that Pitarra has slid into a gig that suits his skills perfectly and could be in the process of turning The Manhattan Projects into something even more special. Pitarra’s cartooning is nuanced in a way that I didn’t see until this issue. His ability to get across emotion and subtext in his characters faces was apparent in the first issue, but with the introduction of Feynman as a character, I realized that Pitarra is downright masterful. Feynman, a younger scientist exhibits his youth in his face, made of smooth, clean lines. I noticed this while in comparison to looking at Pitarra’s Einstein, much older, experienced and weathered by wrinkles and lines in his face. This subtle touch gets across so much in his depiction of characters. Factor in his great rendering of castles, technology and of course, those lovable Nazis and I found myself re-reading this issue purely to absorb the art.
We’ve been talking recently about the rise of Jonathan Hickman quite a bit. Sure, he’s proven himself with the big ideas of his Image miniseries, and then he showed what he can do in the realm of the fantastic with Fantastic Four, but now with The Manhattan Projects (along with his other ongoing at Image, Secret), it’s clear that Hickman is poised to be one of the comics industries most talented writers. If you’re like me, and I hope many of you are, and you starve for something new and something exciting, then do yourself a favor and give The Manhattan Projects a try. Combining the basis of truth in the science of the past, with Hickman’s boundless imagination and Pitarra’s stunning art, it’s clear The Manhattan Projects is going to be a book we’re raving about for years to come.
Ron Richards
“Science is all that has ever mattered.”
ron@ifanboy.com
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Definitely my pick of the week, & since Mr. Hickman missed out last time with Fantastic Four #605 I think justice is done.
Can’t wait to read this, I want to know more about Einstein’s secret machinations!
I think I’m gonna try this out. Thanks Ron.
Batman 8 is my pick of the week.
Matthew
So far this is my favorite book out of the new Image titles we’re getting. Its insane.
Thats a good thing.
I can’t decide between this or Batman for my pick. Both were amazing.
Love nick pittaras art great book. My pick is avx 2 with Batman slightly behind then Manhattan project grea review.
i dug nightwing over batman
Excellent review, and i can’t agree more. There is a freshness in this story conceptually and in execution that is exciting and unexpected. I’m really enjoying the ride so far.
I couldn’t agree more.
Sorry, I didn’t realize that I basically copied what you said in the first sentence until after I clicked reply. That doesn’t change the fact that you basically said everything I wanted to say.
basically, a high five is in order.
High fives all around.
High fives! FYI – National High Five Day was last Sunday!
two national high five days in one year! that calls for a high five!
This was my POTW too because it was fucking awesome! Hickman has gone absolutely insane with this book and thank god he has no filter. This is a book that doesn’t need a filter. Also, Nick Pitarra kicks ass!
I was going to wait and read this in trade, but I may have to go back and pick the first two issues up. My pick was The Shadow #1. Garth Ennis wrote a great first issue.
It is a creative idea, well executed. But I wonder if there will emerge a character whose fate I care about. I was hoping it might be Feynman, who was such an interesting and very human person in our reality. Perhaps Einstein? I had the same problem with The Shadow–creative in that it was a somewhat novel take, but so far no characters that grab me. Oh well, at least we are seeing something new.
I’m going TPB on this series. I’ll have to wait a while but it sounds like this will be worth it.
I’m with you on that, I liked the 1st issue but feels like a story I’ll enjoy straight through w/out the wait. Liked Red Wing by this team in tpb too.
Glad to hear I’m not the only one who likes all the different ideas coming out in comics now. Some superhero comics can still be fun (Daredevil) but to me the innovation coming out is really putting a damper on them.
I’m kinda bummed I missed the boat with this one. I guess I could always get it digitally, but I don’t really have a device for it. If the series continues to be strong, I will definitely pick up the trade.
I’m not sure you’ve missed anything yet. A second print of issue 1 came out last week, so as long as your LCS isn’t a total dud, you should be able to get caught up pretty quick.
He had 2nd printings of the 1st issue last week, but they’re sold out this week. He didn’t have any extras of issue 2 by the time I got to the shop, so word must be getting around. At this point, I’m ok waiting, especially since I’m still buying a ton of great stuff in issues.
@Ron – I’m in the opposite phase: I’ve been away from super heroes for so long that now I’m enjoying them like a kid.
I’m loving Manhattan Projects! It’s like “Buckaroo Banzai” meets “Dr. Strangelove”! Just really good stuff.
I suppose it’s unnatural to enjoy both sides? AvX has been a lot of fun so far, but I also really enjoyed Manhattan Projects, Prophet and Near Death a lot this week, too. And I’m not even a 15 year old!
I don’t think Ron was trying to insult anyone here, but some of that first paragraph kinda annoyed me.
I think it’s perfectly natural to enjoy both. My pull list these days is a pretty even split of fun Big 2 super-hero stuff and fun (in a different way) creator owned books. He may be real hot for the new Image books (like a lot of us), but I doubt that Ron will ever entirely give up on the X-Men (like a lot of us).
Totally, I read a cpl from each. Light,dark, big, indie. you know.
I hadn’t read this before but after seeing the review I picked up the first two issues and enjoyed them very much. The art is reminiscent of Quitely from his X-Men run. And the story is paced well by introducing us to the characters and providing some background on them. It’s been added to my pull list. Great review Ron!
this is another trade for me to look forward to in about 7 months or so.
to be honest, i wasn’t too interested in the book… and then i read the name “richard feynman” and i’m suddenly really excited. if hickman can find a way to work carl sagan into this, i might actually start buying the monthlies.
i loved avx 2 fight fight so avengers vs xmen 2 was my pick. great review i will pick this up now ron.
Wish this was on Graphicly. Guess I’ll have to get the old school paper kind.
They’re other digital comic providers you know
for real?
Yeah, I know that seems obvious but you comment there made no logic if you weren’t aware of that
Your logic is astounding! It’s like you’re a Vulcan and shit!
Classy
I read this issue, Batman 8 and Alex Robinson’s Too Cool To Be Forgotten this week. So it was light but extremely good week. This issue is great