I picked up this Atom special based on enjoying Ray Palmer’s character and perspective in the Blackest Night book and the previews/press sparked my interest further. Writer Jeff Lemire has been praised heavily on more than a few podcasts and in the general comic book press for his Sweet Tooth series so it seemed that, for me, this special was at least a safe bet.

Even with some decent expectations this book “wowed” me. I was completely absorbed into the tale and invested in the mysteries that Ray encounters. Everything about this book was just right. The pencilling and use of shadows (more the inker) kept the art in the more realistic realm ala Infantino-esque silver age but not nostalgic And with a modern sense of framing that didn’t sacrifice the story at all for weird angles.

I am now seriously considering picking up Adventure Comics every month just for The Atom’s back-up!

A perfect restart for this character and entry point for the curious.