Atomic Robo

• Title: Atomic Robo Vol. 7 #4 (of 5)
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Brian Clevinger
• Artist: Scott Wegener

When we last left our robot scientist-adventurer Atomic Robo had managed to get himself captured by the Chokaiten, the secret organization created by the brightest scientist and military minds of Japan, who have no intention of losing the Pacific. While a prisoner Robo learns a little more about the organization, and their plans to attack the United States with “Earthquake Bombs,” before our intrepid hero gets himself fried and almost loses his head to a pair of Chokaiten scientists.

When we last left the She-Devils of the Pacific the group was reorganizing after the surprise attack by the Chokaiten made the jet-pack wearing, gun-toting, ladies of the Pacific abandon their secret island. Looking for a little payback, the She-Devils hit a Chokaiten base, rescue and reactivate our hero, and help him decipher the villains’ plans to attack San Francisco in five days time.

Issue #4 sets up the events of next month’s series conclusion, reunites Atomic Robo and the She-Devils, and provides tons of action and a couple of very amusing moments. In other words, exactly what you’d expect from Atomic Robo. Worth a look.

[Red 5, $3.50]

• Title: Atomic Robo Vol. 7 #3 (of 5)
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Brian Clevinger
• Artist: Scott Wegener

While stranded on the island of the Flying She-Devils of the Pacific, Atomic Robo and the rag-tag band of fearless jet-pack-strapped female pilots come under attack by Japanese bombers, submarines, and killer robots.

The latest issue of Atomic Robo: The Flying She Devils of the Pacific #3 is pretty much nonstop action as the She-Devils’ attempts to turn back the invaders fail and they’re eventually forced to flee the island. Our atomic-powered robotic pal, in a moment of stupid heroism, helps the women escape but finds himself captured by the force led by a Japanese pilot who shot Atomic Robo down twice during WWII.

With so much action there’s not a lot of time for character and story development, but writer Brian Clevinger does find places to insert the oddball humor of the comic we’ve all come to know and love. Hopefully next issue will reveal the identities and motives of the She-Devils’ enemies and continue to bring more zany action. Worth a look.

[Red 5, $3.50]

• Title: Atomic Robo Presents Real Science Adventures #6 (of 6)
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Brian Clevinger
• Artists: Ryan Cody, Erica Henderson, Zack Finfrock, John Broglia

The final issue of the Atomic Robo anthology series gives us the conclusion (but not really the end) of the adventures of The Sparrow and Atomic Robo finally putting his training from Bruce Lee to good use. Although not bad, neither storyline finishes up strong enough to justify their drawn out conclusions.

Sadly, the standalone stories we get this month are equally unmemorable. We get a short tale on an experiment in Tele-Trans-Portation, the Project Daedalus’ invasion of the Helsingard facility on Sanak Island, and a republished Atomic Robo adventure against a giant crab monster.

Although the mini-series gave us some fun short stories over its six-issue run (which turns out to be at least two issues too many) we’ve seen the comic sputter to a finish the last few months with meandering stories, too many of which didn’t include Atomic Robo. What I’ll likely remember Atomic Robo Presents Real Science Adventures for is some terrific covers and a lot of missed opportunity in terms of storytelling. For fans.

[Red 5, $2.75]

• Title: Atomic Robo Vol. 7 #2 (of 5)
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Brian Clevinger
• Artist: Scott Wegener

That’s more like it! Okay, I might be getting a little tired of Atomic Robo Presents Real Science Adventures and its short and mostly unconnected tales, but The Flying She-Devils of the Pacific is exactly the kind of fun, imaginative, crazy, Atomic Robo story that I want to read.

As Robo spends more time with the She-Devils, including a trip to local watering hole full of pirates and thugs, he discovers a secret abandoned Japanese air base on one of the islands. Of course he accidentally blows it up while inside, but we’ll still give him credit for finding it.

Robo also has to deal with the news that Lauren, the She-Devil’s resident mechanical whiz, has cannibalized the prototype airship Robo was shot down in. Initially furious, Robo comes to find Lauren’s inventiveness and outside-the-box thinking infectious and agrees to help her redesign the jet packs using his technology. This brings peace back to the island, or would except for the arrival of the mysterious planes attacking the She-Devils’ hidden island. Must-read.

[Red 5, $3.50]