Things just went from bad to worse for the Atoms. Their project to return stolen super powers seems to be working. One hero that doesn’t want his back is Captain Atom. His involvement in the project has shifted. The hero is on the run from the government after being its’ test subject.
Now standing in his way is Major Force. Can the project move forward if Captain Atom is taken off the board?
JUSTICE LEAGUE: THE ATOM PROJECT #4 by Ryan Parrott, John Ridley, Mike Perkins, Adriano Lucas, and Wes Abbott continues to showcase the fallout of Absolute Power.
Let’s take a closer look at where things stand now.
JUSTICE LEAGUE: THE ATOM PROJECT #4 by Ryan Parrott, John Ridley, Mike Perkins, Adriano Lucas, and Wes Abbott (DC COMICS)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
This is easily the best issue of the series thus far. Captain Atom has been a unique fixture in this saga. From going along with the Atoms’ plan to now resisting, it has been a long road. This chapter finally exposes why he’s now resisting authority. It’s not a question of loyalty. The dilemma at hand is power and responsibility. As much damage as Amanda Waller did, the writing suggests that Ray Palmer might have crossed a line like she did.
Atom’s face-off with Major Force is brewing with old wounds. It’s big action that showcases Atom’s new power levels. The past recap isn’t distracting in this aspect. Readers watch as the more successful Palmer’s plans are, the greater the toll on the Captain. The transition from ally to guinea pig is a tough pill to swallow. It’ only amplified with government involvement. The resolution mirrors back to the present time.
The writing delivers on a big fight ending to Atom’s current brawl. It also throws in a long term curve with its newest character entry. Knowing the movement in the DCU, this story has now taken on much more importance. Heading into its overall close should have a massive ripple effect.
Perkins and Lucas start events off with a big two page splash for Force and the Captain. It sets a strong pace for the present time portion of the chapter. In the past, the focus is all reactions. Panels depict the slow breaking of a hero. It also brings out the blind focus of Palmer’s quest. Missing what is being done to an ally creates stronger drama.
It all takes a back seat to the Force vs. Atom fight. The art takes the center and never lets up. Readers can sense Captain’s rage as he fights. It almost feels like an emotional release from all of Palmer’s testing. This leads into a striking half panel conclusion of the fight. Left in its wake is a shocking final page. The full page shot throws everything in flux as new players crash the science game. How they ultimately factor in should be immense to the overall DCU.
OVERALL GRADE: 8.4
The rage of a broken hero is too strong for science. In this latest chapter, the writing reveals the growing impact of the DCU’s secret project. Perkins and the art team craft big action along with the painful cost of powers and responsibility. The last page raises stakes even higher than one thought at the start. Where it goes now is anyone’s guess.
Let me know in the comments below your thoughts on JUSTICE LEAGUE: THE ATOM PROJECT #4. Thanks for reading!