DCU Comic Book Reviews

THE ALL NEW ATOM #24

Inside-Out, Chapter 4:  Forecast Fascist Future

August 2008

Written by Rick Remender

Pencils by Pat Olliffe

Inks by John Stanisci

Cover by Ladrönn

Synopsis

In 1745, Chronos discusses his future plans regarding the Atom with his lover and partner.  Now, in the subatomicverse, Ryan Choi (aka the Atom) devises a way to get back to Ivy Town.  Instead, he finds himself in the future, where Lady Chronos offers Ryan the chance to stand by her side.  Ryan refuses.  Just then, Lady Chronos receives a message from her past self:  she must kill Ryan.  Before she can do it, however, Booster Gold appears and returns Ryan to his own time in Ivy Town.  There, Ryan retrieves the belt from Dwarf Star, who is revealed to be Chronos.  Then Ryan runs home to find a way to save everyone trapped in subatomicverse.  When he gets home, he is offered help by Ray Palmer.  

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

This was completely different than the previous issue.  So much so that I have to wonder if Remender had to switch plans when the book was canceled.  I am disappointed we didn’t get to see more of the subatomicverse.  Regardless, it was a good, fun issue, even if the story beats seem to turn on a dime.  It seemed like every few pages the story switched direction (be with me, Ryan; no I must kill you!), which is not necessarily a bad thing, but again makes me wonder if the impending cancellation is the cause behind it all.

I am willing to be that Lady Chronos is revealed to be Jia, Ryan’s erstwhile girlfriend from earlier in the book’s run.  They have a similar look and since Jia is the only Asian woman that Ryan knows, it makes sense.  I seriously doubt Remender would introduce someone new at this stage.  Besides, Jia was named and identified in the previous issue (although I don’t have it in front of me, so I might be wrong) so it makes me think Remender was doing his best to plant seeds so it doesn ot come completely out of left field when revealed next month. 

I have to wonder, did Gail Simone (the book’s first writer) really plan to have Chronos be the big bad of the book, as was revealed in this issue, or did she really mean for Ryan and Ray Palmer to be buddies as she had written it.  I guess I am wondering if Rememder is working off of Simone’s (or the editor’s) notes or if he took the book another way on his one.  Really, it doesn’t matter one way or another, it is just one of those things that I am curious about. 

On Page 12, bottom left panel, message is spelled incorrectly (with only one “s”).

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