Coming back to the first Atlas series is a bigger treat than I thought it would be. I don’t remember much about it, but I certainly didn’t remember Parker uses Gorilla Man as the narrator for the first issue. It’s a nice entry to the setup because–strangely enough–Ken is the most human member of the team. His recollections make this issue immediately distinct, even before the second or third page, when he’s revealed as Gorilla Man.
But Parker also sets up the mystery really well. I’d forgotten most of that aspect too–SHIELD is trying to figure out what old man Jimmy is up to with the Atlas Organization–and the way Parker weaves it all together is very nice. It’s not revolutionary, but it is nice.
Where Atlas is singular–and it even starts this issue–is the tone. It’s never played for laughs or meant to be light, but it’s always fun.
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