Terrouge Magazine
Badger Reading Corner Reviews
Atomic Robo by Brian Clevinger and Scott Wegener
Hello and welcome to the summer edition of Badger Reading Corner Reviews. The part I like about the title of this article is that it suggests reviewing anything that can be read. So do I have a deal for you.
How would you like a comic about a nuclear powered robot built by Tesla?
Caught you yet?
How about a robot who goes on Indian-Jones-ish adventures with his Action Science Team to sensibly explain the unexplained… with violence?
Really, if you’re not intrigued by now, just skip the rest. There’s nothing more I can say to convince you.
This could only be explained in two words: Atomic Robo. This comic is the work of Brian Clevinger and Scott Wegener and tells the adventures of Atomic Robo (though he prefers to be called Robo*) over the span of eighty years. Ranging from destructive Nazi robots in World War II to trying to defeat a Lovecraftian Beast over four different decades (with a cameo by Howard Lovecraft), Robo fights his way through with fists of steel (or some matter of alloy).
The two things that bring this all together are the art and the writing. These two things make or break a comic, and Atomic Robo balances it seamlessly.
Brian Clevinger (also the creator of 8-Bit Theater) does a grand job of balancing techno-babble and comedy over every panel. Robo is just a wonderfully likable character with just enough an edge that tells he’s dwelt with a lot, and enough witty banter to keep the snickering as he beats up giant bugs with a car. I know, this must make them groan by now, but it does remind me of Hellboy, but yet, Hellboy doesn’t have this rather more cheerful edge. It’s Hellboy without the dark and brooding undertones. And Robo is a much snappier dresser.
The art by Scott Wegener is what brings this the rest of the way. I love the edges on everything. Just, it has a certain style to the humans and landscapes and Robo that just makes me look forward to flipping the page. It draws the reader through the action without being overblown making a point. (I’ve read some Marvel, because of Rocket Raccoon, and their panels can get so convoluted I feel my eyes trying to escape and look at anything else…) I guess, as predictable as it might be to say, Atomic Robo is just the right level of shiny.
So go forth and read. I really can’t tell you enough how much I love this comic (it has appearances by Carl Sagan and Howard Lovecraft!) and I’m not a comic book reader and this has me subscribed and enthralled every step of the way. I only loaned out the three volumes I had because I needed to infect someone with the awesome of Atomic Robo. I’m currently waiting for Atomic Robo vs. Dr. Dinosaur.
But really, you should have been convinced by it being about a nuclear powered robot built by Tesla.
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*his full name is Atomic Robo Tesla. Yes.
