Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
Atomic Robo: Revenge of the Vampire Dimension #1 of 4
Red 5 Comics
Clevinger, Wegener, Pattison & Powell
The start of the fourth volume of Atomic Robo brings my first foray into the world of this very popular character. I've heard mostly nothing but good things about the series as it was presented to me as something similar to Indiana Jones meets Hellboy. Being a big fan of both characters in comic book form I figured this would be an easy win-win situation. However, in the back of my mind I had that nagging feeling that I would be disappointed. Especially with the cheesy element of Vampires in the title of the comic. I'm glad I didn't pay much attention to the nagging voice because I thoroughly enjoyed the comic.
The comic book begins as two very different characters are interviewing for the open position on the science team in Robo's organization. This is both helpful to a new reader (like me) and helps to push the story into action. The two characters are given a brief introduction into the organization and to the main character, Robo.
Additionally, the story gets rolling as the one of the interviewees falls victim to a dimensional vampire attack right in Robo's office. The other character, Bernard, is not only hired by default, but he is thrust into action. The bulk of the comic has Robo, Bernard and the rest of the cast fighting off the vampires throughout the office.
The comic has a lot of action as the dimensional vampires take over the office building taking a lot of lives in the process. The comic also has some clever science and geek gadgets in it as Robo and company try to figure out how the dimensional vampires got there and how to send them back.
Not only is the comic loaded with action, but it is also a smart comic book with the tone of the dialogue and the delivery of the comedic elements. For example, a line such as, "How could they not include a reverse?! That's just criminally negligent with the kind of ludicrous stuff we get up to around here!" is brilliant with its placing in the story. Its lines like this one that help make the comic book interesting, clever and different.
The artwork is very clean, but still detailed. The coloring keeps the comic in flat tones which works extremely well when it switches over to something as bold as blood or the orange colored eyes of the vampires. At one or two points the characters sitting around the offices look two dimensional at best, but the action pops off the page nicely with depth, which is the way you probably would prefer it to go.
After one issue I can see what all the buzz is about with Atomic Robo. It's funny, fast-paced, clever and fresh. I definitely recommend this comic book.
4 out of 5 Geek Goggles
