This miniseries is the beginning of all of
the marriage troubles between Ray Palmer and Jean Loring. What happens here
will go on to affect the DC Universe in a multitude of ways- it’s what sparks
the Identity Crisis and the death of one of the most beloved characters in the
DCU. It will later reveal Batman’s spying on his fellow Justice League members
and for the JLA to disband. The end of this relationship in many ways causes
the Big Three of Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman to go on a year-long
sabbatical that will led the DC Universe into 52, the Search for Ray Palmer,
Countdown, and the spawning of the New 52 universe.
Yes, this single issue, published months
before the Crisis has probably been the single issue to most affect the
continuity and storylines of the past 15 years of DC Comics. That’s how
important the act of unfaithfulness on Jean Loring’s part is to the comics your
read today. In some ways, Sword of the Atom #1 is the New 52 as Flash #123 when
Barry Allen crossed over into earth 2, is to the Post-Crisis DC universe.
Here’s the weird thing about this issue.
Other than a marriage falling apart, very little else happens in this issue.
The sword and sorcery scene on the cover doesn’t ever take place yet as Ray
Palmer doesn’t even wear his costume in the entire opening chapter. So, I was a
little surprised how such an influential issue could be so dull.
Don’t
get me wrong, I liked this opening segment. But it was too much like a soap
opera and nothing like a super hero comic. Everything that happens here is
needed to (I’m hoping) get the Atom to this microscopic race of yellow-tinged
jungle dwellers. But don’t expect much excitement in the way of fighting with
anything more than the ammo of two spurned lovers.
The
art is fantastic. Plus, I just love the color palette. It’s classic 1980s but
it’s the style I grew up with and I just adore it. Issue #1 is required reading
but it’s scope of drama compared to what’s on the cover is miniscule at best.
Worth
Consuming
Rating:
10 out of 10 stars.
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