Product ReviewsAgents of Atlas (Marvel Comics April 2007)

Agents of Atlas Hardback

This compilation of the six issue Agents of Atlas mini-series offers a wealth of information as to the background story of the conception and inception of the series. With the addition of reprints of the first appearance of each of the main characters, we get to understand more of the background and character flaws that make each of these characters interesting and intriguing. Writer Jeff Parker has, hopefully, opened a new portal for 1940's and 1950's Timely/Atlas/Marvel characters to reach this new world of comic reality. This is a recommended buy, even if you already own the mini-series. For those unfamiliar with the story line, please continue reading the review.

The title of the book, along with the secretive "Atlas Corporation", is derived from the old "Atlas" imprint of Marvel Comics from the late forties until 1957. Actually Marvel's distribution company was named Atlas and its symbol was a Globe with the word Atlas on a banner in the center. However, this period of Marvel publishing is considered the Atlas years.

Former FBI Agent/Current SHIELD Agent Jimmy Woo is near death after leading a group on an unknown mission and getting caught up in a horrible explosion causing the deaths of all of his men. An old friend, Ken Hale, AKA Gorilla- Man, is brought in to give his last respects. This leads to the reuniting of the "1950's Avengers" that were introduced in Marvel's "What-If?" series (first) in issue #9, consisting of the aforementioned Gorilla-Man, the Human Robot, Venus, Marvel-Boy and Namora substituting for the 3-D Man. With the addition of a few new characters and the rebirth of a few others, this new team begins their mission to find out what Jimmy Woo was working on and unlock the secrets of the "Atlas Corporation."

The plotting is intricate and the action is fast paced. The artwork by Leonard Kirk is excellent. A fine production by this creative team with hopes of seeing much more in the future.Read full review...