by Russell Burlingame
Atomika #9
Currently available only by going to Mercury Comics' website or by meeting up with creator Sal Abbinati at a convention and taking one off his hands there, Atomika #9 seems an unlikely pick for the Hot Shot of the Week--but the fact is, this book is good. As comics featuring "gods" go, this deals with the godlike aspects of the character better than most. Think Dan Jurgens's run on Thor. Using some of the better elements of superheroics and mythology in a way that tosses around references to Dante, popular culture and Baba Yaga as though those things all fit in the same page, Atomika has been a consistently impressive read, and Sal knows how to market himself better than anyone this side of Beau Smith--so even while he waits to "stockpile" issues so that he has enough built up to start soliciting through Diamond again, this issue, which is new this week as Abbinati described it as "hot off the presses" at MoCCA last week--is a great read, as Atomika and his son, Chernobyl, wage war on hell (watch out, Keith Giffen). Written by Andrew Dabb and with art by Abbinati, this issue also has the treats of covers and pinup art by Simone Bianchi, Ernie Chan and a beauty of a back cover by Mark Texeira. It's worth the extra little bit of effort to buy it off the Mercury Comics site!
Hot Shot of the Week Companion Feature
Ten Question About Atomika #9 With Sal Abbinati
Page last updated on June 21, 2008