Justice League: The Atom Project #3 – Ryan Parrott/John Ridley, Writers; Mike Perkins, Artist; Adriano Lucas, Colorist
Ray – 9/10
Ray: A lot of books have been dealing with the effects of the power shuffle post-Absolute Power, but few have explored what that means for the world at large beyond the heroes. Now that people know the powers can be shifted, changed, or even taken – who will make the first move? This story is split into two different time narratives, with the first focusing on Ray Palmer and Ryan Choi trying to figure out their next move after getting Captain Atom’s powers back from the bear who took them (yes, really). As Nathaniel enjoys his return to full power, the Atoms attempt to use the technology they created to restore the other metahumans, starting with Atom Smasher. It seems to be working…until it works too well, super-charging the abilities of everyone in the cells. And that’s where it becomes clear just how powerful Captain Atom is now. \
And in the present, Captain Atom is seeking a very radical solution to his current problem – he’s found another scientist who will be able to pull off an experimental process that will either remove his abilities or kill him. Why is he willing to go this far? Because his powers now include the ability to absorb metahuman energy from anyone and either keep it or reassign it to someone else. That makes him essentially a one-man version of what Waller was trying to do – and now the military will do anything to get control of him. Ray Palmer isn’t willing to let his friend/project die and steps in at the exact wrong time, sending the delicate alliance between them into chaos. This series got off to a slightly slow start, but it’s been a great ride as it digs into how paranoid the concept of superpowers would actually make people, and how susceptible the whole thing would be to corruption.
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GeekDad received this comic for review purposes.
