Review by Frank Plowright
It was stated very early on that Atomic Robo was the creation of Nikolai Tesla, but although Tesla’s been referred to since and there’s been one telephone conversation, he’s never been seen. Brian Clevinger’s decided that’s been long enough, and we’re not far into The Deadly Art of Science before Tesla and Atomic Robo are shown in the laboratory together. This is in 1930, when Atomic Robo isn’t quite the suavely sardonic character he’d develop into, but more like a curious child, and absolutely delighted when he becomes involved with the crimefighting activities of Jack Tarot.
As the cover indicates, The Deadly Art of Science is Clevinger and Scott Wegener’s homage to the pulp magazines of the 1920s, with Atomic Robo covering the possibilities of the SF material and Tarot and his daughter representing the crime cast. Clevinger builds an engaging relationship between the inquisitive Atomic Robo, the abrasive Tarot and his more accommodating daughter, and gradually a mystery builds about who’s stolen an ancient skull and why. That actually has connections to previous volume Other Strangeness.
Unlike that volume, this is a complete five chapter story completed by an additional short, with Clevinger adding the funny idea that for all his genius some of Tesla’s experiments are akin to a uninformed child mixing chemicals to see what happens. No wonder Atomic Robo considers a life tracking gangsters is accurately translated into pulp magazines.
Not only does Atomic Robo read well, it also looks great. From the start Scott Wegener’s storytelling instincts have been immaculate and he’s gradually refined his style into very polished, character-rich cartooning. This volume’s best dress-up is either Atomic Robo in a pink suit or a giant robot with a bowler hat, and when everything comes together at the end Wegener delivers some great action, while the contribution of colourist Ronda Pattison also impresses.
For a long while it seems as if Clevinger’s going to take a relatively predictable course, but he surprises as The Deadly Art of Science becomes a revealing tale about how Atomic Robo acquired many of his skills and first developed friendships outside the lab. It’s extremely touching in places, and the slam-bang finale is surprising and satisfying.
Dr. Dinosaur was the hit of the previous volume and he’s back in the back-up strip, as unhinged as ever in disrupting a school science fair. It’s a rare back-up strip anywhere that’s as good as the main event, but Clevinger and Wegener manage it.
The Ghost of Station X is next, or alternatively both are part of The Crystals Are Integral Collection.
