Review by Frank Plowright

There’s a great start to The Ghost of Station X as in 2011 the entire Tesladyne staff discuss an absolutely impossible mission. They have seven hours to rescue those on a space station, and using conventional methods that’s not even enough time to arrive there. Brian Clevinger shares out the technobabble between the staff, but makes it sound absolutely convincing. For all the desperate discussion, that mission isn’t even at the heart of this story, and there’s more mind-boggling scientific theory behind what is.

In as much as there’s any such thing, this is an atypical Atomic Robo story for several reasons. The core problem is the overnight vanishing of an entire building. That it’s connected with the UK’s spy service makes that a considerable concern. It’s also atypical for endangering Atomic Robo himself. It’s usually the case that he has to show caution due to other circumstances, but he’s rarely in direct danger. He is affected here, yet Clevinger underplays the situation, resolving it far more simply than might be expected. Also making this different is that it’s a mystery perpetuated for a long time with extremely high stakes.

Because there’s fair variety of emotional responses required Scott Wegener is on even better form than usual, and he’s stepping further into cartooning, yet a more stylised look doesn’t harm the story in any way. His storytelling has been strong from the earliest days, and it’s evident again as the brief bursts of action separate long sequences of conversation.

It’s never dull conversation, mind as Clevinger keeps those puzzles coming, and they’re involved. This is not “Hulk Smash!” The impossible is happening, but the only certainly is Atomic Robo himself being the target. You’re not going to figure out what’s happening because you’re not a genius with an atomic brain, so let the explanations drip over you as they’re provided and enjoy the ride to a satisfying conclusion.

This is the final story also found as part of The Crystals Are Inegral, and next up is the Flying She-Devils of the Pacific.