Review by Frank Plowright
Over two earlier volumes Atomic Robo has so far been a delight, but Brian Clevinger is capable of more than stirring adventure with a few funny lines. It’s proved by the opening chapter here, in which two bemused and seemingly addled gentlemen turn up at Nikolai Tesla’s workshop in 1926 raving about impending danger. The sample art reveals their identities, and the chapter introducing the threat carrying us through the book is an exquisitely plotted single act farce.
The primary purpose is to introduce the threat, a creature that doesn’t adhere to linear time as we know it, which is why Atomic Robo is seen battling it over four different periods. Perhaps Clevinger had a continuity in mind from the start, or perhaps he’s building it as he goes along, but people previously seen are starting to recur, whether that’s in 1957, 1971 or 2009.
Artist Scott Wegener is moving away from the style with which he began Atomic Robo. He’s not near what finally solidifies, but draws The Shadow From Beyond Time in neat cartoon style, exaggerating people while the threat is suitably disgusting. Something that Wegener’s increasingly having fun with is dressing up Atomic Robo in different outfits. The highlight here is a 1970s safari suit and hi-tops combination with knee-length socks. Very much the American tourist.
Perhaps the idea of the same gloopy threat manifesting several times is off-putting, but Clevinger’s got that covered. From the comedy introduction to the clever solution, there’s considerable variety, and the book is as much about the interaction between Atomic Robo and his allies of the time as it is about facing the threat.
Repeated encounters with the same being recurring throughout the 20th century supplies knowledge, so Atomic Robo can eventually predict roughly when manifestations will occur. Yet this is still a plot to mess with your mind every bit as it messes with Atomic Robo’s.
Unconnected, but equally good, is ‘Flight of the Terror Birds’ in which Atomic Robo and crew land on island of giant flightless birds. It’s even more fun than The Dogs of War, and with the quality curve constantly rising set your hopes high for Atomic Robo and Other Strangeness.
Everything here is also found in the mighty first Everything Explodes Collection.
