The shop where I work/shop Has it on the list for tomorrow (1/4/12) Hope I find it there in the morning!

It Was! I have yet to read it, but will be doing so this evening (well, technically, this morning.)

First impression is good! I picked up the Grim Ghost Cover. The art is great! The cover is Cardstock, which is very nice. They used the same technique as the Zero issues, where the cover has a Matte finish and the character is struck in a high gloss. Very nice. The book has a real premium feel.

So far, so good! How will it read? I'll report back!

That is fantastic news! Hopefully I'll be able to get a copy in the UK soon (also the next Wulf and Phoenix!)

Welcome to the Boards grimsmith! Let us know what you think of Atlas Unified #1 after you get a chance to read it.

--Phil

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And remember: if it's amazing, astonishing, adventurous - it's ATLAS

Bazinga!

Hi Phil, thanks for the welcome, I certainly will, so far the only thing I haven't liked about the new Atlas has been the waiting!

Cheers,

Matt (Grimsmith)

NOTE: There are NO spoilers in this review!

Okay, I've now read through the book three times. I like the story very much. Like the other Atlas titles, there is a strong element of mystery behind everything. Even though we are being shown what's going on, we don't really know what's going on! The characters (well, some of them) are more in-the-know than we are, but that doesn't amount to much, they are still in the dark.

It may be worth pointing out that I have not read UNIFIED #0, Thus I do not know how much this might alleviate some of the confusion and mystery. There is a copy of zero in my future as soon as my boss is done with it.

Bringing together disparate, unconnected characters and story elements into a cohesive event is difficult for a writer to do, especially well. Tom Peyer has done an admirable job thus far and the story is engaging. I really want to know what's happening and how it will be resolved.

Now, the art. Jimbo Salgado's art goes back and forth (for me, anyway) between three areas. There are parts of this book (the cover,for example) where I found the art terrific. Then there are parts where the art isn't "poor" but is just serviceable. It gets the job done. The third and final area is the bits that look like they were not really finished. things that appear to be glaring issues with perspective or foreshortening that would normally be tightened up. It is possible that these areas were rushed for some reason, or that they fall outside the area of Jimbo's ability at this point in his career. There are parts of this story that look very amateurish. Overall I would say the art is inconsistent.

While many would consider that a negative review on the art, I personally do not. I have really enjoyed the effect that the art has had on ALL of the Atlas books. There is a real charm (again, to me) to people getting it done on their own. Like Valiant Comics , Atlas comics have their own identity. They are not trying to look like DC or Marvel or BlahBlahBlah. They are doing their own thing. As an artist myself, I also appreciate Atlas method of using people who are passionate about what they are doing even though they may not have the Pro chops.I personally prefer that to a stunning artist banging out art for a paycheck.

I'm in for the (hopefully) long haul with Atlas, and I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of adventures all these characters get up to!

Good review...so you didn't get the sense that the Wulf and Phoenix stories not yet being over left something missing?

I'm glad you liked my review! Your question is a good one. I guess there could be information in the as yet unseen parts of the Wulf and/or Phoenix storylines that could be pertinent to unified. If that were the case, It would have been Foolish (in my opinion) to put out Unified until it was the proper time. It would be like putting out issues in an ongoing series out of order.

I admit my preference would have been to finish up the arcs of the individual titles, then move into Unified. This would be true even if the Storylines are not pertinent to Unified. I think one thing at a time, done well is better than trying to juggle a bunch of stuff, especially if you are struggling with being on schedule. This has worked for me with my self-published stuff. I'm always happier with the end product if I do it from start to finish and it is my sole focus.

I enjoyed Atlas Unified #1. I especially liked the references to Tommy and Go-Go.



I enjoyed Jimbo's art. Yes, a bit rushed in a few panels but overall very well done. I really like his take on the Grim Ghost. More last panel suspense, this has become an Atlas trademark.

--Phil

_________________
And remember: if it's amazing, astonishing, adventurous - it's ATLAS

Bazinga!

I really wanted to enjoy this but issue 1 just felt rushed, dont get me wrong, im in for the long haul but I hope the issues get tighter script and art-wise from #2 onwards