Atomic Robo and the Dawn of a New Era

Atomic Robo #13

by Brian Clevinger, Scott Wegener (Illustrator)

The action continues... or does it, as Robo shifts to the more quiet side of life!

Atomic Robo just opened Tesladyne Institute's doors to the next generation of Action Scientists. Meanwhile, an old comrade has an urgent message about the Vampire Dimension (spoiler, it's bad). Bernie is speaking with the Queen of Hollow Earth or just hallucinating. Jury's still out on that one.

Oh, and there's a subplot about Robo's secret robot son. Y'know, remember that old automatic intelligence that nearly killed everyone in the world a few years back? Well...it's fine. Everything's fine!

Genres: Comics, Science Fiction, Graphic Novels, Fiction, Adventure, Comic Book, Webcomic

144 pages, Paperback

First published July 9, 2019

About the author

Brian Clevinger is best known as the author of the most popular sprite webcomic, and one of the most popular webcomics overall, 8-Bit Theater. He is also the author of the self-published novel Nuklear Age. Clevinger has recently received attention for his Eisner-nominated print comic Atomic Robo.

Claiming that his "favorite comics are the ones where the jokes are on the reader," Clevinger is an expert in using anti-climax, interface alterations, and the occasional false ending to play with the reader's expectations. It is a testament to both his sense of humor and his writing skills that these "jokes on the reader" are usually beloved by his fanbase.

Reviews

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

The "New Era" equals Brady Bunch's Cousin Oliver times three as a group of teenage students is suddenly shoehorned into the book. Mostly they just lurk around the edges not doing much of anything except stealing pages from the original cast.

Unfortunately, the original cast is not doing much of anything either as they are mostly keeping secrets, fretting, trying to go on vacation and tripping billies. With the exception of a brief vampire kerfuffle, it's all set adjustments and exposition set-up for the next volume.

A disappointing Atomic Robo graphic novel is still a pretty good graphic novel though.

[Brent · Rating 4 out of 5]

A change of pace for Robo and the gang, but a good one. A chance for the team (and us) to really come to grips with all they have been through over the last 12 volumes.

[Dakota Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

As the title suggests, this is a gentle reset for the Atomic Robo universe and, like most dawns, it's fairly sedate. The authors admit to that in the foreword, no less. Still, the characters are pleasant to hang out with, even if I can never quite remember who they all are. We're also introduced to a handful of new, diverse interns who seem forgettable for now. And one character is in some kind of underground world, attempting to achieve psionic powers? What is going on there?

Ah well, most of the plot follows AI Alan Turing becoming more human, which leads to several interesting conversations about the dangers of trusting an AI. Just hoping the next volume has a bit more momentum.

As an aside, Seanan McGuire's choose-your-own-adventure introduction is easily one of the best things about this volume.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit of a reset for our characters, settling into new circumstances. Bernard's thread is unresolved so we'll see what comes of that. Robo's forays into AI raises all kinds of questions that I'm excited to see explored. Not just the AI part but also what it says about Robo's character and his family, legacy, guilt, etc.

The creators are fond of saying that the Robo series was designed to be read in any order (and they've stopped numbering the trades on the spine) but I disagree. Several parts of this book in particular hinge on previous events and I just don't think they'd have the same impact if this was the first Robo you've read.

[Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

And now I am caught up... at least with the physical copies. I still need to read everything on the website.

I loved this one. I *really* loved this one. It is quieter, more introspective, but still awesome. We've moved past the HOA problems in volume 12 and are instead dealing with well, a LOT of other problems that have been building up over previous volumes.

Vik & Lang's attempts to take a vacation, Foley's growth into a mentor figure to some new faces, Bernie's worrisome explorations, Robo's secret, and the return of someone I'd been missing for quite a while... this book really filled the Robo shaped hole in my heart.

Also, the interdimensional vampire menace continues to loom.

Is this the best book to start with if you've never read Robo before? No. But it's definitely not the worst, either. A person could pretty much figure out what's going on, though they would definitely want to check out previous volumes.

Our heroes are aging. Robo himself is close to a century old at this point. And our main group of Action Scientists are basically "science Mom & Dad" to the new recruits.

This whole book is about legacy, about generations, about responsibility to ourselves and to others. It's a beautiful book of growth and I keep thinking about the arcs our heroes have gone through in order to bring us to this point.

I look forward to the next chapter.

[Nate]

Atomic Robo teaching Alan is the best part of this book. Two robots discussing Newton, Wodenhouse, alchemy, and humanity is a treat, and Clevinger dishes out some great lines between them (my favorite: “We’re the stories we’re able to tell ourselves. And history marks the bounds of what we imagine to be possible”). The rest of the book is fine, if a little all over the place. A few plotlines feel unfinished and I’m not sure if they’ll entirely be resolved. I guess it’s set up for future volumes but these side plots don’t interest me nearly as much as the stuff with Alan. Also, is it just me or does Wegener’s art look rushed here? I notice copy and paste panels as well as iffy faces in every issue. I’ve grown to really like his art and this is a disappointing step back.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

What's not to love about Atomic Robots and action scientists? The only down side of this collection is it's very much an interlude series, so it feels like a lot of setup for the next story bits but that's okay. The art and characters are cool. So, if you like the other books, get it, read it. You won't be disappointed.

[Viewtiful_Dante · Rating 5 out of 5]

Esta fue la primera historia de Atomic Robo que leí y que me enganchó irremediablemente. La he vuelto a leer otra vez y ahora, con todo el trasfondo de las anteriores historias me ha parecido incluso mejor. Una aventura más sosegada, con algún que otro dilema moral y la promesa de nuevas aventuras en algún futuro próximo. Maravilloso, como siempre.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Introducing new characters and bringing in a few old ones, I had to go o
ver the older volumes to refresh my memory of who is who and what has happened before as old story lines are spoken of. Not a great place for new readers to begin, but long time fans should enjoy.

[***Dave Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

The "hero founds a school to bring up the next generation" trope isn't new, but it's fun seeing what Clevinger does with it, especially as it gives some of the older characters -- especial Robo and Bernard -- some time to grow as characters. A good volume of fun.

[Bill Coffin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Atomic Robo’s team finally gets a chance to regroup a little after their endless crises and adventures, leading to a volume that is far slower and quieter than other installments. Still, the charm of the series runs strong throughout, and this remains a title that is a must-read for its fans.

[Bryce Perry · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I enjoyed this book a lot, not a whole lot happened in it. I can see the setup for a good three or four future stories but there wasn't much plot to this one. Lot of fun character development tho.

[Jefferson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty dull unless you are heavily invested in the characters and backstory, and the artwork isn't up to this series' usual high standard. Definitely doesn't stand on its own the way most of the other volumes in this series do.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a lot to say about this one, more Robo is good Robo. Looking forward to see where the story goes from here, but since I'm waiting to read them until they come out in print, I'll have to wait a few more months for the next volume.

[Katharine · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books continue to entertain and amaze, great stories and characters. I really can't wait to get the next one!

[Federico Kereki · Rating 2 out of 5]

Obviously setting up sequels; incomplete stories... and the art seems to be less careful and detailed than in previous books... sort of disappointing!

[Joshua Sloan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, this soft reboot might be my favorite incarnation of the series yet.