COMIC BOOK OF THE WEEK

COMIC BOOK OF THE WEEK

Welcome back!  Dealing with this Virus Lockdown sucks, and it's also provided a bit of distraction, so I apologize for not having this segment of the blog last week.  But we're back, and today, we're going to explore one of the more unusual series in DC Comics' history - ATARI FORCE.  Based off a short 5 issue series that was co-produced by DC and ATARI Corporation (yes, ATARI - the video game company), and it proved to be intriguing enough, that DC decided to go ahead and greenlight a series back in 1982.  So, this week, we're going to check out the first issue of this sci-fi series.

ATARI FORCE #1

COVER:  Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez

WRITER:  Gerry Conway

ARTIST:  Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez

INKS:  Richard Villigran

COLORS:  Tom Ziuko

LETTERS:  Bob Lappan

EDITOR:  Andy Helfer

COVER DATE:  January 1984

PUBLISHER:  DC Comics

TAGLINE:  Introducing:  The STRANGEST SF Heroes of All!

STORY TITLE:  "Part One:  Fresh Blood"

Atari Force #1 is the 2nd volume of the series that originated from DC and the Atari Corporation back in 1982.  The original 5 issue run was featured in 5 different video game packages for the Atari 2600 gaming console:  Defender, Berzerk, Star Raiders, Phoenix, and Galaxian.  The story focused on 5 members of the ATARI Institute:  A.T.A.R.I standing for  Advanced Technology And Research Institute.  The 5 issues told of the adventures of 5 memebers of this group:  Martin Champion, Lydia Perez, Li-San O'Rourke, Mohandas Singh, and Dr. Lucas Orion, as they explore the multiverse in their ship, Scanner One.  Along the way, they pick up an alien "pet" named Hukka, and face off against the evil malevolence of a being known as the Dark Destroyer.  During this story, the team ends up finding a new home for the denizens of Earth...calling it New Earth.  This original series was created by writers Gerry Conway and Roy Thomas, and was illustrated by Ross Andru.  The 2nd volume takes place 25 years after the first series.  

THE STORY:  25 years after the original Atari Force's mission, we see two mercenaries:  Dart and her partner/lover Blackjak, escape a trap on an outward world by the Dark Destroyer, who's returned to destroy the universe.  Meanwhile, a young alien named Babe is abducted from his homeworld by an unscrupulous black market dealer, and on New Earth, woman named Professor Venture tries to teach the son of Martin Champion, Christopher, how to use his multiverse powers--and ability called "phasing"--and Martin himself broods in his ship---sending probe after probe into deep space, looking for the Dark Destroyer. And a thief named Pakrat, eludes capture after a theft, and heads to New Earth for opportunity.

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This first issue of the series set us up nicely with the introduction of the new characters that have appeared since the original series.  As we are now 25 years later.  Dart and Blackjak are new, and Dart is the daughter of two of the original members of Atari Force:  Mohandas Singh and Li-San O'Rourke.  Christopher Champion is the offspring of Martin Champion and Lydia Perez, who's been established in this issue as having been killed by the Dark Destroyer.  Martin is estranged from his son, and subconsiously blames him for the death of his wife.  Professor Venture acts as a surrogate mother to Chris...who's got a major chip on his shoulder.  He's also very close to Dart, whom he sees as a sister.  Babe is a large alien being with a mind of an infant, who is lured away from his home by a black market dealer.  Morphea is an insect being who is Martin's thereapist, and Pakrat is a rodent looking thief.  All the characters eventually make their way to New Earth where they will eventually hook up, and become a new Atari Force.  I love the character interaction, and Conway really helps express the changes in the last 25 years, and the fallout from it.  These characters have real human issues, and was one of the first series to really have diversity in their characters.  Garcia-Lopez's art has always been one of my favorites, and his work is incredibly exceptional here---he gets very Kirby-esque with this title, and gives us a bit of a Star Wars feel to it.  The Dark Destroyer is a great malevolent force that's reminiscent of Darth Vader in scope.  We get a wonderful set up and introduction, preparing us for what's to come down the road.  The series SADLY only lasted 20 issues, but for the moment in time that it occurred, it's worth reading!