Captain Atom: J.T. Krul, Freddie Williams II, Rob Leigh, Jose Villarrubia

This incredible issue is all about dreams coming true. And it was really bittersweet. It was really sad. There was tragedy here, and that seems to be a constant theme in these Captain Atom comics.

Krul does a great job of presenting these characters. Nate and Ranita, Dr. Megala, Dr. Scott-dude, and Benjamin, one of the workers at the Continuum featured in this ish. We already know Megala enough to understand his wants, his deepest desires. He wants what Atom has, he’s jealous. He’s also resentful that Atom doesn’t (or can’t) share what he knows about the universe and can do with his abilities. Scott wants to be with Ranita. He wants to be away from his job, and the madness of Captain Atom’s abilities. Benjamin doesn’t want to be at work, either. And, apparently, he’s tired of people setting him up at work.

Suddenly, strange things start to happen in the Continuum. A box appears before Benjamin. Scott runs into a deceased family member. And something amazing happens to Megala.

Each of them gets a wish. It’s possibly all related to Nate’s human form getting everything he’s wanted. He’s spending time with Ranita. And with each thing they do, each time their activities escalate, the prizes the others at the Continuum become greater. 

I loved both listening to Megala just seethe at Atom, as his powerful blue form sleeps in a containment bulb, and listening to Nick and Ranita finally enjoy their time together. It’s been something we’ve been waiting for this whole time, and it feels like Megala’s feelings are coming to a head that’s going to be rather explosive. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what happens with him in this series’ finales.

The most tragic part of this issue happens at the end. As Nate gets his own dream fulfilled with Ranita, the others at the Continuum start falling apart. I felt really bad for Benjamin. I even felt compassion for Scott, the jerk. And even Megala’s brought a tear to my eye. That’s awesome.

Freddie’s art is in top form, as always. The expressions Nate and Ranita share, the way they look at each other, really shows their love. The whole sequence with Megala was VERY well done. Beautiful imagery, great coloring. That last splash page with Nate and Ranita is very well done, too. And something for which we’ve been waiting for a while now.

Captain Atom #11, the verdict: Not much more to say. I really liked this issue. It reminds me of prior ones where I’ve been really, truly moved by the events. Mikey’s cancer, and subsequent curing comes to mind. This book has always highlighted the tragedy of life, which is interesting, considering Atom was born of an accident. Something gone wrong. And, go beyond that, Atom is removed from human life now. Human existence and experience. He doesn’t really know tragedy like others do, despite the fact that he IS one. Great job humanizing a book about a proverbial God.

(Photo Source: iFanBoy)