By: Jonathan Hickman (writer), Nick Pitarra (art), Jordie Bellaire (colors) and Rus Wooton (letters)
The Story: Having been imprisoned by one of their own, the scientists of The Manhattan Projects must come up with a plan.
Review (with SPOILERS): This doesn’t have to be a long review: It’s a very good issue (again), but nothing spell-binding or exceptionally weird happens that merits two paragraphs of discussion. If you’ve enjoyed the series, you’ll enjoy this issue. If you are new to the series, this is probably not the place to start.
What continues to strike me about this “Finite Oppenheimers” storyline is how TMP actually feels like it has a coherent plot for the first time. The first ~12 issues did have a nominal plot, but the plot felt like it was there to service the zany things that Hickman and Pitarra were doing with the characters. Now, it feels like we have a story with a true antagonist in Oppenheimer who has a real motivation: He is arrogant, ambitious, prideful and covetous of recognition; he wants to be recognized as the BEST scientist. It also feels like we’re starting to see his opposite number arise in Einstein. This issue made me feel as if the other TMP scientists are supporting actors to Einstein’s leading man. I could be wrong about that, but we’ll see how it plays out. Certainly, Einstein v. Oppenheimer sounds like fun.
There are weird little events in this issue too, but nothing that compares to things that have happened in the past. I don’t think the series has shot its wad, it’s more like it just isn’t quite as funny this month. Even then, there are still things that would be remarkable in another comic, but TMP readers have gotten immune to such things.
We also get a cliffhanger, which is further evidence of TMP becoming more of a story. It really isn’t clear if Einstein intended to turn the tables like this or if it is a case of Oppenheiner not being as smart as he thinks he is. Anyway, I’m looking forward to seeing Oppenheimer have to deal with one of these horrible creatures that Einstein has brought back from his dissection trips to other worlds.
The art is great again. There’s nothing really new to say about it. This is Nick Pitarra’s book now. When guest artists come on, they have to mimic his style or it looks weird. He’s come a long way as an artist since The Red Wing.
Conclusion: A solid, but unremarkable issue of TMP. It’s nice to see the story develop an actual plotline.
Grade: B
-Dean Stell