BRONZE AGE MINUTE: Atari Force #2

DC and Atari; February 1984
Cover by José Luis García-López

Title: “Direct Encounter”
Synopsis: The future members of the next generation Atari Force continue their separate adventures, including a battle between Dart and a warbeast.

Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciler: José Luis García-López
Inker: Ricardo Villagrán

Review: Gerry Conway’s Atari Force characters start coming into focus with this second issue. There are strong character moments all around, with Dart taking the lead as the series’ most interesting character. The story is built around multiple plot threads, rolling along at a measured pace; there’s plenty going on, but this one has the decompressed feel of a more modern book. The art, by José Luis García-López, is timeless: dynamic figure work and strong storytelling translate well to any era. Atari Force is on its way to being an underrated classic of the late Bronze Age.

Grade: A-

Second opinion: Recommended by The Slings & Arrows Comic Guide (second edition), 2003.

Cool factor: José Luis García-López’s work on this series is pretty amazing. He deserved to be a much bigger star.
Not-so-cool factor: Licensing issues keep this series from being collected. That just ain’t right.

Notable: This issue also contains three “Fact File” character pinups and an introductory essay from writer/co-creator Gerry Conway.

Collector’s note: According to the Grand Comics Database, there is a 95¢ Canadian variant of this issue.

Character quotable: “Hey, lover – if it were easy, would it be worth doing?” – Dart, mercenary (and poor man’s wise woman)

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