John Broome and Murphy Anderson. Two of the great creators in the silver age era. Co-creating the Hal Jordan Green Lantern in 1959, for Showcase 22, Broome’s long career at DC meant he wrote a wide range of different titles, such as Green Lantern (vol 2), The Flash, Elongated Man and All-Star Comics. Co-creator of Adam Strange in 1958 for Showcase 17, Murphy Anderson is considered one of the best artists of the silver age, working on titles such as The Flash, Action Comics and Hawkman, as a penciller, an inker, or often both. It is safe to say that these two are classics, yet like all creators, some of their work is buried in obscurity and The Atomic Knights is an example. Following a huge nuclear war, the planet is in ruins. Yet, hope is at hand, as a team of radioactive-resistant knights in medieval armour ride their giant Dalmatians into battle, pledging to destroy all evil in the apocalyptic world of… 1986.
In this review of The Atomic Knights by Broome and Anderson, I will be reviewing:
The Rise of the Atomic Knights --- Strange Adventures 117
The Menace of the Water-Raider --- Strange Adventures 120
The Cavemen of New York --- Strange Adventures 123
The Lost City of Los Angeles --- Strange Adventures 126
World Out of Time/ Thanksgiving Day-1990/War in Washington/The Attack of the Giant Dogs --- Strange Adventures 129, 132, 135, 138
Menace of the Metal-Looters --- Strange Adventures 141
When the Earth Blacked Out --- Strange Adventures 144
The King of New Orleans --- Strange Adventures 147
The Plant That Hated Humans --- Strange Adventures 150
Danger in Detroit --- Strange Adventures 153
Threat of the Witch-Woman --- Strange Adventures 156
Here Comes the Wild Ones --- Strange Adventures 160
The appearances of the Atomic Knights in Strange Adventures (vol 1) took place every three issues/months usually, from June 1960 to January 1964. All stories are written by John Broome and are all drawn by Murphy Anderson. Lastly, I have read these stories in the Atomic Knights hardcover, an unusual, yet great release from DC. Since all the
art is drawn by Anderson, I will be reviewing it after all of the stories.
The Rise of the Atomic Knights
THE STORY
In the aftermath of the nuclear war of 1986, a man is chased by a mob for his food, before hiding. He then finds a newspaper with himself in it, causing him to remember that his name is Gardner Grayle. However, just as he remembers the last moments before the final bomb exploded, he notices a man being attacked, named Douglas Herald, a schoolteacher. After rescuing him, Douglas explains that money is now worthless, and that food is rare. He then tells Gardner that he was attacked by Black Baron’s men for food, who run the town forcefully. Suddenly, a grenade is thrown at both of them and they hide behind some suits of armour. Confused by how they survived, Gardner discovers the armour has neutralised the effect of deadly energy. Some time later, survivors gather to listen to Gardner and Douglas’s plan to take out Black Baron. After getting the help of two brothers, Wayne and Hollis Hobard, along with Douglas’s sister Marene and a scientist named Bryndon, they all raid Black Baron’s base wearing the suits of armour and defeat him. In the end, the group decide to call themselves the Atomic Knights and pledge to protect the world.
MY THOUGHTS
The excellent formation of the amazing Atomic Knights. If it wasn’t clear already, I love this team, mainly because it pokes fun at itself while telling good stories with decent characters. Instantly, mystery is built up from the start as we see Gardner Grayle run unto the likes of Douglas, Marene, Bryndon and the Hobard twins. Background is given to all these characters, making them come across as incredibly real for early silver age creations. The main plot is pretty standard and isn’t anything too complicated, introducing us to this post-apocalyptic world. That said, this story is full of coincidences that come across as rather unnatural. For example, how Gardner manages to escape from an angry mob in a wasteland is rather strange and also, finding out his real identity from a newspaper must mean Gardner is the luckiest person ever. Plus, this story makes me laugh quite a bit, but not in a bad way. For instance, the metal suits of armour that are somehow protective from radiation doesn’t make too much sense, but it’s the silver age, you have to accept it, even if it is incredibly bizarre.
Story: 9/10
Art: 9.5/10
The Menace of the Water-Raider
THE STORY
While rebuilding the town, Douglas shows the team a note from survivors living in the Valley of Salt Lake, asking for help. Together, the Atomic Knights agree on travelling to the valley, since Bryndon has created an atomic-powered car using spare parts. Bryndon, Gardner and Hollis head out to the Valley of Salt Lake, where they discover a huge crystal creature heading for them. However, it leaves when it absorbs water from their car. Then, the team continue to drive when they find the survivors, who are all in need of water. However, when Bryndon drills a hole into a mountain, causing water to spout out, the crystal creature returns and absorbs the water. Luckily, the team put red limestone in the water, causing the crystal creature to turn red and freeze, saving the survivors.
MY THOUGHTS
This is the first of the explorative stories of the Atomic Knights and I think it works well. It features the usual scientific explanations from John Broome, which helps us understand how they beat the giant crystal creature. We also see a number of other survivors nearby, which makes the world bigger and with new characters. We also see other members of the team, such as Bryndon, focused on more so, broadening the characters within the Atomic Knights. The main problem with this story is the “villain” if you will, this giant water absorbing creature. Where did it come from? Who made it? This makes the threat of the story rather empty and ultimately, meaningless.
Story: 8/10
Art: 9.5/10
The Cavemen of New York
THE STORY
One day on a mission, the Atomic Knights are shocked when they find New York in ruins. They then use a raft to head deeper into the flooded city and begin exploring. However, the team find a strange underground bunker when suddenly, they are attacked by a group of cavemen. After some time, the cavemen retreat, causing (continued)
Bryndon to think the cavemen could have once been regular humans. Then, he informs the rest of the team that their armour has absorbed too much radiation, causing them to wash them in water, making the radiation disappear. Sometime later, the Hobard brothers capture a caveman and Gardner finds a wallet on him, with his identity. Using the information, the team revives the caveman back to normal, causing him to head back to his tribe and inform the others. However, this fails as the cavemen attack him, causing Gardner to use a monitor to communicate with the cavemen. He successfully restores them back to humanity, before the team leave New York.
MY THOUGHTS
Another story of exploration and weird creatures, this time, some cavemen who live under New York! From the start, the story delivers in a big shock, which is that New York is pretty much flooded and destroyed. We are then shown the residents of the city, all of whom have regressed and become cavemen. I don’t know why, but this idea just screams silver age and unsurprisingly, I really like it. The idea may be silly and strange, but these stories work so well with the Atomic Knights. That being said, I think the story starts with a new idea too near the end, when the cavemen attack the recently converted man. This is because the ending feels rushed when Gardner has to speak to all the cavemen and tell them they are humans. Apart from that, the story is certainly interesting, and the main characters work well here.
Story: 8/10
Art: 9.5/10
The Lost City of Los Angeles
THE STORY
Some time later in 1987, the Atomic Knight’s home of Durvale is attacked by a hurricane, causing Gardner to tell the team they must head west. Over time, the Hobard brothers construct glider champions and the team (with the exception of Marene) head west, flying past volcanos and other hazards. They then arrive in a damaged Los Angeles, where they are attacked by other humans. Then, huge yellow creatures appear and walk towards them, causing Gardner to walk up to them and discover that they aren’t real, since they leave no footprint in the ground. The team then use a radio device to contact Marene in Durvale, telling her that they are safe.
MY THOUGHTS
In terms of originality, this story lacks it. It’s very similar to the previous story, apart from it focuses on Los Angeles instead of New York. Granted, there are some strange looking hallucinations, which are mysterious and unique, but even they disappear after a few panels of explanation from Gardner. While the main plot isn’t much to write home about, I do think the main characters begin to develop here. For instance, its around here we see the romance between Marene and Gardner blossom, which works as the gap between stories is usually quite a while. These characters have now known each for some time and I think its great that Broome is developing their friendships and relationships.
Story: 7/10
Art: 9.5/10
World Out of Time/ Thanksgiving Day-1990/War in Washington/The Attack of the Giant Dogs
THE STORY
One day, Bryndon unveils a television to the rest of the team, showing them that by using satellites in space, they can view other cities on Earth, such as a destroyed Paris. Then, the team discover a strange green island in the middle of the Atlantic, full of trees and grass. Although thinking it may be a radiation mirage, the team head out for the island. Meanwhile on the island, which is Atlantis, the king, Khagan, is told about a strange radioactive force surrounding the island like a shield. The Atomic Knights arrive on the island and notice the barrier around it. Suddenly, Atlanteans attack the team and put them in prison. However, thanks to an earthquake, the team escape the island on a boat as it sinks into the ocean, causing the team to realise it was Atlantis.
While the Atomic Knights are on their boat, King Khagan has escaped also and pledges to rule the Earth. Months later, Khagan is in Boston when he hears a radio call from Durvale. While the Atomic Knights are providing food to the residents of Durvale, the Atlanteans attack. However, after they cause a fire using heat generating guns, the Atomic Knights gear up and defeat the Atlanteans, but Douglas is injured and hospitalised.
In 1990, Wayne Hobard sends a message across Earth that he and his brother are being attacked. Using an Atlantean named Dalas, Gardner and Bryndon travel through numerous dangerous environments before they reach Washington. After Dalas heads into the city, he tells Gardner that King Khagan is planning to destroy Durvale using ultraviolet radiation. Sometime later, the team head into Washington, but are attacked by Atlanteans with fire muskets. This causes Gardner and Bryndon’s armour to turn red. Luckily, the team defeat the Atlanteans using cosmic muskets and reach the top of the Washington Monument, where they find the ultraviolent radiation gun pointed towards Durvale. Although they manage to stop it and save the people of Durvale, Khagan escapes once again.
When the team are investigating the corn field to the north of Durvale, they discover giant dog footprints. After following them, they find a crashed spaceship and nearby, two giant Dalmatians. Once Bryndon theorises that the size of the dogs could be a result of radiation, Gardner decides to bring the dogs home, causing people to become annoyed since there are now two more mouths to feed. Some time later, the dogs begin barking when Khagan invades Durvale with his Atlanteans, injuring the Hobard brothers. Although they retreated, Gardner is convinced that Khagan will attack again. Therefore, they use the dogs to sniff out the Atlanteans and after locating them, the Atomic Knights arrest Khagan and his soldiers. In the end, the people of Durvale warm to the Dalmatians, who give birth to puppies.
MY THOUGHTS
To me, all four of these stories are very much linked, particularly the first two. This is because it features the same villains, King Khagan and his soldiers from Atlantis, along with the same plot of either invading or destroying Durvale. The first story focuses on the Atomic Knights basically discovering Atlantis, a plot idea which may have been done about a thousand times, but it works since we aren’t instantly told it is Atlantis. Plus, the beginning of the story adds an element of mystery when the island looks green, different from the rest of the war-torn world. That said, the first story is full of unnecessary moments, such as the random shield around the island (which the Atomic Knights somehow ignore) and the heroes being locked in prison, before escaping seconds later. The second part is much more basic, since it’s the Atlanteans basically invading Durvale and failing. I feel both parts of this story should have been combined to make one, since it would have made the story more fluid. To me, the third part in Washington just drags out the story more. I mean, its great to see another part of the United States in this war-worn world, but in terms of plot, nothing advances. Now, the fourth part is definitely the best, mainly because we are introduced to the greatest features of this run, two giant Dalmatians. Firstly, Broome and editor Julius Schwartz must have taken some hard drugs when writing this and secondly, how can you hate this? These two dogs basically allow the Atomic Knights to (continued)
travel and they’re great. No explanation of why they were just wandering around in the wastelands, but they make the story so much better, even if they aren’t exactly the most ferocious animals to use for battle. Also, this last part is where Khagan is arrested, but who cares when you have giant Dalmatians. Apart from that huge redeeming feature, this story takes place in 1990 and it really shows, as all the main characters are familiar with each other. Honestly, I did find the villains from Atlantis quite tiresome and boring, particularly towards the end, but this is their last appearance in the Atomic Knights stories.
Story: 7.5/10
Art: 9.5/10
Menace of the Metal-Looters
THE STORY
A large alien spaceship lands on Earth, aware of the recent nuclear war, searching for zaxion. Meanwhile in Durvale, the Atomic Knights become suddenly tired, with Gardner believing that it could be the effect of unknown radiation. However, after putting on their armour and riding out, Gardner and Bryndon find the spaceship and aliens, who attempt to trade with the heroes for their armour, which is covered in zaxion. But they refuse and are attacked by the aliens, who steal their armour. Meanwhile, the other Atomic Knights find the aliens and attack them using the Dalmatians. Gardner and Bryndon wake up and once they threaten the aliens with a gun, they leave and promise to never disturb the planet again.
MY THOUGHTS
This is definitely one of the weaker ones to me. First of all, while the idea of aliens invading is a staple of the silver age, it just doesn’t work here for me. I don’t know why, but I guess its because the Atomic Knights don’t seem to bother about the aliens. Has this version of Earth experienced alien invasions? We don’t find out here, that’s for sure. While I think the story had a lot of potential, with the aliens wanting the Atomic Knight’s armour for something called zaxion (whatever that is), it falls short and in the end, the aliens just go away after Gardner pretty much tells them to f*ck off. Not one of my favourites here, which is a shame.
Story: 4/10
Art: 9.5/10
When the Earth Blacked Out
THE STORY
Five years after the nuclear war, Douglas still theorises which nation was the cause of the apocalypse. While researching old newspapers, Marene arrives and says that Bryndon has been injured. In bed, Bryndon explains that on the way back to Durvale, the sky turned black and he noticed three strange mole creatures, who begun shooting at him. Intrigued, Gardner heads out with Hollis and they find the mole creatures. Although injured, the team manage to capture one of them. Later, the team discover that the creatures have been plotting an invasion and that they come from inside the planet. They also discover that the creatures are weak to light, causing the team to use different light sources when they find the mole creatures. Although they successfully capture the creatures, Douglas explains that they were the cause of the radiation spread in 1986 due to testing an energy-pulse.
MY THOUGHTS
This is another story featuring a rather big revelation, which is the reasoning behind the radiation spread during 1986. Yes, its unexpected, but it’s bit disappointing when it turns out to be some deformed moles. The story certainly has an interesting start when strange shadows attack Bryndon, building up suspense and mystery. The art also works brilliantly in those darkened scenes, but more on that later. The story feels overlong to me and certain moments, such as collecting light to battle the moles, just go on way too long and could be summarised. That being said, the fight scenes between the Atomic Knights and the moles are appealing and work well. Also, more of the giant Dalmatians in action, which brings up two other points. Firstly, why don’t they have names and secondly, where have their puppies gone? Were they eaten? The chances are they probably were, due to the severe lack of food in Durvale.
Story: 6/10
Art: 9.5/10
The King of New Orleans
THE STORY
In Durvale, the Atomic Knights start the plans for a medical school in New Orleans, since there seems to be no life there. However, on the way to the city, they are captured by a group of cowboys, who ask the heroes if they have permission from the King to travel. Although confused, the Atomic Knights attack and defeat the cowboys, before heading to New Orleans. Later, Douglas and Bryndon discover that the doctors in the city are under a trance by the ruler, King Touro. The Hobard brothers then return after discovering that musical instruments are controlling people. After testing this theory and reawakening all the doctors, King Touro is arrested and imprisoned, with the Atomic Knights given permission to construct their medical school.
MY THOUGHTS
Undoubtedly, the weakest story of the lot here. I think the story starts off very well, with a focus on the need for a medical school, adding more to the problematic world the Atomic Knights live in. However, things go downhill with King Touro using music to control doctors in New Orleans. I do like how each member of the Atomic Knights feature, since it makes the scenes feel varied, but the whole plot is pretty rushed, and it can be extremely dull to read. It also dates quite badly, with the inclusion of jazz music being a rather bizarre feature.
Story: 2/10
Art: 9.5/10
The Plant That Hated Humans
THE STORY
Bryndon visits the farm to the north, where the farmer has grown some unknown plants, which have the ability to move. Suddenly, all the plants begin moving, but suddenly, it begins attacking the farmer, before picking him up and walking away. Using the Dalmatians, Garnder, the Hobard brothers locate the injured farmer and rescue him, before the giant moving plants arrive and attack. After escaping, the Atomic Knights regroup and discover that the plants are all on one side of the Durvale River. Therefore, by pumping the water out of the lake and into the dam, the plants are defeated since water is a key aspect of their survival. The Atomic Knights then publish wanted posters for all moving plants, naming them enemies of the human race.
MY THOUGHTS
An excellent story that makes you both laugh and think. Starting with the latter, what if the plants could convey emotion? In today’s world, they would most probably attack us, like they did in this story. The whole concept of moving plants is funny and there is (continued)
no way that you can take it seriously. Yet, they manage to be a real threat here and they work well as villains. I also think the way that the Atomic Knights defeat them is clever, draining them of any water. This story also features a fight between the Atomic Knights (and their Dalmatians) and the plants, which I think is rather strange and I’m not sure it works, just because of how strange it looks. That being said, this is definitely one of the strangest stories, yet one of the best in my view.
Story: 9/10
Art: 9.5/10
Danger in Detroit
THE STORY
In 1992, while the moving plants are now being used as waiters in restaurants, Marene is sad about Gardner not being back from his mission. Meanwhile, Gardner and the Atomic Knights are in Detroit when the farmer presents to them a new car, powered by the explosive berries of the moving plants. However, a man named Kadey and his Blue Belts arrive and nearly steal the car, but they are stopped by the Atomic Knights. The farmer then tells the heroes that the Blue Belts are a private police force that prints their own money. While Kadey pledges to destroy the Atomic Knights, they appear outside of his base and break in using an explosive. Kadey then appears and shoots two of the knights with radioactive pistols. Luckily, the other knights manage to defeat Kadey and the moving plants thank Gardner and the Atomic Knights for their help. They also give the team the explosive powered car (sort of making the Dalmatians pointless).
MY THOUGHTS
Apart from the rather boring King Khagan, Kadey and his borderline-nazi Blue Belts are the only other recurrent villains of the Atomic Knights. Personally, I think Kadey is a rather dull villain who just comes across as threatening, not much else. The plot is pretty much the heroes fighting against them because, well, Kadey is an a*sehole. Apart from that, its great to see the aftermath of the previous story, with the plants now being used as waiters and workers, which is just downright hilarious. Also, the Atomic Knights get a new car, which I’m sort of indifferent to. I can see the benefits, but it does make the Dalmatians pointless. I guess the people of Durvale will have to eat them too. In terms of character, everything is pretty standard, apart from Marene, who is for some reason called Marlene here. I don’t know why, maybe Broome forgot the names of his own characters.
Story: 6/10
Art: 9.5/10
Threat of the Witch-Woman
THE STORY
One day, the Atomic Knights decide to have a picnic when Douglas was near the city of Harrow when he saw a giant screaming green alien-like creature, which attacked him before vanishing. Bryndon explains that it sounds similar to a hallucination described by a man named Doctor Pickering. The team decide to head to Harrow, but on the way, they find a student of Douglas, who has seen another strange creature burn his home down and take his mother. Meanwhile, his mother is about to be burned for witchcraft by the residents of Harrow. But when the Atomic Knights arrive, the residents attack them. Then, the mother of the boy begins to glow, and more giant green hallucinations appear, who attack the Atomic Knights, causing them to retreat. However, when the team notices that the hallucinations appear to be gathering around the glowing woman, they fight them while rescuing the woman, weakening the power of the hallucinations and causing them to disappear. This causes the people of Harrow to return to normal.
MY THOUGHTS
Another weak one for me here. I guess I agree with the message about the progression of science, but the whole plot about witchcraft didn’t work here. It just didn’t come across as the type of story you’d except the Atomic Knights to be in. Also, the random hallucination creatures weren’t not explained, since we basically know nothing about them and how they cause the people of Harrow to burn witches. Plus, was that woman the first “witch” they were going to burn, or is there more before her? That does bring up an interesting point, are the people of Harrow murderers? I know it’s the silver age and they certainly wouldn’t explore that aspect of the story, certainly with the tight Comics Code Authority, but its just an idea. Apart from that, I do like how we see the Atomic Knights just living out their normal lives, as it adds a new perspective on these characters, making them feel real. However, the main plot is pretty lack-luster and it unfortunately shows that the team are sort of running out of new ideas, since the hallucinations return.
Story: 3/10
Art: 9.5/10
Here Comes the Wild Ones
THE STORY
At a meeting, the Atomic Knights discuss the release of Kadey, leader of the Blue Belts, who is apparently living a normal life. The team agrees to investigate him, since every member has been experiencing the feeling of being watched. However, Marene disagrees that Kadey is behind this and she tells the team to come outside with her, since she has found a group of young wild boys growing up on their own. The Atomic Knights head home after the boys notice them and hide from them deep in the forest. Then, Gardner comes up with the idea of Marene disguising herself as a boy and attempting to gain the trust of them. She agrees to this and once she meets the wild boys, they put her through different challenges and prove herself, or himself to them. While Marene gets to know the boys, Kadey is in the forest to test the power of a meteorite. In the process, he captures the boys, causing Marene to get help from the Atomic Knights, who easily defeat and arrest Kadey and his Blue Belts. The wild boys then decide to live in Durvale and head to school, making Marene want to one day have a family with Gardner.
MY THOUGHTS
Just as I say that the team are running out of new ideas, we get this story. This is I think the first time that Marene actually features as a significant part of the story (since in most other stories she stays in the headquarters). I mean, she has to pretend to be a boy and without stating the obvious, that’s pretty hard to do. That being said, I do really like the plot here as it feels unique, with a load of wild boys hanging around in a forest. It feels incredibly different to the other stories that came before it and the resolution to the story is satisfying, with the boys moving to Durvale instead. However, the return of Kadey is kind of pointless, since he feels like a complete afterthought and he adds pretty much nothing to the story. Apart from that, the story certainly has some unique ideas in it, but in terms of the villain, its rather unappealing.
Story: 6/10
Art: 9.5/10
THE ART BY MURPHY ANDERSON
Even for an obscure set of characters, Murphy Anderson delivers some excellent art here which feels incredibly fresh compared to the other DC artists at the time, such as Mike Sekowsky. His sense of storytelling is excellent, and it is certainly a benefit that
he is inking his own work. His sense of detail in every single panel is brilliant and his art really feels suited to the Atomic Knights. Whether it be his depiction of action, or his rendition of different perspectives, Anderson really adds so much to these stories and makes them a joy to read. However, I will say that after some time, you do notice the faces of different characters can look very similar, but it isn’t a huge problem, since his art is just so good. There are so many moments in these stories where Anderson’s art improves it and can make scenes incredibly interesting and great to read. His inks give everything a slick and tidy feeling, making its presentation remarkable. His backgrounds can be very experimental, but they work well. Plus, his sense of lighting is excellent, giving everything a realistic, yet comic-like appearance. It’s safe to say that Anderson’s art not only works well with Broome’s unique writing, but it improves it massively, in the same way that Gil Kane did.
VERDICT
Overall, the Atomic Knights stories in Strange Adventures may be of their time, but I like them because of it. Sure, there are some weak stories, but there is so much experimentation in these stories and they don’t take themselves too seriously, causing me to enjoy them even more. Broome plots can certainly be unique, and his sense of character-writing is somewhat ahead of its time here, particularly between all the members of the team. Obviously, the art by Anderson makes reading these stories even more enjoyable due to his excellent sense of perspective and his brilliant finishes in ink. While DC may still want to forget that the Atomic Knights once did exist, they harken back to an era where everything wasn’t so serious and the writer spent time fleshing out both the plots and the characters, while the art worked in its favour. The Atomic Knights may not be remembered like others at the time, such as Gardner Fox’s Flash, Gil Kane’s Green Lantern or Carmine Infantino’s Batman, but to me, its certainly up there with them in my mind…
Stories: 7.5/10
Art: 9.5/10
Next Week: Doom Patrol: Magic Bus (Doom Patrol (vol 2) 51-57). Written by Grant Morrison with art by Richard Case, Stan Woch, Mark McKenna, Phillip Bond, Ken Steacy and Scott Hanna. Expected to be published by 15/03/2020.
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