Publisher: Dynamite
Writer: Frank J. Barbiere
Artist: Jonathan Lau
Colourists: Luigi Anderson, Omi Remalante Jr.
Release date: 15 July 2015
Price: $16.99

The original Doctor Solar, Man of the Atom from Gold Key 1960s comic book has long been considered the inspiration for The Watchmen’s Dr. Manhattan. Phil Seleski’s origin as Solar has similarities, as are their powers. But unlike the Alan Moore’s Watchmen character, Doctor Solar never becomes completely detached from his humanity. Ironically his own emotional baggage causes Doctor Solar to make mistakes.

Solar: Man of the Atom Vol. 2: Woman of the Atom collects Dynamite’s take on Solar, collecting issues 5-8. After Doctor Solar estranged daughter Erica gets a dose of his powers, she becomes an unwilling ally to a space opera.

In order to keep the characters from becoming too powerful, Solar and Erica keep running out of energy. But their roadblocks are not just physical weakness, but human mental and emotional failings as well. The tension between father and daughter is palpable. Erica is like the anti-Dr. Manhattan in that she ares deeply. “I may not be able to punch out robots, but I can save people,” Erica states. “Maybe that’s what this is all about.”

Solar, in contrast, although well intentioned, is completely lost on how to best utilize his power. “You…you’re poison! Just like that sun…everything you touch burns and corrodes…,” Erica tells him. Like her father Erica too sets in motion potentially disastrous events but solves them in a way in which Solar cannot conceive. In this way Solar represents the uncivilized man, ultimately falling back on violence and destruction to solve problems. Erica, in contrast, is a metaphor for an enlightened civilization: cooperative, non-violent solutions offer the best path to peace and prosperity. Erica discovers a key truth hidden from Solar. “The universe doesn’t run on math, dad. It runs on compassion.”

And not only does Solar: Man of the Atom Vol. 2: Woman of the Atom have depth, but Frank J. Barbiere’s Solar has dialogue which is highly entertaining and reads, at times, like a Buffy the Vampire Slayer script. “Ever since your lab it’s been alien attack this, energy powers that…,” says Erica. Humour is no stranger to the Solar: Man of the Atom Vol. 2: Woman of the Atom. “Translated from bloopity-blippity squid language,” says a caption in a very Marvel Comics like manner,

Jonathan Lau’s art perfectly complements the script, with an equal depth of its own. Lau’s ark work is well drafted, if slightly sketchy, and highly detailed. Character designs are well thought out and the story-telling technique is fluid.

Solar: Man of the Atom does great service to a classic character and actually has something important to say. If only all reboots were capable of that, the comic book universe would be a much better place.

Reviewer: Joe Lovece
Reviews Editor: Steve Hooker