From Image Comics, Jonathan Hickman, Nick Pitarra, Cris Peter, Rus Wooton.

For those of you who don’t know, the Manhattan Project is the codename behind the think tank that produced the atomic bomb.  Then there is the Philadelphia Experiment, a paranormal story in which the USS Eldridge was rendered invisible and later transported with horrible results for the crew.  The Manhattan Projects combines these two stories into a crazy world of experimental science within the very real history of World War II and grounded by the legends of science that even the dimmest of students will recognize.

In short, its an amazing title.  One of those ideas that can only be published by Image:  a grand idea that could upset someone but why let that get in the way of a good story?

Robert Oppenheimer is brought onto the Manhattan Projects and almost immediately bad shit happens.  Through flashbacks we see that Oppenheimer, and his family, are no strangers to the highs and lows of life.  These flashbacks take us so deep into Oppenheimer’s head that in later scenes in the book the reader almost knows what’s going on in his mind without any thought bubbles.

It is this seamless integration of the art and writing that makes it hard to believe this is a first issue.  Please, someone leave me a comment and tell me if this entire creative team has worked together before.  First there was obviously a great script from Hickman.  There are no plot holes, nothing that doesn’t make sense in this world, and everything is there for a very specific reason.  I have no doubt that things in the background of one panel will have more meaning later.  Hell, I already saw one within this issue.  If I called Hickman up and asked what Oppenheimer had for breakfast before his meeting at the beginning of the book, there is not a doubt in my mind he would have an answer for me.

Lets try this through the magic of Twitter: (To be updated with answer.)

Then there is Nick Pitarra.  Where the hell did this guy come from?!  He is the second coming of Frank Quitely and I hope Nick takes that as the compliment it is meant.  I was aware of The Red Wing but never picked it up.  I must rectify that immediately.  The detail in this is incredible.  I stared at General Groves’s desk, refusing to blink, like it was a Weeping Angel.  There is a LOT on that page.  Then there is the smirk.  Oh, I don’t want to spoil it because its one of the most exciting parts of the book.  There is a smirk that fans of this series will debate over for years.  Any time a new reader picks up this first issue they will wonder what this smirk means.  Once we think we have the answers this is the type of series that will throw a curve in the way and demand a re-reading in order to integrate this new information within that which was previously thought to be true.

A lot of this information might be tough to digest if not for the brilliant choice of colors from Cris Peter.  The use of reds and blues adds so much to the story.  Its an idea that would have had less impact with a lesser colorist (or, gasp, none at all!) but with these skilled hands I am floored.  A perfect partnership with the already amazing art.  But lets not leave out the lettering.  There is a battle in this issue, and with one sound effect “Bong” the team came together.  I could hear that sound.  It took a picture and made it into a movie.  Now this battle was on all sides of me, I was immersed in reading every page because I wasn’t only seeing it I was also hearing every word, every bullet, every “BONG!”

Image scores another hit and I have new creators that I must follow from project to project anytime I want to read something incredible.