The Manhattan Projects, Vol. 1: Science Bad Paperback – Illustrated, September 18, 2012

Jonathan Hickman had a great run writing The Fantastic Four for Marvel the last few years. As good as some of those stories have been, though, they pale in comparison to his original series The Manhattan Projects, a collaboration with up-and-coming artist Nick Pitarra published by Image Comics. As the title suggests, the series is set in the 1940s around the Manhattan Project with a cast of characters that includes Robert Openheimer, Albert Einstein and Harry Truman. However, despite the presence of familiar people and and events, this series is far removed from the standard alternate-history approach. Put another way, Hickman is not dealing in what-ifs but rather WTFs. It's hard to summarize without spoiling the story, but a keyword is "multiple". The scientists involved are engaged in multiple projects beyond the atomic bomb, we encounter multiple US presidents and Doctor Openheimer has multiple personalities to name a few. Comparing any new series to one of comics' landmark series is going out on a limb, but this comic bears comparison to Watchmen. Though Pitarra's art is a very different style to Dave Gibbons' work on the older series, it certainly fits the tone of this book. As for the story itself, its intersecting plot threads traversing time, place and mental space may be even more complex than the relatively simply parallel structure Alan Moore used for Watchmen.

A unique gem. There are few or any comics like this. The story is not fixated on the physical appearance of the characters to embellish physique and some ideas of far reaching sci fi are put forward and not fixated on grandeur of tech. It is also great how there is also parts of magic realism and personalities of scientists that shaped our world are presented.*for those who have read independently into the history of the manhattan projects, you can find many aspects hidden from common knowledge in the story. you can tell that the authors really researched the topic in depth. some aspects of the real history of the characters comes through in this story. All the major scientific minds are there with the exception of some key british scientists and szilard unless I forgot their parts in the comics. This is a true rarity as most entertainment does the same story line as always using some copy paste names.

I loved this book!!The characters are insane, a very wierd and twisted look on history. Albert Einstein-alcoholic, Oppenheimer - schitzo/angel of death, von braun- cyborg, fdr-super computerThis book is so awesome on so many levels. Totally crazy and great twists. If you enjoy sci-fi or conspiracy theory/alternate history type stories this book will be right up your alley. the first volume starts off slow, but picks up around issue 3. I couldn't wait to pick up the 2nd book.

I really enjoyed the first volume. The handling of the Oppenheimer character was amazing, enough said no spoiler. The characters as a whole seem to have a good depth and variety. Whether or not it plays out well only time, and volume 2 and 3, will tell. This volume does a good job of laying a foundation, introducing characters, and coming to something of a conclusion while simultaneously leaving an opening for more story, hence volume 2 and 3. You really can't ask for more. The art is good. It grew on me as I read. This book would be good for people that enjoy a comic outside the normal "dude with gadgets versus bro in panties and a cape" stuff that we get in heavy doses. Don't get me wrong,I like superheroes plenty, but something like Manhattan Projects, Wasteland, and Walking Dead are a nice change from that formula. Nicely done and cool take as an alternate reality using some real people from actual history. Like Thor! Ok, maybe not like Thor but it is cool and unique. Worth a comic lover's time in my opinion.

I found this book hugely entertaining. Didn't like the art style in the beginning, but it grew on me and now I love it. Likewise, after reading the first 2 pages I thought it was going to be a boring story: just a slightly different take on history. Until I realised it's a hardcore science-fiction story.If you liked the movie Inglorious Basterds from Quentin Tarantino you may like Manhattan Projects too. This comic has the same mix of historical fantasy, suspense, violence, humor and interesting characters. But with lots of sci-fi added.I also liked the design of the book. Nice soft paper and cover. Lots of white. Nice graphic chapter divisions with interesting or funny quotes from one of the characters.Really, this book is unique (and cheap on Amazon) enough to warrant a trial. If you don't like it you can trade it with a friend for another paperback. (that's why they call it a Trade Paperback?)

I know a lot of people like this series, but I couldn't get into it. I guess it's not bad, but it didn't grab me, and I've already sold it on ebay, hopefully to someone who is enjoying it more than me.

I am so disappointed in this book, in spite of the quality being very fine and the price is nice. It is however a book for teens of adults who wish to read comic books. It is the second time I have made a purchase of a book here that turned out to be a comic book type publication. I am disappointed in Amazon for not making that more clear in the selection process. If I wanted a book of pictures I would have searched for that and not artistic renderings of pictures. NOTHING BUT A JUVENILE DELINQUENT TYPE BOOK. A waste of my money.