Children Of The Atom #2 builds the story even more. Ayala uses Cherub's monologue to raise the series's main question: are things what they seem, or is there more than meets the eye? It works wonderfully, and they do a great job throughout the issue with the characters and events. This is an exciting book, made all the better by Chang's expert pencils and page layouts. Children Of The Atom is one of the most interesting X-Men's books being published right now. Read Full Review

This series doesn't leave reality at the door and that makes the issue and the overall series all the stronger. A truly compelling and deep issue that really digs into the depths that are offered by the new Krakoan status quo for the X-Line. Read Full Review

All in all,Children of the Atom#2 is a fun read that makes the audience instantly fall in love with the character of Cherub. This new cast of X-kids is peculiar, but solving their mystery seems like it'll certainly be a fun ride. Read Full Review

This issue continues to build on the emotions and motivation of the characters, but follows a very similar formula as the first issue. Read Full Review

This series didn't make the best first impression, but Issue #2 definitely irons out some of the wrinkles visually as well as in the character development department. Probably worth revisiting a little longer. Read Full Review

While it is a bit disappointing, this is still an enjoyable issue. It's full of great moments, especially for Cherub. So far it seems worthy of your pull list, but the series needs to push the narrative forward soon if it wants to make a mark in this line. Read Full Review

Ultimately, it is Ayala's character work with Gabe that makes Children of the Atom #2 worth a read. Their personal insight combined with Gabe's personal development makes for an absorbing and effective character study. Outside of Gabe himself, Ayala spins the wheels to protect the ambiguity around the Children and their status as active mutants. Frustratingly, the issue suffers from the lack of overall story progression. The foundations are well and truly laid, let's hope the next issue starts to build upon them. Read Full Review

Children Of The Atom #2 is telling a story that's going nowhere fast. You get the impression there's going to be some big reveal or point made with cosplayers pretending they're mutants when they're not. If you've read issue #1, you can skip issue #2 and hope #3 goes somewhere. This issue still gets a 6.5 for the excellent art by Chang and team. At the very least, it's a good looking comic Read Full Review

Children Of The Atom #2 keeps the momentum going from the first issue. Developing a greater connection with the members of the team, as we got a spotlight on Cherub's personal life, was a good choice as it strengthens the connection the reader has with these characters. How the X-Men and Avengers factor into this story added greater interest to see where this series will go next. Read Full Review

The writing, art, characters and story are all very strong, but this second issue follows the exact same plot points of the first with zero forward story momentum…and that's pretty weird. Read Full Review

Children of the Atom #2 ends exactly where Children of the Atom #1 did with more pages added, but no progress made. Read Full Review

Really enjoyed this one, even more than the first one. Strong writing, digging deeper into the characters themselves, mainly the new character Cherub. Ayala manages to capture the characters' voices really well, and the overall mystery regarding the new characters makes this a very interesting read.

This was a solid issue. I just wish the pacing was a bit tighter. The story was just a little too much of a retread. I don't really get the point of them trying to enter the Krakoa gates again. What changed between last issue and this one?

Enjoying this series much more than I expected

Good work on the Gabriel chaarcter beats but the story is lacking. Same story from the last week and moved very little the plot

I do respect the sentiment of Gabriel’s section but I think it highlights a very “I’m not like one of them” mindsets that only holds marginalized peoples back and pits them against one another. Things like “I’m not like one of those gay men, I like sports and beer and mowing my lawn” or “I’m not like one of those girls, I read books and hate the colour pink” or “I’m not like one of those black people, I do well in school and actually love my family.” The implication of course being that 1) most of them are actually like that, and 2) being like one of those is to be lesser, to not be worthy of time or respect. Only by conforming to dominant norms or enacting “correct” behaviours does one become someone valuable. Someone that it is okay to be. I don’t know, I just think it’s something to notice and think about. more

Honestly, the best part of this was the Hell's Belles, long forgotten 90s villains, getting some page time. Hopefully by next issue, the jig is up and the origin of the characters' powers and trajectory of the book will be clear. This seems like a miniseries as the leads don't have star power or staying power.

Storm seemed extremely condescending and rude, out of character. Are all mutants superior race bigots now? Appropriate for Acolytes who used derogatory "flatscan" lingo but not our X-Men heroes.

Children of the Atom
Issue: 2
“Prison Break”

Publisher: Marvel @marvel
Writer: Vita Ayala @definitelyvita
Artist: Bernard Chang @thebernardchang
Colors: Marcelo Maiolo
Letters: Travis Lanham @immortalandroid
Covers: R.B. Silva @rbsilva_comics & Erick Arciniega @erick.arciniega

When the Helles Belles attempt a prison break, the Children of the Atom return to ensure the criminals stay right where they put them. Their actions garner the attention of Storm and a team of mutants who grant the Belles amnesty on Krakoa and once again offer the Children an opportunity to join them only to be rejected once more. Later in the evening, the friends gather again to try to access the Krakoan gateway following their previous failed attempt.

I have no idea what these kids are, but they can’t be mutants. I wonder if maybe just one of them is and they are empowering the others? Kind of like Ink and his tattoo artist. Another thing bouncing around my head is what if they are like Cerebro’s Nanite created All New All Deadly X-Men. So far I’m not invested or intrigued by any member of the team and am not a fan of any of their names. As far as character design, I like Cherub because he reminds me of Angel’s Black Vortex upgrade and I like Marvel Guy because he doesn’t fit that classic hero mold.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5)
Reviewed by: @meanadam of The Comic Book Club of Instagram
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