X-Men: Battle of the Atom #1
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X-Men: Battle of the Atom #1

Event\Storyline: Battle Of The Atom Writer: Brian Michael Bendis Artist: Arthur Adams Publisher: Marvel Comics Release Date: September 4, 2013 Cover Price: $3.99 Critic Reviews: 31 User Reviews: 12
8.6Critic Rating
8.4User Rating

The past, present and future of the X-Men collide in this 50th Anniversary event crossover! When investigating a new mutant, something truly horrible happens to the All-New X-Men that shakes time and space to its core. This is so dire that X-Men come from THE FUTURE with a message: THE ALL-NEW X-MEN MUST RETURN TO THE PAST! The ten-part crossover starts here with superstars BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS and FRANK CHO!

  • 10
    ScienceFiction.com - Stuart Conover Sep 7, 2013

    On a side note, oftentimes in these crossover events there will be one shot issues you can miss. This is not one of those events and you are going to want to pickup and read each issue in order. If you are on the fence and thinking about picking up the trade – I highly recommend this crossover and that's something I haven't felt strongly in saying in a long time. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Blue Raven Comics - Ryan Utterback Sep 8, 2013

    These two books made for a very strong beginning of an event that seems poised to have lasting effects on the X-Men universe. Bendis has been knocking it out of the park since taking over the X-titles and his writing continues to be spot-on in these issues. For an added bonus, the super-talented Frank Cho lends his beautiful artwork to the first issue. If you are a fan of the X-Men, or just a fan of great stories, you really need to pick up these two books right away. I know Marvel's propensity to focus on events and crossovers wears thin on some, but this one is definitely going to be one you won't want to miss. I give these books a 10/10. Together, they make up an excellent opening for an epic story. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Comic Vine - Tony 'G-Man' Guerrero Aug 27, 2013

    Is the end near? Time travel has often been a big factor in X-Men storylines and this one is about to erupt in a big way. Brian Michael Bendis has been setting up this story since taking over two X-Men titles. We are treated to some great art and action is cranked up to get us hooked from the beginning. Some of today's readers may feel on the verge of crossover overload but it's stories like this that make it worth it. As soon as you finish, you'll wish to see another chapter ASAP. I am fearful of what could happen to some characters. But that's just a sign of good storytelling. Bendis has made me care about some of the X-Men in new and different ways I didn't think could be possible. Reading this, I found myself letting out a big sigh while a smile formed across my face. I cannot wait to see more. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Comic Book Resources - Doug Zawisza Aug 28, 2013

    "X-Men: Battle of the Atom" #1 is exactly the type of offering Marvel needs to provide to ride the Marvel NOW! wave. The characters are wonderful and human, emotional and adventurous, dedicated and scared, just as the X-Men were in the Art Adams-drawn Annuals of yesteryear. I was willing to let this event pass me by, but following the back-of-the-neck grab that opens the issue underneath Adams' retro-glorious cover, I'm all-in for the "Battle of the Atom." Well played, Bendis and crew, well played indeed. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Nerds On The Rocks - Frank Fuentes Sep 5, 2013

    This book somewhat flew under my radar because I haven't been too thrilled with the Uncanny X-men title. However, the first few pages do a great job at drawing you into the story. By time I reached the middle of the book, I was already hooked. There are plenty of surprises, but the biggest one is saved for All New X-Men #16. So pick up this book before you grab that one. There's no way you will be disappointed. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Fortress of Solitude - Byron Hendricks Oct 5, 2013

    Sure it is another time travelling X-men story, but by know you should know that time shifts are always bundled in the X-men to create a working combo. This issue shows that Bendis has the ability to write a powerful, entertaining script that is presented to the reader through the use of exceptional art and great storytelling. With the concept of time travel and Brian Bendis in charge of two X-men titles the possibilities are infinite as time itself! Read Full Review

  • 9.5
    Comic Book Bin - Andy Frisk Sep 4, 2013

    Recent X-Men crossover events have been nothing to get too excited about. Schism was pretty good. Avengers vs. X-Men wasn't. Battle of the Atom, based on the merits of the open chapter, is loaded with potential, and just might top them both. Read Full Review

  • 9.5
    ComicBuzz - Ollie Sep 9, 2013

    Overall they are two very strong opening chapters with stunning art. Bendis seems have to a real handle on how to right the X-Men and Immonen is creating some of the best visuals for a long time. The books have some very funny parts mostly involving the young Iceman's reaction to seeing the future him." chapters in and this is already the best X-Men crossover in years and I can't wait for Wednesday for the next part even if it includes Deadpool who is possibly one of my least favourite Marvel characters. Read Full Review

  • 9.5
    Player Effort - Roger De Leon Sep 20, 2013

    First impressions are important. This issue not only succeeded as an excellent introduction to a huge fall event for the X-Men, but it also converted this reviewer into an X-Men reader. I seriously can't wait to play catch up. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    One Quest - Chris Cobb Sep 6, 2013

    So lets get right to this, the issue was a lot of fun. It started out just like any issue of the current Uncanny or All-New X-Men would. This is thanks to the writer being the same across all these books. Bendis is great at really tying his books together. While the major catalyst of this event doesn't happen till the very end of the book, everything that leads up to it feel right. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Newsarama - David Pepose Aug 27, 2013

    With excellent art and compelling characterization, X-Men: Battle of the Atom #1 is about as strong of an introduction for an event as it gets. The stakes are high, but what really matters more is the fact that we connect with the original X-Men in a way that you don't in many other superhero books these days. It's easy to get distracted and focus on the fireworks and the big continuity-shaking moments - yes, I'm looking at you, Infinity - so it's particularly refreshing to have an accessible event book that focuses on its protagonists first. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Chuck's Comic Of The Day - Chuck Sep 6, 2013

    It's a story loaded with action, some nice character moments and several surprises. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    AIPT - Sam Roche Sep 4, 2013

    The art is great. Frank Cho is a super talented guy and although it takes away from the length of the actual issue the art gallery in the back is really cool. 9Ambitious, great startWonderful artGreat balance between X-TeamsYet another Sentinel battle Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Marvel Disassembled - Mike Sep 4, 2013

    Animax was a highlight. I hope she pops up down the line somewhere because, in the little we saw of her, she was awesome. I don't know who came up with the idea behind the character but, whoever it is they should be commended. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    PopMatters - Jack Fisher Sep 9, 2013

    At its core, X-men: Battle of the Atom #1 embodies by Jean de La Fontaine often ignored warning, "Our destiny is frequently met in the very paths we take to avoid it." The very future of the mutant race is at stake in a ways that covers the past, present, and a potentially dire outcome. It effectively connects with the vast history of X-men into one event that really does feel like it was 50 years in the making. Whatever may happen in the next 50 years for the X-men and the struggle of minorities, the message that Stan Lee and Jack Kirby sent in that fateful first issue will continue to resonate in a way that is, if nothing else, truly uncanny. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Imagination Centre - John McCubbin Sep 13, 2013

    A terrific start to what I hope will be a brilliant event. As is expected from a X-Men event, this issue had plenty of excitement, and drama, as well as being very fun, and entertaining. There was also some mystery as well, having a great atmosphere, and brilliant action. Due to all this I'd easily recommend this issue, and am going straight onto All-New X-Men #16 next. Read Full Review

  • 8.8
    Good Kind Of Geek - Nikki Yuan Sep 6, 2013

    We don't really get to see the future X-Men until the last page. Thank god Marvel gives us two chapters this week. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    The Galactus Agenda - J.R. Johnson Sep 8, 2013

    X-Men Battle of the Atom is a wonderful start for the latest Marvel event. The variety of elements wrapped into this book make for an extremely entertaining read. On top of that, the second part of the event came out in the same week so waiting to see what happens next isn't even a problem. Readers who just want to hop on also are presented with a decent platform as this issue serves as a crash course introduction to one of Marvel's best books. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    Behind The Panels - Richard Gray Sep 5, 2013

    It's a convoluted but rewarding first issue, but to Bendis's credit it is also packed to the gills with action and carefully sets up everything you need to know within the boundaries of the issue itself. The art is often quite beautiful, combining Frank Cho and Stuart Immonen's pencils for a high degree of impact. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    Hyper Geeky - ClumsyG Sep 6, 2013

    Battle of the Atom #1, in writing and in display, feels like a bookend for the All-New X-Men books, which is in line with the next chapter " part 2 continues in the pages of All-New X-Men #16. The seeds have been planted, and it looks like this concerted effort between a small group of writers and artists " last year's AvX was a debacle with way too many chefs in the kitchen " will lead the charge for a great crossover for a major victory that will make X-Men fans happy. Read Full Review

  • 8.4
    Analog Addiction - Jideobi Odunze Sep 5, 2013

    This crossover event shows a lot of promise as this will once again shake up the mutants world. We are not aware of who will take what side just yet on this issue, but that is something that this is building up for. I find this issue made to give us a reason to continue to follow this event and Bendis gives good reason to for current fans and new readers. Read Full Review

  • 8.4
    Digitl Noob - Russ Pirozek Sep 5, 2013

    The big X event has arrived, and while expectations are high, this could get very complicated and blow up rather quickly if not handled well. There are a lot of moving parts in this series, and while the creative team should be able to handle it, there is a high risk/high reward situation going on with this event. The books have been great so far though, and it will hopefully stay that way with this bit of storyline interruption. Read Full Review

  • 8.3
    IGN - Jesse Schedeen Aug 27, 2013

    Battle of the Atom #1 won't bowl over readers with dramatic plot twists, but it's a very solid start to the crossover that channels what has worked so well in Bendis' X-Men work. Battle of the Atom already looks poised to rank among the better X-Men crossovers (there have certainly been some stinkers). The question is just how great this crossover can become over the next two months. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    All-Comic - Jeremy Matcho Sep 4, 2013

    For an opening to a crossover, X-Men: Battle of the Atom was surprisingly action packed and well done. Bendis has plenty on his plate right now, but still seems to be hitting his stride in the X-books. Frank Cho is very consistent and looks as good as he ever has. This is an important book for lovers of the X-Men. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comic Spectrum - Shawn Hoklas Sep 6, 2013

    Battle of the Atom is a fine start to a big crossover and Bendis makes it easily accessible when comparing it to Marvel's other big crossover event, Infinity. Although there are lots of characters, alternate timelines and more, Bendis is making it simple yet exciting to follow. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Henchman-4-Hire - Sean Ian Mills Sep 7, 2013

    This. This is what I want from a Big Event crossover. This is how to do it right and make it matter. And oddly enough, I'm saying this about a Brian MIchael Bendis event. Of all the Big Events Marvel has published in the past 10 years, I would rank Bendis' as some of the worst. I absolutely hated Age of Ultron this summer. But Bendis hits the first two parts of Battle of the Atom out of the park! Everything he has been building (and I have been loving ) in the X-Men since the start of the year comes crashing together in a so far fantastic crossover! Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comic Book Revolution - Kevin Sep 9, 2013

    X-Men Battle of the Atom #1 is a great continuation of everything that has been going on with all the X-Men books post-Avengers vs. X-Men. Brian Bendis is able to properly lay out a strong foundation that gives this latest X-Men crossover a big event feel to it. Bendis is also able to separate this event from other going on concurrently by exploring the specific consequences of the original five X-Mens presence in the present Marvel Universe. Add in the great artwork from the team of Frank Cho and Stuart Immonen and you have a great start to a comic book crossover for current X-Men readers. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    Weekly Comic Book Review - Noah Sharma Sep 7, 2013

    Much like All-New X-Men #1, if you've heard anything about this story in advance, you could probably skip this issue and start with part two, but you'd be missing out of some lovely art and strong writing if you did. Read Full Review

  • 6.1
    Multiversity Comics - James Johnston Sep 5, 2013

    "Battle of the Atom" may not be the strongest start to a cross-over with its relatively weak ending, but a good chunk of the book is still great. Sentinels? Stellar. Scott Summers? Superb. Kitty Pryde? Show-stealer. "Battle of the Atom" is, as far as we can tell, going to end up being a very fun storyline for the X-Men. This issue isn't the big boom it could be and a lot of it was already spoiled through promotion, but it promises a great start to an interesting story. Read Full Review

  • 5.0
    Major Spoilers - Chris Wilson Sep 5, 2013

    I enjoyed X-Men: Battle of the Atom #1 but there isn't enough to make me want to buy more. The fact that this is part one of ten doesn't help. The hook at the end will have me read the next few parts but I can't justify spending money on it. There's too much familiarity here and gives very little not seen before. The art is fantastic and certainly the best thing about the issue, supplying an epic look that the story promises to deliver. Read Full Review

  • 5.0
    Geeks Unleashed - Chris Romero Sep 6, 2013

    X-Men: Battle of the Atom has some serious work to do to pick up its entertainment value, but with a little character development with the new X-team, throw in artist Frazer Irving (his work on Uncanny X-Men is ridiculously good), and we just might have a decent crossover. Read Full Review

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