CBR: Parker Deploys the Agents of Atlas

[CBR News]

CBR spoke with writer Jeff Parker about the Agents of Atlas' upcoming clash with Norman Osborn's Thunderbolts, the "Avengers Vs. Atlas" mini-series, focusing on the original Marvel Boy and more, plus an exclusive look at some AoA art.


Full article here.

[Zeraze]

I love the fact that the Agents of Atlas have not stopped appearing all over the place, even if they officially have no current ongoing of their own.

[The Sword Is Drawn]

I love the fact that the Agents of Atlas have not stopped appearing all over the place, even if they officially have no current ongoing of their own.

It seems that after cancelling three of his ongoing titles Marvel really are trying to make this work for Jeff Parker. My problem is that I just have no interest in the stories he was trying to tell in AoA. Agents failed in my opinion because this obscure little cast were never properly introduced to the mainstream reader. Maybe Parker assumed a little too much that people had read the original series, and felt that he didn't have to reintroduce them?

Either way, while Marvel does seem determined to sell these guys with guest appearances all over the place, I honestly don't think they'll ever really stick. And I'm not terribly interested in their taking over an issue of Thunderbolts, rather than addressing plot threads and character changes which should be getting covered.

[TOAA]

It seems that after cancelling three of his ongoing titles Marvel really are trying to make this work for Jeff Parker.

Agents of Atlas, Exiles, what is the third one?

[R2-C2]

I enjoyed reading the monthly AoA at $2.99 an issue. I am following their appearances (for now) in these $3.99 mini-series. If Marvel continues this format, I may choose to stop since they do not seem to be offering extra story pages for the extra $1.00 per issue. I might be joining the wait-for-the-trade brigade.

[Ullar]

Agents of Atlas, Exiles, what is the third one?

X-Men First Class. I love Agents but I just wish that other titles, like Captain Britain, would get this much of a push. On that note I can't wait for Agents V Avengers and Marvel Boy.

[Kieran_Frost]

I am very excited AND nervous for the upcoming Thunderbolts vs. Agents of Atlas. I am excited to see Jeff Parker in his element; to see how he works as a writer when in familiar territory and characters, and hopefully make me love his work like I did with Diggle's... BUT... I'm also worried that he will have his "favoured" team thrash the Thunderbolts in their own comic. That would be a pretty big insult to readers he's yet to win over... and since he's had only one issue so far... that would be almost everyone. It could kill the comic; if he has the Agents of Atlas humiliate the Thunderbolts. And since we pretty much know the Agents of Atlas don't die; already the Thunderbolts have "failed" in their mission.

God, fingers crossed for this Thursday.
/

[The Sword Is Drawn]

I am very excited AND nervous for the upcoming Thunderbolts vs. Agents of Atlas. I am excited to see Jeff Parker in his element; to see how he works as a writer when in familiar territory and characters, and hopefully make me love his work like I did with Diggle's... BUT... I'm also worried that he will have his "favoured" team thrash the Thunderbolts in their own comic. That would be a pretty big insult to readers he's yet to win over... and since he's had only one issue so far... that would be almost everyone. It could kill the comic; if he has the Agents of Atlas humiliate the Thunderbolts. And since we pretty much know the Agents of Atlas don't die; already the Thunderbolts have "failed" in their mission.

Too true. And a lot of fans of the Ellis/Diggle runs of Thunderbolts were less than impressed with the last issue. Parker really does need to win them over.

[Sighphi]

I enjoyed reading the monthly AoA at $2.99 an issue. I am following their appearances (for now) in these $3.99 mini-series. If Marvel continues this format, I may choose to stop since they do not seem to be offering extra story pages for the extra $1.00 per issue. I might be joining the wait-for-the-trade brigade.

I gave up on it.
This is just the second tactic Marvel has for raising the price of books. Have the on-going go on "haitus" or just canceling them and then popping out minis.

And i REALLY like the AOA concept. But they did fumbled a bit in their on-going which was a contributing factor in me not shelling out for at least one mini.

[TOAA]

BUT... I'm also worried that he will have his "favoured" team thrash the Thunderbolts in their own comic.

Well AoA are his pet characters so that wouldn`t be unexpected.

X-Men First Class.

Wasn`t it cancelled and relaunched as uncanny x-men first class?

[Gitaroo_Dude]

I am very excited AND nervous for the upcoming Thunderbolts vs. Agents of Atlas. I am excited to see Jeff Parker in his element; to see how he works as a writer when in familiar territory and characters, and hopefully make me love his work like I did with Diggle's... BUT... I'm also worried that he will have his "favoured" team thrash the Thunderbolts in their own comic. That would be a pretty big insult to readers he's yet to win over... and since he's had only one issue so far... that would be almost everyone. It could kill the comic; if he has the Agents of Atlas humiliate the Thunderbolts. And since we pretty much know the Agents of Atlas don't die; already the Thunderbolts have "failed" in their mission.

God, fingers crossed for this Thursday.
/

The TBolts have, sadly, been a joke since Diggle was on the book.

To be fair though, they were a joke under Ellis, but that was part of the story and played for laughs.

Deadpool humiliated them during the crossover, they got humiliated in the Widowmaker arc and ended up betraying one another, they got humiliated and written as morons by Remender on the Heroes for Hire issue, and Parker will probably have them get humiliated by the Agents.

It's not a fault unique to Parker. The TBolts just haven't lived up their billing as a black-ops kill squad, which admittedly would probably be hard to do in the MU. But Diggle at least got it right for the first arc with the Air Force One story. It's been pretty downhill since then.

[classicgmer]

Either way, while Marvel does seem determined to sell these guys with guest appearances all over the place, I honestly don't think they'll ever really stick. And I'm not terribly interested in their taking over an issue of Thunderbolts, rather than addressing plot threads and character changes which should be getting covered.

I agree that Marvel is really trying to get behind AOA and Jeff Parker and while I will be grabbing all the assorted mini series and 1 shots I also think that the ongoing is ultimately doomed to failure infortunately (at least unfortuantely imo)


Whether it be Dr. Vodoo/Brother Vodoo (whatever you prefer to call him)Captain Britain and MI13, Agents of Atlas, Ghost Rider, Iron Fist or whatever it really doesn't matter how much critical acclaim they get because if people aren't interested they're not interested (not a whole lot you can do about it)


Oh and Agents of Atlas are hijacking the T-bolts book for 2 issues by the way

[MX25]

The TBolts have, sadly, been a joke since Diggle was on the book.

To be fair though, they were a joke under Ellis, but that was part of the story and played for laughs.

Deadpool humiliated them during the crossover, they got humiliated in the Widowmaker arc and ended up betraying one another, they got humiliated and written as morons by Remender on the Heroes for Hire issue, and Parker will probably have them get humiliated by the Agents.

It's not a fault unique to Parker. The TBolts just haven't lived up their billing as a black-ops kill squad, which admittedly would probably be hard to do in the MU. But Diggle at least got it right for the first arc with the Air Force One story. It's been pretty downhill since then.

I really enjoyed Diggle's run. I didn't have a problem with Thunderbolts turning on each other. They are "bad guys"...why trust another "bad guy". I wouldn't of liked it if they all got along great. Each guy is only out to help themselves, not Osborn or any fellow TB. They each have a separate agenda.

[Monty_Cristo]

I really enjoyed Diggle's run. I didn't have a problem with Thunderbolts turning on each other. They are "bad guys"...why trust another "bad guy". I wouldn't of liked it if they all got along great. Each guy is only out to help themselves, not Osborn or any fellow TB. They each have a separate agenda.

yep. their bad guys. but a bad guy should be somewhat good at being bad. they should be portrayed as dangerous. if they lose it should be because of the lack of comraderie/cooperation between one another. that's not how it plays out with these T-bolts. they portrayed as joke characters; just as bad one-on-one as they are as a fighting unit. that's the entirely way to go since they are the main cast of the book. for contrast, look at the Dark Avengers. is there any doubt that Ares is a dangerous guy or that "Hawkeye" is a killing machine? they are treated, for the most part, with respect.

[stelok]

i am looking forward to it.