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The Manhattan Projects
The Manhattan Projects, Vol. 3: Building
What if the research and development department created to produce the first atomic bomb was a front for a series of other, more unusual, programs?
Collecting: The Manhattan Projects 11-15
Collecting: The Manhattan Projects 11-15
152 pages, Paperback
Published September 1, 2013
24 people are currently reading
629 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Hickman
1,223 books2,013 followersJonathan Hickman is an American comic book writer and artist. He is known for creating the Image Comics series The Nightly News, The Manhattan Projects and East of West, as well as working on Marvel Comics' Fantastic Four, FF, and S.H.I.E.L.D. titles. In 2012, Hickman ended his run on the Fantastic Four titles to write The Avengers and The New Avengers, as part the "Marvel NOW!" relaunch. In 2013, Hickman wrote a six-part miniseries, Infinity, plus Avengers tie-ins for Marvel Comics. In 2015, he wrote the crossover event Secret Wars. - Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews
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November 26, 2018I'm really uncertain what sort of ranking I should give these books in terms of 1-5 stars.
Because the truth is, this volume is very well written, well-plotted, there's good tension and character development. Good action. It's funny and odd and suprising in turns.
But I've read all six volumes of this comic, and I know at the end of the series, *none* of the plots that are being spooled out so carefully here come to satisfying fruition. There's no closure.
Now if this was just a story in progress, this wouldn't be much of an issue. My series *will* have an ending, for example. So will Jim Bucher's. Those aren't stories lacking closure. Those are stories where the closure is yet to come.
If there was more to come in this series, I'd trust them to bring this around to a good ending. Hickman is obviously a skilled writer. (Sandman, for example, took a lot of turns that must have seemed like pointless digressions partway through, but Gaiman *nailed* the ending of that series.)
But after doing some research, it seems like this comic initially stopped at the end of Volume 4. Later, they rebooted it for volumes 5&6 (which were *hugely* different) and then it stopped again in 2016.
This seems to be a particular issue with comics I read. How should I rank stories that are brilliant beginnings to stories that will never have an end? Stories that are kinda like Firefly?
It almost seems like I should start another category for them here on goodreads. Things like Fell, Ignition City, Dr. Sleepless. Or Zelazny's Merlin books that are missing the 5th and final volume?
I'd welcome your thoughts on this in the comments. What are some series that have left your heartbroken without an ending?
(Fair warning: Responding with snark or bitchiness about my third book in the comments will be happily met with me blocking you.)
Because the truth is, this volume is very well written, well-plotted, there's good tension and character development. Good action. It's funny and odd and suprising in turns.
But I've read all six volumes of this comic, and I know at the end of the series, *none* of the plots that are being spooled out so carefully here come to satisfying fruition. There's no closure.
Now if this was just a story in progress, this wouldn't be much of an issue. My series *will* have an ending, for example. So will Jim Bucher's. Those aren't stories lacking closure. Those are stories where the closure is yet to come.
If there was more to come in this series, I'd trust them to bring this around to a good ending. Hickman is obviously a skilled writer. (Sandman, for example, took a lot of turns that must have seemed like pointless digressions partway through, but Gaiman *nailed* the ending of that series.)
But after doing some research, it seems like this comic initially stopped at the end of Volume 4. Later, they rebooted it for volumes 5&6 (which were *hugely* different) and then it stopped again in 2016.
This seems to be a particular issue with comics I read. How should I rank stories that are brilliant beginnings to stories that will never have an end? Stories that are kinda like Firefly?
It almost seems like I should start another category for them here on goodreads. Things like Fell, Ignition City, Dr. Sleepless. Or Zelazny's Merlin books that are missing the 5th and final volume?
I'd welcome your thoughts on this in the comments. What are some series that have left your heartbroken without an ending?
(Fair warning: Responding with snark or bitchiness about my third book in the comments will be happily met with me blocking you.)
April 7, 2022
With Einstein, Yuri Gagarin, Laika the dog and Franklin D Roosevelt all part of the cast, an interesting read. For me some of the sci-fi stuff is a bit too much, but otherwise really enjoyable especially some of the off the wall original characters. 8.5 out of 12 for this volume, slightly better than the previous 2 volumes.
I read the comic book issues #1 to 15, which includes this volume of Hickman's interesting alternate parallel history / sc-fi / conspiracy / horror / black comedy.
2016 read; 2014 read
I read the comic book issues #1 to 15, which includes this volume of Hickman's interesting alternate parallel history / sc-fi / conspiracy / horror / black comedy.
2016 read; 2014 read
November 22, 2017
Thus far, this series has certainly not lacked for weirdness, but now the scope is catching up, which is a good thing.
Though it now seems inevitable that Oppenheimer’s going to eat everyone at some point. Except maybe for the dog. But maybe they’ll get married.
That wouldn’t surprise me even a little.
Though it now seems inevitable that Oppenheimer’s going to eat everyone at some point. Except maybe for the dog. But maybe they’ll get married.
That wouldn’t surprise me even a little.
September 17, 2014
Nobody is what they seem, it seems. Fermi isn't human. Daghlian's accident wasn't an accident. Yuri Gagarin isn't nearly as tall as his suit indicates. Einstein is not so gifted as we were led to believe (though he's a bad dude with a chainsaw). And Oppenheimer has a civil war going on in his head.
We're delving into what feels like the second act of the Manhattan Projects story, where commotion and chaos rules. There are a lot of open ends here: Did the alien drone successfully contact its hive? What's to happen to the project now that General Westmoreland's in charge? And what the heck is that thing approaching Laika's ship? I'm very, very curious to see the next installment.
Not quite as bizarre as Vol. 1, not quite as . . . vast is the word that comes to mind . . . as Vol. 2, Vol. 3 still continues in the same utterly fantastic vein. The Manhattan Projects still reigns over my graphic novel world as the series that, hand-in-hand with Brubaker's Fatale series, has me very excited about the current state of graphic novels.
We're delving into what feels like the second act of the Manhattan Projects story, where commotion and chaos rules. There are a lot of open ends here: Did the alien drone successfully contact its hive? What's to happen to the project now that General Westmoreland's in charge? And what the heck is that thing approaching Laika's ship? I'm very, very curious to see the next installment.
Not quite as bizarre as Vol. 1, not quite as . . . vast is the word that comes to mind . . . as Vol. 2, Vol. 3 still continues in the same utterly fantastic vein. The Manhattan Projects still reigns over my graphic novel world as the series that, hand-in-hand with Brubaker's Fatale series, has me very excited about the current state of graphic novels.
May 7, 2014
Albert Einstein with a chainsaw.
'nuff said.
'nuff said.
February 20, 2014
Somewhat disappointing. There's still plenty of clever ideas and weird divergences from established history, but this volume felt like nothing so much as treading water. Sure, there's action, but it doesn't feel like it adds up to anything. The one interesting chapter deals with the ongoing Oppenheimer Civil War. The art in this chapter is particularly good, and the implications for forward momentum are huge. It just took Hickman a while to get there.
October 12, 2013
The various scientists in the Manhattan Projects - Einstein, Feynman, Oppenheimer - have won their battles and have their own base on the moon with unlimited resources to pursue their work. Separated, Oppenheimer becomes even crazier with his red side dominating having eaten his blue side and we discover the horrifying secret of Dr Fermi while Laika is once more shot into space in a rocket.
I don’t think I could tell you what happened in this book and that’s partly because very little does and partly because it could barely hold my interest. The first volume of the series was interesting, the second less so, and the third was so dull that it’s reached the point now where I’m dropping it entirely. We get the origin stories of two lesser characters, Dr Fermi and Dr Harry Daghlian, both of which are mildly interesting, there are some funny moments like JFK doing blow in the oval office and Einstein and Feynman getting pissed on Pronea whiskey (Hickman’s personal glyph) and the whacky finale inside Oppenheimer’s head between the red and blue Oppenheimers, but it’s not enough to sustain the book.
Nick Pitarra does his usual fine work and, like in Vol 2, the book closes out with an Oppenheimer-centric issue drawn by Ryan Browne, and it’s the artwork that I enjoyed the most in this volume. Maybe it’s Hickman’s many other books like East of West and his numerous Marvel stuff causing him to spend less time on this title, but I feel like his work on Manhattan Projects has been getting worse as the series goes on, to the point now where odd things happen but it’s no longer interesting.
The story is all over the place, the characterisation is lacking, and it’s an exhausting-to-follow read. It looks great but it’s boring as hell. Volume 3 of the Manhattan Projects is my stop, guys, see you later, I’m getting off here!
I don’t think I could tell you what happened in this book and that’s partly because very little does and partly because it could barely hold my interest. The first volume of the series was interesting, the second less so, and the third was so dull that it’s reached the point now where I’m dropping it entirely. We get the origin stories of two lesser characters, Dr Fermi and Dr Harry Daghlian, both of which are mildly interesting, there are some funny moments like JFK doing blow in the oval office and Einstein and Feynman getting pissed on Pronea whiskey (Hickman’s personal glyph) and the whacky finale inside Oppenheimer’s head between the red and blue Oppenheimers, but it’s not enough to sustain the book.
Nick Pitarra does his usual fine work and, like in Vol 2, the book closes out with an Oppenheimer-centric issue drawn by Ryan Browne, and it’s the artwork that I enjoyed the most in this volume. Maybe it’s Hickman’s many other books like East of West and his numerous Marvel stuff causing him to spend less time on this title, but I feel like his work on Manhattan Projects has been getting worse as the series goes on, to the point now where odd things happen but it’s no longer interesting.
The story is all over the place, the characterisation is lacking, and it’s an exhausting-to-follow read. It looks great but it’s boring as hell. Volume 3 of the Manhattan Projects is my stop, guys, see you later, I’m getting off here!
August 23, 2016
Bullet Review:
What can I say? This series is weird and out there and that seems to be where Hickman shines. I mean, seriously, who comes up with a cannabalistic mad scientist? A drone alien in disguise? An irradiated skeletal scientist? And a living brain acting as prime minister?
What can I say? This series is weird and out there and that seems to be where Hickman shines. I mean, seriously, who comes up with a cannabalistic mad scientist? A drone alien in disguise? An irradiated skeletal scientist? And a living brain acting as prime minister?
February 25, 2016
This series is just crazy and fun and crazy and fun.
February 18, 2017
As expected, this was utterly mad, completely impossible to predict, and I loved every moment of it.
January 2, 2019
5
I have to give it to Jonathan Hickman, once again he throws a storyline twist. With each new volume I'm amazed at what he is going to attempt next. This surprise series takes on the next twisted narrative and it dials it up to eleven. I only wish the library had volumes 5 & 6, but looking at the timeframes they were written, they were made a little bit after volume 4. That gap might service how much I have banked up, I'm a sucker for reading punishment.
The third volume is right up there again and can I dare say, the best yet. I can't remember if I used that last time, but don't most people say that, look at the Olympic President, he will say it every new Olympics. Hickman continues to be unique and is dialling up the weirdness to new levels. The setup is here, but can he deliver? Time will tell.
Why the 5?
This is just another great volume. Image has the knack for creating great long series, but also short and frustratingly annoying mini series. I like a sixty issue run, that is a solid number for a long series. Hickman delivers here and I hope he will continue adding new and very unique characters to the world he has created. This ends with a new cliffhanger, but it will have you eager to dive into the next volume.
I have to give it to Jonathan Hickman, once again he throws a storyline twist. With each new volume I'm amazed at what he is going to attempt next. This surprise series takes on the next twisted narrative and it dials it up to eleven. I only wish the library had volumes 5 & 6, but looking at the timeframes they were written, they were made a little bit after volume 4. That gap might service how much I have banked up, I'm a sucker for reading punishment.
The third volume is right up there again and can I dare say, the best yet. I can't remember if I used that last time, but don't most people say that, look at the Olympic President, he will say it every new Olympics. Hickman continues to be unique and is dialling up the weirdness to new levels. The setup is here, but can he deliver? Time will tell.
Why the 5?
This is just another great volume. Image has the knack for creating great long series, but also short and frustratingly annoying mini series. I like a sixty issue run, that is a solid number for a long series. Hickman delivers here and I hope he will continue adding new and very unique characters to the world he has created. This ends with a new cliffhanger, but it will have you eager to dive into the next volume.
January 12, 2023
Another cool addition to the series. I really appreciate the brutal imagery and surrealistic violence in this comic. Hickman is doing his thing in a good way.
May 10, 2016
More wackiness in this very alternate history of the Manhattan Project. The plot splits into multiple subplots with some underlying political implications and lots of infighting between groups. The end of this book held an interesting plot twist. Where the story goes from here will be quite interesting. The graphic style is very unique and there is nice use of colors which change depending on the subplot.
March 17, 2017
5 stars just for The Oppenheimer civil war alone!! :D
But have to deduct a star for the rest...
it felt like they were slacking a bit... But still interesting enough to found out what is happening in that coocoo world.. So, on to the next one!
But have to deduct a star for the rest...
it felt like they were slacking a bit... But still interesting enough to found out what is happening in that coocoo world.. So, on to the next one!
January 20, 2021
V tretim booku uz MP pekne odsejpaj (tradicne to brzdi jen deni v Oppenheimerove hlave). Odhaluje se vic z minulosti Harry Daghliana a Enrica Fermiho a na scenu prihazi general Westmoreland. Tady uz sem si byl tak nejak jistej, ze celou serii dorazim do konce.
April 8, 2020
This has been so weird
March 16, 2016
I can't figure out how I feel about this series. On the one hand, it's crazy enough to feel really different from a lot of the other stuff out there, and the art and coloring works really well. On the other hand it feels like nothing's really progressing...it doesn't totally feel like there's any one overarching story, just...complete chaos. And I'm pretty bored with the Oppenheimer evil twin cannibal story.
In this volume I did find the chapter about Enrico Fermi and Harry Daghlian really interesting, but it felt like that didn't really go anywhere either. I feel like I just want Hickman to FOCUS! On something! Anything! And stick with it for a bit instead of skittering around all over the place!
But I dunno. I'm still intrigued enough to give volume 4 a try.
In this volume I did find the chapter about Enrico Fermi and Harry Daghlian really interesting, but it felt like that didn't really go anywhere either. I feel like I just want Hickman to FOCUS! On something! Anything! And stick with it for a bit instead of skittering around all over the place!
But I dunno. I'm still intrigued enough to give volume 4 a try.
September 12, 2018
Manhattan Projects is just well done. I went into this volume expecting to get the Oppenheimer Civil War. But I got so much more.
I recieved a personal story of Harry Daghlian. An alien espionage story with Fermi, a grand political ploy by Oppenheimer Prime, and the Oppenheimer Civil War.
It flows for its inherent silliness to its personal stories. All the while being incredibly smart about how it plays it's game. Utilizing color to give context to past events, and using previous beats in the story to help characterize.
It uses color very well, and it plays with the timeline and historical fiction brilliantly.
I've loved Manhattan Projects, and I can't wait to read the next volume.
5 stars.
I recieved a personal story of Harry Daghlian. An alien espionage story with Fermi, a grand political ploy by Oppenheimer Prime, and the Oppenheimer Civil War.
It flows for its inherent silliness to its personal stories. All the while being incredibly smart about how it plays it's game. Utilizing color to give context to past events, and using previous beats in the story to help characterize.
It uses color very well, and it plays with the timeline and historical fiction brilliantly.
I've loved Manhattan Projects, and I can't wait to read the next volume.
5 stars.
May 24, 2015
"We knew the endless Oppenheimer and it terrified us. Imagine our horror when we discovered he was infinite."
yes
yes
June 11, 2017
. . . BUT WHAT WILL BECOME OF LAIKA?!
May 10, 2025
This was such a wild ride (RIP Fermi). The JFK depiction was great, unsure about the inception-esque Oppenheimer plot, though.
March 15, 2014
Hickman's work on The Manhattan Projects continues to delight and amaze me! I can't praise it enough. I'm quite anxious to see where the Oppenheimer Civil War leads...knowing full well that it will impact the world at large to a greater degree than first hinted at. And I'm also anxious to learn the fate of the fictional Laika...I don't know if I've given enough credit to Nick Pitarra's artwork. Let me start by saying it's wonderful! It captures the tone and spirit of the story perfectly! His style rides the balance between realistic detail and caricature masterfully. The tech and fantastical elements are wonderfully detailed, while all of the characters are familiar while also being a bit absurd at the same time. Beautiful all the way around!
November 30, 2013
The personal back histories are explored for Harry D, and Dr Fermi, who is not who anyone thinks he is, even Harry who knows some of Fermi's secret.
Oppenheimer has a Grand Plan, and takes steps to implement the 3 official plans and the secret one he's told no one of, which involves everyone else, to their great regret. Oppenheimer is such a great character!!!
I like this volume as well or better than the first one -- It's stronger than the second volume, though that one was very necessary for the plot.
Onward, to Space!!
And remember -- Science. Bad. (No matter WHO does it!)
Oppenheimer has a Grand Plan, and takes steps to implement the 3 official plans and the secret one he's told no one of, which involves everyone else, to their great regret. Oppenheimer is such a great character!!!
I like this volume as well or better than the first one -- It's stronger than the second volume, though that one was very necessary for the plot.
Onward, to Space!!
And remember -- Science. Bad. (No matter WHO does it!)
July 29, 2014
An alien in the inner circle makes his play, aiming to alert the cosmos that the Earthmen are dangerous. The Oppenheimer war escalates with a decisively mad gambit by the forces of reason. This is a volume that sees the projects suffer serious setbacks, but it also puts forward a long game with sections that allows for smaller group work and that permits more character development. Terrific scripting and art that continues to charm me, particularly in the coloring.
April 25, 2014
A good continuation of the series. I thought the first two issues, about Daghlian and Fermi, were phenomenal, for their varied points of views and their surprises. The rest of the book continued to be enjoyable. It looks like something is building, but it's slow, and as usual I don't have much idea of where the story is going ...
August 27, 2015
Manhattan Projects is still awesome. This one didn't bewilder me the same way the last one did, but a lot of excellent ideas are nearing fruition, as the themes of the world better establish themselves. This volume meanders a bit, setting up some future business, but the writing is still top notch, as is the art.
July 29, 2014
I absolutely love where this series is going. A bunch of historically-inspired rogue scientists determined to drag the world kicking and screaming into a dubious future. The American military of the period takes offense to this and amoral hijinks ensue. The art continues to be stellar.
June 1, 2017
As much I as love strangely weird comics, this series is slowly becoming too outlandish for my liking. There's a solid story behind all the chaotic artwork and confusing politics, which, if it was done with clarity and finesse, it would be one heck of a comic series.
October 9, 2013
This series is so complexly mental...and I love every second of it.
September 20, 2013
This book is truly excellent and shows no signs of slowing.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews