Man From Atlantis #1
Marvel; February 1978
Cover by John Buscema and Joe Sinnott

Title: “Birthright!”
Synopsis: The Man from Atlantis finds clues to his origin in a deep oceanic trench — but is suddenly attacked by pirates!

Writer: Bill Mantlo
Penciler: Tom Sutton
Inker: Sonny Trinidad

Review: This reviewer doesn’t remember much about the Man From Atlantis TV show, other than it was a childhood favorite. The comic series? Not so much. But this lead feature by Bill Mantlo isn’t bad. The art, by Tom Sutton and Sonny Trinidad, is inconsistent but suitable.

Title: “There Are Monsters in the Sea!”
Synopsis: The Man From Atlantis joins a pod of dolphins in protecting a blue whale from a cyborg whaling captain.

Writer: Bill Mantlo
Penciler: Frank Robbins
Inker: The Tribe
Review: A plodding, silly, Moby-Dick-inspired tale featuring a cyborg whaling captain. Frank Robbins’ art is a poor fit.

Grade (for the whole issue): B-

Cool factor: It’s the Man From Atlantis!
Not-so-cool factor: Why isn’t it the Sub-Mariner?
Notable: In addition to the two stories, there are several essays about the TV show, as well as pin-ups from Joe Sinnott, Mike Zeck, and Gene Colan and Frank Giacoia.
Character quotable: “He’s more fish than man, Elizabeth! You should know that better than anyone!” — Dr. Miller Simon. (Wait, dude, what are you implying?)
A word from the editor: “We don’t have it perfect yet. This is a first issue, and a good one, we feel, but a continuing comic is, or should be, a growing and changing organism.” — Archie Goodwin, in an introductory essay on this issue’s “Out of the Depths” letters page.

Each week, Andrew Wahl takes a look at a Bronze Age Fantastic First. For more reviews like this one, check out Wahl’s website, ComicsBronzeAge.com. Bronze Age Fantastic First reviews © 2013 Off the Wahl Productions. All rights reserved.