The Manhattan Projects plows ahead with its fifteenth issue, and the whole thing takes place in Oppenheimer’s head. Like so many of issues of the Projects, you’ll probably need to read this one twice. Here’s the official description from Image:

“FINITE OPPENHEIMERS,” Part Two

An in-depth look at the second decade of the ongoing war inside Oppenheimer’s brain. It’s endless brothers versus brothers: It’s the Oppenheimer Civil War!

Jonathan Hickman is really in his element here. He gets to spout plenty of his trademark comic book pseudoscience and tons of other made-up terms that help provide a sense of depth to his world. While I appreciate this, it wears thin after a time. When I first started reading Hickman, I thought all this babble was important information that I needed to parse through, but now I know it’s all window dressing. Clever window dressing, that contributes a lot to the book and is sometimes crucial to Hickman’s writing, but window dressing nonetheless. Sometimes I have to force myself to absorb it, and not simply ignore it.

Okay, rant’s over. Oppenheimer’s literal internal conflict has consistently been one of the most interesting aspects of an already interesting book, and now we get caught up on what’s been going on in his head for the last few years. Hickman’s precision plotting is in action, and there’s also some interesting commentary on the nature of progress and advancement. The ending hints at more to come, and I really hope we see more of Oppenheimer’s brain next month, rather than having to wait too long.

Nick Pitarra’s art style is more angular than we usually see, but it’s the seemingly endless variations on Oppenheimer’s character design he gives us that are the most memorable aspect of the issue. Giant Oppenheimers. Barbarian Oppenheimers. Demon Oppenheimers. Oppenheimers in military garb from every country and era. Pitarra’s creativity is on full display, and it’s a ton of fun.

I often find myself wondering how long MP will go as a series. Sometimes I sense it building to a head and think it could end within a few months. Other times I feel like Hickman is still laying groundwork and that the series will go for fifty more issues. I guess that’s just how good Hickman is at hiding his plot.

4.5/5