Children of the Atom #2 Review

Writer: Vita Ayala / Artist: Bernard Chang / Marvel Comics At first glance, Children of the Atom almost seems like a bizarre send-up wandering in the outskirts of Hickman’s X-verse. But when you look a little closer, you realize you’re seeing a Young Avengers-esque take on a fresh set of mutants and their life outside of the Mutant Mount Olympus that is Krakoa. Not only are we getting some new blood in the mutant community, but we’re also getting an idea of the social landscape in the human world as a result of Krakoa’s presence. Issue #2 picks up with the Avengers catching wind of the X-Men’s young counterparts and their exploits. And they’re not as impressed as the Krakoans seem to be. The ensuing exchange between the Avengers and the mutants ends up being pretty telling as far as relations between the species. Ironically enough, because of the stir Krakoa is causing on the world stage, things are getting much harder for mutants that either can’t come “home” or are afraid to. It’s a tense situation between both peacekeeping entities reminiscent of the Avengers Vs. X-Men days. Also, we get a closer look at Cherub, the overachieving boy next door modeled closely after Angel. As much as I like this character, I have to admit I’d be a little more impressed with his characterization if he didn’t implicitly tell the audience more than once that he’s not just a stereotype. His interaction with friends and family throughout the comic does a pretty good job without writing out in bo…