2 out of 5

Hm, it’s definitely a step in the right direction – volume 2 (the indicia isn’t actually volume 1 or 2, but they took a long break after issue 6 and these issues are definitely a distinct vibe) consolidating the concept of several stories in each issue from volume 1 down to one ongoing tale and the return of ‘back up’ stories, a la Robo vols. 1 and 2.  And I do think Clevinger has “earned” this book, which is a Robo-less look at a particularly fantastic tale in that world: that of Tesla and his ‘Centurions of Science’ stopping a plot in 1893 by some big moneymen to overtake American through destabilization of… things.  The plot is there, but it’s a bit looser limbed than usual, somewhat just flinging around conspiracy theories and geek fanatacism (Tesla’s superteam includes Charles Fort, Annie Oakley, Houdini… etc…) to carry us through what should be six issues of ridiculously silly bombast.  However, without Robo to elevate things to a grand scale, the plot stalls a bit, and it’s difficult to attach a sense of wonder or worry to events when we’ve seen Tesla’s creation stopping bigger threats or getting involved in weirder incidents all over the timeline.  It’s also padded a bit at six issues, flip-flopping between the good guys and bad guys and giving us the gist fairly early on (they’re evil; they want to take over) and then trying to stall things with action that never quite ‘gels’ with the Science group vibe, despite having a martial arts master and sharp shooter.  There aren’t really any surprises, just delaying tactics, and it even ends on a ridiculously bland epilogue.

However, all of that being said… I think that Clevinger’s script is hampered by his artists, or perhaps the colorist.  Brian almost always writes in a super compressed style, so its incredibly possible that this story just reads stutteringly because it never quite syncs with the art.  Trying to keep the collaborative vibe of volume 1, each issue is a different artist, and they did do right by sticking to a particular “style”, which is very cartoony, simplistic look.  Some issues’ artists are better at interpreting motion (issue 9’s Leela Wagner and Ryan Cody, who actually have a pretty awesome European look, ), some better at individualizing the characters (issue 12’s M.D. Penman), while some are way too anime and simplified (issue 11, Enduro) or webcomicy (issue 10, Erich Owen, issue 8’s Caanan Grall’s static take on action sequences), but no issue sells it.  Especially, sorry, when we get exciting covers by Wegener.

Series colorist Erica Henderson contributes an issue, 7, and its the most solid looking of the series, getting things off to an exciting start – distinct enough from Weg, confident in its own style – but even this issue is plagued by something which ruins several points of the book – indecipherable night sequences.  Draped in so much shadow that you can’t tell what the hell is going on.  It’s a movie sequence you want to turn the brightness up on.  One issue of this – it happens.  But 6 issues?  It’s really amateurish looking and kills any momentum going into those scenes.

The back-ups are nice, weaving into earlier Robo stories, and prove to be a better way to ‘sample’ new artists.  Best of all, I believe all (most?) of them are new.

So I really dig the potential of this series, and I think Clev made a good jump between 1-6 and 7-12, he just hasn’t quite found the right tone for a full-fledged side story.  But he hasn’t broken me yet.  I dig the Robo world and even when its somewhat dissatisfying, its fun to add it to the overall picture.  I hope he continues RSA, but I do hope he makes some changes in the next ‘volume’ as he did for volume 2.