Euro comics is a different universe from its American counterpart and this comicbook really shows it. Love the story and the artwork.

I loved the pop art look of the book. The story though, relies on the detective agency fumbling around until things fall in their lap without much detective work or it relies on Dad's contacts from the war helping out. Plus, there's your typical postwar misogyny towards women. The main character even calls his girlfriend and partner a dummy at the beginning. The one thing I did like is that it's a self contained story which is difficult to find in European comics. They love their cliffhangers to get you to buy the next one (or 20).

Atom Vercorian is trying to have a successful private detective agency in Paris, but keeps getting cheating wives and husbands. So when the Begum's jewels are stolen he leaped on the chance to prove himself to his father. With Mimi and Jojo as partners, the trio manages to find the jewels but face a dilemma, return the jewels for the reward or save Atom's father? Which way will they go? Read this first case and enjoy a French noir of gangsters, car chases, and wrestling!

this was a fun and entertaining read. the art was so lovely and was slightly reminiscent of TinTin which may have contributed to my enjoyment of the book because TinTin got me into graphic novels! anyway this wasn’t an entirely new and original story. it’s told in a typical mystery/ crime-solving way, nothing groundbreaking in terms of storytelling, but it was still very enjoyable and fun to read, one of those books to pick up again if you need something fast-paced and entertaining.

A B mystery enlivened by A artwork - it's all a bit rote in it's plotting but the drawing style reminded me of Tintin adventures, which went a long way to endearing this work to me. Perhaps later volumes pick up the plotting pace? I'd give this one or two more just to see - but it's not a novel that I'd go traipsing around town to find.

Reminded me of those old comics my grandad use to give me. The humor is great, the characters are fun, the dialogue needs some work but other than that I found it to be pretty fun. Fun, but ultimately forgettable.

I DNF’d this pretty swiftly.
The artwork is very good and exceptionally detailed, I just really struggled with the dialogue and the sheer amount of it.
Who offers a tip to their robber?!?
It all just felt a little ridiculous, which was a shame as I was looking forward to reading it.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for sending me a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

DNF'd after eleven pages

Perhaps the humor - being French, didn't translate. Because I didn't get it. Perhaps it's the translation, either way it in the end doesn't matter. I didn't laugh.

The art is superb. The dialogue amateurish.

"Take it you, thugs! Just stop terrorizing my lady in waiting."

Who says that? No one. It pulled me right out of the scene and story overall. Then the driver, after he and the rest of the car were robbed by heavily armed thugs, hollers at the thugs who are leaving (while waving cash) and says "You forgot your tip."

That was stupid beyond belief.

✖4 STARS✖

Paris 1949. An Armenian detective named Atom Vercorian investigates the case of Yvette's stolen jewels, who is the wife of Aga Khan, the richest man in the world. By his side he has his fellow duo Mimi and Jojo and together and they're getting into a lot of adventures and trouble in order to solve the mystery.

I really liked the atmosphere of this comic, it reminded me of those old noir crime movies (even though it's not the noir/black and white style) or something out of "The Man From U.N.C.L.E" franchice, if it was set in the late 40's.


The plot was fast paced, the graphics were pretty and colorful and the dialogue was funny at times –and at others not so much, but nevertheless it was a nice quick read full of detectives, gangsters and femme fatales.
I'm looking forward to see what comes next for Atom and his team.

A reasonable crime comic, with the Aga Khan's wife getting robbed of a suitcase of jewels. Based just after WW2, there's nothing here to explain why the lead character is an Armenian, but it doesn't hurt anything (beyond a few stereotypically rich eyebrows). He tries to build a detective agency with his spunky lass and a bruiser she knows of old, but is also beholden to his 'uncles' at the police station for tips. I didn't really find much to love in the story, and the ligne claire style didn't float my boat, but it was reasonable entertainment. At least it's a self-contained story, with the creators yet to have their first follow-up to this 2018 launch volume published.

This is what a modern comic book can do.

With a style and supporting artistic flair it transcends that moment and reminds me of Tintin and all good old fashioned detective capers.
The Atom Agency is a nascent detective agency in Paris. This story is set in France in 1949 and concerns a jewel theft from the Aga Khan in Marseille, “Chicago by the sea”.
France is just recovering after World War II, the occupation and the police service is still struggling to maintain law and order. There is some honour among thieves but the gangsters involved here have a different code of honour, more usually seen with the Mafia organisation.
This is the story of how the young detective agency was born and develops through tackling this high profile case where such a large reward will set them up and secure their financial future.

The graphic novel is fast paced, action centred with a degree of humour and interesting supporting characters. The violence is real but not overdone. The intensity of the story and the threat it carries never lets up. The dialogue is clear and words never interrupt the flow of the telling of this urgent search for the stolen gems.
I loved the colour palette and the detail of the artwork. The outdoor scenes and set piece locations are wonderfully evocative of France and Gallic culture. Characters are easily identifiable and the individual images a delight to return to and follow again without the words.
A perfect graphic comic storyboard containing a complete episode in the life of this private detective agency. Volume 1, alludes to more instalments which if they carry on from the high standards set here, will cement this as a must read series.
I mentioned Tintin in passing. While nothing can impact on such a unique enterprise the feeling of this comic is of a similar period. They same stylish art and strong colour palette. With a written story with energy, a nod to history and a touch of humour.
Perhaps it is this exotic location and timeframe that resonates with me but it is a great read when crooks were bad and femme fatales at their worse.

It's incredible the amount of story one can get in a few pages of comic strips, and this one is really packed. Unfortunately, the plot is rather complicated with lots of characters, so it's not an easy read. I also don't like the supernatural aspects where people are faster than bullets, when the rest of the action is rather normal.
The drawings are good and in line with the historical aspects of the story.

This was pretty good. The time period and setting helped make it interesting, and the characters were also, well, "characters" which helped keep my interest. Good artwork too. It was a little over the top at times, but that is to be expected in a graphic novel. 3.5 stars rounded up.

I really appreciate the comp copy for an honest review!!