Marvel Comics; $2.99

With a vibrant new riff on the 1950s Avengers concept first seen years ago in What If...?, writer Jeff Parker, penciler Leonard Kirk and inker Kris Justice have launched Agents of Atlas, a six-issue mini-series featuring Venus, Marvel Boy, agent Jimmy Woo, Gorilla Man and the Yellow Claw. What do these characters have in common? They're from the post-Timely, pre-Marvel era known as Atlas Comics. What Parker and company have done here is great - they've created a story that will please seasoned fans but it's not so bogged down in nostalgia that newer audiences won't get it. If the whole mini-series is as good as this trade, we're ready for the trade paperback right now.