Synopsis: Atom Vercorian is trying to make it as a private detective in post-war Paris, and he just needs that one big case to make a name for himself. His father, a police detective, isn't making any headway in the case of a jewelry theft in the south of France. Atom, however, gets a lead that takes him and his partners, Mimi and Jojo, south to Marseille, where they meet ex-resistance fighters, gangsters, and henchmen. With audacity and enthusiasm, Atom and his cohorts dance their way through the worlds of organized crime, pro wrestling, and the ultra-rich in the pursuit of Miss France 1930's stolen jewels. This could be Atom's big break—if he survives the experience!

Review: Atom Agency is a bande dessinée comic by Yann and Oliver Schwartz from Europe Comics

The first thing that caught my attention with Atom Agency was the cover, a dynamic in media res image. It's not until later in the book that the cover image is given context. There is an action sequence that builds up to, and shows the aftermath of, the cover image but doesn't include that image in the text. So you have to recall the cover image as a kind of call back to complete the sequence. It's a neat little trick. 

Atom Agency is detective agency origin story filled with a motley group of characters set in post war France 1949, centered around a big jewelry robbery. Atom Vercorian is a young man eager to get his PI business off the ground. He's out on the town with his girl when he sees the headline about the robbery. He ditches his girl to catch the trail of the case.

Atom's father and two godfathers are police detectives. His father is infamous for his network of informants. He's a stern man who wants the best for his son, which means he doesn't support this PI nonsense. His uncles take him out to eat and Atom is able to extract one piece of information from each of them. The uncles ploy to give up information is to excuse themselves to the bathroom one at a time, leaving Atom alone with the other uncle who tells what he knows. Then they reverse it. That way they can each act a witness to say that the other definitely didn't give up the goods when they get caught by Atom's dad. Clearly this is a well rehearsed shtick.

To pursue these new clues he enlists the help of Mimi, his friend and co-worker at the fledgling detective agency. Mimi is a modern, independent woman not constrained by the old ways. Atom catches up with her at a wrestling match. 

She's a tough smart ass who can handle herself. Her father was a pro wrestler and this connection will lead the pair to Jojo the Top, a retired pro wrestler. Just the man to round out their group and be the heavy should the need arise (spoiler, it does).

One of the more interesting aspects of the story comes when they chase down the second lead, a mechanic with ties to the criminal underworld. When eager Atom shows up at the shop this man doesn't take too kindly to the son of some cop nosing around asking questions. Right when things threaten to take a turn, the mechanic learns who Atom's father is. This matters because the criminal and the cop fought together in the war for the French Resistance. The war was such a clarifying event that one's previous station in life or profession didn't matter in the war against a common enemy. 

The case starts to come together and work toward resolution in the second half. It turns out one of the detective trio has a connection to the case that may make a difference. There's more action in the second half as we race towards the conclusion.

These are fun characters and watching everyone navigate post-war relationships is interesting. The action and chase sequences are welcome because Atom Agency can be a dense comic with smaller panels and a lot of text (which can be the BD way sometimes).

Similar to Karmela Krimm, Atom Agency only has the first volume translated into English even though there are other volumes out in Europe. It's a shame because this volume does act as a really nice set-up for later cases. I hope we get to read them at some point.

Verdict: positive/recommended

Availability: digital through Kindle or through library services like Hoopla and Comics Plus