The Manhattan Projects

The Manhattan Projects reimagines the secret World War II research program as a cover for multiple clandestine scientific initiatives. This alternate history series follows real historical figures like Robert Oppenheimer, Albert Einstein, and Richard Feynman as they pursue projects far beyond the development of atomic weapons. The story expands beyond Earth as the scientists encounter extraterrestrial life and explore dimensional physics. Their work intersects with global politics, military operations, and competing agendas among nations and organizations vying for control of revolutionary technologies. Dark humor permeates the narrative as it examines themes of scientific ethics, human ambition, and the price of progress. The series questions whether technological advancement can be separated from the moral choices of those who wield it.

Readers call the series bizarre, surreal, and darkly comedic in its alternate history take on famous scientists. Many appreciate Hickman's complex plotting and Nick Pitarra's detailed artwork, with one reader noting it "turns historical figures into twisted versions of themselves in the best possible way." Positive reviews focus on: - Creative reimagining of historical figures - Dense, layered storytelling - Bold artistic style - Mix of science fiction and horror elements Common criticisms: - Plot becomes confusing and hard to follow - Too many storylines left unresolved - Series ending feels rushed and unsatisfying - Violence and dark themes can be off-putting Average ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (7,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (200+ ratings) Comic Book Roundup: 8.3/10 Multiple readers mention dropping the series partway through due to its increasingly convoluted narrative, while others praise it specifically for its complexity, calling it "wonderfully insane" and "unlike anything else in comics."

Watchmen by Alan Moore This graphic novel reimagines Cold War superhero narratives through conspiracies, alternate histories, and morally compromised scientists working in secret government programs.

Gravity's Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon The novel follows a complex web of military-scientific conspiracies involving V-2 rockets, behavioral conditioning, and shadowy organizations during World War II.

Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson The story connects World War II cryptography programs to modern-day technology through parallel narratives of scientific advancement and government secrets.

The Illuminatus! Trilogy by Robert Shea This work combines historical figures, conspiracy theories, and secret scientific programs into an intricate narrative about hidden powers controlling world events.

American Prometheus by Kai Bird This biography of J. Robert Oppenheimer reveals the complex intersection of science, politics, and military power during the Manhattan Project and the Cold War.

🔬 While the real Manhattan Project had one goal - developing atomic weapons - Hickman's graphic novel reimagines the program as a cover for numerous secret science experiments, including dimensional travel and AI development. 🧪 The comic series portrays historical figures like Einstein and Oppenheimer in wildly different ways, including an evil twin Oppenheimer who eats his brother's brain to gain his knowledge. 📚 Jonathan Hickman worked as a graphic designer before entering comics, which influenced his distinctive use of infographics and innovative page layouts throughout the series. 🌟 The series earned multiple Eisner Award nominations and helped establish Hickman as one of comics' most innovative writers, leading to his work on major Marvel titles like Fantastic Four and X-Men. 🎨 Artist Nick Pitarra used a limited color palette dominated by red and blue throughout the series, creating a unique visual style that distinguishes between "real" events and science fiction elements.