Challengers of the Unknown #3: Something Happening Here, What It Is Ain’t Exactly Clear…

Challengers of the Unknown #3 marks the halfway point of this latest series featuring the All-In era adventures of the team as they attempt to work along side the Justice League to figure out the mysteries caused by Darkseid’s death.

This issue finds The Prof working with Ray Palmer and Ryan Choi, as he attempts to find out about The Atom Project which the two micro heroes continue to stonewall him about, even though he is working with them.

Cantwell continues to use a variety of classic locals and  lesser known supporting characters as he tells his story. This issue finds a trip to Dinosaur Island and an appearance by Anthro and his wife Embra, the prehistoric couple,who now reside on the island. While on the island The Prof meets Optimum, who is supposedly a future version of himself and a creation of the Life/Anti-Life Equations balanced in a single entity.  The creation and concept of Optimum is slick and has designs reminiscent of The OMAC sentries.

This series continues to be the connective tissue for this group of All-In Limited series as it weaves the various plot points from The Question: All Along The Watchtower, Justice League: Atom Project, and even ongoing series like the new Aquaman series. Cantwell also does well with writing characters such as Mister Terrific and Ray Palmer, who continue to throw shade and treat the Challengers like suspects who are working, unknowingly, for Darkseid. The issue ends with the Challengers not being sequestered by Mister Terrific planning to shut down The Watchtower unless they get some answers.

The art and colorwork continue to pop off the page, with the character designs and the various vehicles the Challengers use on their missions.