In an alternate past -- where the Revolution has become the State -- Liberty has been destroyed and the gods now walk the Earth. Now, a new power is rising. Forged in the fiery bowels of the planet, Atomika is the first man-made deity, both a God of Technology and of the 21st Century. Now he must hunt down and kill the ancient gods who have ruled the world of man since the dawn of time, a quest that will change the fate of humanity, and shake the world to its very core.

Created and penciled by Sal Abbinanti (inks by BUZZ, JSA, Vampirella), written by Andrew Dabb (Ghostbusters, Megacity909), and featuring a cover by superstar painter Alex Ross (Kingdom Come, Marvels), Atomika is a groundbreaking story of men, supermen and the forces that shape our reality.

We sat down and asked a few questions of the ol' pro who's turned young turk with his first creator-owned title Atomika -- Sal Abbinanti!

DF: How long have the characters and concepts of Atomika been around?
SAL ABBINANTI: I've been working on Atomika on and off for about 6 years now. I tried to put it out then but didn't have the dough.

DF: Did you always have it in mind to "self-publish" Did you consider shopping it to a publishing company like Oni, or Image or even Marvel or DC? How did you land Atomika at Speakeasy?
SAL ABBINANTI: I shopped around for a while as a penciller and the big guys (DC,Marvel) all told me my style was to European. So I did shop the concept around a bit when I had things more fleshed out. I really liked Adam Fortier [President of Speakeasy Comics] so Speakeasy was a natural fit for the book.

Although I have to say the guys at Image did show an interest and were very cool and professional.

DF: How'd you land Alex to do a cover? What other cover talents do you have lineD up for the series?
SAL ABBINANTI: Alex is a close personal friend of mine (I also work for him) and he wanted to help me with Atomika from the very beginning. As for future covers artists, I have Glenn Fabry, Michael Turner, Mark Texeira, Claudio Castellini, David Mack, Gary Gianni, Eric Powell. Bill Sienkiewicz ,Tim Bradstreet and John Cassaday.

DF: Can you describe the Atomika comic for us? Who's the intended audience?
SAL ABBINANTI: Atomika is sort of if Superman met Fellini. It is not meant to be an alternative approach to the superhero theme. However my art style is a bit harsher and grittier than most. Fans will find a lot of work in the art, I'm not cutting any corners.

I promise them they will get what they pay for and love it or hate they're in for a unique book.

DF: Who are your artistic influences?
SAL ABBINANTI: Jack Kirby and John Buscema.

DF: Who influences you as a writer?
SAL ABBINANTI: Frank Miller and Alan Moore.

DF: What's your favorite convention story about your art partner on the book, Buzz?
SAL ABBINANTI: One time 1994 we all got drunk and Buzz ran naked through the Doubletree hotel knocking on all the doors and tackled Tim Bradstreet in the hall (naked) and finally had to be cuffed by San Diego P.D. (It's a long story.)

DF: What's are you reading these days? Watching?
SAL ABBINANTI: I just saw Appleseed, the new Japanese animated film and I'm still speechless. For all comic readers out there this film is for you (amazing).

I really like the new John Romita Jr. Wolverine, the Goon, and the Peter David's Hulk drawn by Lee Weeks.

Be sure to check out Atomika's online home, right here where you can get more information on where to buy, as well as images of all of those incredible covers!

We'll be back next week with another installment of 5 Minutes With Joseph Michael Linsner!