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Atom Smasher (DC Comics)

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Atom Smasher
Albert Rothstein as Atom Smasher, as depicted in JSA #12 (July 2000). Art by Alan Davis.
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearance(As Nuklon):
The All-Star Squadron #25 (September 1983)
(As Atom Smasher)
Kingdom Come #2 (June 1996)
Created by
In-story information
Alter egoAlbert Julian Rothstein
SpeciesMetahuman
Team affiliationsSuicide Squad
Justice Society of America
Justice League America
The Conglomerate
Infinity, Inc.
Justice League
PartnershipsAtom
Notable aliasesNuklon
Abilities
  • Mass manipulation
  • Mass increase
  • Size alteration
  • Superhuman strength, stamina, durability, and speed

(Previously):

  • Density control

Albert Julian "Al" Rothstein, also known as Nuklon and Atom Smasher, is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Atom Smasher is known for his powers of size and density manipulation and superhuman strength.[1]

The character made his live-action debut in The Flash, portrayed by Adam Copeland. He also appears in Black Adam, portrayed by Noah Centineo.

Publication history

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Atom Smasher was created by Roy Thomas and Jerry Ordway, and first appeared in The All-Star Squadron #25 (September 1983).[2]

Thomas spoke on Atom Smasher's creation, stating that he was named after Alan Rothstein, a friend of him and his wife Dann Thomas.[3][4] Albert was made Jewish for the purposes of representation, with the Thomases believing that there were few overtly Jewish superheroes.[3] Additionally, Albert's growth-based abilities were designed to contrast with the shrinking powers of his godfather, the Atom.[3]

Fictional character biography

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Origin

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The godson of Al Pratt, the Golden Age Atom, Albert Rothstein acquired his metahuman powers of super strength and control over his molecular structure, allowing him to alter the size and density of his body, from his grandfather, a reluctant supervillain known as Cyclotron.[5][6] This allowed him to fight crime first as Nuklon,[7] and then, later, as Atom Smasher.[8] As Nuklon, Albert was a charter member of Infinity, Inc. and subsequently served in the Justice League.[9] He was considered a dependable, but rather insecure and indecisive superhero while in Infinity, Inc. During this time he had a mohawk haircut. While in the JLA, he forged a strong friendship with fellow former Infinity Inc. teammate Obsidian.

The Justice Society

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Atom Smasher about to crush Kobra.

Albert finally gets his dream and is invited to join the reunited JSA under his new name and identity, Atom Smasher.[10] For years, Atom Smasher cherishes his role in upholding Pratt's legacy and constantly seeks to prove himself worthy to his Golden Age idols – especially when many of them became his teammates in the JSA. He looks up to the elder JSA members, but is himself looked up to by young rookie member Stargirl. When Albert's mother is murdered in a plane crash engineered by the terrorist Kobra,[11] he becomes consumed by vengeance, nearly crushing Kobra in his hands before he is talked down by his teammate Jack Knight, who convinces him that he should not taint the memory of his mother by associating it with Kobra's murder.[12] Not long after the crash, Albert and Metron travel back in time and force the weakened villain Extant into a position where he takes the place of Albert's mother.[13]

Black Adam

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When Black Adam reforms and joins the JSA, he and Rothstein develop a rivalry at first as Al refuses to believe Adam has reformed.[14] This soon turns to kinship after Adam justifies Al's murderous actions towards Extant.[15] Indeed, Adam comments that he thinks of Atom Smasher as the brother he never had. Encouraged by Adam, Atom Smasher grows frustrated with the JSA's moral boundaries, especially when Kobra blackmails authorities into granting his release. Albert and Adam quit the JSA after Kobra's escape.[16]

Shortly thereafter, the unlikely duo settle each other's personal scores. Adam kills Kobra,[17] while Rothstein kills the dictatorial president of Kahndaq, Adam's home country.[18] Atom Smasher helps lead a team of rogue metahumans (including former Infinity Inc. teammates Brainwave and Northwind) in an invasion of Kahndaq and overthrow its oppressive regime. Atom Smasher initially fights against his JSA teammates in Kahndaq before deciding instead to help forge an uneasy truce—Adam and his compatriots can remain in power so long as they never leave the country.[19]

Atom Smasher remains in Kahndaq for a time, although he eventually begins to question Adam's motives. Rothstein perishes in JSA #75 while fighting against the Spectre, but is revived by Adam's lightning and carried back to JSA headquarters.

He is later put on trial for his actions in Kahndaq and pleads guilty to all charges. Teammate Stargirl promises to "be there for him" when he gets out. Whilst in jail, he is approached by the founder of the Suicide Squad, Amanda Waller.[20] In 52, he is seen assembling a new Suicide Squad under Waller's orders, instructed to fightAdam,[21] and, unbeknownst to Atom Smasher himself, push his family to overreact. They succeed, and Osiris is disgraced and exposed for having killed a Squad member, as Amanda Waller was filming the events, leading to the downfall of the whole Black Marvel Family, and a murderous rampage of Adam, dubbed World War III.[22]

He then sides with the Justice Society,[23] trying to apprehend Adam, but refuses to condemn him in any way, not even believing him guilty of the genocide in Bialya.[24] When Adam is robbed of his powers by Captain Marvel, and is about to plunge to his death, it is Atom Smasher who saves him, though no character ever sees this, and Al keeps it hidden.[1]

In the Black Adam: The Dark Age series, Albert is shown searching for his former friend, who is intent upon resurrecting his dead wife Isis. In Black Adam #5, Albert brings Adam a bone from Isis' remains and tries unsuccessfully to persuade his friend to go into hiding.

Modern-day JSA issues

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In the Justice Society of America: The Kingdom special, Stargirl recruits Atom Smasher to knock some sense into Damage, who has become an evangelist of sorts for Gog after the cosmic being temporarily healed his face. He views Pratt's son as a brother figure, since he was brought up by Pratt in the first place.

Atom Smasher finally returns to the JSA during the "Black Adam and Isis" arc printed in Justice Society of America #23–25. Asking the team for a second chance at honoring the memory of Al Pratt, Atom Smasher joins the Justice Society in battling Black Adam and Isis, who have robbed Captain Marvel of his powers and his throne at the Rock of Eternity. At the conclusion of the story, despite Wildcat's distrust, Atom Smasher is readmitted into the JSA as a full member,[25] along with all the other members of the team who had acted poorly in recent issues. He vanishes for several issues, but he reappears in the JSA All-Stars book as a victim of kidnapping.

In Doomsday Clock, Atom Smasher and the Justice Society are revealed to have been erased from existence by Doctor Manhattan, who altered the timeline to prevent the Justice Society from forming. They are resurrected when Superman convinces Manhattan to undo his actions.[26]

Powers and abilities

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Atom Smasher possesses superhuman strength and durability, and can further increase in size and strength at will. His strength and density increase proportionately to whatever size he chooses.

Relationships with women

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Albert has had complicated relationships with women during his tenure on various super-hero teams. While on Infinity, Inc., he was shown to be clearly in love with teammate Fury, despite her engagement to his friend Silver Scarab. Many other characters make note of this, though none of them begrudge Al, and actually feel sorry for him because he will inevitably have his heart broken. Looking up to her even as children, he eventually proposes when Hector is killed and she is left pregnant, so that she will not be alone. She turns him down, saying that she prefers them to be friends. He also has a brief flirtation with the second Wildcat (Yolanda Montez), but things never developed between them. During his time with the League, he dates Fire,[1] but he discontinues the relationship because she is not Jewish—even though this did not stop his earlier or later crushes.

His relationship with Stargirl becomes increasingly complex over time. While she expresses romantic interest in Atom Smasher early on, he does not initially reciprocate. Later issues establish that Courtney has strong feelings for him, with friends such as Captain Marvel and Mary Marvel pointing it out, and Courtney promising to wait for his return from prison. When Al is killed temporarily by the Spectre, she grieves openly over his body, revealing the depth of her attachment. Upon rejoining the JSA during the fight against Black Adam, Al acknowledges his own feelings, admitting that Billy Batson is more deserving of Courtney's affection than he is. Their teammates recognize the mutual attraction when the two begin showing open affection in public. Power Girl is supportive, encouraging Al to "rescue [his] fair maiden," but senior JSA members instruct him to end the relationship due to their age difference. Al complies, leaving him despondent and prompting Courtney to run off in tears. However, the two remain emotionally connected, though their relationship becomes strained once again when Johnny Sorrow impersonates Al and deceives Courtney into a kiss. As a result, they mutually agree to take some space apart.[27]

Not long afterward, during a beach volleyball outing, Al is shown flirting with new team member Anna Fortune, teasingly asking if she is a time traveler. Their exchange is lighthearted, with Anna playfully referencing her age, claiming she was 26 when she left the past but would be 187 if aged naturally. Although she has attempted to move on emotionally, Courtney is shown visibly upset as she observes their interaction.[28]

Other versions

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Al Rothstein / Atom-Smasher appears in Kingdom Come as a member of Superman's Justice League.[29]

In other media

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Television

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Atom Smasher as he appears in Justice League Unlimited.
  • Tom Turbine, an original character based on Atom Smasher, Superman, and Al Pratt / Atom, appears in the Justice League episode "Legends", voiced by Ted McGinley.[30]
  • Albert Rothstein as Atom Smasher makes non-speaking cameo appearances in Justice League Unlimited as a member of the Justice League.
  • A villainous Earth-2 incarnation of Albert Rothstein / Atom Smasher appears in The Flash episode "The Man Who Saved Central City", portrayed by Adam Copeland.[31] While Eobard Thawne listed the Earth-1 version of Rothstein as a casualty of the S.T.A.R. Labs particle accelerator accident, the latter was retroactively stated to have been in Hawaii at the time and thus never acquired powers. The Earth-2 Rothstein kills his Earth-1 counterpart before attempting to do the same to the Flash on Zoom's behalf, having been promised that he will be able to return to his native Earth, only to be defeated and killed by the Flash.

Film

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Albert Rothstein / Atom Smasher appears in Black Adam, portrayed by Noah Centineo.[32][33] This version is a member of the Justice Society and Al Pratt's nephew.[34][35]

Video games

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Atom Smasher makes a background appearance in Injustice: Gods Among Us via the Hall of Justice stage.[36]

Merchandise

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Jimenez, Phil (2008). "Atom-Smasher". In Dougall, Alastair (ed.). The DC Comics Encyclopedia. London: Dorling Kindersley. p. 31. ISBN 978-0-7566-4119-1.
  2. ^ Manning, Matthew K. (2010). "1980s". In Dolan, Hannah (ed.). DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle. Dorling Kindersley. p. 203. ISBN 978-0-7566-6742-9. The children of the original Justice Society of America made their smash debut in this issue by writer Roy Thomas and penciler Jerry Ordway...All-Star Squadron #25 marked the first appearances of future cult-favorite heroes Jade, Obsidian, Fury, Brainwave Jr., the Silver Scarab, Northwind, and Nuklon.
  3. ^ a b c "TwoMorrows Publishing - Alter Ego #1 - Infinity Inc".
  4. ^ Thomas, Roy; Jerry Ordway (Spring 1999). "Two Co-Creators Reveal--The Secret Origins of Infinity, Inc". Alter Ego. 3 (1). Two Morrows Publishing. Retrieved April 20, 2008.
  5. ^ Infinity, Inc #48. DC Comics.
  6. ^ Cowsill, Alan; Irvine, Alex; Korte, Steve; Manning, Matt; Wiacek, Win; Wilson, Sven (2016). The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe. DK Publishing. p. 22. ISBN 978-1-4654-5357-0.
  7. ^ All-Star Squadron #25. DC Comics.
  8. ^ JSA Secret Files #1. DC Comics.
  9. ^ Justice League America #0. DC Comics.
  10. ^ JSA #2. DC Comics.
  11. ^ JSA #11. DC Comics.
  12. ^ JSA #12. DC Comics.
  13. ^ JSA #15. DC Comics.
  14. ^ JSA #26. DC Comics.
  15. ^ JSA #30. DC Comics.
  16. ^ JSA #45. DC Comics.
  17. ^ JSA #51. DC Comics.
  18. ^ JSA #56. DC Comics.
  19. ^ Hawkman (vol. 5) #25. DC Comics.
  20. ^ JSA #76. DC Comics.
  21. ^ 52 Week 24. DC Comics.
  22. ^ 52 Week 34. DC Comics.
  23. ^ 52 Week 46. DC Comics.
  24. ^ 52 Week 50. DC Comics.
  25. ^ Justice Society of America vol. 3 #23–25 (January–April 2009). DC Comics.
  26. ^ Doomsday Clock #12 (February 2020). DC Comics.
  27. ^ JSA All-Stars #5–6 (June–July 2010). DC Comics.
  28. ^ JSA All-Stars #11 (December 2010). DC Comics.
  29. ^ Kingdom Come #2
  30. ^ "Tom Turbine Voice - Justice League (TV Show)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved December 20, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  31. ^ Burlingame, Russ (July 16, 2015). "EXCLUSIVE: WWE's Adam "Edge" Copeland Cast As Atom-Smasher On The Flash Season 2". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on July 16, 2015. Retrieved July 16, 2015.
  32. ^ Murphy, Charles (March 8, 2019). "EXCLUSIVE: New 'BLACK ADAM' Script Features Hawkman, Atom Smasher and Stargirl". That Hashtag Show. Retrieved March 8, 2019.
  33. ^ Kit, Borys (July 16, 2020). "Noah Centineo Joins Dwayne Johnson in New Line DC Movie 'Black Adam' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  34. ^ Earl, William (August 22, 2020). "'Black Adam' Will Introduce the Justice Society of America: Hawkman, Doctor Fate and More". Variety.
  35. ^ BigScreenLeaks (December 18, 2021). "Henry Winkler's Role in 'Black Adam' Revealed (Exclusive)". One Take News. Retrieved October 21, 2022.
  36. ^ Robison, Seth (March 4, 2013). "INJUSTICE GODS AMONG US Videos Reveal DC Easter Eggs". Newsarama. Archived from the original on March 7, 2013. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  37. ^ a b "Every DC Multiverse Round jersey". National Basketball League | NBL Australia | Australia's Basketball League.
  38. ^ "Perth Wildcats 23/24 DC Atom Smasher Youth Jersey". Official NBL Store.
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