Atom Smasher (DC Comics)

Albert Rothstein(known by the aliasesNuklonandAtom Smasher) is asuperheroappearing inAmerican comic bookspublished byDC Comics.Atom Smasher is known for his power of growth andsuper strength.

Atom Smasher
Albert Rothstein as Atom Smasher, as depicted inJSA#12 (July 2000). Art byAlan Davis.
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
First appearance	(As Nuklon): The All-Star Squadron#25 (September 1983) (As Atom Smasher) Kingdom Come#2 (June 1996)
Created by	Roy Thomas Jerry Ordway
In-story information
Alter ego	Albert Julian Rothstein
Species	Metahuman
Team affiliations	Suicide Squad Justice Society of America Justice League America The Conglomerate Infinity, Inc. Justice League
Partnerships	Atom
Notable aliases	Nuklon
Abilities	Mass manipulation Mass increase Size alteration Superhuman strength,stamina, durability, and speed (Previously): Density control

The character made its live-action debut inThe Flash,played byAdam Copeland.The character appears in theDC Extended UniversefilmBlack Adam(2022), portrayed byNoah Centineo.

Publication history

Created byRoy ThomasandJerry Ordway,he first appeared inThe All-Star Squadron#25 (September 1983).Thomas chose his name as a tribute to his friend and fellow comic book fan Allan Rothstein.

Creation

Thomas Spoke in the character's genesis stating,

In All-Star Squadron #21, I'd had the non-super-poweredAtomof 1942 knocked around by an atomically-charged villain I called Cyclotron. (An "atom-smasher,"get it?) The artists were a couple of guys named Ordway and Machlan. It was hinted that radiation absorbed from Cyclotron would act slowly on The Atom--a subtle (?) foreshadowing of the atomic strength the Mighty Mite would gain in Flash and All-Star in 1948. Cyclotron was given a capeless costume otherwise nearly identical to The Atom's '48-'51 duds, thus retroactively establishing that Al adapted it from Cyclotron's.

By the time All-Star Squadron introduced Cyclotron's newborn daughter Terri in its first Annual, the new teen-group's comic was well in the works; the Squadron connection was done to establish that Terri's radiation-altered genes would be passed on to her children. It had already been long enough since World War II that one of our new stars was going to be the grandson of a costumed character of that period--and a villain, to boot.

Cyclotron--Dr. Terry Curtis, who had been a supporting character in a very early Superman/Ultra-Humanite story--thus became the grandpa of Albert Rothstein, whom Dann and I named after science-fiction/comics fan (and friend) Alan Rothstein out in L.A. We thought it high time comic books had an overtly Jewish super-hero. (Maybe we were first with that bit, maybe we weren't; we didn't know and didn't much care.) And so was born Nuklon, who ultimately got his strength from the same source as The Atom--and whom we made a virtual giant to contrast with his godfather's short stature.

Of course, Nuklon, too, was not strictly a son or daughter of a JSAer. Why didn't we make him the son of The Atom? I can't remember, but maybe Al and Mary Pratt had been depicted as childless in one of those "Whatever Happened to...? backup features I had hated in DC Comics Presents.

Fictional character biography

Origin

The godson of Al Pratt, theGolden AgeAtom,Albert Rothstein acquired hismetahumanpowers of super strength and control over his molecular structure, allowing him to alter the size and density of his body, from his grandfather, a reluctantsupervillainknown asCyclotron.This allowed him to fight crime first as Nuklon,and then, later, as Atom Smasher.As Nuklon, Albert was a charter member ofInfinity, Inc.and subsequently served in theJustice League.He was considered a dependable, but rather insecure and indecisive superhero while in Infinity, Inc. During this time he had amohawk haircut.While in the JLA, he forged a strong friendship with fellow former Infinity Inc. teammateObsidian.

The Justice Society

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.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 memberStargirl.When Albert's mother is murdered in a plane crash engineered by the terroristKobra,he becomes consumed by vengeance, nearly crushing Kobra in his hands before he is talked down by his teammateJack Knight,who convinces him that he should not taint the memory of his mother by associating it with Kobra's murder.Not long after the fatal crash, Albert – with the aid ofMetronof theNew Gods– goes back in time and forces the weakened villainExtantinto a position where he takes the place of Albert's mother on the plane. This ends up saving her life but makes Albert a murderer, even if there was no other way to contain Extant and to stop him from causing further harm, and also ensures that history is preserved in terms of the number of deaths on the plane.

Black Adam

When Captain Marvel's longtime adversaryBlack Adamreforms and joins the JSA, he and Rothstein develop a rivalry at first as Al refuses to believe Adam has reformed.This soon turns to kinship after Adam justifies Al's murderous actions towards Extant.Indeed, Black 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 promptly quit the JSA after Kobra's escape.

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

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

He is later put on trial for his actions in Khandaq 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 theSuicide Squad,Amanda Waller.In52,he is seen assembling a new Suicide Squad under Waller's orders, instructed to fight Black Adam,and, unbeknownst to Atom Smasher himself, push his family to overreact. They succeed, andOsirisis 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 Black Adam, dubbedWorld War III.

He then sides with theJustice Society,trying to apprehend Black Adam, but refuses to condemn him in any way, not even believing him guilty of the genocide in Bialya.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.

In theBlack Adam: The Dark Ageseries, Albert is shown searching for his former friend, who is intent upon resurrecting his dead wifeIsis.InBlack 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

In theJustice Society of America: The Kingdomspecial, Stargirl recruits Atom Smasher to knock some sense intoDamage,who has become an evangelist of sorts for theThird WorldgodGogafter the cosmic being (temporarily) healed his scarred 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 inJustice 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 robbedCaptain Marvelof 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,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 theJSA: All-Starsbook as a victim of kidnapping.

In the "Watchmen"sequel"Doomsday Clock",Atom Smasher returns to the DC Universe alongside the rest of the Justice Society of America whenDoctor Manhattan,inspired bySuperman,undoes the changes that he made to the timeline that erased the Justice Society of America and the Legion of Super-Heroes.

Powers and abilities

Already super strong at his normal size — 7 ft 6 in, or 2.3 m (though recently he has been depicted as being of a more normal height when not using his powers), Atom Smasher's strength and density increase proportionately to whatever size he chooses (it was explained inJSA#75 that his muscles and bones actually break and reform as they grow to achieve these great heights).

In theDC Encyclopedia,it is stated that he could grow up to 60 feet tall in new earth. However in Prime earth his max is stated to be only 15 feet tall and 700 lbs in the DC comics encyclopedia: All-new edition. Whether there is a limit to the heights he can grow to is unknown. At 60 feet, he was strong enough to knock out Power Girl with one stomp, and easily decimated most of the JSA during "Black Reign", but he is vulnerable to super-strong punches from the likes of Black Adam, being knocked unconscious with one blow several times. During his time as Nuklon, Albert was able to phase through walls; he has not been shown using this power in recent years, but it is unclear whether it has beenretconnedaway. Rothstein is also a skilled pilot and mechanic. In the first few years of JSA, he could be seen piloting the JSA's jet, the Steel Eagle, as well as the Star Rocket Racer inJSA:Our Worlds at War,and earlier beingInfinity, Inc.'s primary pilot.

Relationships with women

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 teammateFury,despite her engagement to his friendSilver 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 WildcatYolanda Montez,but things never developed between them. During his time with the League, he datesFire,but he discontinues the relationship because she is notJewish— even though this did not stop his earlier or later crushes. DuringJSA All-Stars,he shown to be flirting and interested inAnna Fortuneduring the All-Stars' beach volleyball hangout.

His relationship with Stargirl is even more complex. While Stargirl has shown some romantic feelings for Atom Smasher in the past, there is never any reciprocation on his part. Later issues clearly establish Stargirl's true feelings, as various friends (such asBilly Batson (Captain Marvel)or her friend Mary) accuse her of liking Al, and she promises to wait for him upon his return from prison. When Al is killed temporarily byThe Spectre,she reveals the depths of her feelings for him, weeping over his dead body. Albert finally acknowledges his own feelings when he rejoins the JSA to fight Black Adam, admitting that Billy Batson deserves her far more than Al himself does, in a regretful tone. Al's teammates realize the couple's mutual attraction once they start openly fawning over each other in public, and while Power Girl is supportive ( "Go rescue your fair maiden" ), the elder members force Al to turn Courtney down due to the age difference. This leaves Al melancholy, and Courtney runs off crying. Later issues ofJSA: All-Starsreveal the two still love each other, but afterJohnny Sorrowmimics Al to force a kiss from the young girl, they both recognize the need for "space."

InInjustice: Gods Among Us,Year 5 Annual, (Injustice is outside of the regular DC universe continuity) he's revealed to be in a relationship withGiganta,but they both frequently argue and bicker, leading to them getting into huge fights. According toGreen Lantern,they argue and bicker a lot, but they always end up making up. While cleaning upMetropolis,the 2 of them argue over a metal girder and start fighting, trashing half of the city.

Other versions

Al Rothstein / Atom-Smasher appears inKingdom Comeas a member ofSuperman'sJustice League.

In other media

Television

Atom Smasher as he appears inJustice League Unlimited.

• A character partially based on Albert Rothstein / Atom Smasher namedTom Turbineappears in theJustice Leaguetwo-part episode "Legends", voiced byTed McGinley.Turbine is a superhero from analternate universeand member of theJustice Guild of America.During his time as a superhero, he battled the Injustice Guild and died alongside the rest of the JGA during a war that destroyed most of their world. Years later, psionicmetahumanRay Thompson recreated the JGA as part of an illusion before the heroes "die" a second time to defeat him. According to series producerBruce Timm,Turbine was based primarily onAl Pratt,with elements of Atom Smasher andSupermanas well.
• Albert Rothstein as Atom Smasher makes non-speaking cameo appearances inJustice League Unlimitedas a member of theJustice League.
• A villainousEarth-2incarnation of Albert Rothstein / Atom Smasher appears inThe Flashepisode "The Man Who Saved Central City", portrayed byAdam Copeland.WhileEobard Thawnelisted theEarth-1version of Rothstein as a casualty of hisparticle acceleratoraccident in a previous episode, 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 theFlashonZoom'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

Albert Rothstein / Atom Smasher appears inBlack Adam,portrayed byNoah Centineo.This version is a member of theJustice Societywho received his suit and mantle from his uncleAl Pratt.

Video games

Atom Smasher makes a background appearance inInjustice: Gods Among Usvia the Hall of Justice stage.

Merchandise

• Atom Smasher received an action figure inMattel'sJustice League Unlimitedtoylinein the summer of 2005.
• In February 2009, Atom Smasher received aCollect-and-Connectfigure of theDC Universe Classicsline.
• In December 2023, Australia'sNational Basketball League(NBL) held an event called the "DC Multiverse Round",wherein the teams wore stylized jerseys based on DC Comics characters, which were also made available to the public.Atom Smasher was featured on the Perth Wildcats' jersey.

External links

• Atom Smasherat Comic Vine