| Atom | |
|---|---|
.png) Al Pratt / Atom as depicted inAdventure Comics vol. 2 #1 (May 1999). Art byDave Johnson. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | All-American Comics #19 (October 1940) |
| Created by |
|
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Albert "Al" Pratt |
| Species | Metahuman |
| Team affiliations | Justice Society of America All-Star Squadron Black Lantern Corps |
| Abilities |
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Albert "Al"Pratt is a fictional character appearing inAmerican comic books published byDC Comics. He is the first character to use the nameAtom. He initially had no superpowers and was originally adiminutive college student and later a physicist, usually depicted as a "tough-guy" character.[1] Al Pratt is also the father ofDamage and godfather ofAtom Smasher.
The character made his live-action debut in the television seriesSmallville, played by Glenn Hoffman.Henry Winklercameoed as the character in theDC Extended Universe filmBlack Adam (2022).
The Atom first appeared inAll-American Comics #19 (October 1940) and was created by writer Bill O'Connor and artist Ben Flinton.[2] The character continued to appear on and off through issue #72 (April 1946). In 1947, the Atom moved fromAll-American Comics toFlash Comics with issue #80 (February 1947), and continued until issue #104 (February 1949).[3]
In winter 1940, the Atom also began appearing inAll Star Comics as a member of theJustice Society of America, beginning with issue #3. He continued with that team until issue #57 (February 1951).[3]
Initially a proverbial 98-pound weakling, bullied at school and unable to impress the girl of his dreams, Mary James, the 5 ft 1 in (1.55 m) Al Pratt was trained to fighting condition by ex-boxer Joe Morgan (the same man who trained Pratt's fellow mystery menWildcat and theGuardian). Pratt soon became a founding member of theJustice Society of America, appearing in the team's various stories during their originalGolden Age appearances. InAll Star Comics #3 (Winter 1940), the Atom describes himself to his fellow JSAers as "Al Pratt, a quietsophomore at Calvin College". He later became a founding and active member of theAll-Star Squadron. DuringWorld War II, Pratt served as atank driver for theUnited States Army.[1]
According toJess Nevins' Encyclopedia of Golden Age Superheroes, the Atom "fights the Emperor of America, agents of the Black Dragon Society, and the Carnival of Crime, in addition to the Cootie Gang, Mandini the Magician and the scavenger Undersea Raiders".[4]
In 1948, the Atom gained super strength as a result of the latent effects of his 1942 battle with the reluctant supervillainCyclotron (after whose costume Pratt redesigned his own). It was later revealed that he had taken partial custodianship of Cyclotron's daughter, Terri.
Pratt's last Golden Age appearance was inAll Star Comics #57 in 1951, also the last Golden Age Justice Society story. Later it was revealed that a special Senate investigation panel had moved to obtain the identities of all active superheroes, at which point virtually all members of the Justice Society retired. At this point in his life, as depicted inJSA #70, Pratt was engaged to Mary James, leading to their marriage at an undefined point in time (as confirmed byJustice Society of America: The Kingdom Special and others).
Pratt was revived with the rest of the team in 1963 inThe Flash #137, and continued to make various appearances in the years that followed.
The Atom comic book, showcasing the adventures ofRay Palmer, brought the Atom of Earth-2 together with the Atom of Earth-1. Issue #29 (1967) depicts Al Pratt as living in Calvin City and as being a professor at Calvin College; he also possesses a modified automobile that transforms from an ordinary convertible to theAtomobile. In the story, Palmer builds a "special dimensional vibrator" that allows travel between universe. In issue #36 (1968), Pratt is a professor of nuclear physics at Calvin College and has a dimensional vibrator integrated into his belt.[5]
The Atom's status with the Justice Society of America was as a reserve member up until after the formation ofInfinity, Inc. InLast Days of the Justice Society Special (1986), the Society enter a magical limbo to stopRagnarök.
The 1992 miniseriesArmageddon: Inferno brings Al Pratt and the other members of the JSA back into the post-Crisis continuity, with Pratt being depicted as short, stocky, balding, and about 60 years old.[6]
InZero Hour: Crisis in Time!, Atom is killed byExtant.[7][8] He has largely remained dead since, but was temporarily resurrected in theBlackest Night event as aBlack Lantern.[9][10]
In the 1980s, Al Pratt's godson Al Rothstein was introduced; he was known as the superhero Nuklon (later changing his name toAtom Smasher), first appearing as a member ofInfinity, Inc.[11]
In 1994, it is revealed that Pratt has a son named Grant Emerson, who becomes the superheroDamage.[12]
Pratt appears as a spirit in the 2024 seriesJSA, where he and several other deceased JSA members tellKid Eternity that the JSA is in danger and that they will need her help.[13]
During his early days ofcrime fighting, Al Pratt possessed nometahuman abilities, but was a formidable boxer, expert physicist, and superb athlete.[14] After being bombarded by Cyclotron's energies, Pratt gained immense strength, stamina, durability, and speed, as well as the ability to focus radioactive energy into a punch. In addition, the Atom has resistance to certain types of radiation.[15] He also gainedeternal youth after the battle withIan Karkull.[16]
Al Pratt appears inBlack Adam, portrayed byHenry Winkler.[22] This version is Albert Rothstein's uncle and a former member of theJustice Society who previously operated asAtom Smasher before passing the mantle to him.[23]
Al Pratt / Atom appears as a character summon inScribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.[24]
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