| Atomic Skull | |
|---|---|
.jpg) The Albert Michaels incarnation of Atomic Skull as depicted inWho's Who in the DC Universe #1 (March 1985). Art byCurt Swan. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | (Albert Michaels) Superman #303 (September 1976) (Michaels as the Atomic Skull) Superman #323 (May 1978) (Joseph Martin) The Adventures of Superman #483 (October 1991) (Martin as the Atomic Skull) Action Comics #670 (October 1991) |
| Created by | (Albert Michaels) Gerry Conway Curt Swan (Joseph Martin) Roger Stern Bob McLeod |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Albert Michaels Joseph Martin |
| Species | Metahuman |
| Team affiliations | (Albert Michaels) SKULL S.T.A.R. Labs Secret Society of Super Villains Injustice League (Joseph Martin) Secret Society of Super Villains |
| Notable aliases | (Joseph Martin) Skull |
| Abilities | (Both):
(Albert Michaels):
(Joseph Martin):
|
TheAtomic Skull is asupervillain inAmerican comic books published byDC Comics, commonly as an enemy ofSuperman.[1] The character first appeared in 1978.
The first Atomic Skull isS.T.A.R. Labs scientist administratorAlbert Michaels who used a radium-powered device designed to harness his neural disorder.
The second Atomic Skull is a student namedJoseph Martin who gained his powers when theDominators detonated a gene bomb.
The Albert Michaels version of the Atomic Skull first appeared inSuperman #323 (May 1978), and was created byMartin Pasko andCurt Swan.[2]
The Joseph Martin version of the Atomic Skull first appeared inThe Adventures of Superman #483, and was created byRoger Stern andBob McLeod.
Albert Michaels is a brilliant, but unfriendly scientist-administrator atS.T.A.R. Labs with a rare nervous system disorder that short-circuits the electrical impulses in his brain, giving him painful and uncontrollableseizures. After failing to find a cure, Michaels secretly contacts the criminal organizationSKULL, who give him aradium-powered device designed to harness his neural disorder into deadly atomic "brain-blasts" in exchange for him becoming their agent.[3] However, these mental blasts are difficult to control and only worsen Michaels' condition, a situation that he blamed onSuperman after the Man of Steel captured the scientists who could have cured him. Swearing revenge, Michaels dons a distinctive yellow and green costume, dubs himself the Atomic Skull, and eventually becomes the leader of SKULL. He utilizes a sleek skull-shapedhovercraft and is assisted by his lover Felicia, an artificially evolved panther.
FollowingCrisis on Infinite Earths, Michaels made one appearance, battlingThunder and Lightning inTeen Titans Spotlight. It is assumed that his background has not changed, although instead of being diagnosed with a nervous disorder, it was said that his powers came because he sought immortality and mutated himself.[4]
Michaels returned in 2007 inBirds of Prey.[5] He also appeared in the miniseriesVillains United during the "Infinite Crisis" storyline, where he joinedAlexander Luthor Jr.'sSecret Society of Super Villains.[6]
In 2011,The New 52 rebooted the DC universe. Albert Michaels is re-introduced inAction Comics Annual #1, written byMax Landis.[7] When a S.T.A.R. Labs submarine crashes underwater, one of its scientists is exposed to experimental radiation. He is washed to shore, with memories of the life he had, and the woman he loved and lost. Alone on a desert island, he fights to survive, eating the local, tropical vegetation. When a leopard finds and attacks him, he unexpectedly emits a blast of radiation that vaporizes its body. Eventually, he learns to use this power to his benefit, killing animals for food, and blasting away holes in the rock faces for shelter. The radiation soon takes its toll on him, as he remembers how he had caught his wife flirting with someone at a dance club and murdered her in a jealous rage. In anger, he destroys most of the island. His face melts away, revealing his radioactive skull.[8][9]
After a fight with Superman, Michaels was given a job at the Metropolis Police Department. He assists Superman in apprehending Shockwave.[10]
In 2016, DC Comics implemented a relaunch of its books called "DC Rebirth", which restored its continuity to a form much as it was prior to The New 52. Atomic Skull is seen imprisoned in Kamen Maximum Security Prison.[11]
The Atomic Skull is shown trying to make amends by being the warden atStryker's Island. He battlesHector Hammond whenHal Jordan attempts to free him from prison. Hammond renders Atomic Skull temporarily brain dead using his psychic powers, but Jordan convinces him to let Atomic Skull live.[12]
Student Joseph Martin is at S.T.A.R. Labs for a routine check-up when the site is struck by an intense blast of energy from theDominators' gene-bomb, giving him superhuman strength and causing his flesh to become invisible. Later attacked by some thugs, the resulting brain damage causes Martin to become insane and assume the guise of "the Atomic Skull", a hero from an oldmovie serial that he loved. He also emits dangerous amounts of radiation, later gaining the ability to project it as energy blasts. He has plagued Superman, whom he believed to be the serial's villain Doctor Electron (particularly when Superman acquired electricity-based powers), andLois Lane, whom he saw as the Skull's love interest, Zelda Wentworth.[13]
During the "Underworld Unleashed" storyline, Atomic Skull is given enhanced powers by the demonNeron in exchange for his soul. Cured of his delusions, he at first intends to follow the character's example for real as a superhero, but has since appeared as a more conventional supervillain.[14]
Atomic Skull is killed in battle by the Maximums,[15] an alternate reality superhero team, but is later seen alive in the pages ofAction Comics. It is implied thatMister Mxyzptlk reversed his death, along with other events involving the Maximums.[16]
Martin later crashes a movie premiere inHollywood, having become obsessed with an actress who was in the film. He was defeated byManhunter.[17]
Martin is among the villains who participate in an ambush on theJSA led byTapeworm.[18]
While Superman isoff-world, Martin attempts to cause trouble in downtown Metropolis, but is defeated byMon-El.[19]
Albert Michaels can deliver powerful energy bolts through the visor of his mask. These blasts have been described as uniquebrainwaves, heat vision, and radioactive energy throughout the years. Beside from his energy attacks, Michaels is an experienced leader of the SKULL organization and a brilliant scientist.[20]
Joseph Martin has immense strength, stamina, and durability, comparable to that ofSuperboy (Kon-El), Superman, andLar Gand. He can also project blasts of purple atomic energy from his hands or mouth.[21]
An alternate universe variant of Joseph Martin / Atomic Skull appears inFlashpoint as an inmate of the Doom prison.[22]
An unidentified alternate universe variant of Red Skull appears inSuperman: Red Son #3. This version was created byLex Luthor in an unsuccessful attempt to kill Superman.[23]
The Joseph Martin incarnation of the Atomic Skull appears as a character summon inScribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.[26]
The Albert Michaels incarnation of the Atomic Skull appears in a special one-shot for theYoung Justice tie-in comic book published forFree Comic Book Day.[27]
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