Atlas (DC Comics)

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Atlas
1st Issue Special 01.jpg
Atlas as seen on the cover of 1st Issue Special (April 1975).
Publication information
Publisher DC Comics
First appearance 1st Issue Special #1 (April 1975)
Created by Jack Kirby
In-story information
Alter egoAtlas
Species Human (empowered)
Team affiliations Justice League
AbilitiesSuperhuman strength and invulnerability

Atlas is the name of several characters appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The first Atlas is a superhero and antihero who debuted in 1st Issue Special #1 (April 1975) and was created by Jack Kirby.

Contents

Publication history

The first Golden Age version of a character named Atlas in DC Comics appeared in Action Comics #121 (June 1948). [1] The second appearance of an Atlas was in Action Comics #320 (January 1965). [2] The third was in Action Comics #353 (August 1967). [3]

The Jack Kirby Atlas' first and only appearance prior to Superman #677 was in 1st Issue Special #1. [4] James Robinson brought Atlas back in Superman #678. According to Robinson, "Atlas is going to have humanity. The way I like to look at him is like in the Marvel Universe, Namor is a hero but he really skates the fine line between being a hero and a villain, but he stays on the side of the hero. Atlas, skates that line between hero and villain but he ultimately always falls on the villain side." [5]

One of the earlier characters named Atlas re-appeared in Grant Morrison's All-Star Superman , where a version of Atlas appears in issue #3. This Atlas is more closely based on the mythological figure of Atlas and competes with Superman and Samson to "win" Lois Lane, similar to the story in Action Comics #320 from January 1965.

Fictional character biography

Titan version

The first Atlas is based on the Greek mythological figure, a Titan who was forced to support the Earth as punishment for his participation in the Titanomachy. When Wonder Woman is on Mount Olympus with Hermes during the "War of the Gods" storyline, Hercules helps to protect Themyscira. Atlas is now carrying Themyscira on his shoulders, but struggles to do so, causing earthquakes throughout Themyscira. [6] Atlas is also one of the deities who empower Captain Marvel, providing him with superhuman stamina. [7]

Atlas I

Atlas' family and people were slain by the raiders of Hyssa the Lizard King. Atlas was raised by a wise and mysterious traveller named Chagra. Because of an alien crystal carried by Atlas, Chagra theorized that Atlas was one of the people of the Crystal Mountain. Chagra agrees to help Atlas achieve his revenge, but only if Atlas leads him to the Crystal Mountain. Atlas grows up to become a protector of the innocent, but once Hyssa was defeated, his petulance and darker nature come to the forefront. [4] [8]

Atlas returns in Superman #677 as part of The Coming of Atlas storyline. He is working with a secret government project that intends to kill Superman. Atlas wants to defeat Superman and replace him as Metropolis' champion on his way to conquer the modern world. He fights the Science Police and Superman. [9] Atlas holds the upper hand on Superman for most of the battle, but is defeated after Superman is magically enhanced by Zachary Zatara. Atlas' return and fight with Superman were intended to test Project 7734, a government project that utilizes magic in an effort to kill Superman. [10] [11]

Atlas is later kidnapped and brainwashed by an unknown party and forced to fight the Justice League. [12]

A.T.L.A.S.

A new incarnation of Atlas inspired by the Teen Titans version, whose name is an acronym for Automated Titanium Lethal Attack Sentry, appears in the "Dawn of DC" Cyborg miniseries. [13]

Powers and abilities

The first Atlas has super-strength and invulnerability.

Other versions

An alternate universe variant of Atlas appears in Kingdom Come .

In other media

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Action Comics #121 - Is Atlas Stronger Than Superman? You'll Find the Answer in This Exciting Adventure: Superman Vs. Atlas! (Issue)". Comic Vine. April 21, 1948. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Action Comics #320 - The Three Super-Enemies! / The Man Who Broke Supergirl's Heart (Issue)". Comic Vine. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
  3. ↑ "Action Comics #353 - The Battle of the Gods!; The Cosmic Collectors! (Issue)". Comic Vine. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
  4. 1 2 1st Issue Special #1 (April 1975)
  5. ↑ "Golden Age James Robinson II: Superman". Comic Book Resources . May 23, 2008. Archived from the original on June 20, 2016. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
  6. ↑ Wonder Woman (vol. 2) #58 (September 1991)
  7. ↑ Whiz Comics #2 (February 1940)
  8. ↑ Wallace, Dan (2008), "Atlas", in Dougall, Alastair (ed.), The DC Comics Encyclopedia, London: Dorling Kindersley, p. 29, ISBN   978-0-7566-4119-1
  9. ↑ Superman #677-679 (August–October 2008)
  10. ↑ Greenberger, Robert; Pasko, Martin (2010). The Essential Superman Encyclopedia. Del Rey. p. 17. ISBN   978-0-345-50108-0.
  11. ↑ Superman: Secret Files 2009 #1 (October 2009)
  12. ↑ Justice League of America (vol. 2) #42 (April 2010)
  13. ↑ Cyborg (vol. 3) #3 (November 2023)
  14. ↑ "Atlas Voice - Teen Titans (TV Show)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved July 13, 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.
  15. ↑ "Atlas Voice - All-Star Superman (Movie)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved July 13, 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.
  16. ↑ Eisen, Andrew (October 2, 2013). "DC Characters and Objects - Scribblenauts Unmasked Guide". IGN . Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  17. ↑ "Teen Titans Go! #20 - Secret Moves (Issue)". Comic Vine . Retrieved July 13, 2024.
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