Atomic Skull | |
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![]() The Albert Michaels incarnation of Atomic Skull as depicted in Who's Who in the DC Universe #1 (March 1985). Art by Curt 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):
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The Atomic Skull is a supervillain in American comic books published by DC Comics, commonly as an enemy of Superman. [1] The character first appeared in 1978.
The Albert Michaels version of the Atomic Skull first appeared in Superman #323 (May 1978), and was created by Martin Pasko and Curt Swan. [2]
The Joseph Martin version of the Atomic Skull first appeared in The Adventures of Superman #483, and was created by Roger Stern and Bob McLeod.
Albert Michaels is a brilliant, but unfriendly scientist-administrator at S.T.A.R. Labs with a rare nervous system disorder that short-circuits the electrical impulses in his brain, creating painful and uncontrollable seizures. After failing to find a cure, Michaels secretly contacts the criminal organization SKULL, who give him a radium-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 blames on Superman after he captures the scientists who could have cured him. Swearing revenge, Michaels becomes the Atomic Skull and eventually assumes leadership of SKULL. Michaels also appears in the miniseries Villains United , where he joins Lex Luthor's Secret Society of Super Villains. [4]
Student Joseph Martin is at S.T.A.R. Labs for a routine check-up when it was struck by an intense blast of energy from the Dominators' gene-bomb that gave him superhuman strength and the ability to generate radiation. Martin is later attacked by thugs and sustains brain damage that causes him to assume the persona of the Atomic Skull, the protagonist of a film serial that he loved. Martin battles Superman and Lois Lane, who he respectively believes to be the villain Doctor Electron and the Atomic Skull's love interest, Zelda Wentworth. [5]
During the Underworld Unleashed event, Martin is given enhanced powers by the demon Neron in exchange for his soul. [6] Cured of his delusions, he intends to become a genuine superhero, but has since returned to being a villain.
In The New 52 continuity reboot, Joseph Martin is re-introduced in Action Comics Annual #1, written by Max Landis. [7] This version is a S.T.A.R. Labs scientist who gained superpowers after being exposed to experimental radiation during a submarine crash. Martin is stranded on a remote island, which he eventually destroys after remembering that he murdered his wife after seeing her flirt with someone at a dance club. [8] [9]
In Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #45, Martin appears as the warden of Stryker's Island Penitentiary. [10]
Albert Michaels can deliver powerful energy bolts through the visor of his mask. These blasts have been described as unique brainwaves, 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. [11]
Joseph Martin has immense strength, stamina, and durability, comparable to that of Superboy (Kon-El), Superman, and Lar Gand. He can also project blasts of purple atomic energy from his hands or mouth. [12]
An alternate universe variant of Joseph Martin / Atomic Skull appears in Flashpoint as an inmate of the Doom prison. [13]
An unidentified alternate universe variant of Red Skull appears in Superman: Red Son #3. This version was created by Lex Luthor in an unsuccessful attempt to kill Superman. [14]
The Joseph Martin incarnation of the Atomic Skull appears as a character summon in Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure . [17]
The Albert Michaels incarnation of the Atomic Skull appears in a special one-shot for the Young Justice tie-in comic book published for Free Comic Book Day. [18]