Cyclotron (character)

Cyclotron
The Terry Curtis incarnation of Cyclotron as depicted in Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe #5 (July 1985). Art by Jerry Ordway.
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
First appearance	Terry Curtis: Action Comics #21 (1940) as Cyclotron: All Star Squadron #21 (1983)
Created by	Terry Curtis: Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster Cyclotron: Roy Thomas
In-story information
Alter ego	Terrence Kurtzberger
Species	Metahuman
Abilities	Superhuman strength Flight Atomic manipulation

Cyclotron is the name of two different characters appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Though a minor character, he holds an important place in the history of the Justice Society as a source of power and inspiration for both the Atom and Atom Smasher.

Publication history

Terry Curtis was originally an obscure one-shot Superman character in Action Comics #21 (1940) who was a scientist who was kidnapped by Ultra-Humanite and forced to build an "atomic disintegrator".

Roy Thomas reinvented the character as Cyclotron, a reluctant supervillain, in All-Star Squadron #21 (1983) from DC Comics. He was one of the few original villains retroactively added to DC's Golden Age era in the series.

Fictional character biography

Terry Curtis

Terry Curtis is an atomic scientist who the Ultra-Humanite kidnaps and experiments on, giving him superhuman abilities. ^[1] While battling the All-Star Squadron, Curtis exposes Atom to large amounts of radiation, which eventually gives him superpowers. Curtis is killed while attempting to stop the Ultra-Humanite, with the Atom adopting a costume based on his. ^[2] Curtis' daughter Terri eventually has a son, Albert, who gains superpowers from her and Terry's exposure to radiation.

Cyclotron II

A new incarnation of Cyclotron named Clarence Simms appears in "DC Rebirth". He is a member of the Suicide Squad before Amanda Waller kills him for attempting to betray her. ^[3]

Powers and abilities

The first Cyclotron has immense strength, the ability to fly, project blasts of atomic energy, and manipulate matter on a molecular level. He can even sap his opponent's physique by touching them. He additionally possesses expertise in science. ^[4]

The second Cyclotron is capable of generating energy.

In other media

• An original incarnation of Cyclotron appears in the Super Powers Collection action figure line and its tie-in comic. This version, also known as Alex LeWitt, is an android built by Superman who has knowledge of every superhero and supervillain, can perform a powerful "twister punch", and is mostly incapable of independent thought.
• A figure of Cyclotron was released in the DC Universe Classics line in April 2010.

References

1. Action Comics #21. DC Comics.
2. All-Star Squadron #21. DC Comics.
3. Suicide Squad #9. DC Comics.
4. Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe Vol 1 #5 (July 1985)

External links

• Cyclotron at Comic Vine