Atlas (DC Comics)

Infobox comics character


imagesize = 250
converted = y
caption = Cover of "First Issue Special" #1,
artist Jack Kirby
character_name = Atlas
real_name =
publisher = DC Comics
debut = "1st Issue Special" #1
(April 1975)
creators = Jack Kirby (writer & artist)
Base of operations =
alter_ego = Atlas
full_name =
species =
homeworld =
alliances =
partners =
supports =
aliases =
powers = superhuman strength and invulnerability.
cat = supervillains
subcat = DC Comics
hero = n
sortkey = Atlas

"Atlas" is a fictional character published by DC Comics. He first debuted in "1st Issue Special" #1, (April 1975), and was created by Jack Kirby.

Publication history

The character of Atlas' first and only appearance prior to Superman #677 was in 1st Issue Special #1. [As seen in 1st Issue Special #1 (April 1975)] 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." He continued to say that Atlas will become a major player in the Superman mythos moving forward and there will be some real twists to the character. [http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=16541]

Fictional character biography

Origin

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 grew up to become a protector of the innocent, but once King Hyssa was defeated, his petulance and darker nature came to the fore. [As seen in 1st Issue Special #1 (April 1975)] Citation | last = Wallace | first = Dan | author-link = | contribution = Atlas | editor-last = Dougall | editor-first = Alastair | title = The DC Comics Encyclopedia | pages = 29 | publisher = Dorling Kindersley | place = London | year = 2008 | ISBN = 0-7566-4119-5]

Return

Atlas returns in Superman #677, and his origin is retold in issue #678 where he is seen saving citizens of Metropolis he himself had endangered. He later fights the Science Police and Superman. [As seen in Superman #677-679 (2008)]

Powers and abilities

According to his updated origin, Atlas' strength and agility derive from the glowing alien crystal he took from the Crystal Mountain. Originally he carried the crystal or wore it close to his body, later Chagra found a way to have Atlas absorb the crystal into his body, this process also caused Atlas to become unstuck in time.

Other versions

*A character resembling Atlas appeared in Kingdom Come #2 (May 1996). This version of Atlas, was included in the Kingdom Come card, wherein he is described as a "legendary demigod figure".

*In Grant Morrison's All Star Superman, a version of Atlas appears in issue 6.

References

External links

* [http://www.dcuguide.com/who.php?name=atlas2 DCU Guide: Atlas]
* [http://members.aol.com/censulj/dcu/Atlas2B.htm Cosmic Teams: Atlas]
* [http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=16541 CBR: James Robinson Interview]