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Ray, there's so little time... so much I need to say. I want you to help your mother... and always remember, son... I love you very much.
David Palmer src

David Palmer (a.k.a. Jack Palmer) was the father of Ray Palmer, the Atom.

Earth-One

During the 1938 New England hurricane, Palmer was experimenting with a weather balloon when he saved a young woman name Mary from drowning. Unknown to Palmer, he had help from his time-traveling future son with Mary, the Atom.[2]

Post-Crisis

David Palmer died of cancer while Ray was a teenager.[3]

Post-Infinite Crisis

While recovering from a stroke, Jack Palmer was taken hostage by the Colony to force his son the Atom to hand over his stash of white dwarf star matter to the Colony.[4]


Weaknesses


  • Although this character was originally introduced during DC's Earth-One era of publication, their existence following the events of the 1985–86 limited series Crisis on Infinite Earths remains intact. However, some elements of the character's Pre-Crisis history may have been altered or removed for Post-Crisis New Earth continuity, and should be considered apocryphal.
  • Pre-Crisis, Ray Palmer's father made only one appearance, in which his first name was not revealed. That appearance was also in a time travel story, set before Ray was born.[2]
  • Post-Crisis, Ray Palmer's father was given the name David Palmer and it was revealed he died when Ray was a teenager.[3]
  • After changes to reality caused by Infinite Crisis, Ray Palmer's father was renamed Jack Douglas Palmer, and he was still alive in the present day.[5]
  • His tombstone gives his lifespan as 1922–1968. While the actual years should not be considered canon, it does show he died at the approximate age of 46 (before his death was erased by Infinite Crisis).[6]

Related

Footnotes