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| CurrentAlias = Captain Atom
 
| CurrentAlias = Captain Atom
 
| Aliases = [[Monarch]], [[Allen Adam]], [[Cameron Scott]]
 
| Aliases = [[Monarch]], [[Allen Adam]], [[Cameron Scott]]
| Identity = Secret
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| Identity = Public
 
| Alignment = Good
 
| Alignment = Good
| Affiliation = [[Justice League]], [[Extreme Justice]], [[Super Buddies]], [[Living Assault Weapons]], [[Monarch's Army]], United States Air Force
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| Affiliation = [[Justice League of America (New Earth)|Justice League]], [[Extreme Justice]], [[Super Buddies (New Earth)|Super Buddies]], [[Living Assault Weapons]], [[Monarch's Army]], [[United States Air Force]]
| Relatives = [[Angela Adam (New Earth)|Angela Adam Eiling]] (wife, deceased), [[Margaret Adam (New Earth)|Peggy Eiling]] (daughter), [[Randall Adam (New Earth)|Randy Eiling]] (son); [[Bette Sans Souci (New Earth)|Bette Sans Souci]] (ex-wife, divorced)
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| Relatives = [[Angela Randall (New Earth)|Angela Adam Eiling]] (wife, deceased)<br>[[Margaret Adam (New Earth)|Peggy Eiling]] (daughter)<br>[[Randall Adam (New Earth)|Randy Eiling]] (son)<br>[[Bette Sans Souci (New Earth)|Bette Sans Souci]] (ex-wife, divorced)<br>Peggy Ann (sister, deceased)<ref>{{c|Captain Atom Vol 2 56}}</ref>
 
| Universe = New Earth
 
| Universe = New Earth
 
| BaseOfOperations =
 
| BaseOfOperations =
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| PlaceOfBirth =
 
| PlaceOfBirth =
| Creators = Cary Bates; Greg Weisman; Pat Broderick
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| Creators = Joe Gill; Steve Ditko
| First = Captain Atom #1
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| First = Captain Atom Vol 2 #1
 
| Last =
 
| Last =
   
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| QuoteSource = Captain Atom: Armageddon Vol 1 1
 
| QuoteSource = Captain Atom: Armageddon Vol 1 1
   
| HistoryText = Nathaniel Christopher Adam, alias '''Captain Atom''' was a United States Air Force officer of the Vietnam War era. Adam had been framed for a crime he didn't commit and sentenced to death under the watch of Col. [[Wade Eiling (New Earth)|Wade Eiling]] in 1968. As an alternative to execution, he was invited to participate in a military experiment with little chance of survival, in exchange for a presidential pardon. The experiment involved testing the hull of a crashed alien ship's durability by exploding a super nuclear bomb under it. Adam survived as the metal melted into his body and the excess energy threw him forward in time nearly twenty years (not incidentally, this coating with alien metal gave the revised character a full-body silvered metal look distinctly different from his previous incarnations).
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| HistoryText = Nathaniel Adam was a United States Air Force officer during the Vietnam War era. He was framed for a crime he didn't commit and sentenced to death under the watch of Col. [[Wade Eiling (New Earth)|Wade Eiling]] in 1968. To avoid execution, he was invited to participate in a military experiment with little chance of survival, with the promise of a presidential pardon should he survive. The experiment involved testing the hull of a crashed alien ship's durability by exploding a super nuclear bomb under it while Adam was in the ship. Against the odds, Adam survived, the alien metal melding with his body, while the excess energy threw him forward in time nearly twenty years.
   
 
[[File:Captain Atom 001.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Original Appearance]]
 
[[File:Captain Atom 001.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Original Appearance]]
   
Regaining coherence in 1986, Adam found himself a man out of his time and in the hands of Eiling, now a general and the second husband of Adam's now-deceased wife. Everyone had assumed that Nathaniel Adam had died on the day of the experiment, so his presidential pardon was never issued and the current government refused to acknowledge the previous administration's promised pardon. Seizing the opportunity at hand, the government used the outstanding murder/treason charges against Adam to blackmail him into being a government-controlled superhero (codenamed Captain Atom). And in keeping Adam's true origin a secret, the government gave him an origin and he was assigned the alias of Cameron Scott, an Air Force intelligence operative. It was during this time he met the superpowered terrorist, [[Bette Sans Souci (New Earth)|Plastique]], who would become a recurring part of Nathaniel's life.
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Regaining coherence in 1986, Adam found himself a man out of his time and back in the hands of Eiling, now a general and the second husband of Adam's now-deceased wife. Everyone had assumed Adam had died during the experiment, so his presidential pardon was never issued and the current government refused to acknowledge the previous administration's promise. Seizing the opportunity at hand, the government used the outstanding murder/treason charges against Adam to blackmail him into being a government-controlled superhero codenamed Captain Atom. The government gave him a false origin for use in public and assigned him the alias of Cameron Scott, an Air Force intelligence operative. It was during this time he met the superpowered terrorist [[Bette Sans Souci (New Earth)|Plastique]], who would become a recurring part of Adam's life.
   
 
As Captain Atom, Adam served under Eiling reluctantly until he succeeded in clearing his name. Eventually, Atom rebelled against Eiling, resigned from the Air Force and found some fulfilment as an actual superhero. Captain Atom joined the [[Justice League]] at the request of the U.S. government, eventually serving as leader of [[Justice League Europe]]. During his career, he had a brief romance with [[Catherine Cobert (New Earth)|Catherine Cobert]], developed a friendly rivalry with [[Firestorm]], become involved with and eventually married to Plastique (ironically, a one-time Firestorm foe), battled [[Clifford Zmeck (New Earth)|Major Force]] (his would-be successor), learned basic heroics from [[Bruce Wayne (New Earth)|Batman]] when he briefly lost access to the Quantum Field, and commanded the metahuman forces during the [[Invasion!|alien invasion of the Alliance]].
Upon his initial return from the Quantum Field, Nathaniel Adam was the classic "man out of his time". Early conflicts involved him coming to terms with his lost time with his children (who were now close to his current age as a result of the time jump), the death of his wife (who had married his nemesis Eiling prior to dying), and the overall ramifications of his newly acquired powers.
 
 
Atom/Adam served under Eiling reluctantly, while succeeding in clearing his name. Eventually, Atom rebelled against Eiling, resigned from the Air Force and found some fulfillment as an actual superhero. Captain Atom joined the [[Justice League]] at the request of the U.S. government, eventually serving as leader of [[Justice League Europe]]. During his career, he had a brief romance with [[Catherine Cobert (New Earth)|Catherine Cobert]], developed a friendly "rivalry" with [[Firestorm]], become involved with and eventually married to Plastique (ironically, a one-time Firestorm foe), battled [[Clifford Zmeck (New Earth)|Major Force]] (his would-be successor), learned basic heroics from [[Bruce Wayne (New Earth)|Batman]] when he briefly lost access to the Quantum Field, and commanded the metahuman forces during the [[Invasion!|alien invasion of the Alliance]].
 
   
 
===Armageddon 2001 and Beyond===
 
===Armageddon 2001 and Beyond===
 
{{main|Armageddon 2001}}
 
{{main|Armageddon 2001}}
Atom encountered [[Matthew Ryder (Armageddon 2001)|Matthew Ryder (Waverider)]], who was trying to foresee which hero who will become the [[Monarch]], in which Ryder accidentally comes into physical contact with Captain Atom, unleashing a storm of temporal energy that opens a gate to the future through which Monarch emerges. After Monarch was killed by [[Henry Hall (New Earth)|Henry Hall (Hawk)]], and was revealed to be the Monarch of the future, Atom battled Hall. However, the battle caused Atom's energy and Monarch's suit to clash, creating a portal that sent them both back in time to the middle of the Triassic Era.
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Atom encountered [[Matthew Ryder (Armageddon 2001)|Waverider]] during the latter's mission to discover which contemporary hero would become [[Monarch]] in the future. Atom's interaction with Waverider unleashed a storm of temporal energy that opened a gate to the future through which Monarch emerged, entering the present. Monarch battled Atom and other heroes before kidnapping and killing [[Dawn Granger (New Earth)|Dove]], an act which drove her partner [[Henry Hall (New Earth)|Hawk]] mad enough to kill Monarch in revenge, at the same time revealing that he, Hawk, was Monarch. In a final battle Atom's energy and Monarch's suit clashed and created a portal that sent them both back in time to the middle of the Triassic Era.
  +
  +
After being thrown back to the age of the dinosaurs, Atom and Monarch encountered hostile aliens who attempted to enlist each one separately and without the other's knowledge, to assist them in destroying the Milky Way Galaxy for their own ends. Each time Atom and Monarch battled, they would be thrown forward in time until, defeating the aliens' plans, Captain Atom eventually returned to the present, while Monarch's fate was unknown.
   
After being thrown back to the age of the dinosaurs, Atom and Monarch continued battling through time and encountering hostile aliens who attempted to enlist each one separately and without the other's knowledge, to assist them in destroying the Milky Way Galaxy for their own ends. The two defeated the aliens' plans, and Captain Atom eventually returned to the present, Monarch's fate unknown. Captain Atom then returned to the League, founding an offshoot team, [[Extreme Justice]] in 1995. Whilst leading Extreme Justice, Captain Atom came across another version of Monarch, this one claiming to be the real Nathaniel Adam, though it is later revealed that this "Nathaniel Adam" is a copy of Adam created by Hank Hall as a side-effect of the process that trapped him in the timestream after his and Atom's adventures in the past.
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Captain Atom briefly worked for the government again, heading the Peacekeepers team before founding an offshoot team, [[Extreme Justice]], after the events of [[Zero Hour]]. While leading Extreme Justice, Captain Atom came across another version of Monarch, this one claiming to be the real Nathaniel Adam, though it was later revealed that this "Nathaniel Adam" was a copy created by Hank Hall as a side-effect of the process that trapped him in the timestream after his and Atom's adventures in the past.
   
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Following the breakup of Extreme Justice, Atom teamed up with [[Ted Kord (New Earth)|Blue Beetle]] and others as a member of [[L.A.W.]] before later joining several former members of the Justice League as the [[Super Buddies]].
The real Captain Atom meets Hank Hall and trains him to manipulate the quantum field, enough to allow Hall to gain powers of time travel and escape back into the timestream. In return for helping him escape, Hall sends the Monarch armor back to Nathaniel Adam in the Quantum Field. Later in 1999, Atom was a member of the group [[L.A.W.]] In 2003, he again teamed up with several former members of the Justice League as the "[[Super Buddies]]". Around this time, various adventures reintroduced Atom's conflict between his role in the superhero community and his responsibilities as a government agent.
 
   
At some point, Atom's marriage to Plastique ended in separation/divorce due to irreconcilable differences, mostly about political views, between them. Plastique has reappeared as a villainess again, undoing her reformation into a heroine.
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At some point, Atom's marriage to Plastique ended in separation/divorce due to irreconcilable differences, mostly about political views, between them. Plastique has reappeared as a villain again, undoing her reformation into a heroine.
   
Captain Atom returned to his roots, going back to work for the government, this time for President [[Alexander Luthor (New Earth)|Lex Luthor]]. Atom seemingly sacrificed his life to save [[Kal-El (New Earth)|Superman]] and Earth by piloting a starship to destroy a [[kryptonite]] meteor, but as it had previously been established that this type of accident could not kill him, he soon returned to life.<ref>{{c|Superman/Batman #6}}</ref> Captain Atom survived the collision with the kryptonite meteor, but after absorbing massive amounts of radiation and becoming a supervillain described as a "Kryptonite Man", the radiation was siphoned out of Captain Atom by a device made by [[Hiro Okamura (New Earth)|Hiro Okamura]] (the new Toyman) which returned Captain Atom to his usual (if somewhat confused) self.<ref>{{c|Superman/Batman #20}}</ref>
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Captain Atom returned to his roots, going back to work for the government, this time for President [[Alexander Luthor (New Earth)|Lex Luthor]]. Atom seemingly sacrificed his life to save [[Kal-El (New Earth)|Superman]] and Earth by crashing a starship into a [[kryptonite]] meteor. The massive release of energy didn't kill him but instead sent him to the [[Wildstorm Universe]].
   
 
===Armageddon and WorldStorm===
 
===Armageddon and WorldStorm===
 
{{main|Captain Atom: Armageddon}}
 
{{main|Captain Atom: Armageddon}}
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Captain Atom found himself both in a world unlike his own where the people fear the super-powered beings, and with a new gold and red look. Following a misunderstanding, Atom fights with [[Majestros (Wildstorm Universe)|Mister Majestic]], before Majestic offers to help him return to his reality. Despite his good intentions, Majestic's technology is unable to send Atom back to his own Earth, forcing Atom to seek help elsewhere.
However, prior to his return to Earth, Captain Atom's sacrifice in space sent him to the [[Wildstorm Universe]].
 
   
 
[[File:Captain Atom (by Gabriele Dell'Otto).jpg|thumb|right|Captain Atom and the [[Angela Spica (Wildstorm Universe)|Engineer]].]]
At the moment of his apparent death, Captain Atom experienced a time-shift, resulting in his arrival in the Wildstorm Universe. Upon crashing into a Manhattan apartment building he met a dying elderly man, who had an association with the [[Adrianna Tereshkova (Wildstorm Universe)|Void]] and remarked to Atom that he "got it too", and find himself in an alter golden colored state (unknown to him that he possessed the fragment of the Void entity that caused his appearance and the chain of events that are about to happen). He quickly gets into a fight with an overzealous [[Majestros (Wildstorm Universe)|Mister Majestic]] and the fight ended with Majestic soundly defeated. Seeing the frightened reactions of onlookers, and puzzling over his own altered appearance, he realizes that he has somehow become trapped on an alternate Earth, one where superheroes are feared by the general populace.<ref>{{c|Captain Atom: Armageddon #1}}</ref> After learning much about this Earth, Captain Atom was approached again by Majestic, who offered to help him instead in finding his way back to his reality. At Majestic's headquarters in Mount Rushmore, Atom was surprise in learning that Majestic has before traveled to his reality by switching places with Superman. After utilizing his Kheran computer technology, Majestic discovered that he can't find a way to transport Atom back to his universe. Atom decided to see if he could get help from other heroes, but Majestic warned him against the idea. He told Nathaniel that some of the other heroes (implicitly [[The Authority]]) were not to be trusted, but Atom decided to take the chance and traveled to Washington D.C. in contacting with the United States government for help.<ref>{{c|Captain Atom: Armageddon #2}}</ref>
 
  +
Approaching the government, Atom is dismayed to find them as impotent and fearful of the super-powered as everyone else. Majestic informs him that Atom's existence will destroy the universe should he remain and Atom's own research backs this up. After learning the Atom unintentionally held part of the Void entity within him, the [[WildC.A.T.s|Wildcats]] attack him until only [[Cole Cash (Wildstorm Universe)|Grifter]] and [[Nikola Hanssen (Wildstorm Universe)|Nikola Hanssen]], the next (reluctant) host of the Void, are left. As Grifter was about to battle him, Captain Atom was taken to the moon through a shift-door, and was met by Authority member the [[Angela Spica (Wildstorm Universe)|Engineer]], who wanted to help him, as her team had been monitoring his actions.
   
  +
Her team, [[The Authority]], attempt to get Captain Atom back home without success. With Atom's consent, the Engineer inserts nanomachines into his body, apparently stabilising him and removing the danger of him destroying the universe. They share a romantic interlude before Atom goes on his way, coming into contact with Nikola Hanssen once more. This time, she turns into the new Void, sparking a panic attack. After calming her down, the Engineer arrived and assumed that Atom had cheated on her; she informed him the danger had not passed and he was still a threat to the universe.
[[File:Captain Atom vs Majestic.jpg|thumb|right|Captain Atom fighting Majestic in response to the Wildstorm heroes' treatment of their Earth's people.]]
 
However, after preventing a nuclear missile from being destroying him and the White House, Captain Atom found that the American government is less potentially limited in helping him, but also learned from the president the reason why every normal human being living in absolute fear of their heroes is due to their unethical self-judgment upon the world. When Majestic tracked Captain Atom to the White House, Atom angrily attacked Majestic for "heroes" like him to dictate their world. Majestic quickly took Captain Atom into submission by throwing him into the Washington Monument, and then fully explained to him that he was destined to destroy the WildStorm universe if he isn't returned to his world. He also told Atom that if he sacrificed himself, he could save everyone. Captain Atom was stunned of this, but was unsure if Majestic's theory is true and decided to prove it with other sources, specifically using the Pentagon's supercomputers. Captain Atom used his powers to access the Pentagon's computers and dismayed in learning that Majestic was telling the truth, and even worse, learning that even if he sacrifices himself, he will still destroy the universe. After returning to the Washington Monument, he was approached by the [[WildC.A.T.s|Wildcats]], who had learned from [[Cole Cash (Wildstorm Universe)|Grifter]] that Atom possessed half of the energy of the Void entity, decided to kill him in order to save their reality's existence.<ref>{{c|Captain Atom: Armageddon #3}}</ref> Captain Atom successfully defeated each member of the Wildcats one by one and was then approached by Grifter and [[Nikola Hanssen (Wildstorm Universe)|Nikola Hanssen]], the next (reluctant) host of the Void. As Grifter was about to battle him, Captain Atom was taken to the moon through a shift-door, and was met by Authority member the [[Angela Spica (Wildstorm Universe)|Engineer]], who wanted to help him, as her team had been monitoring his actions.<ref>{{c|Captain Atom: Armageddon #4}}</ref>
 
   
  +
In disbelief, Atom sent himself one week into the future to see if the universe remained intact. There he found Nikola who tried to explain that the universe was safe but before allowing her to finish, Atom took a newspaper back to the present to prove to the Engineer that she was wrong. Refusing to trust the newspaper, the Engineer attacked him, stating to Atom that by killing him, the universe will be saved. Atom was saved by Grifter and Nikola before they were attacked by [[Apollo (Wildstorm Universe)|Apollo]] and [[Midnighter (Wildstorm Universe)|Midnighter]], Grifter dying in the fight before Atom was captured and taken back to the Carrier.
[[File:Captain Atom (by Gabriele Dell'Otto).jpg|thumb|right|Captain Atom and the [[Angela Spica (Wildstorm Universe)|Engineer (Angela Spica)]].]]
 
After being taken aboard to the [[Carrier]] and introducing to some members of the Authority, [[John Cooper Hawksmoor (Wildstorm Universe)|Jack Hawksmoor]] and the Engineer tried to use [[The Bleed]] to get Captain Atom back home, including venturing into a Nazi Germany-ruled world and utilizing its door technology to other uncharted dimensions, but to no success. At Captain Atom's behest, he is later teleported to a snowy isolated mountain range to think. He then again met up with the Engineer, who sympathized with Atom's situation and decided to tour the world with him, including stopping a dictator from launching several nuclear missiles. After the Engineer killed the dictator, she explained to Captain Atom that she and Hawksmoor had a solution to preventing his eventual destruction of the universe by having herself to do some subatomic changes to Captain Atom by inserting her nanomachines into his body, which she did and seemed to have worked. After this, Captain Atom and the Engineer fell into a brief romantic relationship. Captain Atom later came into contact with Nikola Hanssen, inadvertently causing her to react violently, turning her into the new Void.<ref>{{c|Captain Atom: Armageddon #6}}</ref>
 
   
 
Atom tried to explain to the Authority that killing him would destroy their universe but was ignored. Apollo blasted Atom, inadvertently causing him to transform into a menacing and glowing form, becoming the very being meant to destroy the universe. Both Apollo and Midnighter were killed when they Captain Atom, forcing the Authority to find another way to stop him. They released Majestic, who tried to stop the Authority from attacking Atom and was frozen by the [[Habib Bin Hassan (Wildstorm Universe)|Doctor]]. When [[Jennifer Quarx (Wildstorm Universe)|Jenny Quantum]] attempted to solve the situation by touching Captain Atom, she too was killed. Atom and the group were found by Nikola Hanssen who had by now fully accepted herself as the Void. She safely removed the part of her essence from Atom thus nullifying his threat to the universe and reverting him back to his normal appearance, before sending him back to his home universe.
Captain Atom managed to calm her down, causing her to revert back to her human self. While comforting a unconscious Nikola, he is then encountered by a shocked Engineer who mistakes him for "cheating on her". She coldly informed him that he still posed a threat to her universe and that the Authority's calculation and efforts were proven wrong. Captain Atom doesn't believed her words and decided to prove it by sending himself to the future one week ahead to see if the universe remains intact. In the future, the WildStorm universe remains intact and met by a surprised Nikola. When he asked her if the universe remains safe in the long run, Nikola replied to him that it did, but before she could fully explain to him, Captain Atom quickly took her newspaper as evidence and went back to the present. He then showed Nikola's newspaper to the Engineer, assuring that the universe remains intact. But, she wasn't sure if the Carrier's computer were wrong and attacked him, stating to Atom that by killing him, the universe will be saved. Fortunately, Captain Atom was saved by Grifter by (non-fatally) shooting the Engineer with a experimental sniper rifle, sending her into unconsciousness. Upon meeting with Grifter and Nikola, Captain Atom reverted the Engineer back to her normal self.<ref>[[Captain Atom: Armageddon Vol 1 7|''Captain Atom: Armageddon'' #7]]</ref> Both Captain Atom and Grifter were then attacked by [[Apollo (Wildstorm Universe)|Apollo]] and [[Midnighter (Wildstorm Universe)|Midnighter]] on the order of Jack Hawksmoor. After Grifter was killed by Apollo, Captain Atom was taken back to the Carrier by Apollo and Midnighter.<ref>{{c|Captain Atom: Armageddon #8}}</ref>
 
 
Atom then tried again to explain to the Authority that killing him wouldn't solve anything and would only destroy their universe, but is ignored. Apollo then blasted Atom, inadvertently causing him to transform into a menacing and glowing form, becoming the very being to destroy the Wildstorm Universe. Both Apollo and Midnighter were killed when they touched Captain Atom, forcing the Authority to find another way to stop this and released Majestic, who tried to stop the Authority from attacking Atom and was frozen by the [[Habib Bin Hassan (Wildstorm Universe)|Doctor]] for help. However, when [[Jennifer Quarx (Wildstorm Universe)|Jenny Quantum]] attempted to solve the situation by touching Captain Atom for a "happy ending", she too is killed, harking an end to the universe as stated by the Doctor. Fortunately, Captain Atom and the group are then founded by Nikola Hanssen (now fully accepting herself as the Void), who easily and safely removed a part of her essence from Atom (clearly nullifying his threat to the universe), reverting him back to his normal appearance and was sent back to his home universe as he thanked her. After Nathaniel was returned to his universe, it is ultimately revealed that Nikola Hanssen was destined to destroy ''and'' recreate the Wildstorm universe (the WorldStorm event) without a "twisted image", including having many of Earth's deceased heroes, including Grifter, live once again.<ref>{{c|Captain Atom: Armageddon #9}}</ref> Eventually, the Wildstorm Universe became a part of the restored [[Multiverse]] under the designation of [[Earth-50]].
 
   
 
===Infinite Crisis and One Year Later===
 
===Infinite Crisis and One Year Later===
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{{Main|Infinite Crisis}}
Captain Atom was returned to his universe during the [[Infinite Crisis]] when [[Superboy-Prime]] punctured [[Breach]].<ref>{{c|Infinite Crisis #7}}</ref> Following after the Infinite Crisis, Captain Atom was severely attacked by an unknown assailant and imprisoned by the United States military to be contained inside [[Blüdhaven]] and used to administer radiation treatments to [[metahumans]]. The multiple damages on his radiation-shielding skin had left him comatose and unable to keep his radiation to safe levels, forcing the [[Atomic Knights (New Earth)|Atomic Knights]] to keep him constantly contained.
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Captain Atom returned to his universe during the [[Infinite Crisis]] when [[Superboy-Prime]] punctured [[Breach]]; as Breach exploded, Atom appeared in his place, shaken and confused. Later, Atom was severely attacked by an unknown assailant and then imprisoned by the United States military within the remains of [[Blüdhaven]]. There he was used as a fuel source to administer radiation treatments to [[metahumans]]. The heavy damage sustained by his radiation-shielding skin left him comatose and unable to keep his radiation to safe levels, forcing the [[Atomic Knights (New Earth)|Atomic Knights]] to keep him constantly contained.
   
After being fitted with an updated version of the Monarch armor to contain his radiation, Nathaniel awakens. Seeming to be mentally unstable, he breaks free, apparently kills the rampaging Major Force, and then releases a vast amount of energy, obliterating what was left of Blüdhaven.<ref>{{c|Battle for Blüdhaven #6}}</ref> He remains missing until [[Kyle Rayner (New Earth)|Kyle Rayner]], known as [[Ion]], discovered him in [[The Bleed]]. The Captain indicated that he is traveling through The Bleed in order to operate outside the gaze of the [[Monitors]]. He discussed his time in the Wildstorm Universe, and his desire to visit other alternate worlds.<ref>{{c|Ion #10}}</ref>
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After being fitted with an updated version of the Monarch armor to contain his radiation, Atom awoke. Seemingly mentally unstable, he broke free only to find the [[Teen Titans]], [[Freedom Fighters]] and [[S.H.A.D.E.]] fighting each other to determine Blüdhaven's fate. He stopped and killed the rampaging Major Force, before ordering everyone to evacuate the area; once they had left, Atom released a vast amount of energy, obliterating what was left of Blüdhaven.
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  +
Sometime later, [[Kyle Rayner (New Earth)|Kyle Rayner]], known as [[Ion]], discovered him in [[The Bleed]]. Atom, having now embraced the Monarch identity, indicated that he is traveling through The Bleed in order to operate outside the gaze of the [[Monitors]]. He discussed his time in the Wildstorm Universe, and his desire to visit other alternate worlds.
   
 
===Countdown===
 
===Countdown===
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{{Main|Countdown: Arena}}
 
{{Main|Countdown: Arena}}
 
[[Image:Countdown 44cov.jpg|thumb|left|140px|Monarch]]
 
[[Image:Countdown 44cov.jpg|thumb|left|140px|Monarch]]
  +
Having become aware of the [[Multiverse]] and the Monitors, Monarch planned to attack them in order to become ruler of a unified Earth. He drafted an army of foot-soldiers from various alternate Earths, including the [[Extremists]] of [[Earth-8]], the [[JL-Axis]] of [[Earth-10]] and the [[Crime Society (Earth-3)|Crime Society]] of [[Earth-3]], while his main goal was to assemble a force with the strongest versions of various heroes.
Following after the battle between [[Donna Troy (New Earth)|Donna Troy]] and [[Jason Todd (New Earth)|Jason Todd]] in Washington D.C., [[Forerunner]] was observed by Atom, having taken his identity as Monarch.<ref>{{c|Countdown #45}}</ref> Monarch manages to sway Forerunner to his side, turning her against the Monitors. Monarch argues that the Monitors are genocidal overlords who must be defeated; however, the Monitors assert that Monarch is a supervillain whose plan is to cause a Multiversal war which will leave him the ruler of the unified Earth remaining in its wake. Later the Monarch captured alternate versions of heroes and villains throughout [[the Multiverse]] to compile the strike team for his new Multiverse army, specifically one [[Superman]], one [[Batman]], a [[Wonder Woman]], a [[Green Lantern]], a [[Flash]], a [[Blue Beetle]], a [[Nightshade]], a [[Starman]], and a [[Ray]]. Monarch creates an army of footsoldiers, including the [[v|Extremists]] of [[Earth-8]], the [[JL-Axis]] of [[Earth-10]] and the [[Crime Society (Earth-3)|Crime Society]] of [[Earth-3]], and disposes of Forerunner in a part of space for without further use when he reveals his plans for a multiversal arena tournament.<ref>{{c|Countdown to Adventure #4}}</ref>
 
   
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He captured multiple versions of [[Superman]], [[Batman]], [[Wonder Woman]] and others, placed them in an Arena and forced th various versions of each other to fight to the death, with the survivor joining his army. Despite the attempts of various heroes to stop his plans, Monarch achieved his goals and readied his army to attack the Monitors, using [[Earth-51]] as the battleground.
In his Arena tournament, Monarch told the captured heroes and villains of his conquest and his search for a strike team. Furthermore, he informed them of the consequence of escaping from their predicament, in which he shows his ruthlessness by destroying [[Eve Eden (Earth-13)|Eve of Shadows]]' America in [[Earth-13]] when she traveled back to her reality.<ref>[[Countdown: Arena Vol 1 1|''Countdown Arena'' #1]]</ref> During the Arena battles, Monarch was paranoid, and unwilling to share details of his past to his "subordinates". The [[Superman (Earth-30)|Superman]] of [[Earth-30]] and [[Bruce Wayne (Earth-40)|The Bat]] of [[Earth-40]] are able to discern that under the Monarch armor lies another Captain Atom, and The Bat employs Monarch's other counterpart [[Breach]] to assemble an army of Captain Atoms from the different dimensions to fight back. However, Monarch reveals to The Bat, [[Ronnie Raymond (Earth-37)|Quantum-Storm]] and Captain Atom of Earth-38 that Breach was his brainwashed accomplice; Monarch deliberately lured his fifty-one counterparts into his presence in order to murder them and absorb their power. Monarch then kills The Bat and absorbs the Captain Atoms. He later fought the Supermen, in which [[Christopher Kent (Earth-16)|Christopher Kent]] was killed, and was confronted by the multidimensional army of Captain Atoms. Monarch slaughtered many of his counterparts including Breach, and fully succeeds in having the last Superman to his strike team, the Earth-30 Superman; he then absorbed the powers of his dead counterparts and the Arena. Though losing his "reserve" inter-dimensional prisoners to [[Superman (Earth-31)|Superman]] of [[Earth-31]], but with his team of Eve of Shadows (Earth-13), [[Bruce Wayne (Earth-43)|Vampire Batman]], [[Raymond Palmer (Earth-6)|Ray "the Ray" Palmer]] ([[Earth-6]]), the monstrous [[Scarab (Earth-26)|Scarab]] ([[Earth-26]]), [[Hal Jordan (Earth-12)|Hal Jordan Jr.]] ([[Earth-12]]), [[Courtney Whitmore (Earth-7)|Starwoman]] ([[Earth-7]]), [[Johnny Quick (Earth-3)|Johnny Quick]] ([[Earth-3]]), [[Diana Trevor (Earth-34)|Wonder Woman]] ([[Earth-34]]), Superman (Earth-30) and himself - the sum power of 52 Captain Atoms - Monarch believed he is ready to confront the Monitors, and does so, finally launching his war on [[Earth-51]] against the exposed Monitors.<ref>{{c|Countdown: Arena #4}}</ref><ref>{{c|Countdown to Final Crisis #17}}</ref>
 
   
 
As Monarch neared victory he was attacked by [[Kal-El (Earth-Prime)|Superman-Prime]] who had been tricked by one of the Monitors, [[Monitor Solomon|Solomon]], into attacking. In the fight against Superman-Prime, Monarch's suit was damaged which released a chain reaction that destroyed the entire universe of Earth-51 aside from its Monitor, [[Nix Uotan (New Earth)|Nix Uotan]].
[[Image:MonarchPrimeend.jpg|thumb|right|140px|The fall of Monarch]]
 
In his war on Earth-51, Monarch almost had the winning advantage in succeeding his victory over the Monitors, having his opponents completely in disunity and his army lay out total war in this reality, killing many of its retired superheroes. However, Monarch is suddenly confronted by [[Kal-El (Earth-Prime)|Superman-Prime]], who was tricked by [[Monitor Solomon]] into attacking Monarch. In a protracted fight against Superman-Prime, Monarch's suit was damaged, releasing a chain reaction that destroys the entire universe of Earth-51 aside from its Monitor, [[Nix Uotan (New Earth)|Nix Uotan]].
 
   
It was later revealed that Monitor Solomon was solely responsible for Captain Atom's madness as he was his assailant who attacked him in Blüdhaven, rupturing his skin and setting into motion his transformation into Monarch.<ref>{{c|Countdown to Final Crisis #8}}</ref>
+
It was later revealed that Solomon was solely responsible for Captain Atom's madness, and that it was he who attacked him in Blüdhaven, rupturing his skin and setting into motion his transformation into Monarch.
   
 
===Project 7734===
 
===Project 7734===
Captain Atom was somehow discovered by [[Samuel Lane (New Earth)|General Lane]] and his black-ops organization [[Project 7734]], and was brainwashed into a weapon or ''Planet Breaker'' under "Project Breach" (with Lane wanting to stress the similarities between Adam and [[Timothy Zanetti (New Earth)|Timothy Zanetti]]).<ref>[[Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen Vol 2 2|''Superman's Pal: Jimmy Olsen Special'' #2]]</ref> General Lane used Captain Atom as a bargaining chip with the sorceress [[Mirabai (New Earth)|Mirabai, the Forlorn]] in order to have her as a magical component in 7734, in which Captain Atom was made as a "champion" (the "Arrow of The Forlorn") to her in subduing her enemies in [[Sorcerers' World]]. Captain Atom was proven very useful as his Dilustel skin was invulnerable to magic, thus easily eliminating mages that are powerful on Mirabai's level.<ref name="Action Comics Vol 1 882">{{c|Action Comics #882}}</ref>
+
Captain Atom, suffering from amnesia, was discovered by [[Samuel Lane (New Earth)|General Lane]] and his black-ops organization [[Project 7734]]. He was brainwashed by the project and used by General Lane as a bargaining chip with the sorceress [[Mirabai (New Earth)|Mirabai, the Forlorn]]; for her help with Project 7734, Atom was made her champion and used by her to subdue her enemies in [[Sorcerers' World]]. After defeating Mirabai's enemies, Atom managed to overcome his brainwashing and amnesia at the castle of Lord Gadrey and was subdued by 7734's task force before being saved by an anti-Mirabai resistance group helped by [[Natasha Irons (New Earth)|Natasha Irons]] who had been spying on 7734 and learned of Atom's condition.
   
After committed great devastation upon Mirabai's enemies, Captain Atom managed to overcome his brainwash and amnesia at the castle of Lord Gadrey and was subdued by 7734's task force.<ref>{{c|Action Comics #881}}</ref> Fortunately, Captain Atom was saved by a resistance group against Mirabai, helped by [[Natasha Irons (New Earth)|Natasha Irons]], who had been spying on 7734 and having learned of Captain Atom's condition. Captain Atom was later confronted by Major Force, who has also been working for 7734, and the two fought until Major Force transported themselves to Metropolis.<ref name="Action Comics Vol 1 882"/> [[Lar Gand (Pre-Zero Hour)|Mon-El]] appears and helps Captain Atom escape, taking him to the Justice League's Watchtower, where the League members immediately attacked him in order to bring to justice for his actions as Monarch.<ref>{{c|Action Comics #884}}</ref> After a struggle and reconciliation with the League, Captain Atom told them what he can remember. The League reminds him he was a hero who once saved Earth. He feels he has changed from the man he once was, and that he needs to go back to Sorcerers' World to make right what he has done. The [[Shadowpact]] were called on to help him on his quest and provide a way for him to reach Sorcerers' World.<ref>{{c|Action Comics #885}}</ref> On advice from [[Detective Chimp]], Captain Atom managed to reach Sorcerers' World by utilizing the underground domain of [[Skartaris]], where he then reunited with the resistance group and helped in defeating Mirabai. One of the leading resistance members, Aggaro, revealed himself to Captain Atom as the sorcerer [[Mordru (New Earth)|Modru]], who congratulated him for freeing his world from Mirabai, allowing him to rule in her place instead. Despite being seen as another tyrant by Captain Atom, Mordru explained to him that he promised in ruling Sorcerers' World benignly and sworn that despite being seen as a villain on Earth, he would be considered a friend to Captain Atom in his world. Captain Atom was then magically returned to Earth.<ref name="Action 889">{{c|Action Comics #889}}</ref>
+
Captain Atom was later confronted by Major Force, who has also been working for 7734, and the two fought until Major Force transported themselves to Metropolis. [[Lar Gand (Pre-Zero Hour)|Mon-El]] appeared, helped Captain Atom escape, and took him to the Justice League's Watchtower, where the League members immediately attacked him in order to bring to justice for his actions as Monarch. After a struggle and reconciliation with the League, Atom told them what he can remember and the League reminded him he was a hero who once saved Earth.
   
  +
Atom felt the need to return to Sorcerers' World to make amends for what he did. The [[Shadowpact]] were called on to help him on his quest and suggested he use the underground world of [[Skartaris]] to reach his destination. Once in Sorcerors' World, he met up with the resistance group and helped them defeat Mirabai. Only after that did one of the leading resistance members, Aggaro, reveal himself to Captain Atom as the sorcerer [[Mordru (New Earth)|Modru]], who would now rule in her place. Despite being seen as another tyrant by Captain Atom, Mordru explained to him that he promised to rule Sorcerers' World benignly and swore that, despite being seen as a villain on Earth, he would be considered a friend to Captain Atom in his world. Captain Atom was then magically returned to Earth.
After a week from returning from Sorcerers' World, Captain Atom was clear of his past crimes thanked to the effort of Mon-El, who convinced the [[Daily Planet]] in publishing a positive front-page article on Captain Atom which went worldwide. Due to his experiences in Sorcerers' World, Captain Atom resolved himself and returned to his life as a superhero.<ref name="Action 889"/>
 
   
 
A week later, Atom was cleared of his past crimes thanks to the efforts of Mon-El, who convinced the [[Daily Planet]] to publish a positive front-page article on Captain Atom which went worldwide. Due to his experiences in Sorcerers' World, Captain Atom resolved to return to his life as a superhero.
===Justice League: Generation Lost===
 
Captain Atom was among the many heroes and law enforcements on the international manhunt of [[Maxwell Lord IV (New Earth)|Maxwell Lord]]. He and along with former members of the Justice League International [[Beatriz da Costa (New Earth)|Fire]] and [[Tora Olafsdotter (New Earth)|Ice]] found a wounded [[Michael Jon Carter (New Earth)|Booster Gold]] at the JLI embassy in New York, and soon learned that Lord amplified his powers in making every person and being on Earth forgot about him and even his existence.<ref>{{c|Justice League: Generation Lost #1}}</ref> Captain Atom and his allies, who still known Lord, tried to convince some of Earth's heroes about Lord, but with very low success. In which Captain Atom was tricked by Lord into attacking a general and having to fight his way out of an Air Force base.<ref>{{c|Justice League: Generation Lost #2}}</ref> Afterwards, Captain Atom discovers that Max had mentally influenced the US army into believing that he had betrayed them.
 
   
 
===Justice League: Generation Lost===
Captain Atom shares with the group that when he absorbed a nuclear bomb Max had set off, he found himself thrown through time to the future of 24th century, an Earth that had fallen into chaos through metahuman wars and backward in technology. Atom found a woman elderly and grotesque, who turned out to be an aged Power Girl, telling him it was Maxwell Lord who was responsible for all of this. Atom is then pulled back into the present, and tells the rest of the team that the world needs them to stop the instigated Max.
 
  +
{{Main|Justice League: Generation Lost Vol 1}}
  +
Following the events of [[Brightest Day]], Captain Atom was one of many heroes hunting for the resurrected [[Maxwell Lord IV (New Earth)|Maxwell Lord]]. Atom, along with former members of the Justice League International [[Beatriz da Costa (New Earth)|Fire]] and [[Tora Olafsdotter (New Earth)|Ice]] found a wounded [[Michael Carter (New Earth)|Booster Gold]] at the JLI embassy in New York, and learned that Lord had amplified his powers to make almost everyone on Earth forget about him -- Atom and his team mates retained their memories of Lord.
   
[[File: Magog 009.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Max Lord mentally forces Magog to commit suicide]]
 
After find out the OMACs was dismembered droid, Captain Atom was struck by [[David Reid (New Earth)|Magog]] who simply scoffs at the notion and states that he has come to kill Captain Atom at the behest of Max. In their battle, Captain Atom manages to convince Magog he is being manipulated by Max. Magog stops the attacks as he remembers Max's existence and Captain Atom is prepared to help him.
 
 
[[File: Magog 010.jpg|thumb|200px|Magog dies.]]
 
[[File: Magog 010.jpg|thumb|200px|Magog dies.]]
  +
As Atom and his allies attempted to find him, Lord used his mind controlling powers to force [[David Reid (New Earth)|Magog]] to attack Captain Atom. Lord then has Magog kill himself but convince onlookers that Atom was responsible. Absorbing Magog's suicidal blast, Atom is thrust into the future where he finds a devastated world contaminated by a new OMAC virus. The remaining heroes tell Atom that this world was the result of Lord killing [[Wonder Woman]], before Atom returns to the present, determined to stop Lord.
However, Max is on hand and forces Magog to kill himself with his spear. Max uses his powers to manipulate everyone into believing that Captain Atom has killed Magog before leaving. Captain Atom realizes Magog's spear is about to explode with energy. Captain Atom tries to absorb as much as he can, thrusting him into the time stream again as a crater is left behind.
 
   
  +
Aided by [[Power Girl]] and [[Batman]] who had managed to remember Lord, Captain Atom leads an assault against the OMACs and Lord, stopping his plan to murder Wonder Woman. During the battled, Atom once more absorbed enough energy to plunge into the time stream and threatened to take Lord with him unless he undid his global mind wipe.
Captain Atom is propelled through time again to 112 years in the future, where a metahuman war against the OMACs had devastated the planet. Captain Atom battled for survival alongside the future versions of the Justice League, however they all are eventually contaminated by a new nanovirus version of the OMACs and one by one become OMACs themselves. As a dying Power Girl tells him that the catalyst for all this was the death of Wonder Woman by Max's hands, Captain Atom is returned into the present but not before Batman orders him to terminate the OMAC project to stop Max's plan.<ref>{{c|Justice League: Generation Lost #14}}</ref>
 
   
  +
While Lord ultimately escaped, he informed the world that Captain Atom was innocent of the murders of Magog and the surrounding civilians.
During the final battle against the new OMAC known as OMAC Prime, Captain Atom allows OMAC Prime to absorb his energy, before reabsorbing the energy and overloading his powers, resulting in him being thrown into the time stream once again. Just before this occurred, Captain Atom grabbed Max and threatened to pull him into the time stream as well, unless Max undid the global mindwipe of his existence. Max complied and everyone on the planet had their memories of him restored before Captain Atom was pulled away to a time and space unknown. Max later released a statement onto the internet exonerating Captain Atom of the deaths in Chicago, saying far worse would have happened if he had not intervened.<ref>{{c|Justice League: Generation Lost #24}}</ref>
 
   
 
| Powers =
 
| Powers =
* {{Unique Physiology|Dilustel Armor}}: Captain Atom's metallic shell, or "skin," is composed of a portion of the alien being known as Silver Shield, and is called Dilustel. Pieces of the alien's metal body were used in the Captain Atom Project, Project Major Force and similar projects thereafter. Nathaniel is able to coat himself with the metal, either partially or totally. Atom's symbiosis with the metal is such that even partially armored, he is able to access the Quantum Field.
+
* {{Unique Physiology|Dilustel Armor}}: Captain Atom's metallic shell, or "skin," is composed of a portion of the alien being known as Silver Shield, and is called Dilustel. Pieces of the alien's metal body were used in the Captain Atom Project, Project Major Force and similar projects thereafter. Atom is able to coat himself with the metal, either partially or totally. Atom's symbiosis with the metal is such that even when partially armored, he is able to access the Quantum Field.
:* {{Chronokinesis}}: Captain Atom has shown time-traveling capabilities without quantum jumping. Captain Atom through concentration, can travel ahead in time. The process is exhausting and the period he can interact in the future appears to be limited to a few minutes before he returns to the present.
+
** {{Chronokinesis}}: Captain Atom has shown time-traveling capabilities without quantum jumping and can travel ahead in time using concentration. The process is exhausting and the period he can interact in the future appears to be limited to a few minutes before he returns to the present.
:* {{Molecular Reconstruction|Atomic Transmutation}}: Captain Atom has demonstrated atomic transmutation powers similar to Firestorm, as he was able to turn both [[Maul]] and [[Engineer]] back to their human forms and once turned green Arrows quivers into butterflies. This power can be used instinctively or through concentration.
+
** {{Molecular Reconstruction|Atomic Transmutation}}: Captain Atom has demonstrated atomic transmutation powers similar to Firestorm, as he was able to turn both [[Maul]] and [[Engineer]] back to their human forms and once turned Green Arrow's quivers into butterflies. This power can be used instinctively or through concentration.
:* {{Flight}}
+
** {{Energy Absorption}}
  +
** {{Flight}}
:* {{Invulnerability}}: Atom's Dilustel coating renders him invulnerable to physical and energy attacks.
 
  +
** {{Immortality}}
:* {{Matter Absorption|Matter Generation}}: Captain Atom can also create matter in the same manner he creates energy. In the same way, he can absorb and manipulate matter at a basic level.
 
 
** {{Invulnerability}}: Atom's Dilustel coating renders him invulnerable to physical and energy attacks.
:* {{Self-Sustenance}}
 
:* {{Superhuman Strength}}: As Captain Atom his strength was such that he was able to go toe to toe with beings such as Superman, Majestic, etc. and hold his own.
+
** {{Matter Absorption|Matter Generation}}: Captain Atom can also create matter in the same manner he creates energy. In the same way, he can absorb and manipulate matter at a basic level.
  +
** {{Regeneration}}: Over time if Atom's armored skin were to be ruptured or damaged he would recover at an accelerated rate.
:* {{Mechanokinesis|Techno Interface}}: He has also shown the ability to telepathically interface with computer networks.
 
 
** {{Self-Sustenance}}
:* {{Power Distribution|Self-Power Augmentation}}: at times he can use the quantum field to enhance his physical prowess to even greater levels like enhancing and increasing his listening range, augmenting his already impressive levels of strength or even increasing his flight speed to impassibly phenomenal levels.
 
  +
** {{Superhuman Strength}}: As Captain Atom his strength was such that he was able to go toe to toe with beings such as [[Kal-El (New Earth)|Superman]], [[Majestros (Wildstorm Universe)|Majestic]], etc. and hold his own.
:* {{Reality Alteration|Quantum Field Manipulation}}: Captain Atom's metal skin is tied into the Quantum Field, which enables him to absorb and manipulate infinite amounts of energy, for an infinite amount of purposes the amount of which he can do is limited solely by his willpower and imagination. He truly reinforces this fact when he realized that the Quantum Field is completely under his control and he can do anything he wishes. With this realization he tests his powers and by simply thinking of it, he is able to instantly create a replica of our Earth from nothing, complete with life. His power was such that he was able to easily create his own replicas of Superman, Flash, Firestorm and even his own Spectre. His power is such, that he went even further and by simply thinking of it, was able to instantaneously create an entire universe out of nothing, and just as easily destroyed it, but he has never used this level of power again as a result of him mentally limiting himself. Captain Atom's energy absorption power is second to none in the DCU, as he is able to absorb any form of energy and store it in his person. Captain Atom can fire and control energy of any form. He commonly manipulates his energy into force field bubbles, or explosive bombs, but the most common form is a simple blast. Over the years, Captain Atom has become an expert at his energy manipulation and can fire from any point on his body, though he usually uses his hands for ease of aiming. He can fire in multiple directions at once or from every point of his body at once. Several times he has "detonated," releasing a massive amount of energy at once, destroying objects within a certain radius. On more than one occasion, he has used his ability to manipulate all forms of energy to prevent a foe using their own powers, such as the [[Ray]] and [[Firestorm]].
 
  +
** {{Superhuman Stamina}}
  +
** {{Superhuman Speed}}
  +
** {{Superhuman Reflexes}}
 
** {{Mechanokinesis|Techno Interface}}: He has also shown the ability to telepathically interface with computer networks.
  +
** {{Energy Negation|Anti-Magic}}: An effect of Captain Atom's Dilustel coating coupled with his exposure to the Quantum Field affords Nathaniel not only Immunity to magical powers and spell craft.<ref>{{c|Action Comics Vol 1 883}}</ref> But also allows him to outright negate the effects of it in general through their use.<ref>{{c|Action Comics Vol 1 886}}</ref>
 
** {{Power Distribution|Self-Power Augmentation}}: At times, he can use the quantum field to enhance his physical prowess to even greater levels such as enhancing and increasing his listening range, augmenting his already impressive levels of strength or even increasing his flight speed.
  +
** {{Reality Alteration|Quantum Field Manipulation}}: Captain Atom's metal skin is tied into the Quantum Field, which enables him to absorb and manipulate infinite amounts of energy; energy which can be utilized for an infinite amount of purposes which are solely limited by his willpower and imagination. Reinforcing the fact when he realized that the Quantum field is under his complete and total control. E.I, creating and destroying a replica of Earth complete with life and its most powerful heroes out of nothing; such as Superman, The Flash, Firestorm and even his own Spectre. Though he has only done this once, subconsciously limiting himself to a set amount of power ever since. Nathaniel's ability harness energy is insurmountable, manipulating it for a variety of effects ranging from absorbing, changing, metabolizing, even shutting down [[Raymond Terrill (New Earth)|other energy]] [[Ronald Raymond (New Earth)|users powers]] or shaping it into whatever he needs. Like force fields, explosive bombs or a simple blast from the hands or eyes. Either firing it from anywhere on his body or releasing it as an AOE wave either by will or upon detonation.
   
 
| Abilities =
 
| Abilities =
Line 128: Line 133:
 
| Weaknesses =
 
| Weaknesses =
 
* {{Power Instability|Involuntary Quantum Jumping}}: If Atom absorbs too much energy at once, he is sent hurtling through time. Depending on the type of energy absorbed, he either goes forward or backwards.
 
* {{Power Instability|Involuntary Quantum Jumping}}: If Atom absorbs too much energy at once, he is sent hurtling through time. Depending on the type of energy absorbed, he either goes forward or backwards.
  +
* {{Energy Negation|Quantum Field Disruption}}: If there are disturbances within the Q-Field itself, it can greatly hinder Captain Atoms Control over his powers. <ref>{{C|Captain Atom Vol 2 32}}-[[Captain Atom Vol 2 35|35]]</ref>
  +
* {{Radiation Production|Radiation Leak}}: If Captain Atom uses the upper levels of his power, he starts to leak radiation. If he went toe to toe with a being of sufficient physical ability (for example, Darkseid) and his Dilustel was ruptured in a city he could detonate like an atomic bomb badly irradiating it.<ref>{{c|Justice League: Generation Lost Vol 1 18}}</ref>
  +
* {{Vulnerability to|X-Ionized Weaponry}}: The Dilustel comprising of Nathaniel Adam's body is nigh-indestructible, munitions by the Ionizer apparatus can be lethal to him.<ref>{{C|Captain Atom Vol 2 7}}</ref>
   
 
| Equipment =
 
| Equipment =
* '''Monarch Armor''': The updated Monarch armor currently worn by Captain Atom, contains a "nanoweave" designed to contain radiation leaking from a breach in his chest. It also contained instruments for monitoring his vital signs, through a direct neural interface.
+
* '''Monarch Armor''': The updated Monarch armor worn by Captain Atom throughout [[Countdown]], contains a "nanoweave" designed to contain radiation leaking from a breach in his chest. It also contained instruments for monitoring his vital signs, through a direct neural interface.
 
| Transportation =
 
| Transportation =
 
| Weapons =
 
| Weapons =
   
  +
| Notes = * '''[[Allen Adam (Earth-Four)|Captain Atom]]''' first appeared in [[Earth-Four]] continuity in [[Charlton Comics]]' {{c|Space Adventures Vol 2 33}} by [[Joe Gill]] and [[Steve Ditko]]. He was reintroduced in [[Post-Crisis]] [[New Earth]] continuity in {{c|Captain Atom Vol 2 1}} by [[Cary Bates]] and [[Pat Broderick]].
| Notes =
 
* In 1991, ''Captain Atom'' was canceled with #57, as Atom was slated to become the hero-turned-villain [[Monarch]] in DC's Armageddon 2001 crossover event; however, when word of this leaked out, DC changed the ending at the last minute. Atom and the Monarch character continued battling through time in ''Armageddon: The Alien Agenda'' limited series, until he was returned to his own time at the conclusion.
+
* In 1991, ''[[Captain Atom Vol 2|Captain Atom]]'' was cancelled with [[Captain Atom Vol 2 57|#57]], as Atom was slated to become the hero-turned-villain [[Monarch]] in DC's [[Armageddon 2001]] crossover event; however, when word of this leaked out, DC changed the ending at the last minute.
* Nathaniel Adam was born May 3, 1940.<ref>{{c|Captain Atom #1}}</ref>
+
* Nathaniel Adam was born May 3, 1940.<ref>{{c|Captain Atom Vol 2 #1}}</ref>
  +
* His middle initial is given as both J. and C. in {{c|Captain Atom Vol 2 #1}}.
 
* In [[Justice League: Generation Lost Vol 1 6|''Justice League: Generation Lost'' #6]], Captain Atom states that he weighs "Three quarters of a ton."
 
* In [[Justice League: Generation Lost Vol 1 6|''Justice League: Generation Lost'' #6]], Captain Atom states that he weighs "Three quarters of a ton."
   
 
| Trivia =
 
| Trivia =
 
* Captain Atom's abilities were enhanced during his time as [[Monarch]].
 
* Captain Atom's abilities were enhanced during his time as [[Monarch]].
  +
* According to [[History of the DC Universe Vol 1 2|''History of the DC Universe'' #2]], Nathaniel Adam emerged during the "New Heroic Age" ''before'' the Crisis, and was shown wearing [[Allen Adam (Earth-Four)|the Earth-Four Allen]]'s blue and red costume.
   
 
| Recommended =
 
| Recommended =
Line 146: Line 156:
 
* [[Armageddon: The Alien Agenda Vol 1|Armageddon: The Alien Agenda]]
 
* [[Armageddon: The Alien Agenda Vol 1|Armageddon: The Alien Agenda]]
 
* [[Battle for Blüdhaven Vol 1|Crisis Aftermath: The Battle for Blüdhaven]]
 
* [[Battle for Blüdhaven Vol 1|Crisis Aftermath: The Battle for Blüdhaven]]
* [[Captain Atom Vol 1|Captain Atom (Volume 1)]]
+
* [[Captain Atom Vol 2|Captain Atom (Volume 2)]]
 
* [[Captain Atom: Armageddon Vol 1|Captain Atom: Armageddon]]
 
* [[Captain Atom: Armageddon Vol 1|Captain Atom: Armageddon]]
 
* [[Countdown Vol 1|Countdown to Final Crisis]]
 
* [[Countdown Vol 1|Countdown to Final Crisis]]
Line 153: Line 163:
 
* [[Living Assault Weapons Vol 1|Living Assault Weapons]]
 
* [[Living Assault Weapons Vol 1|Living Assault Weapons]]
 
* [[Superman/Batman Vol 1|Superman/Batman]]
 
* [[Superman/Batman Vol 1|Superman/Batman]]
:*[[Superman/Batman Vol 1 1|Superman/Batman #1]]
+
**[[Superman/Batman Vol 1 1|Superman/Batman #1]]
:*[[Superman/Batman Vol 1 2|Superman/Batman #2]]
+
**[[Superman/Batman Vol 1 2|Superman/Batman #2]]
:*[[Superman/Batman Vol 1 3|Superman/Batman #3]]
+
**[[Superman/Batman Vol 1 3|Superman/Batman #3]]
:*[[Superman/Batman Vol 1 4|Superman/Batman #4]]
+
**[[Superman/Batman Vol 1 4|Superman/Batman #4]]
:*[[Superman/Batman Vol 1 5|Superman/Batman #5]]
+
**[[Superman/Batman Vol 1 5|Superman/Batman #5]]
:*[[Superman/Batman Vol 1 6|Superman/Batman #6]]
+
**[[Superman/Batman Vol 1 6|Superman/Batman #6]]
   
 
| Wikipedia = Captain Atom
 
| Wikipedia = Captain Atom
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}}
 
}}
   
{{JLA Member}}
 
 
{{Captain Atom}}
 
{{Captain Atom}}
  +
{{Justice League}}
 
 
{{JLA Member}}
[[Category:Captain Atom]]
 
 
[[Category:Justice League Europe members]]
 
[[Category:Justice League Europe members]]
 
[[Category:Justice League Task Force members]]
 
[[Category:Justice League Task Force members]]
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[[Category:1987 Character Debuts]]
 
[[Category:1987 Character Debuts]]
 
[[Category:Mechanokinesis]]
 
[[Category:Mechanokinesis]]
 
[[Category:Time Displaced]]
  +
[[Category:Exposure to Chemicals or Radiation]]

Revision as of 10:08, 31 May 2019

Quote1 My name is Captain Atom. As in A-bomb...as in nuclear fission...as in...the end of the world. Quote2
Captain Atom src


Nathaniel Adam was a United States Air Force officer during the Vietnam War era. He was framed for a crime he didn't commit and sentenced to death under the watch of Col. Wade Eiling in 1968. To avoid execution, he was invited to participate in a military experiment with little chance of survival, with the promise of a presidential pardon should he survive. The experiment involved testing the hull of a crashed alien ship's durability by exploding a super nuclear bomb under it while Adam was in the ship. Against the odds, Adam survived, the alien metal melding with his body, while the excess energy threw him forward in time nearly twenty years.

Captain Atom 001

Original Appearance

Regaining coherence in 1986, Adam found himself a man out of his time and back in the hands of Eiling, now a general and the second husband of Adam's now-deceased wife. Everyone had assumed Adam had died during the experiment, so his presidential pardon was never issued and the current government refused to acknowledge the previous administration's promise. Seizing the opportunity at hand, the government used the outstanding murder/treason charges against Adam to blackmail him into being a government-controlled superhero codenamed Captain Atom. The government gave him a false origin for use in public and assigned him the alias of Cameron Scott, an Air Force intelligence operative. It was during this time he met the superpowered terrorist Plastique, who would become a recurring part of Adam's life.

As Captain Atom, Adam served under Eiling reluctantly until he succeeded in clearing his name. Eventually, Atom rebelled against Eiling, resigned from the Air Force and found some fulfilment as an actual superhero. Captain Atom joined the Justice League at the request of the U.S. government, eventually serving as leader of Justice League Europe. During his career, he had a brief romance with Catherine Cobert, developed a friendly rivalry with Firestorm, become involved with and eventually married to Plastique (ironically, a one-time Firestorm foe), battled Major Force (his would-be successor), learned basic heroics from Batman when he briefly lost access to the Quantum Field, and commanded the metahuman forces during the alien invasion of the Alliance.

Armageddon 2001 and Beyond

 Main article: Armageddon 2001

Atom encountered Waverider during the latter's mission to discover which contemporary hero would become Monarch in the future. Atom's interaction with Waverider unleashed a storm of temporal energy that opened a gate to the future through which Monarch emerged, entering the present. Monarch battled Atom and other heroes before kidnapping and killing Dove, an act which drove her partner Hawk mad enough to kill Monarch in revenge, at the same time revealing that he, Hawk, was Monarch. In a final battle Atom's energy and Monarch's suit clashed and created a portal that sent them both back in time to the middle of the Triassic Era.

After being thrown back to the age of the dinosaurs, Atom and Monarch encountered hostile aliens who attempted to enlist each one separately and without the other's knowledge, to assist them in destroying the Milky Way Galaxy for their own ends. Each time Atom and Monarch battled, they would be thrown forward in time until, defeating the aliens' plans, Captain Atom eventually returned to the present, while Monarch's fate was unknown.

Captain Atom briefly worked for the government again, heading the Peacekeepers team before founding an offshoot team, Extreme Justice, after the events of Zero Hour. While leading Extreme Justice, Captain Atom came across another version of Monarch, this one claiming to be the real Nathaniel Adam, though it was later revealed that this "Nathaniel Adam" was a copy created by Hank Hall as a side-effect of the process that trapped him in the timestream after his and Atom's adventures in the past.

Following the breakup of Extreme Justice, Atom teamed up with Blue Beetle and others as a member of L.A.W. before later joining several former members of the Justice League as the Super Buddies.

At some point, Atom's marriage to Plastique ended in separation/divorce due to irreconcilable differences, mostly about political views, between them. Plastique has reappeared as a villain again, undoing her reformation into a heroine.

Captain Atom returned to his roots, going back to work for the government, this time for President Lex Luthor. Atom seemingly sacrificed his life to save Superman and Earth by crashing a starship into a kryptonite meteor. The massive release of energy didn't kill him but instead sent him to the Wildstorm Universe.

Armageddon and WorldStorm

 Main article: Captain Atom: Armageddon

Captain Atom found himself both in a world unlike his own where the people fear the super-powered beings, and with a new gold and red look. Following a misunderstanding, Atom fights with Mister Majestic, before Majestic offers to help him return to his reality. Despite his good intentions, Majestic's technology is unable to send Atom back to his own Earth, forcing Atom to seek help elsewhere.

Captain Atom (by Gabriele Dell'Otto)

Captain Atom and the Engineer.

Approaching the government, Atom is dismayed to find them as impotent and fearful of the super-powered as everyone else. Majestic informs him that Atom's existence will destroy the universe should he remain and Atom's own research backs this up. After learning the Atom unintentionally held part of the Void entity within him, the Wildcats attack him until only Grifter and Nikola Hanssen, the next (reluctant) host of the Void, are left. As Grifter was about to battle him, Captain Atom was taken to the moon through a shift-door, and was met by Authority member the Engineer, who wanted to help him, as her team had been monitoring his actions.

Her team, The Authority, attempt to get Captain Atom back home without success. With Atom's consent, the Engineer inserts nanomachines into his body, apparently stabilising him and removing the danger of him destroying the universe. They share a romantic interlude before Atom goes on his way, coming into contact with Nikola Hanssen once more. This time, she turns into the new Void, sparking a panic attack. After calming her down, the Engineer arrived and assumed that Atom had cheated on her; she informed him the danger had not passed and he was still a threat to the universe.

In disbelief, Atom sent himself one week into the future to see if the universe remained intact. There he found Nikola who tried to explain that the universe was safe but before allowing her to finish, Atom took a newspaper back to the present to prove to the Engineer that she was wrong. Refusing to trust the newspaper, the Engineer attacked him, stating to Atom that by killing him, the universe will be saved. Atom was saved by Grifter and Nikola before they were attacked by Apollo and Midnighter, Grifter dying in the fight before Atom was captured and taken back to the Carrier.

Atom tried to explain to the Authority that killing him would destroy their universe but was ignored. Apollo blasted Atom, inadvertently causing him to transform into a menacing and glowing form, becoming the very being meant to destroy the universe. Both Apollo and Midnighter were killed when they Captain Atom, forcing the Authority to find another way to stop him. They released Majestic, who tried to stop the Authority from attacking Atom and was frozen by the Doctor. When Jenny Quantum attempted to solve the situation by touching Captain Atom, she too was killed. Atom and the group were found by Nikola Hanssen who had by now fully accepted herself as the Void. She safely removed the part of her essence from Atom thus nullifying his threat to the universe and reverting him back to his normal appearance, before sending him back to his home universe.

Infinite Crisis and One Year Later

 Main article: Infinite Crisis

Captain Atom returned to his universe during the Infinite Crisis when Superboy-Prime punctured Breach; as Breach exploded, Atom appeared in his place, shaken and confused. Later, Atom was severely attacked by an unknown assailant and then imprisoned by the United States military within the remains of Blüdhaven. There he was used as a fuel source to administer radiation treatments to metahumans. The heavy damage sustained by his radiation-shielding skin left him comatose and unable to keep his radiation to safe levels, forcing the Atomic Knights to keep him constantly contained.

After being fitted with an updated version of the Monarch armor to contain his radiation, Atom awoke. Seemingly mentally unstable, he broke free only to find the Teen Titans, Freedom Fighters and S.H.A.D.E. fighting each other to determine Blüdhaven's fate. He stopped and killed the rampaging Major Force, before ordering everyone to evacuate the area; once they had left, Atom released a vast amount of energy, obliterating what was left of Blüdhaven.

Sometime later, Kyle Rayner, known as Ion, discovered him in The Bleed. Atom, having now embraced the Monarch identity, indicated that he is traveling through The Bleed in order to operate outside the gaze of the Monitors. He discussed his time in the Wildstorm Universe, and his desire to visit other alternate worlds.

Countdown

 Main article: Countdown

 Main article: Countdown: Arena

Countdown 44cov

Monarch

Having become aware of the Multiverse and the Monitors, Monarch planned to attack them in order to become ruler of a unified Earth. He drafted an army of foot-soldiers from various alternate Earths, including the Extremists of Earth-8, the JL-Axis of Earth-10 and the Crime Society of Earth-3, while his main goal was to assemble a force with the strongest versions of various heroes.

He captured multiple versions of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and others, placed them in an Arena and forced th various versions of each other to fight to the death, with the survivor joining his army. Despite the attempts of various heroes to stop his plans, Monarch achieved his goals and readied his army to attack the Monitors, using Earth-51 as the battleground.

As Monarch neared victory he was attacked by Superman-Prime who had been tricked by one of the Monitors, Solomon, into attacking. In the fight against Superman-Prime, Monarch's suit was damaged which released a chain reaction that destroyed the entire universe of Earth-51 aside from its Monitor, Nix Uotan.

It was later revealed that Solomon was solely responsible for Captain Atom's madness, and that it was he who attacked him in Blüdhaven, rupturing his skin and setting into motion his transformation into Monarch.

Project 7734

Captain Atom, suffering from amnesia, was discovered by General Lane and his black-ops organization Project 7734. He was brainwashed by the project and used by General Lane as a bargaining chip with the sorceress Mirabai, the Forlorn; for her help with Project 7734, Atom was made her champion and used by her to subdue her enemies in Sorcerers' World. After defeating Mirabai's enemies, Atom managed to overcome his brainwashing and amnesia at the castle of Lord Gadrey and was subdued by 7734's task force before being saved by an anti-Mirabai resistance group helped by Natasha Irons who had been spying on 7734 and learned of Atom's condition.

Captain Atom was later confronted by Major Force, who has also been working for 7734, and the two fought until Major Force transported themselves to Metropolis. Mon-El appeared, helped Captain Atom escape, and took him to the Justice League's Watchtower, where the League members immediately attacked him in order to bring to justice for his actions as Monarch. After a struggle and reconciliation with the League, Atom told them what he can remember and the League reminded him he was a hero who once saved Earth.

Atom felt the need to return to Sorcerers' World to make amends for what he did. The Shadowpact were called on to help him on his quest and suggested he use the underground world of Skartaris to reach his destination. Once in Sorcerors' World, he met up with the resistance group and helped them defeat Mirabai. Only after that did one of the leading resistance members, Aggaro, reveal himself to Captain Atom as the sorcerer Modru, who would now rule in her place. Despite being seen as another tyrant by Captain Atom, Mordru explained to him that he promised to rule Sorcerers' World benignly and swore that, despite being seen as a villain on Earth, he would be considered a friend to Captain Atom in his world. Captain Atom was then magically returned to Earth.

A week later, Atom was cleared of his past crimes thanks to the efforts of Mon-El, who convinced the Daily Planet to publish a positive front-page article on Captain Atom which went worldwide. Due to his experiences in Sorcerers' World, Captain Atom resolved to return to his life as a superhero.

Justice League: Generation Lost

 Main article: Justice League: Generation Lost Vol 1

Following the events of Brightest Day, Captain Atom was one of many heroes hunting for the resurrected Maxwell Lord. Atom, along with former members of the Justice League International Fire and Ice found a wounded Booster Gold at the JLI embassy in New York, and learned that Lord had amplified his powers to make almost everyone on Earth forget about him -- Atom and his team mates retained their memories of Lord.

Magog 010

Magog dies.

As Atom and his allies attempted to find him, Lord used his mind controlling powers to force Magog to attack Captain Atom. Lord then has Magog kill himself but convince onlookers that Atom was responsible. Absorbing Magog's suicidal blast, Atom is thrust into the future where he finds a devastated world contaminated by a new OMAC virus. The remaining heroes tell Atom that this world was the result of Lord killing Wonder Woman, before Atom returns to the present, determined to stop Lord.

Aided by Power Girl and Batman who had managed to remember Lord, Captain Atom leads an assault against the OMACs and Lord, stopping his plan to murder Wonder Woman. During the battled, Atom once more absorbed enough energy to plunge into the time stream and threatened to take Lord with him unless he undid his global mind wipe.

While Lord ultimately escaped, he informed the world that Captain Atom was innocent of the murders of Magog and the surrounding civilians.

Powers

  • Dilustel Armor: Captain Atom's metallic shell, or "skin," is composed of a portion of the alien being known as Silver Shield, and is called Dilustel. Pieces of the alien's metal body were used in the Captain Atom Project, Project Major Force and similar projects thereafter. Atom is able to coat himself with the metal, either partially or totally. Atom's symbiosis with the metal is such that even when partially armored, he is able to access the Quantum Field.
    • Chronokinesis: Captain Atom has shown time-traveling capabilities without quantum jumping and can travel ahead in time using concentration. The process is exhausting and the period he can interact in the future appears to be limited to a few minutes before he returns to the present.
    • Atomic Transmutation: Captain Atom has demonstrated atomic transmutation powers similar to Firestorm, as he was able to turn both Maul and Engineer back to their human forms and once turned Green Arrow's quivers into butterflies. This power can be used instinctively or through concentration.
    • Energy Absorption
    • Flight
    • Immortality
    • Invulnerability: Atom's Dilustel coating renders him invulnerable to physical and energy attacks.
    • Matter Generation: Captain Atom can also create matter in the same manner he creates energy. In the same way, he can absorb and manipulate matter at a basic level.
    • Regeneration: Over time if Atom's armored skin were to be ruptured or damaged he would recover at an accelerated rate.
    • Self-Sustenance
    • Superhuman Strength: As Captain Atom his strength was such that he was able to go toe to toe with beings such as Superman, Majestic, etc. and hold his own.
    • Superhuman Stamina
    • Superhuman Speed
    • Superhuman Reflexes
    • Techno Interface: He has also shown the ability to telepathically interface with computer networks.
    • Anti-Magic: An effect of Captain Atom's Dilustel coating coupled with his exposure to the Quantum Field affords Nathaniel not only Immunity to magical powers and spell craft.[2] But also allows him to outright negate the effects of it in general through their use.[3]
    • Self-Power Augmentation: At times, he can use the quantum field to enhance his physical prowess to even greater levels such as enhancing and increasing his listening range, augmenting his already impressive levels of strength or even increasing his flight speed.
    • Quantum Field Manipulation: Captain Atom's metal skin is tied into the Quantum Field, which enables him to absorb and manipulate infinite amounts of energy; energy which can be utilized for an infinite amount of purposes which are solely limited by his willpower and imagination. Reinforcing the fact when he realized that the Quantum field is under his complete and total control. E.I, creating and destroying a replica of Earth complete with life and its most powerful heroes out of nothing; such as Superman, The Flash, Firestorm and even his own Spectre. Though he has only done this once, subconsciously limiting himself to a set amount of power ever since. Nathaniel's ability harness energy is insurmountable, manipulating it for a variety of effects ranging from absorbing, changing, metabolizing, even shutting down other energy users powers or shaping it into whatever he needs. Like force fields, explosive bombs or a simple blast from the hands or eyes. Either firing it from anywhere on his body or releasing it as an AOE wave either by will or upon detonation.

Weaknesses

  • Involuntary Quantum Jumping: If Atom absorbs too much energy at once, he is sent hurtling through time. Depending on the type of energy absorbed, he either goes forward or backwards.
  • Quantum Field Disruption: If there are disturbances within the Q-Field itself, it can greatly hinder Captain Atoms Control over his powers. [4]
  • Radiation Leak: If Captain Atom uses the upper levels of his power, he starts to leak radiation. If he went toe to toe with a being of sufficient physical ability (for example, Darkseid) and his Dilustel was ruptured in a city he could detonate like an atomic bomb badly irradiating it.[5]
  • Vulnerability to X-Ionized Weaponry: The Dilustel comprising of Nathaniel Adam's body is nigh-indestructible, munitions by the Ionizer apparatus can be lethal to him.[6]

Equipment

  • Monarch Armor: The updated Monarch armor worn by Captain Atom throughout Countdown, contains a "nanoweave" designed to contain radiation leaking from a breach in his chest. It also contained instruments for monitoring his vital signs, through a direct neural interface.


Related

External Links

Footnotes




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This character has been a member of the Justice League of America, or the Justice League in any of its various incarnations, sworn by a duty to act as guardians of America and the world by using their skills and/or superpowers to protect Earth from the clutches of both interstellar and domestic threats.
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