Nathaniel Adam (Prime Earth)

I fought for my country against everybody. I fought with the League. Against everybody. As tough and rough as they make them. I've taken them on, taken them down.

— Captain Atom ^src

Nathaniel Adam is the Captain Atom, a Quantum-powered superhero, former soldier and current member of the Justice League.

History

Origins

Nathaniel Adam volunteered to participate in an experiment conducted by a research facility called the Continuum. At this facility, Dr. Megala's research was focused on the quantum field and on "dimensional transfer through M Theory". Adam was asked to pilot the dimensional-transfer vessel but is seemingly atomized during the experiment. Soon afterwards, he reappeared, now an energy-based life form.

Captain Atom

According to Dr. Megala, Captain Atom's abilities are largely nuclear in nature and involve tapping into the strong nuclear force, the energy that binds protons and neutrons in the nucleus. Adam's physical atoms are constantly splitting apart, giving him incredible power. His body maintains integrity by instantly re-merging these atoms, but extreme use of his powers can interfere with this process and cause Captain Atom's form to become unstable. This leads to a fear that at some point Captain Atom's brain might lose its molecular stability and he won't be able to fix it before it impairs his consciousness or causes him to suffer some form of brain death.^[2]

Nathaniel Adam had only been Captain Atom for a few months and was still exploring his abilities, constantly learning new facets to them such as his ability to perceive wireless transmissions from cell phones and computers.^[3] He frequently returned to the Continuum so that Dr. Megala and the staff could help him further understand his abilities and occasionally so they could stabilize his body when he seemed to be having problems. The world at large looked on Captain Atom with suspicion due to uncertainty about his agenda and the nature of his abilities. Some fear that he was leaking radiation and potentially poisoning those he came into contact with. Several have remarked that the Justice League may have rejected Captain Atom for membership due to suspicion of how dangerous he was.^[4] Despite this, Nathaniel chose to try and use his powers to help others on Earth, clandestinely if needed be.

Doomsday Clock

Main article: Doomsday Clock Vol 1

After Superman is framed and rendered comatose, Captain Atom joined the group of heroes heading towards Mars to confront their mysterious enemy. The heroes meet and engage Doctor Manhattan, but they are easily defeated.^[5]

Powers and Abilities

Powers

Quantum Field Manipulation^[2]
- Chronokinesis (possibly formerly)^[6]
- Disintegration
- Molecular Reconstruction^[4]
- Healing
- Size Alteration
- Density Control
  - Intangibility
- Bio-Fission^[7] (Formerly)
- Energy Projection^[8]^[9]
- Flight^[3]^[10]
- Self-Sustenance^[11] (possibly formerly)
- Power Distribution^[7] (Formerly)
- Teleportation (possibly formerly)^[12]
- Quantum Armor: Ever since regaining his human body, Captain Atom acquired the ability to materialize organic metal armor that covers his skin.^[13] This armor stabilizes Atom's powers in addition to granting additional abilities such as;
  - Superhuman Strength: Atom can easily lift a stone slab several times larger than himself, one-handed.
  - Superhuman Speed: Atom can move so fast time appears to stand still around him, he can even keep up with individuals like The Flash with relative ease.^[4]
  - Invulnerability: Atom's armor is durable enough to withstand missile strikes with no damage.
  - Energy Manipulation: Atom's skill with energy projection has been enhanced to such an extent, that he can now fire multiple energy blasts simultaneously with pinpoint accuracy.
  - Energy Construct Creation
  - Energy Absorption
  - Force Field

Abilities

Military Protocol

Weaknesses

Power Instability (Formerly): Due to being an unstable energy-based life form, Captain Atom had poor control over his powers. This also meant he couldn't touch anything without destroying it, including people. Due to his time-jump to the 1990's and back, and his subsequent transformation, Atom regained his human form. He now has complete control over his abilities as well as the ability to touch.

Notes

Captain Atom was created by Joe Gill and Steve Ditko, first appearing in Space Adventures (Volume 2) #33. However, in the Prime Earth continuity, Captain Atom first appeared as part of the New 52 DC Universe in Captain Atom (Volume 3) #1 by J.T. Krul and Freddie E. Williams II.

This character is or was 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 both interstellar and domestic threats.
This template will categorize articles that include it into the "Justice League of America members" category.

[1] Legion Lost (Volume 2) #13

[CA1-2] 2.0 ^2.1 Captain Atom (Volume 3) #1

[CA2-3] 3.0 ^3.1 Captain Atom (Volume 3) #2

[CA3-4] 4.0 ^4.1 ^4.2 Captain Atom (Volume 3) #3

[5] Doomsday Clock #9

[CA7-6] Captain Atom (Volume 3) #7

[CA8-7] 7.0 ^7.1 Captain Atom (Volume 3) #8

[CA5-8] Captain Atom (Volume 3) #5

[CA11-9] Captain Atom (Volume 3) #11

[CA10-10] Captain Atom (Volume 3) #10

[CA4-11] Captain Atom (Volume 3) #4

[CA9-12] Captain Atom (Volume 3) #9

[TFRCA3-13] The Fall and Rise of Captain Atom #3

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