The All-New Atom Vol 1 2

""My Life in Miniature (Part II of VI) - Atomic Shell"": Ryan Choi experiments with his Bio-Belt in front of his colleagues, the Lighter Than Air Society. Shrinking down to the size of an ant, he explores the surface of a table. When he tries to spontaneously sh

"My Life in Miniature (Part II of VI) - Atomic Shell"
The All-New Atom Vol 1 #2
October, 2006
Executive Editor	Dan DiDio
Cover Artists	Ariel Olivetti
"My Life in Miniature (Part II of VI) - Atomic Shell"
Writers	Gail Simone
Pencilers	John Byrne
Inkers	Trevor Scott
Letterers	Travis Lanham
Editors	Tom Palmer, Jr. Mike Carlin
Previous Issue	The All-New Atom # 1
Next Issue	The All-New Atom # 3

First, it's stupid. It is not a clever bug. Let's just get that right out. Second, I don't want a hoopty that gets distracted by a few dropped grains of sugar. But most of all... it smells like a huge fart.

— The Atom

The All-New Atom #2 is an issue of the series The All-New Atom (Volume 1) with a cover date of October, 2006. It was published on August 2, 2006.

Synopsis for "My Life in Miniature (Part II of VI) - Atomic Shell"

Ryan Choi experiments with his Bio-Belt in front of his colleagues, the Lighter Than Air Society. Shrinking down to the size of an ant, he explores the surface of a table. When he tries to spontaneously shift his size however, the belt becomes unstable, and Ryan's body begins transforming into an unexpected and horrific form. He succeeds in re-adjusting the belt and his body returns to normal.

That evening, Ryan and his friend Panda Potter go out for Chinese food. While eating, one of Ryan's students flirts with him and drops her telephone number. Ryan and Panda walk out of the restaurant and Ryan spots a homeless woman with a violin singing about a demon at the crossroads from down below. Ryan gives her a few dollars continues home.

Moments later, armored alien enforcers of the Waiting attack the homeless woman. They abduct her and bring her down into the sewers to their master M'nagalah.

Ryan arrives home, which is actually Ray Palmer's home. He finds a dog on the front step and decides to adopt it. He also finds a package from his friends at Ivy University. Opening it up, Ryan discovers a red and blue super-hero costume. The doorbell sounds and when he answers, he finds the homeless woman's broken violin with a message written on the back, "We have her. Come alone".

Remembering the old woman's song, Ryan changes into his new Atom costume and explores the city's sewer system. He comes upon the Waiting as well as the armored soldiers who attacked the old woman. These strange aliens are miniature in size, speak in multiple tenses and possess highly advanced equipment and weaponry. The soldiers corral Ryan into fleeing in a particular direction - a direction that leads him even deeper into the sewer channel. There, he encounters a hideous amorphous entity known as M'nagalah. M'nagalah tells Ryan that he has been waiting for him.

Meanwhile at Ivy University, serial killer student Sylbert Rundine returns to his dormitory after a night of "hunting". He finds a man standing in his room who offers him a bio-belt.

Appearing in "My Life in Miniature (Part II of VI) - Atomic Shell"

Featured Characters:

• The Atom/Ryan Choi (Origin)

Supporting Characters:

• Lighter Than Air Society
  • Helmond Kettering
  • Martin Campbell
  • Panda Potter
  • Thomas Dinawa

Antagonists:

• M'nagalah
• Sylbert Rundine (First appearance)
• Waiting
  • Praetor, of the Waiting

Other Characters:

• Amanda Turner

Locations:

• Connecticut
  • Ivy Town
  • Ivy University
  • Schrodinger's Authentic Chinese

Items:

• Bio-Belt

Vehicles:

• None
  

Notes

• This issue is reprinted in the The All-New Atom: My Life in Miniature collection.
• The grotesque creature at the end of this issue is an ancient entity called M'nagalah, which claims to be the 'cancer god' (its name is given in issue #3). M'nagalah first appeared in Swamp Thing (Volume 1) #8 in 1974.

Trivia

• Throughout the series, random quotes from famous scientists are interspersed amongst the narratives. One of the quotes from this issue is attributed to Professor Alec Holland.
• Ray Palmer's doorbell plays Beethoven's 5th.

See Also

• Cover gallery for the The All-New Atom series
• Images from The All-New Atom Vol 1 2

Recommended Reading

• Atom Recommended Reading
  • Action Comics (Volume 1)
  • The Atom (Volume 1)
  • The Atom Special (Volume 1)
  • Power of the Atom (Volume 1)
  • Sword of the Atom (Volume 1)
  • The All-New Atom (Volume 1)