Atlas (DC)
Atlas is a male comic character who features in DC Comics.
Contents |
Biography
Origin
Atlas was a male human born long ago on Earth during a time of barbarism where he was part of a peaceful tribe that lived at the Crystal Mountain. At some point, his family made their way down to a nearby village where his father cared for him in that time. This was until a raid by the tyrannical King Hyssa warriors came who struck the village and burnt it to the ground. Among the dead included Atlas's father whilst all the villagers were captured by the raiders who took them away. Wearing his magical pendant, Atlas escaped the slavers where he was briefly sheltered by a kind-hearted man named Chagra. At first, Atlas shrugged the man away with Chagra impressed at the young boy's strength and coming to realise his heritage. As the last survivor of his people, he retrieved a crystal that his father had kept that came from the Crystal Mountain whereupon he set on a path of revenge against King Hyssa. Chagra came to accompany the young boy and watched over his exploits as he grew to adulthood. This saw him wandering as a young hero who defeated many threats around the world. During one of his travels, he came upon a land of 'devil-worship' where he destroyed the idol 'Ishtak'. Eventually, he came to arrive at the capital city of Hyssa where he demonstrated his great strength in the market place and fought challengers one-on-one. Thus, he came to challenge King Hyssa and his forces at the walls of his fortress itself. (1st Issue Special v1 #1)
In time, he grew up to become a protector of the innocent, but once King Hyssa was defeated, his petulance and darker nature came to the forefront. (1st Issue Special v1 #1)
- The story was never completed and thus the fate of Hyssa and the actions of Atlas afterwards are unknown.
Post-Crisis
Following the Crisis on Infinite Earths, a new version of reality was created with a different history of events. Atlas
Upon arriving in Metropolis, he killed a humongous white creature terrorising the city. The beast's death throes though caused it to crash into the Daily Planet resulting in the globe decorating the top of it to fall below. Atlas came to catch it and flung it far away whereupon he screamed a challenge to Superman to prove his superiority. At the time, the Science Police responded where they attacked him but were powerless against Atlas who crushed the whole squad easily before ushering his challenge once again for the Man of Steel. (Superman v1 #677) Superman later confronted Atlas where the two fought on without noticing several drones hovering near and transmitting their every move back to the Science Police headquarters. The members of the S.P. were standing by for instructions to intervene and take Atlas down. (Superman v1 #678) The battle between the pair was intense and an attempt by Supergirl Kara Zor-El to intervene was stopped by a mysterious party from orbit. To save Kara, Superman distracted Atlas and took the blows that led to him being knocked out. As such, Atlas was the victor where he expressed disappointment in his enemies and then easily overpowered others that came to challenge him including Steel John Henry Irons and Bibbo Bibbowski. Whilst walking through Metropolis for a challenge, he was then beset upon by Krypto the Super-Dog. (Superman v1 #679)
Post-Flashpoint
Following the Flashpoint, a new version of reality was created with a different history of events. It was known that Atlas had once met the Wizard some time ago. (The Infected: King Shazam v1 #1)
He was living in his home in an isolated part of the world when he was attacked by Shazam who had been corrupted by the dark energies wielded by the Batman Who Laughs. Under this influence, Batson decided torment gods where he first targeted Atlas. After leaving the deity wounded, he departed and went to pursue others in the world. The wounded Atlas was discovered by Mary Marvel who was searching for her adoptive brother and this confirmed her fears that something terrible had taken a hold of him. (The Infected: King Shazam v1 #1)
Overview
Personality and attributes
He was also known as Atlas the Great and was once considered the greatest of mortals due to his might. (1st Issue Special v1 #1) In the modern day, he was assigned a civilian secret identity where he went by the name of Tom Curtis. (Superman: Secret Files 2009 v1 #1)
Atlas had said that he cared little for pompous fools that travelled on the backs of slaves. (1st Issue Special v1 #1)
After losing his father, he grew to manhood where his desire for vengeance against the people who murdered his parent had hardened. (1st Issue Special v1 #1)
During his pursuit of revenge, Atlas had a companion in the kind elderly man named Chagra who came to witness the hero's exploits across the lands. (1st Issue Special v1 #1) Unbeknownst to Atlas, his friend Chagra came to become afraid of him. At first, the man had idolized Atlas when he joined him in his quest to avenge his tribe. Atlas used to be brave and pure-hearted, but he gradually became a short-tempered tyrant. So when Atlas asked for a spell so the 'Mountain Crystal', his power's source, was absorbed into his body, Chagra bribed three mages to come up with a spell which would send Atlas far away forever. (Superman v1 #678)
Powers and abilities
Even as a child, he had strength that was said to be beyond his years with him being as swift as he was strong with it being akin to a full-grown man. (1st Issue Special v1 #1) It was said that he had superhuman strength, agility and invulnerability sufficient enough to combat the likes of Superman. (Superman: Secret Files 2009 v1 #1) Superman had even noted that Atlas was super-strong like himself. (Superman v1 #679)
After the death of his father, he came to inherit a large jewel that was a piece of the Crystal Mountain that was the home of their tribe. (1st Issue Special v1 #1)
He wore the golden Helmet of Champions that symbolized his victory in the gladiatorial arena. (1st Issue Special v1 #1)
Notes
- Atlas was created by Jack Kirby where he made his first appearance in 1st Issue Special v1 #1 (April, 1975).
- In 1st Issue Special v1 #1 (1975), editorial discussed the creation of Atlas in "The Story Behind the Story":
- "Legend has it that Atlas was the king of Atlantis, and the leader of the Titans that Zeus overthrew. For his role championing the titan cause, he was condemned to carry the heavens on his shoulders. yet what is a legend ? The Dictionary defines legend as "a story coming down from the past; especially one popularly accepted as historical though not verifiable." But Modern interpretation has given the word legend the quality of something larger than life...more dramatic. more powerful. more unique. And that's appropriate for our new version of atlas. Certainly our hero is larger than life. laden with qualities beyond the reach of ordinary mortals. The only part of the description that doesn't work is the "coming down from the past" section, but that's easily enough explained . This is the era of instant legend. Electronic media and mass market magazines publicize any extraordinary any extraordinary feat so rapidly feat so rapidly that new heroes . new legends, are born everyday, no sooner has the world record for anything has been broken than the media use their influence to announce the birth of a new star. and so the value of age wanes . A story is no longer a classic because it has been handed down from generation to generation. Our classic are now the tales aimed at our decade, our year, our instant. Which brings us to Atlas #1. If there's been one theme running through comics career of Jack Kirby, its been legend And that applies on two levels: The first being the new characters who he's raised to the quality of legend, and the second the numerous experiments with magazines devoted to modern versions of the legends of the past. Whether its Greek, Roman, Norse or entirely new gods, alien races with stature approaching godhood have always entered into the Kirby scheme of themes. Nowadays its very popular to hypothesize about the possibility of alien races landing on earth and giving giving unintentional birth to the concept of pantheons of gods. but Jack Kirby envisioned such events years earlier. In that sense, Atlas is the latest in a long series of visons of the past/present/future unknown. It possess the qualities that made the earlier Kirby creations so popular, and draws upon the concept of legend again. But more importantly it is an entire new speculation-a new addition to the Kirby mythos. How it develops, whether it gains the vast popularity of the other Kirby myths, only time will tell. Its up to you, the readers, to tell us if you want this magazine to continue, even an incredibly fast artist like Jack Kirby can only do a certain number of magazines at once, and if you want this to be one of them-let us know."
Alternate Versions
- In Spy Smasher v1 #8 (1942), a different version of Atlas appeared in Fawcett Comics in the reality designated as Earth-S in the Multiverse.
- In Kingdom Come v1 #3 (1996), an alternate version of Atlas appeared in the Kingdom Come reality set on Earth-22 in the Multiverse. This version was described as being a legendary demigod figure who was shown as a member of the Justice League in support of Superman.
- In All-Star Superman v1 #3 (2006), a character named Atlas appeared in the All-Star Superman reality that was an Elseworlds in the Multiverse. This version of Atlas was portrayed as a liar and crook as is his companion and fellow strong-man Samson. Apparently, Atlas and Samson had at some point stolen the Jewels of Atom-hotep from the nigh-omnipotent monster called the Ultra-Sphinx. In order to get rid of Ultra-Sphinx, the duo travelled to the present day tried to get the help of Superman who was at that time accompanied by Lois Lane who at the time was empowered with the same super-powers as Superman for 24 hours. Meanwhile, they were preparing to battle an invasion of monsters coming from the center of the Earth to destroy Metropolis. Superman was ready to intervene when Atlas and Samson jump into action to resolve the situation. Atlas and Samson are both amazed and quite smitten with Lois Lane and offer the Jewels of Atom-hotep as a birthday gift thus tricking Superman in an attempt to compete with Superman for the attention of Lois. Amid the confusion, the Ultra-Sphinx monster appeared. He first claimed the Jewels of Atom-hotep and then took Lois captive. The Ultra-Sphinx explains he will only release Lois if Superman, Atlas and/or Samson are able to answer a question correctly. Superman was very angry with Atlas and Samson for their deception and especially for putting Lois in danger but he answered the question for Lois' sake. After answering the question correctly and saving the day, Superman took on both Atlas and Samson, simultaneously, in an arm wrestling match. Superman won easily and though Samson loses first, it is Atlas whom is sent to the hospital with both arms broken.
In other media
Films
Appearances
- 1st Issue Special v1: (1975)
- Superman v1:
- Superman: Secret Files 2009 v1: (2009)
- Justice League of America v2:
- Supergirl v5:
- The Infected: King Shazam v1: (2019)
- Shazam! v5:
External Links
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