Atomic Skull
- For other uses of this name, see Atomic Skull (disambiguation).
The Atomic Skull is a name of several characters from the DC Universe.
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Atomic Skull (Albert Michaels)
- Main Article: Albert Michaels
Pre-Crisis
Alias Albert Michaels. An enemy of Superman, a former STAR Labs director who discovered he had a rare nervous system disorder that short-circuited the electrical impulses in his brain, creating a sort of seizure. Distraught, he left STAR and gave his inventions to the criminal organization SKULL, which provided him with the means to correct his affliction with a sort of neural pacemaker. However, the radium-powered device malfunctioned, mutating his brainwaves so that his seizures would create blasts of strange energy. Serving briefly as the leader of SKULL, Michaels renamed himself the Atomic Skull and soon clashed with the Man of Steel. Unfortunately, his blasts were difficult to control, and each successive usage of the blasts worsened his condition.
Michaels then collaborated with SKULL in staging an attack on S.T.A.R. to acquire samples of rare man-made elements for usage in the synthesis of artificial Kryptonite. SKULL and Michaels also arranged for one of their own, SKULL agent Roger Corben, to be mortally injured by a deflected laser-blast in the inevitable encounter with Superman, in order so that SKULL could reconstruct Corben into the new Metallo, complete with Kryptonite heart. (Superman v1 #310) Metallo eventually learned that SKULL conspired to make him into the inhuman cyborg he became and turned against his former masters, stealing the matter-transporter ray from Michaels's possession and using it to orchestrate ghastly spree-killings of SKULL members by exchanging their hearts for phosphorescent green fake-Kryptonite stones. Metallo's threat sent Michaels on the run into hiding, and the unexplained abandonment of his post at S.T.A.R. caused Jenet Klyburn to be rehired to replace him as Chief Administrator. (Superman v1 #316) Superman chased after Metallo with the mission to take him down before his murder campaign could continue. Along the way, he learned about Michaels's true nature as a SKULL industrial espionage agent from Metallo himself. Ultimately, Superman sprung upon Metallo when the K-powered killer attacked a SKULL hideout, the location of which was leaked to Superman by Lois Lane. The police were summoned to surround the area, and while Superman dealt with Metallo, Michaels grabbed Lois and held her hostage to force Superman to permit his escape by matter-transporter ray. As he departed, Michaels swore vengeance on Superman and vowed to rebuild SKULL. (Superman v1 #317)
Michaels underwent the surgery that would implant the radium-powered device in his brain, but shortly afterwards, the implant stopped working, instead giving Michaels the ability to project the bioelectricity of his epileptic brain externally. The seizure disorder resumed its deadly course, but in the meantime, Superman had captured the few scientists in SKULL's employ who could have repaired the implant. Michaels took the identity of the Atomic Skull and overthrew the SKULL leadership hierarchy, appointing himself as the syndicate's new boss. The Skull then directed the kidnapping of Jenet Klyburn with a skull-shaped airship and lured Superman to his lair, where he systematically manipulated the Man of Tomorrow into setting various elements of a system in motion to pack a warhead with Kryptonite samples, which had been retrieved by SKULL via an operation to collect K-rocks newly fallen to Earth which was codenamed the 'Kryptonite pipeline'. The detonation of the warhead in the ionosphere was projected to generate a ring of K-radiations around the Earth reminiscent of the Van Allen radiation belt and strip Superman of his powers. The Atomic Skull also arranged to capture Titano, the Super-Ape, and planted a receiver in the overgrown chimp's brain to receive his own telepathic signals, commanding Titano to kill Superman. Superman worked quickly to knock the Skull unconscious and pack a second warhead with lead filaments to explode in the ionosphere, mitigating the effect of the K-radiation belt to merely weaken, as opposed to eliminate, his powers. Superman then pacified Titano and sent him to another world where he could make no more trouble before eradicating the Kryptonite and lead contaminants from the ionosphere with the new super-breath attachment of his Supermobile. (Superman v1 #324)
Post-Crisis
Following the Crisis on Infinite Earths, a new version of reality was created with a different history of events.
Alias Dr. Albert Michaels. A former employee of STAR Labs, he sought to make himself immortal, and enlisted the help of the criminal organization SKULL. With their assistance, Michaels became a "disciple of the atom," having his brain and skull altered to accomodate a radium-powered device which maintained his brain functions, as well as allowing him to transform his thought-impulses into blasts of radioactive energy. Raiding nuclear power plants to refuel himself, he was opposed by Captain Atom. Although he did overload the Captain's ability to absorb radioactivity- sending him 23 hours into the future- the Atomic Skull was ultimately defeated.
Post-Flashpoint
Following the Flashpoint, a new version of reality was created with a different history of events.
Whilst in prison, Stryker's Island came under the control of LexCorp who hired their own private security wing called LexGuard to manage it. Since that time, the guards were known to had heavily mistreated the captive prisoners to the point that many nearly died. Tired of the mistreatment, Atomic Skull broke out of the prison and in a rage attacked the city but simply wanted to escape and be away from the corrupt control of the prison. He was confronted by the new Superwoman and Steel who intended to apprehend him but he pleaded to them with him attempting to highlight the injustices within the prison. To prove that he intended to mend his ways, he even agreed to help protect the city that was in the grips of a crisis where he helped Superwoman. (Superwoman v1 #3)
He was then abducted by the Ultra-Humanite who experimented on the Atomic Skull and intended to replicate his powers to form an Atomic Army. During this time, Michaels managed to escape from the laboratory in Gotham City where he fled into the city with the Ultra-Humanite dispatching drones disguised as GCPD officers to re-capture him. Whilst running away, the commotion he created drew the attention of Batman with the Atomic Skull attacking the drones disguised as policemen. This led to Batman attacking him with Atomic Skull attempting to warn him of the danger but then a chain reaction was triggered in him remotely that created a large explosion that nearly killed Batman had not Superman saved him. (Batman/Superman v2 #9) The incident killed the Atomic Skull with Batman taking his body to find the cause of death. (Batman/Superman v2 #10)
Atomic Skull (Joseph Martin)
- Main Article: Joseph Martin
Post-Crisis
Originally student Joseph Martin, he was mutated by the Dominators' gene-bomb that exploded during the Invasion crisis. Awakening from an illness induced by the bomb some time later, he awoke to find a discharge of energy had caused his hair to fall out and his strength to increase dramatically. After being attacked by three criminals in the street, he suffered head injuries and began to believe he was a movie serial hero known as the Atomic Skull. By the time he was found by Superman, he had fully fallen under the delusion, possessing transparent skin and the ability to fire energy blasts. He saw Superman as the Skull's enemy, Doctor Electron, and sought out the Skull's love Zelda Wentworth. Since being defeated by Superman, he has escaped and caused chaos multiple times, still convinced that he is the serial hero. Neron later gave him enhanced powers at the cost of his soul, although it's doubtful that the Skull truly understood that.
Post-Flashpoint
Following the Flashpoint, a new version of reality was created with a different history of events.
At Stryker's Island prison, he was detained until LexCorp took over the site where they began to conduct torturous experiments on the supervillain inmates. The actions of the sadistic LexGuard security were killing the people within the prison and caused him to decide to try an escape. After an EMP hit, the Atomic Skull managed to escape from Stryker's Island with police officers being in pursuit of him. He was confronted by Steel and Natasha Irons where he was then attacked by the new Superwoman. She managed to capture him whereupon Atomic Skull told her about conditions in the prison and the plight of those within it. Atomic Skull then accompanied her and helped the superhero in restoring power to the city. (Superwoman v1 #3) Afterwards, the conditions of the prison were exposed and Atomic Skull came to help in defeating Ultrawoman. This saw him being freed from captivity and assigned to the Metropolis Special Crimes Unit under Captain Maggie Sawyer where he used his powers to help apprehend supervillain escape convicts from Stryker's Island. (Superwoman v1 #9)
He was later kidnapped by the Ultra-Humanite who intended to replicate his abilities to create an Atomic Army. The process de-stabilised Atomic Skull's body but he managed to escape where he attempted to evade his captor who had dispatched drones that resembled GCPD. Attacking his pursuers, he incidentally drew the attention of Batman who mistakenly believed Atomic Skull was the aggressor. During this time, his powers went into overload where he exploded with Superman managing to save Batman from the blast. However, the result of the explosion left a great deal of destruction in its wake with the Atomic Skull having been killed in the blast. (Batman/Superman v2 #9) Batman later took the body back for examination. (Batman/Superman v2 #10)
Fictional
Character in a 1936 twelve-episode movie serial made by National Films Studios. The Atomic Skull was originally government agent Joe Martin, who investigated the evil Doctor Electron and was transformed into the hideous Atomic Skull by one of Electron's inventions. Despite that, he and Zelda Wentworth, the daughter of Electron, fell in love. Battling Electron and his minions (such as Rocketman) with his heat ray eyeblasts, the Skull eventually destroyed the mad scientist's plans and was transformed to his normal self.
Overview
He was regarded as one of the most powerful beings in Metropolis. (Superwoman v1 #3)
Notes
- The concept of the Atomic Skull was created by Gerry Conway and Curt Swan where it made its first appearance in Superman v1 #303 (September, 1976).
- It's possible the first post-Crisis Atomic Skull was the same as the pre-Crisis Atomic Skull, but it was implied in his Captain Atom appearance that this was a first appearance. His history with STAR and SKULL (elements from the pre-Crisis version) was only established in The DC Comics Encyclopedia.
- The fictional version from the serial was designed identically to the pre-Crisis incarnation.
Alternate Versions
In other media
Television
Films
Video games
Appearances
- Superman v1: (1976)
- Adventures of Superman v1: (1991)
- Action Comics v1: (1991)
- Superwoman v1:
- Batman/Superman v2: (2020)
