Black Adam: 10 Things Only Comic Book Fans Know About Atom Smasher

DC FanDome gave audiences their first look into the upcoming Black Adam movie. The project will introduce many new characters into the DCEU, including Pierce Brosnan’s Doctor Fate and Aldis Hodge’s Hawkman. Among these new additions is Atom Smasher, played by teen heartthrob Noah Centineo.

The Atom Smasher has a rich storyline in the comic books. However, he’s also a somewhat obscure character, which means that only long-time comic book fans might know about the intricacies of his crime-fighting life. Still, Atom Smasher is a compelling character, and the movie’s release provides the perfect opportunity to learn more about him.

10 He Is The Grandson Of A Supervillain

Atom Shmasher’s real name is Albert Rothstein. He is the grandson of reluctant supervillain Terry Curtis, AKA Cyclotron, a nuclear scientist from the 1940s. After being kidnapped by Ultra-Humanite and experimented on, Curtis developed meta-human abilities.

Ultra-Humanite used him as a pawn, making him fight the original Atom, Al Pratt. Curtis eventually sacrificed himself to destroy Ultra-Humanite, inspiring Pratt with his deeds. Pratt and Curtis’ ex-lover, Dannette Railly, took care of Curtis’ daughter, Terri, who passed on her father’s abilities to her son, Albert.

9 He Was a Founding Member Of Infinity Inc.

Infinity Inc. is one of the many DC teams that has yet to debut in the DCEU. Albert was a charter member of the team under his original code-name, Nuklon. He joined other heroes like Silver Scarab, Northwind, and Fury and formed the team after being turned away by the JSA. The group fights several considerable threats and plays a prominent role in the Crisis on Infinite Earths event.

Despite their earnest efforts, Infinity Inc. was never a prominent player in the superhero game. Years later, a Lex Luthor-sponsored Infinity Inc. reappeared, but its stay was also short-lived.

8 Becoming Atom Smasher

During his time with Infinity Inc., Albert grew a reputation for being a reliable but shy team member. He still showed great promise and attracted the JSA’s attention. They eventually extended an invitation to join them, and he accepted.

It was then that Albert abandoned the Nuklon moniker and became Atom Smasher. His new identity came with a new look, abandoning his youthful style and adopting a more adult costume. During this time, Albert shows absolute respect for the legendary superheroes of the Golden Age. He also does his best to live up to and preserve Al Pratt’s legacy.

7 He Goes To Alarming Lengths To Save His Mother

During his time with the JSA, the terrorist Kobra kills Albert’s mother in a plane crash. The event sends Albert into a rage, and he nearly crushes Kobra’s plane with his bare hands before being stopped by Jack Knight. Still, Albert isn’t back to his old self, and he accepts Metron’s help to go back in time and replace his mother on the plane with the villain Extant.

Many superheroes have issues stemming from their mother’s deaths. However, Atom Smasher’s actions leave severe scars on his psyche, as he struggles with the fact that he’s now a murderer.

6 He Has A Troubled Relationship With Black Adam

Every comic book fan knows that Black Adam is Shazam’s archenemy. However, the character eventually redeems himself and joins the JSA, to Albert’s chagrin. The by-the-book superhero refuses to believe in Adam’s redemption, making things difficult for everyone on the team.

Eventually, the two become friends when Adam helps Albert move past the Extant situation. Albert also starts sympathizing with Adam’s anti-heroic approach to crime-fighting, and the two abandon the JSA. They then deal with each other’s enemies, with Adam killing Kobra and Albert killing the dictatorial president of Adam’s home country, Khandaq.

5 He Dies In Khandaq

Following their little murder spree, Albert and Adam fight their former JSA teammates. The battle ends when the JSA allows Adam to keep Khandaq’s power as long as he never leaves the country. Albert stays in Khandaq for quite some time, but his friendship with Adam begins to deteriorate.

Eventually, the Specter attacks the country, and Albert perishes in the fight. However, Adam revives him with his lightning and sends him back to the JSA. After his recovery, he stands trial for his actions and pleads guilty to all charges.

4 He Is Part Of The Suicide Squad

While in prison, Amanda Waller approaches him with an offer to join her Task Force X, known by comic book fans as the Suicide Squad. He agrees and becomes their unwilling leader, tasked with fighting Black Adam. Despite his lingering kinship towards Adam, Albert does his part and battles him.

After Waller publicly exposes Adam’s brother-in-law, Osiris, for killing a Squad member, the entire Black Family crumbles. A disgraced Adam then goes on a murderous rampage, dubbed World War III in the comics.

3 He Saves Black Adam’s Life

Despite the overwhelming evidence against him, Albert refuses to believe Adam’s guilt in WWIII. Even as he fights alongside the Justice Society, Albert remains unwilling to accept Adam’s responsibility, feeling remorseful for his part in the conflict.

During the battle, Shazam strips Adam of his powers, leaving him to plummet to his death. Unkenowst to anyone, Albert catches Adam before he crashes to the ground, saving his life. The two then part ways, and Adam never reveals his secret to anyone.

2 He Returns To The Justice Society

Albert would remain absent after his involvement in WWIII. He returns to help the Justice Society track Adam after he steals Shazam’s powers. Albert is noticeably ashamed and regretful for his previous actions and asks the team for a chance to redeem himself and restore Al Pratt’s legacy.

After apprehending Adam, Albert becomes part of the team again, despite protests from some members, most notably Wildcat. Afterward, he mostly plays a supporting or outright background role in the Justice Society’s future storylines.

1 Powers And Abilities

In his human form, Albert is remarkably tall, standing at 7 feet and 6 inches. However, his meta-human abilities allow him to increase his height, density, and strength to whatever size he chooses. The transformation is somewhat painful because his bones break and reshape to achieve these new forms.

So far, there doesn’t seem to be a limit to the heights he can achieve. Some issues show him as tall as 60 feet, a form in which he could easily defeat the JSA by stomping them. During his early days as Nukleon, he could phase through walls, but he seemingly lost this power over the years.

About The Author

David Caballero
(803 Articles Published)

David is a twenty-eight-year-old Mexican writer and reader. Having studied Marketing in school, he spent three years working a nine-to-five desk job before deciding to pursue a writing career. He now works as a Senior Writer in ScreenRant and does some more freelancing job, talking about the entertainment business he so loves. Currently, he’s also writing his second novel while actively working to get his first one published.

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