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Ray Palmer , theAtom , was once balance to become an A - ListJustice Leaguehero , but the factual follow - through failed to materialise . One of DC’sclassic Silver Age lineament , the Atom has never achieve the floor of name recognition that his contemporaries the Flash and Green Lantern enjoy . However , throughout the 2000s , the Atom had an awing graphic symbol arc that should have made him one of DC ’s greatest character , but for some inexplicable reasonableness it never happened .
In the 1950 ’s , DC Comics relaunched the Flash inShowcase # 4 , which kicked off the Silver Age of comics . inspire by the success of the Flash ’s revival , DC nextbrought back Green Lantern , giving him a more scientific discipline - fiction - oriented origin . In 1961 , DC gave the Atom a standardised intervention inShowcase # 34 . Keeping with the feel of the Silver Age , this new avatar of the Atom used skill to shrink himself and become a fighter . He was given a confirm cast , including a erotic love interestingness , Jean Loring . Like other DC Silver Age characters , the Atom would join the Justice League , serving as a appendage in good standing for years . In 2004 , DC began breathing fresh lifespan into their Silver Age icon , such as Hal Jordan and Barry Allen , to dandy plaudit . While the Atom did not meet aRebirthminiseries , he still had a character arc that could have positioned him for immensity … but DC blew it .
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In a tangled scheme to fix their relationship , Jean Loring used the Atom ’s technology to murder Sue Dibny and Jack Drakein 2004’sIdentity Crisis . While the Justice League investigated , the Atom was the first to discover Jean ’s actions , and the Apocalypse destroyed him ; at the end of the mini - series , the distraught Atom left Earth , shrinking himself smaller than ever . Fans did not see Ray Palmer again until 2007’sCountdown to Final Crisis , when it was revealed that he had chance upon the existenceof the converted multiverse , and had been traveling through it , flitting from world to universe to stave off the Great Disaster .
The Atom ’s story pluck up again in 2009’sBlackest Night . The Atom , along with Green Lantern , the Flash and Mera , finds himself at the forefront of the battle between the various Lantern Corps andthe evil Black Lanterns . During the course of the event , the Atom had still not processed his heartbreak over losing Jean Loring , leading to an exchange where the Flash chides the Atom , telling him to“grow the hell up and be the Atom again . ”The four were integral to turning back Nekron ’s plans , and at one point , the Atom was substitute into the Indigo Lanterns .
The conclusion ofBlackest Nightset the Atom up for greatness , but DC failed to capitalize on the character ’s epic and heartbreaking arc over the antedate five old age . Much like Hal Jordanand Barry Allen , Ray Palmer was ab initio a “ flat ” character ; trippy , mind - bend plot were prioritize over word-painting . This lead to criticism that Hal , Barry and Ray were “ slow ” characters , but DC has since prove otherwise , particularly with Hal and Barry . However , afterBlackest Night , the Atom floundered . He would asterisk in a hopeful one - shot write by Jeff Lemire that paired himwith longtime supporter Hawkman . However , a year later , DC ’s New 52 opening quetch in , and Ray Palmer ’s time as the Atom was altogether retconned away , erasing decades of character growing . Ray ’s metre as the Atom return during theRebirthera , but his appearances have been few and far between .
The Atom is one of DC ’s most underrated character reference - one who plays 2nd violin to Green Lantern and the Flash . Like his twoJustice Leagueallies , Atomhad the potential drop for a great comeback , with stories that consider him to his abject moment then restored his grand nature , but thanks to a lack of follow - through , that bod - up went to waste .
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