Atlas (DC Comics)

Atlas is the name of different characters appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The first Atlas is a superhero and antihero who debuted in 1st Issue Special #1 (April 1975) and was created by Jack Kirby.

Atlas
Atlas as seen on the cover of 1st Issue Special (April 1975).
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
First appearance	1st Issue Special #1 (April 1975)
Created by	Jack Kirby (writer & artist)
In-story information
Alter ego	Atlas
Species	Human (empowered)
Team affiliations	Justice League
Abilities	Superhuman strength and invulnerability

Publication history

The first Golden Age version of a character named Atlas in DC Comics appeared in Action Comics #121 (June 1948).^[1] The second appearance of an Atlas was in Action Comics #320 (January 1965).^[2] The third was in Action Comics #353 (August 1967).^[3]

The Jack Kirby Atlas' first and only appearance prior to Superman #677 was in 1st Issue Special #1.^[4] James Robinson brought Atlas back in Superman #678. According to Robinson, "Atlas is going to have humanity. The way I like to look at him is like in the Marvel Universe, Namor is a hero but he really skates the fine line between being a hero and a villain, but he stays on the side of the hero. Atlas, skates that line between hero and villain but he ultimately always falls on the villain side."^[5]

One of the earlier characters named Atlas re-appeared in Grant Morrison's All-Star Superman, where a version of Atlas appears in issue #3. This Atlas is more closely based on the mythological figure of Atlas and competes with Superman and Samson to "win" Lois Lane, similar to the story in Action Comics #320 from January 1965.

Fictional character biography

Titan version

The first Atlas is based on the Greek mythological figure, a Titan who was forced to support the Earth as punishment for his participation in the Titanomachy. During the "War of the Gods" storyline, Atlas was later found by Hercules to be holding up Themyscira on his shoulders. He is also one of the deities who empower Captain Marvel when Shazam asks for his stamina in a flashback.^[6]

Atlas I

The second Atlas is an orphan who is raised by the traveler Chagra after the lizard king Hyssa massacres his people. After defeating Hyssa, Atlas becomes a villain and enemy of Superman.^[4][7][8][9]

A.T.L.A.S.

A new incarnation of Atlas inspired by the Teen Titans version, whose name is an acronym for Automated Titanium Lethal Attack Sentry, appears in the "Dawn of DC" Cyborg miniseries.^[10]

Powers and abilities

The first Atlas has super-strength and invulnerability.

Other versions

An alternate universe variant of Atlas appears in Kingdom Come.

In other media

• Atlas appears in Teen Titans, voiced by Keith David.^[11] This version is a robot and member of the Brotherhood of Evil.
• Atlas appears in All-Star Superman, voiced by Steve Blum.^[12]
• Atlas appears as a character summon in Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.^[13]
• The robot version of Atlas appears in Teen Titans Go!.^[14]

See also

• List of Superman enemies