Atom Smasher
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Atom Smasher (Albert Rothstein) (sometimes spelled with a hyphen) is a fictional superhero in the DC Comics Universe.
Fictional character biography
The godson of Al Pratt, the Golden Age Atom, Albert Rothstein acquired his mutant powers of super-strength and control over his molecular structure (allowing him to alter the size and density of his body) from his grandfather, a reluctant supervillain known as Cyclotron, allowing him to fight crime first as Nuklon, and then, later, as Atom Smasher. As Nuklon, Albert was a charter member of Infinity Inc. and subsequently served in the Justice League. He took the Atom Smasher identity shortly before the founding of the current Justice Society of America, of which he is a charter member. He views Pratt's son, Damage, as a brother, and acted as an older brother figure to Stargirl. While Stargirl has (or at least had) some romantic feelings for Atom Smasher, he has not yet openly reciprocated.The Justice Society
For years, Atom Smasher cherished his role in upholding Pratt's legacy and constantly sought to prove himself worthy to his Golden Age idols -- especially when many of them became his teammates in the JSA. But when Albert's mother was murdered in a plane crash engineered by Kobra, he became consumed by vengeance. Not long after the fatal crash, Albert -- with the aid of Metron of the New Gods -- went back in time and replaced his mother with a weakened Extant, saving her life but murdering the supervillain.
Black Adam
When Captain Marvel's longtime adversary Black Adam reformed and joined the JSA, he and Rothstein developed a kinship; indeed, Black Adam once commented that he thought of Atom Smasher as the brother he never had. Encouraged by Adam, Atom Smasher grew frustrated with the JSA's moral boundaries, especially when Kobra blackmailed authorities into granting his release. Albert and Adam promptly quit the JSA after Kobra's escape.Shortly thereafter, the unlikely duo settled each other's personal scores. Adam killed Kobra; Rothstein killed the dictatorial president of Khandaq, Adam's home country. Atom Smasher helped lead a team of rogue metahumans (including former Infinity Inc. teammates Brainwave and Northwind) that invaded the country and overthrew its oppressive regime. Atom Smasher initially fought against his JSA teammates in Khandaq before deciding instead to help forge an uneasy truce -- Black Adam and his compatriots could remain in power so long as they never left the country.
Atom Smasher remained in the Middle Eastern nation for a time, although he eventually began to question Adam's motives. Rothstein perished in JSA #75 while fighting against the Spectre, but was revived by Black Adam's lightning, and carried back to JSA headquarters.
He was later put on trial for his actions in Khandaq and pleaded guilty to all charges. Whilst in jail, he has been approached by the founder of the Suicide Squad, Amanda Waller (also White Queen of Checkmate).
Atom Smasher has not yet been seen during the One Year Later storyline. However, in Manhunter #22, it was confirmed that he was alive and that Obsidian, his close friend, was visiting him off-panel. Whether he is still imprisoned has yet to be seen, although it is implied that he is free.
Atom Smasher in other media
-->Atom Smasher has also appeared in animated form as a recurring character in the television series Justice League Unlimited as a member of the expanded, post-Thanagarian invasion Justice League of the DC Animated Universe. No explanation has been given as to his background or powers, but they are presumed to be the same as his comic book counterpart. In the JLU comic issue #16, Atom Smasher confirmed that he was Jewish in the animated continuity.
Rothstein hasn't had a line of dialogue in the first two years of the series, but was a featured character in the 2005 episodes "Task Force X" and "Panic In The Sky". He was also rendered as an action figure for Mattel's popular "Justice League Unlimited" line in the summer of 2005 and is a front-runner for inclusion in the JSA action figure line from DC Direct.
Powers and abilities
Already super-strong at his normal size -- 7-foot-6 -- Atom Smasher's strength and density increase proportionately to whatever size he chooses. (It was enumerated in JSA #75 that his muscles and bones actually break and reform as they grow in order to achieve these great heights.) The upper limits of Rothstein's growth spurts are unclear, but heights above 50 feet are believed to tax his molecular structure and could cause permanent cell damage. During his time as Nuklon, Albert was able to phase through walls; he has either lost this power in recent years, or it has been retconned away. Rothstein is also a skilled pilot and mechanic. In the first few years of JSA, he could be seen piloting the JSA's jet, the Steel Eagle, as well as the Star Rocket Racer in JSA: Our Worlds at War, and earlier being Infinity, Inc.'s primary pilot.
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