Albert Michaels
Atomic Skull is the name of two different DC Comics supervillains.
Character biography
Albert Michaels
Albert Michaels was stricken with a rare nervous disorder, which short-circuited the electrical impulses of his brain, Michaels decided to steal his own inventions from S.T.A.R, and turned them over to SKULL. When he was successful, Michaels quickly became leader. In exchange, SKULL attempted to cure Michaels by implanting a neural pacemaker made of radium in his brain. Unfortunately, the implant malfunctioned, mutating Michael’s brain waves into a new form of energy.
The Albert Michaels version (albeit with the appearance of the Joseph Martin version) appears as somewhat of an anti-villain in The New-52 "Prime Earth" continuity, and predominantly appears as a supporting character in the DC REBIRTH "Superwoman" series. This version of Michaels was a STAR Labs scientist who was affected by radiation aboard a crashing nuclear submarine. Despite having murdered multiple people, Michaels is redeemed when Lena Luthor (Ultrawoman) uses her advanced technology to attempt to take control of Metropolis and experiment on its' inhabitants. He forms an alliance with Superwoman, Bizarro Superwoman, and Lex Luthor, to save the city and its inhabitants.
Joseph Martin
Joesph Martin
Student Joseph Martin was struck by an intense blast of energy from the Dominators' gene-bomb that granted him superhuman strength and caused his flesh to become invisible. Later attacked by some thugs, the resulting head damage caused insanity and he took on the guise of "The Atomic Skull" who was a hero from an old movie serial. He also emitted dangerous amounts of radiation, then later gained the ability to project it as energy blasts. He eventually became an enemy toward Superman.
Powers and abilities
As Albert Michaels
Albert Michaels can deliver powerful energy bolts through the visor of his mask.
As Joseph Martin
Joseph Martin has superhuman strength, agility and endurance. He has the ability to project blasts of radioactive energy.
Other versions
- The Atomic Skull is the name of Joseph Martin's favorite hero from a 12-episode movie serial made by National Film Studios in 1936. The serial stars Lawrence Dennis (according to Superman Villains Secret Files) as the titular character. 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, Electron's daughter (played by actress Eleanor Hart, whom Lois Lane has a passing resemblance to), fell in love. Battling Electron and his minions (such as Rocketman) with his heat ray eyeblasts, the Atomic Skull eventually destroyed the mad scientist's plans and returned to normal. The fictional character from the serial is designed identically to the pre-Crisis version.
- In a story featuring the reality-altering villain Dominus recreating various pre- Crisis Superman continuities, the Golden Age Atomic Skull was introduced. He was Albert Michaels, an actor and Nazi sympathizer who used his reputation as the hero of the Curse of the Atomic Skull serial as a platform to promote Nazism.
Other media
Atomic Skull in Justice League
In Justice League Unlimited, the Joseph Martin version of the Atomic Skull was Wildcat's main opponent at Roulette's Meta-Brawl until Green Arrow and Black Canary interrupted the match. Atomic Skull later returns as a member of Gorilla Grodd's Secret Society, and sides with Luthor during the mutiny during the two-part series finale; he survives Darkseid's attack. He and Luthor insisted that the surviving villains help the heroes during the defense of Earth against the forces of Apokolips, fights alongside Hawkgirl and Steel II, and is last seen taking advantage of the 'five-minute head start' the Justice League grants the surviving villains at the end of the final episode. He is voiced by Lex Lang.
Atomic Skull in Young Justice
He later appeared in Young Justice, helping the Injustice League power their giant mutant plant created by Poison Ivy.When the team and the gang fought outside he stayed inside their base helping the Joker control the plant. When the plant was destroyed he helped the rest of the villians fight the team but was later captured by the Justice League.
Gallery
