Albert Rothstein

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For the Marvel character, see Atom-Smasher (Marvel Comics).
Atom Smasher
JSA 12.jpg
Albert Rothstein as Atom Smasher
Art by Alan Davis
Publication information
Publisher DC Comics
First appearance As Nuklon:
All-Star Squadron #25 (September, 1983)
As Atom Smasher:
JSA Secret Files and Origins #1 (August 1999)
Created by Roy Thomas
Jerry Ordway
Mike Machlan
In-story information
Alter ego Albert Julian Rothstein
Team affiliations Suicide Squad
Justice Society of America
Justice League
The Conglomerate
Infinity, Inc.
Partnerships Atom
Notable aliases Nuklon
Abilities Growth, increased strength, stamina, speed and durability. Formerly density control.

Albert Rothstein (known by the aliases Nuklon and Atom Smasher -- sometimes spelled "Atom-Smasher") is a fictional character, a comic book superhero in the DC Comics universe. Atom Smasher is known for his power of growth and super strength.[1] Created by Roy Thomas and Jerry Ordway, he first appeared in All-Star Squadron #25 (September 1983).[2] Thomas chose his name as a tribute to his friend and fellow comic book fan Alan Rothstein.[3]

Fictional character biography[edit]


The godson of Al Pratt, the Golden Age Atom, Albert Rothstein acquired his metahuman 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 was considered a dependable, but rather insecure and indecisive superhero while on Infinity, Inc., despite his mohawk haircut and large size. While in the JLA, he forged a strong friendship with fellow former Infinity Inc. teammate Obsidian.

The Justice Society[edit]

Atom Smasher about to crush Kobra.


Black Adam[edit]

When Captain Marvel's longtime adversary Black Adam reforms and joins the JSA, he and Rothstein develop a rivalry at first (with Al refusing to believe Adam has reformed), but soon this turns to kinship (after Adam justifies Al's murderous actions towards Extant); indeed, Black Adam comments that he thinks of Atom Smasher as the brother he never had. Encouraged by Adam, Atom Smasher grows frustrated with the JSA's moral boundaries, especially when Kobra blackmails authorities into granting his release. Albert and Adam promptly quit the JSA after Kobra's escape.



He is later put on trial for his actions in Khandaq and pleads guilty to all charges (teammate Stargirl promises to "be there for him" when he gets out). Whilst in jail, he is approached by the founder of the Suicide Squad, Amanda Waller. In 52, he is seen assembling a new Suicide Squad under Waller's orders, instructed to fight Black Adam, and, unbeknownst to Atom Smasher himself, push his family to overreact. They succeed, and Osiris is disgraced and exposed for having killed a Squad member, as Amanda Waller was filming the events, leading to the downfall of the whole Black Marvel Family, and a murderous rampage of Black Adam, dubbed World War III.



Modern-day JSA issues[edit]

In the Justice Society of America: The Kingdom special, Stargirl recruits Atom Smasher to literally knock some sense into Damage, who had become an evangelist of sorts for the Third World god Gog after the cosmic being (temporarily) healed Damage's scarred face. He views Pratt's son as a brother figure, since he was brought up by Pratt in the first place.


Relationships with women[edit]

Albert has had complicated relationships with women during his tenure on various super-hero teams. While on Infinity, Inc., he was shown being clearly in love with teammate Fury, despite her being engaged to his friend Silver Scarab. Many other characters make note of this, though none of them begrudge Al, and actually feel sorry for him because he will inevitably have his heart broken. Looking up to her even as children, he eventually proposes when Hector is killed and she is left pregnant, so she will not be alone. She turns him down, saying that she prefers them being friends. He also had a brief flirtation with the second Wildcat Yolanda Montez, but things never developed between them. During his time with the League, he dated Fire,[1] but he discontinued the relationship because she was not Jewish — even though this did not stop his earlier or later crushes.

His relationship with Stargirl is even more complex. While Stargirl has shown some romantic feelings for Atom Smasher in the past, there was never any reciprocation on his part. Later issues clearly establish Stargirl's true feelings, as various friends (such as "Billy Batson (Captain Marvel)" or her friend Mary) accuse her of liking Al, and she promises to wait for him upon his return from prison. When Al is temporarily killed by The Spectre, she reveals the depths of her feelings for him, weeping over his dead body. Albert finally acknowledges his own feelings when he rejoins the JSA to fight Black Adam, admitting that Billy Batson deserves her far more than Al himself does, in a regretful tone. Al's teammates realize the couple's mutual attraction once they start openly fawning over each other in public, and while Power Girl is supportive ("Go rescue your fair maiden"), the elder members force Al to turn Courtney down due to the age difference. This leaves Al melancholy, and Courtney runs off crying. Later issues of JSA: All-Stars reveal the two still love each other, but after Johnny Sorrow mimics Al to force a kiss from the young girl, they both recognize the need for "space".

Powers and abilities[edit]



Other versions[edit]

Atom Smasher was part of Superman's Justice League in Mark Waid and Alex Ross' Kingdom Come. This was the debut of his name and costume; it was later used in the mainstream continuity.

In other media[edit]



Video games[edit]

  • Atom Smasher makes a cameo appearance in Injustice: Gods Among Us. He is seen at the Hall of Justice stage fighting Giganta in the background. When a hero or villain transitions to the next part of the stage, the character is flung by a robot into Giganta's hand and she punches Atom Smasher with the character before the character is flung into the Hall of Justice (Great Hall).[5]



  3. ^ Thomas, Roy; Jerry Ordway (Spring 1999). "Two Co-Creators Reveal--The Secret Origins of Infinity, Inc.". Alter Ego (Two Morrows Publishing) 3 (1). Retrieved 2008-04-20. 
  5. ^

External links[edit]