Throughout the world of comics, countless characters have attempted to alter either their physical appearance or chemical makeup to disastrous results. One such character was introduced via DC Comics in 1976, do you know who this is?
Albert Michaels, later known as Atomic Skull, was created by Gerry Conway and Curt Swan. While the character made his debut appearance in Superman #303, he wouldn’t appear as Atomic Skull until Superman #323 the following year. Michaels, a brilliant scientist-administrator at S.T.A.R. Labs, suffered from a rare brain disorder that caused uncontrollable seizures. Following years of suffering, Michaels turned to the criminal organization SKULL for help. In exchange for becoming their agent, SKULL implanted him with a radium-powered device that turned his neural disorder into deadly atomic “brain-blasts.” Unfortunately, Michaels struggled to control these blasts and in the end they only made his condition worse. After Superman captured the SKULL scientists, the only people who could possibly help Michaels, he swore revenge on Superman.
At this time, Michaels officially stepped into the role of SKULL’s leader and became the Atomic Skull. As the Atomic Skull the evil genius wore a yellow and green costume fitted with a visored cowl-topped skull mask. Along with a skull-shaped hovercraft, he also artificially transformed a panther into becoming human and his lover, Felicia. On several occasions Atomic Skull, along with Felicia, attempted to take down Superman. However, they were ultimately unsuccessful. In another version of Michaels’ Atomic Skull, he was seen battling Thunder and Lightning. This version, rather than suffering from a nervous disorder, sought immortality and accidentally mutated himself. In 2007’s Birds of Prey, the original version of Atomic Skull returned and later joined Luthor’s Society in Villains United.
If there is one lesson we can learn from Atomic Skull it’s this: maybe consult a real doctor before turning to a morally corrupt criminal organization. Just a thought.
