Thursday, January 27, 2011

Conlon's Cavalcade: This Day In DC History- January 27

A vertically challenged nod to the original Mighty Mite...Al Pratt, The Atom. Ben Flinton and Bill O'Conner unleashed a little man with a titanic amount of moxie in All-American Comics #19 (Oct, 1940). The 5 foot 1 inch Pratt was a puny student at Calvin College (located naturally in Calvin City) Despite having no powers, Al trained with fighter Joe Morgan (who had also mentored Wildcat and the Guardian) so intensely that he became a costumed mystery man. As the Atom, he saved the life of FDR, and earned himself a founding member slot on the Justice Society of America.

While on a mission with another team, the All Star Squadron, the Atom battled the radioactive Cyclotron. This fight had a profound impact on Pratt. After Terry Curtis (Cyclotron) perished in the struggle, Al learned that Terry had been forced into a life of crime. So, he felt obligated to look after Curtis' infant daughter. As an adult, she would grow up to produce a godson for Al, Albert Rothstein (Nuklon aka Atom Smasher). In addition, the Atom would acquire "atomic" strength from being exposed to Cyclotron's energy. He would even change his costume to mirror Curtis' suit.

It would later be established that Al married his longtime sweetheart Mary James, and become a professor at his Alma Mater. And, while Kate Spencer (Manhunter) falsely believed herself to be Pratt's granddaughter, the Atom did have an offspring of his own. Although they never met, Grant Emerson (Damage) discovered he was Al 's son. Unfortunately, he uncovered his true paternity too late, because the original Atom was murdered by Extant in the Zero Hour event. And, during Blackest Night, Damage would meet a grim end himself.

Tomorrow, we turn from the shortest hero of the Golden Age, to the TALLEST guardian of the future...

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