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Atlas (story arc)
Encyclopedia
"The Coming of Atlas" is a comic book
story arc
, from DC Comics
, by writer James Robinson and artists Renato Guedes
and José Wilson Magalháes, featuring Superman
. This is Robinson's first story arc on the Superman
title, as ongoing writer after Kurt Busiek
's departure. This, as well as Geoff Johns
's "Brainiac
" arc on Action Comics
, lead to their planned narrative unification on Action Comics
, Superman and Supergirl
in "Superman: New Krypton
".
James Robinson was named as the new Superman writer on February 8, 2008. In many of his interviews approaching the start of his run, he stated that he always wanted to work on Superman
, and also with writer Geoff Johns
, comparing the two of them as Hal Jordan
and Oliver Queen. In regards to his plans on the book, starting with "Atlas", he made a point that every reader will care about every major character in the Superman universe. Because he had worked on "Batman: Face the Face
", he was asked if his and Johns' work on the two Superman books would be the same. He was quick to reply that it would not be, but that it would be, "better than that."
Robinson believes he has a connection to Superman, as he was "...a working class British guy who came to America and America has given me everything," similar to the immigrant story that Superman's creation was based upon. But in regards to the choice of having Atlas as the villain for his opening arc, it was due to his love for "all things Jack Kirby
."
However, the other main reason had to do with Superman's rogues gallery, as he felt that:
He continued to say that Atlas will become a major player in the Superman mythos moving forward and there will be some real twists to the character.
and Hal Jordan play fetch in space. When Superman reflects happily on his life, wife, and dog, Jordan wonders if this point of view is what makes Clark the Greatest Man in the Universe. In Metropolis, the Science Police
are fighting a giant monster. Their leader Dubarry is unsure if he can lead the team and hates feeling like Superman's janitor. The monster is killed by what appears to be Superman. But when he catches the falling Daily Planet
globe, it is revealed to be Atlas, who then takes on and defeats the Science Police. Atlas yells for Superman, who comes straight from space telling him, "You did not have to yell".
Lois Lane
and Jimmy Olsen
run to the scene as Superman and Atlas exchange blows. During a break, a second wave of science police are defeated. In the past, Atlas had similar a fight with soldiers in front of his friend and father figure Chagra, but he was sucked in to a portal, from which he watched as thousands of years passed. He awakes in a dark room, finding himself held in the air and restrained by a massive machine in front of an Army General. After a time, Atlas and the General come to an agreement that Atlas will fight Superman and the General will "observe". Atlas believes the General will go after him after he has killed Superman; however, the General just wishes him luck. It is then revealed that Chagra was picked by Atlas to find a way for him to stop carrying the crystal, the source of his power. Chagra, with the aid of witches, used this to unstick Atlas in time, not wanting to kill his old friend even though he had become corrupted by power. Atlas and Superman begin to fight again.
Superman is getting more tired and beaten up as the fight continues. Lois remembers a conversation with Clark that morning that he said he wanted to spend his life with her and intimate embrace they shared afterwards. Lois admits Clark is her world and worries for his life. Lana Lang
tries to send help as Lexcorp
's C.E.O. but is fired as all Lexcorp employees are contractually forbidden to help Superman in any way. Supergirl
comes to help Superman and a man on a roof communicates with someone who refers to the figure as Colonel. A satellite with the words "Hotel 7734" written on it fires a beam of energy that weakens Supergirl. Atlas believes her to be an Amazon and proclaims "easy to fight easy to.." but Superman sends him flying and tells Supergirl to fly away to find out what going on and avenge him if he falls. Atlas return commenting that it was a pity that Supergirl fled. Atlas stomps on Superman and then defeats Steel and Bibbo, asking if anyone else would fight him. Krypto then appears, stating in broken English, "This One hurt Man. Krypto loves Man, Krypto hurt this One."
Krypto is fighting Atlas and unlike Superman has no problem injuring Atlas. The figure on the roof calls down another strike on Krypto, who is not affected. He is attacked repeatedly by the satellite by different settings called rooms, but is unaffected. the figure on the roof is revealed to be floating. Atlas is having trouble with krypto and asks what kind of magic is the dog. Superman stand at this and rushes to find Zatanna who is in the city for a show but instead finds the Zachary "zatara" the new permanent resident to Metropolis. Zatara is now not yet as good with magic as his cousin and can only affect living things for short period of time. Superman can get a boost but for only less than a minute from the moment the fight begins. Atlas manages to down Krpyto as Superman appears; they fight into the sewers and Superman comes out victorious to applauds. Superman tells them to applaud Krypto his dog and the dog of metropolis as well. Krypto is applauded as his master pets him and proclaims his happiness.
, both Johns and Robinson had made clear their plans for the Superman-related titles following those arcs for the rest of 2008
onto the end of 2010. Their plan is to link the three Super-books (Action Comics
, Superman, and Supergirl), allowing them to cross over more fluidly on a regular basis, allowing the narratives to be tied together similar to a bi-weekly series.
According to Johns, the plan is to make readers want to get the Super-titles because they would feel that "you HAVE to read, that you WANT to read". Robinson also added that even though neither he nor Johns would be writing Supergirl, they still made it clear that they were still the advisers to the book's next ongoing writer, Sterling Gates
.
The link on all three titles began in the Superman: New Krypton
story arc.
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
story arc
Story arc
A story arc is an extended or continuing storyline in episodic storytelling media such as television, comic books, comic strips, boardgames, video games, and in some cases, films. On a television program, for example, the story would unfold over many episodes. In television, the use of the story...
, from DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
, by writer James Robinson and artists Renato Guedes
Renato Guedes
Renato Guedes is a comic book artist, currently under contract for DC Comics. Guedes is slated to be the ongoing artist for Superman.-Personal life:...
and José Wilson Magalháes, featuring Superman
Superman
Superman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
. This is Robinson's first story arc on the Superman
Superman (comic book)
Superman is an ongoing comic book series featuring the DC Comics hero of the same name. The character Superman began as one of several anthology features in the National Periodical Publications comic book Action Comics #1 in June 1938...
title, as ongoing writer after Kurt Busiek
Kurt Busiek
Kurt Busiek is an American comic book writer notable for his work on the Marvels limited series, his own title Astro City, and his four-year run on Avengers.-Early life:...
's departure. This, as well as Geoff Johns
Geoff Johns
Geoff Johns is an American comic book writer, best known for his work for DC Comics, where he has been Chief Creative Officer since February 2010, in particular for characters such as Green Lantern, The Flash and Superman...
's "Brainiac
Brainiac (story arc)
"Brainiac" is a five-issue comic book story arc written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Gary Frank, that was published in Action Comics #866-870 by DC Comics in 2008...
" arc on Action Comics
Action Comics
Action Comics is an American comic book series that introduced Superman, the first major superhero character as the term is popularly defined...
, lead to their planned narrative unification on Action Comics
Action Comics
Action Comics is an American comic book series that introduced Superman, the first major superhero character as the term is popularly defined...
, Superman and Supergirl
Supergirl (Kara Zor-El)
Kara Zor-El is a fictional character appearing in comic books published by DC Comics and related media, created by writer Otto Binder and designed by artist Al Plastino. As Supergirl, Kara Zor-El serves as the biological cousin and female counterpart to DC Comic's iconic superhero Superman, created...
in "Superman: New Krypton
Superman: New Krypton
"New Krypton" is a Superman story arc written by Geoff Johns, James Robinson, and Sterling Gates with art by Gary Frank, Alex Ross, Renato Guedes, Jamal Igle and Pete Woods and published by DC Comics...
".
Publication history
The character of 'Atlas' first and only appearance prior to this story was in DC Comics 1st Issue Special #1 in 1975.James Robinson was named as the new Superman writer on February 8, 2008. In many of his interviews approaching the start of his run, he stated that he always wanted to work on Superman
Superman
Superman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
, and also with writer Geoff Johns
Geoff Johns
Geoff Johns is an American comic book writer, best known for his work for DC Comics, where he has been Chief Creative Officer since February 2010, in particular for characters such as Green Lantern, The Flash and Superman...
, comparing the two of them as Hal Jordan
Hal Jordan
Harold "Hal" Jordan is a DC Comics superhero known as Green Lantern, the first human shown to join the Green Lantern Corps and a founding member of the Justice League of America. Jordan is the second DC Comics character to adopt the Green Lantern moniker...
and Oliver Queen. In regards to his plans on the book, starting with "Atlas", he made a point that every reader will care about every major character in the Superman universe. Because he had worked on "Batman: Face the Face
Batman: Face the Face
"Face the Face" is an eight-issue Batman story arc written by James Robinson with art by Leonard Kirk, Andy Clarke, Don Kramer, Keith Champagne, Michael Bair, and Wayne Faucher. It was originally published in Detective Comics #817-820 and Batman #651-654 by DC Comics from May through August 2006...
", he was asked if his and Johns' work on the two Superman books would be the same. He was quick to reply that it would not be, but that it would be, "better than that."
Robinson believes he has a connection to Superman, as he was "...a working class British guy who came to America and America has given me everything," similar to the immigrant story that Superman's creation was based upon. But in regards to the choice of having Atlas as the villain for his opening arc, it was due to his love for "all things Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby , born Jacob Kurtzberg, was an American comic book artist, writer and editor regarded by historians and fans as one of the major innovators and most influential creators in the comic book medium....
."
However, the other main reason had to do with Superman's rogues gallery, as he felt that:
- "he has guys that can beat him punch for punch; fist for fist, DoomsdayDoomsdayDoomsday may refer to:* End times, a prophesied time of tribulation that would precede the Second Coming of the Messiah in Abrahamic religions-Fiction:* Doomsday , a 1927 novel by Warwick Deeping* Doomsday , a DC comic book character...
is obviously the prime example. But they all lack any sense of humanity. Atlas is going to have humanity. The way I like to look at him is like in the Marvel UniverseMarvel UniverseThe Marvel Universe is the shared fictional universe where most comic book titles and other media published by Marvel Entertainment take place, including those featuring Marvel's most familiar characters, such as Spider-Man, the Hulk, the X-Men, and the Avengers.The Marvel Universe is further...
, Namor is a hero but he really skates the fine line between being a hero and a villain, but he stays on the side of the hero. Atlas, skates that line between hero and villain but he ultimately always falls on the
He continued to say that Atlas will become a major player in the Superman mythos moving forward and there will be some real twists to the character.
Plot summary
Superman, KryptoKrypto
Krypto, also known as Krypto the Superdog, is a fictional character. He is Superman's pet dog in the various Superman comic books published by DC Comics. Krypto's first appearance was in a Superboy story in Adventure Comics #210 in March 1955...
and Hal Jordan play fetch in space. When Superman reflects happily on his life, wife, and dog, Jordan wonders if this point of view is what makes Clark the Greatest Man in the Universe. In Metropolis, the Science Police
Science Police
Science Police is a fictional law enforcement agency in the . They were referred to as "World-Wide Police" in their first appearance in the 30th century. They were featured in a four issue limited series titled Legion Science Police. In the 30th and 31st centuries, the Science Police serves the...
are fighting a giant monster. Their leader Dubarry is unsure if he can lead the team and hates feeling like Superman's janitor. The monster is killed by what appears to be Superman. But when he catches the falling Daily Planet
Daily Planet
The Daily Planet is a fictional broadsheet newspaper in the , appearing mostly in the stories of Superman. The building's original features were based upon the AT&T Huron Road Building in Cleveland, Ohio...
globe, it is revealed to be Atlas, who then takes on and defeats the Science Police. Atlas yells for Superman, who comes straight from space telling him, "You did not have to yell".
Lois Lane
Lois Lane
Lois Lane is a fictional character, the primary love interest of Superman in the comic books of DC Comics. Created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, she first appeared in Action Comics #1 ....
and Jimmy Olsen
Jimmy Olsen
Jimmy Olsen is a fictional character who appears mainly in DC Comics’ Superman stories. Olsen is a young photojournalist working for the Daily Planet. He is close friends with Lois Lane, Clark Kent/Superman and Perry White...
run to the scene as Superman and Atlas exchange blows. During a break, a second wave of science police are defeated. In the past, Atlas had similar a fight with soldiers in front of his friend and father figure Chagra, but he was sucked in to a portal, from which he watched as thousands of years passed. He awakes in a dark room, finding himself held in the air and restrained by a massive machine in front of an Army General. After a time, Atlas and the General come to an agreement that Atlas will fight Superman and the General will "observe". Atlas believes the General will go after him after he has killed Superman; however, the General just wishes him luck. It is then revealed that Chagra was picked by Atlas to find a way for him to stop carrying the crystal, the source of his power. Chagra, with the aid of witches, used this to unstick Atlas in time, not wanting to kill his old friend even though he had become corrupted by power. Atlas and Superman begin to fight again.
Superman is getting more tired and beaten up as the fight continues. Lois remembers a conversation with Clark that morning that he said he wanted to spend his life with her and intimate embrace they shared afterwards. Lois admits Clark is her world and worries for his life. Lana Lang
Lana Lang
Lana Lang is a fictional supporting character in DC Comics' Superman series. Created by writer Bill Finger and artist John Sikela, the character first appears in Superboy #10...
tries to send help as Lexcorp
LexCorp
LexCorp is the fictional company founded by Lex Luthor in the popular DC Comics Superman series. It made its first proper appearance in John Byrne's The Man of Steel miniseries, which established the post-Crisis Superman setting...
's C.E.O. but is fired as all Lexcorp employees are contractually forbidden to help Superman in any way. Supergirl
Supergirl
Supergirl is a female counterpart to the DC Comics Superman. As his cousin, she shares his super powers and vulnerability to Kryptonite. She was created by writer Otto Binder and designed by artist Al Plastino in 1959. She first appeared in the Action Comics comic book series and later branched out...
comes to help Superman and a man on a roof communicates with someone who refers to the figure as Colonel. A satellite with the words "Hotel 7734" written on it fires a beam of energy that weakens Supergirl. Atlas believes her to be an Amazon and proclaims "easy to fight easy to.." but Superman sends him flying and tells Supergirl to fly away to find out what going on and avenge him if he falls. Atlas return commenting that it was a pity that Supergirl fled. Atlas stomps on Superman and then defeats Steel and Bibbo, asking if anyone else would fight him. Krypto then appears, stating in broken English, "This One hurt Man. Krypto loves Man, Krypto hurt this One."
Krypto is fighting Atlas and unlike Superman has no problem injuring Atlas. The figure on the roof calls down another strike on Krypto, who is not affected. He is attacked repeatedly by the satellite by different settings called rooms, but is unaffected. the figure on the roof is revealed to be floating. Atlas is having trouble with krypto and asks what kind of magic is the dog. Superman stand at this and rushes to find Zatanna who is in the city for a show but instead finds the Zachary "zatara" the new permanent resident to Metropolis. Zatara is now not yet as good with magic as his cousin and can only affect living things for short period of time. Superman can get a boost but for only less than a minute from the moment the fight begins. Atlas manages to down Krpyto as Superman appears; they fight into the sewers and Superman comes out victorious to applauds. Superman tells them to applaud Krypto his dog and the dog of metropolis as well. Krypto is applauded as his master pets him and proclaims his happiness.
Uniting the Super-titles
In the months before Johns started his Brainiac arc, and Robinson took over writing duties on SupermanSuperman (comic book)
Superman is an ongoing comic book series featuring the DC Comics hero of the same name. The character Superman began as one of several anthology features in the National Periodical Publications comic book Action Comics #1 in June 1938...
, both Johns and Robinson had made clear their plans for the Superman-related titles following those arcs for the rest of 2008
2008 in comics
-January:*January 9: Teen Titans: The Lost Annual, delayed since 2003, is published.*January 23: Hellblazer #240, marking the 20th anniversary of the series, is released.-February:...
onto the end of 2010. Their plan is to link the three Super-books (Action Comics
Action Comics
Action Comics is an American comic book series that introduced Superman, the first major superhero character as the term is popularly defined...
, Superman, and Supergirl), allowing them to cross over more fluidly on a regular basis, allowing the narratives to be tied together similar to a bi-weekly series.
According to Johns, the plan is to make readers want to get the Super-titles because they would feel that "you HAVE to read, that you WANT to read". Robinson also added that even though neither he nor Johns would be writing Supergirl, they still made it clear that they were still the advisers to the book's next ongoing writer, Sterling Gates
Sterling Gates
Sterling Gates is an American comic book writer currently working for DC Comics.-Early life:Sterling Gates was a comic fan from a young age...
.
The link on all three titles began in the Superman: New Krypton
Superman: New Krypton
"New Krypton" is a Superman story arc written by Geoff Johns, James Robinson, and Sterling Gates with art by Gary Frank, Alex Ross, Renato Guedes, Jamal Igle and Pete Woods and published by DC Comics...
story arc.
Collected editions
The story arc will be collected into a single volume:- The Coming of Atlas (128 pages, hardcover, April 2009, 1401221319)