TRIGGER WARNING: Article contains mentions and comic art of Robin vomiting
One Justice League hero has just achieved an extraordinary feat, using a unique ability that even Superman Unparalleled powers cannot be replicated. Although unorthodox – requiring the hero to venture inside a human body to succeed – there is no denying its effectiveness. And if a recent comic book is any indication, this hero is turning the daring tactic of entering other people's bodies into a signature move.
Mark Waid, Adrián Gutiérrez, Matt Herms and Steve Wands' Batman/Superman: the best in the world #33 brings together DC heroes to battle the supervillain Eclipso, who is wreaking havoc across the world by possessing members of the Justice League. In Chicago, Green Lantern Hal Jordan, Doctor Mid-Nite and the Atom form a sub-team to protect the city.
Hal works to restore the massive power grid, while Doctor Mid-Nite and the Atom help out at a hospital overwhelmed by the blackout. Although Atom has no medical training, his ability to shrink to microscopic size becomes a life-saving asset during a critical medical emergency.
Atom dives deep into the human brain to manually fire its synapses
Not even Superman could match the Atom's incredibly unique power set
Without power, Atom and Doctor Mid-Nite focus on a patient whose life support systems have been turned off. With the machines that kept her alive no longer working, Atom takes drastic measures, shrinking to microscopic size and entering the woman's body. Guided by Doctor Mid-Nite's instructions, he travels to her brain and begins manually firing her synapses. Despite Atom feeling out of his element – being a physicist, not a doctor – Doctor Mid-Nite encourages him to move forward, urging, “Even manually firing this woman's synapses prevents her from succumbing to brain death! Don't stop!
While the scene doesn't get much follow-up, the implication is clear: Atom saves the woman's life by firing his synapses, showing an incredibly unique application of his powers. What makes this moment even more remarkable is that Atom may be the only hero capable of such a feat. Not even Superman, with his vast and varied set of powers, could have gotten his synapses to fire without outside intervention. Although Atom is a respected hero in the DCU and among fans, his powers are often underestimated. This heroic act, however, highlights how uniquely equipped and invaluable the Atom is in certain crises.
Damian Wayne vomits the Justice League (Ray Palmer is making a habit of getting into people)
Robin vomiting several heroes comes D.C. vs. Vampires: World War V #5 (2024)
After the release of Matthew Rosenberg and Otto Schmidt D.C. vs. Vampires: World War V #5, it appears that Ray Palmer is harnessing the unique potential of his powers by repeatedly entering people. In this Other worlds issue, Ray shrinks members of the human resistance and allows the vampire Damian “Robin” Wayne swallowed them, allowing the team to infiltrate Vampire Queen Barbara Gordon's territory. Once inside, Damian vomits them back up and Ray reverses the shrinking, returning the heroes to normal size. Therefore, these two examples of Atom using his abilities in such unconventional ways highlights why he is one of the Justice League more exclusive and versatile members.
Batman/Superman: World's Finest #33 and DC vs. Vampires: World War V #5 is now available from DC Comics!