Summary

The late 1950's and 1960's gave us the birth of the Silver Age of Comics, and Showcase was a vehicle for the reintroduction of several Golden Age heroes under new guises. After the (one day) Magnificent 7 reintroductions of the Flash and Green Lantern, followed the Atom. His powers drastically altered from his Golden Age counterpart, Ray Palmer only resembled Al Pratt in that both men were short in stature and both could deliver a tremendous punch to their foes. Ray Palmer's name was created as a tribute to the science fiction editor of the same name. The early sixties were kind to the new Atom, introducing his first series 'The Atom' and granting him membership in the Justice League of America. By the mid-sixties, the Atom was in full swing and the future looked bright for the Mighty Mite. But the late sixties began to take their toll on smaller magazines. First Hawkman fell to low sales and his book was combined with 'The Atom' to create 'The Atom and Hawkman'. However, 'The Atom' had also been plagued with decreasing sales and it was not long before this book too was cancelled. The Atom continued making fairly steady appearances in the JLofA to close out the sixties.

Year 1961


  • Showcase #34. (September-October) "Birth of the Atom" and "Battle of the Tiny Titans"
    Reprinted "Birth of the Atom" in 80-Page Giant #8 (1966), Secret Origins Vol 2 #2 (1973), 1976 Secret Origins of the DC Super-Heroes, DC Special Blue Ribbon Digest #9 (1980's).
    Origin story of the Atom. First appearance of Ray Palmer and Jean Loring. First appearance of the Atom costume in the second story. Kulan Dar, an alien, appears in the second story.
    Reprinted "Battle of the Tiny Titans" story in DC 100-Page Spectacular #14 (1973), DC Special Blue Ribbon Digest #9.
  • Showcase #35 (November-December) "The Dooms From Beyond!"
    Feature length story of a man who falls under a family curse when he inherits the Heath family fortune. The Atom investigates the curse and defeats the villian who is behind it all.

Year 1962


  • Showcase #36 (January-February) "Prisoner in a Test Tube" and "The Disappearing Act Robberies"
    First story: The Atom investigates a scientist who has been replaced by his double. First CIA appearance.
    Second story: The Atom defeats a reporter (Greg Phillips) who has taken a drug that gives him telekinetic abilities.
  • The Atom #1 (June-July) "Master of the Plant World"
    First solo series for the Atom. First appearance of Jason Woodrue. The Atom teams with Maya, the Queen of the Plant World, to defeat Jason Woodrue, aka the Plant-Master.
  • The Atom #2 (August-September) "The Oddest Man on Earth" and "The Prisoners Who Vanished!"
    First Story: Ray investigates a mysterious silver dollar and finds a white dwarf fragment.
    Second Story: The Atom vs. Carl Ballard, a man who hypnotizes criminals with Europium.
  • Justice League of America #14 (September) "The Menace of the 'Atom' Bomb"
    Editor, Plotter: Julius Schwartz
    Plotter, scripter: Gardner Fox
    First appearance with the JLA. He joins at the end of this issue. The JLA votes on the Atom's membership and loses their memory due to the attacks by Amos Fortune, the Sea Thief, Angle Man, Pied Piper and Hector Hammond. The League later regains their memory and welcomes the Atom.
  • The Atom #3 (October-November) "The Time Trap!" and "The Secret of Al Atom's Lamp"
    First Story: The Atom vs. Chronos. Reprinted in Superman #245. First appearance of Chronos.
    Second Story: A Time Pool story in the Middle East 850 B.C.
  • Justice League of America #15 (November) "The Challenge of the Untouchable Aliens"
    Editor, plotter: Julius Schwartz
    Plotter, scripter: Gardner Fox
    The League takes on several 'Stone Men' from another dimension who are trying to save their world. The League intervenes, saving both Earth and the 'Stone Men's' dimension.
  • Justice League of America #16 (December) "The Cavern of Deadly Spheres"
    Editor, plotter: Julius Schwartz
    Plotter, scripter: Gardner Fox
    Imaginary story with The Maestro.
  • The Atom #4 (December-January) "The Machine that made Miracles!" and "The Case of the Innocent Thief!"
    Snapper Carr and Midge make an appearance.
    Reprinted in The Brave and the Bold #115.

Year 1963


  • Justice League of America #17 (February) "The Triumph of the Tornado Tyrant"
    Editor, plotter: Julius Schwartz
    Plotter, scripter: Gardner Fox The JLA takes on the Tornado Tyrant.
  • The Atom #5 (February-March) "The Diamond of Deadly Dooms!" and "The Specter of 3000-Moons Lake!"
    Reprinted in Action Comics #404. The Atom takes on a thief who uses a ray to turn people to diamonds. First appearance of Ted Ralston, named 'friend of the family'.
  • Justice League of America #18 (March) "Journey Into the Micro-World"
    Editor, plotter: Julius Schwartz
    Plotter, scripter: Gardner Fox
    JLA battle three androids of a subatomic world.
  • The Atom #6 (April-May) "Riddle of the Two-faced Astronaut!" and "The Highwayman and the Mighty Mite!"
    First Story: The Atom defeats a criminal dressed like an astronaut.
    Second Story: Time Pool story based in London 1739.
  • Justice League of America #19 (May) "The Super- Exiles of Earth"
    Editor, plotter: Julius Schwartz
    Plotter, scripter: Gardner Fox
    JLA battle Super-versions of themselves created by Dr. Destiny.
  • Justice League of America #20 (June) "The Mystery of Spaceman X!"
    Editor, plotter: Julius Schwartz
    Plotter, scripter: Gardner Fox
    JLA face off against three doomsday machines, then an alien robot and spacecraft.
  • The Atom #7 (June-July) "The Case of the Cosmic Camera"
    Hawkman appearance. The Atom and Hawkman team up to stop an alien invasion using Thanagarian technology.
  • Justice League of America #21 (August) "Crisis on Earth-1!"
    Editor Plotter: Julius Schwartz
    Plotter, scripter: Gardner Fox
    First cross-over story between Earth-1 and Earth-2 as the JLA fight the Crime Champions of both Earth-1 (Felix Faust, Chronos, and Dr. Alchemy) and Earth-2 (The Wizard, The Icicle, and The Fiddler). First meeting between Golden and Silver Age Atoms.
    Reprinted in 100-Page Super-Spectacular #DC-6, Justice League of America Archives Volume 3, and The Greatest Team-Up Stories Ever Told.
  • The Atom #8 (August-September) "Lockup in the Lethal Lightbulb" and "The Purloined Miniatures"
    Story by Gardner Fox
    Art by Gil Kane & Murphy Anderson
    First Story: The Atom vs. Dr. Light.
    Second Story: Atom battles Alfred Trask, Art Thief
    Reprinted in DC 100-Page Spectacular #DC-18.
  • Justice League of America #22 (September) "Crisis on Earth-2!"
    First cross-over story between Earth-1 and Earth-2 and first meeting between Golden and Silver Age Atoms.
    Reprinted in 100-Page Super-Spectacular #DC-6, Justice League of America Archives Volume 3, and The Greatest Team-Up Stories Ever Told.
  • The Atom #9 (October-November) "The Atom's Phantom Double" and "The Seaman and the Spyglass!"
    First Story: Reprinted in Action Comics #408. The Atom faces off against a double who is nearly intangible.
    Second Story: A Time Pool story set in Holland 1609.
  • Justice League of America #23 (November) "Drones of the Queen Bee"
    First appearance of Queen Bee I
  • Justice League of America #24 (December) "Decoy Mission of the Justice League"
    The League takes on Kanjar Ro. Adam Strange guest stars.
  • The Atom #10 (December-January) "Ride a Deadly Grenade" and "The Mysterious Swan Maiden"
    First Story: The Atom prevents spies from bombing the U.S. with cavorite.
    Second Story: The Atom stops woman from committing crimes based on Norse Mythology.

Year 1964


  • Justice League of America #25 (February) "Outcasts of Infinity"
  • The Atom #11 (February-March) "Trouble at the Ten-Year Club!" and "Voyage to Beyond!"
    First Story: The Atom prevents crimes at a class reunion.
    Second Story: The Atom vs. the Randath, a group of aliens.
  • Justice League of America #26 (March) "Four Worlds to Conquer"
    JLA vs. Despero.
  • The Atom #12 (April-May) "Danger, Atom Gun at Work!" and "The Gold Hunters from '49!"
    First Story: The Atom is trapped as a power source for an 'Atom Gun'. He eventually escapes and catches the thief who kidnapped him.
    Second Story: Reprinted in Detective #439
  • Justice League of America #27 (May) "The 'I' Who Defeated the Justice League"
    JLA vs. T.O.Morrow and Amazo.
  • Justice League of America #28 (June) "The Case of the Forbidden Super-Powers"
    The JLA vs. Headmaster Mind, Top, Matter Master, Tatooed Man.
  • The Brave and The Bold #53 (April-May) "Challenge of the Expanding World"
    The Atom teams up with the Flash to face a ruthless dicator of a microscopic world who wants to expand his world to replace Earth
  • Green Lantern #29 (June) "This World is Mine"
    The JLA guest stars at a JLA meeting in the second story.
  • The Atom #13 (June-July) "Weapon Watches of the Time-Wise Guy!" and "I Accuse Ray Palmer ... of Robbery!"
    First Story: The Atom vs. Chronos.
    Second Story: The Atom defeats thieves at a coin show.
  • Action Comics #314 (July) "Supergirl's Tragic Ordeal"
    Reprint of Supergirl's origin. JLA appear as Supergirl retells her origin.
  • The Brave and The Bold #55 (August-September) "Revenge of the Robot Reject"
    The Atom joins the Metal Men to face Doc Magnus' original robot, Uranium
  • The Atom #14 (August-September) "Revolt of the Atom's Uniform!"
    White dwarf causes strange effects on the Atom's costume
  • The Atom #15 (October-November) "Illusions for Sale" and "The Super-Safecracker Who Defied the Law
    First Story: The Atom defeats spies using lamp that causes hallucinations.
    Second Story: The Atom vs. the Hyper-Thief.
  • Justice League of America #31 (November) "Riddle of the Runaway Room"
    Hawkman I joins the JLA. Hawkgirl also presumably joins, but in the original issue she does not.
  • Aquaman #18 (November-December) "The Wife of Aquaman"
    Wedding of Aquaman and Mera. JLA attends.
  • Justice League of America #32 (December) "Attack of the Star-Bolt Warrior"
    JLA vs. Brainstorm.
  • The Atom #16 (December-January) "Fate of the Flattened Out Atom"
    The Atom vs. Professor Frost, who uses an 'atomic iron' to flatten the Atom and use him for their own ends.

Year 1965


  • Justice League of America #33 (February) "Enemy From the Timeless World"
  • The Atom #17 (February-March) "Case of the Hooded Hijackers!" and "Jules Verne's Crystal Ball!"
    Time Pool story set in France 1888.
  • Justice League of America #34 (March) "The Deadly Dreams of Dr. Destiny"
  • 80 Page Giant #8 (March) "Birth of the Atom"
    Reprinted from Showcase #34
  • The Atom #18 (April-May) "The Hole-in-the-Wall Lawman!" and "The Atomic Flea"
    First Story: Reprinted in Action Comics #449.
  • Justice League of America #35 (May) "Battle Against the Bodiless Uniforms"
  • Justice League of America #36 (June) "The Case of the Disabled Justice League"
  • The Atom #19 (June-July) "World of the Magic Atom"
    The Atom teams up with Zatanna. He shrinks her down to his size, and to prevent her from exploding when she returns to normal size, she uses magic. First story with palm controls for his size-weight control belt.
    Reprinted in Detective Comics #438.
  • Justice League of America #37 (August) "Earth Without a Justice League"
    JLA/JSA teamup vs. Johnny Thunder of Earth-1 and his Lawless League.
  • The Atom #20 (August-September) "Challenge of the Computer-Crooks!" and "The Night of the Little People!"
  • Hawkman #9 (August-September) "Master Trap of the Matter Master"
    The Atom appears in Hawkman. Both heroes reveal secret identities to each other.
  • Justice League of America #38 (September) "Crisis on Earth-A"
    Conclusion of JLA/JSA teamup vs. Johnny Thunder of Earth-1 and his Lawless League.
  • The Atom #21 (October-November) "Combat Under Glass" and "The Adventure of the Cancelled Birthday!"
    First Story: The Atom is captured by enemy agents who want the secret of his powers.
    Second Story: Time Pool story set in London 1752.
  • Justice League of America #40 (November) "The Indestructible Creatures of Nightmare Island"
  • Justice League of America #41 (December) "The Key-Master of the World"
    JLA vs. the Key.
  • Batman #177 (December) "Two Batmen Too Many!"
    Batman, Elongated Man, and the Atom.
  • The Atom #22 (December-January) "Bat-Knights of Darkness"

Year 1966


  • Detective Comics #347 (January) "The Strange Death of Batman!"
    Cameo appearance of the Justice League in this 'What If' death of Batman story.
  • Justice League of America #42 (February) "Metamorpho Says -- No!"
  • The Flash #158 (February) "The One-Man Justice League"
    The Flash alternately gains and loses the powers of the other members of the JLA. The JLA make brief appearances, including Ray Palmer (who doesn't appear in costume).
  • The Atom #23 (February-March) "Riddle of the Far-Out Robbery!" and "Thief with the Tricky Toy!"
  • The Atom #24 (April-May) "The Atom-Destruction of the Earth"
    The Atom vs. Jason Woodrue, the Plant-Master.
  • Justice League of America #44 (May) "The Plague That Struck the Justice League"
  • Justice League of America #45 (June) "The Super-Struggle Against Shaggy Man"
  • Doom Patrol #104 (June) "The Bride of the Doom Patrol"
    JLA appearance at Mento/Elasti-Girl's wedding.
  • The Atom #25 (June-July) "The Man in the Ion Mask" and "The Spy Who Went Out for the Gold"
  • Justice League of America #46 (August) "Crisis Between Earth-1 and Earth-2"
    JLA/JSA teamup vs. the Anti-Matter Man with Solomon Grundy and Blockbuster.
  • The Atom #26 (August-September) "The Eye-Popping Perils of the Bug-Eyed Bandit"
    First Bug-Eyed Bandit appearance. The Atom vs. the Bug-Eyed Bandit. Jean finally accepts Ray's proposal of marriage, marking the beginning of perhaps the longest engagement in DC Comics history.
  • Justice League of America #47 (September) "The Bridge Between Earths"
    Conclusion of JLA/JSA teamup vs. the Anti-Matter Man with Solomon Grundy and Blockbuster.
  • The Atom #27 (October-November) "Beauty and the Beast-Gang!" and "Stowaway on a Hot Air Balloon!"
    First Story: The Atom battles a panther masked gang of thieves
    Second Story: A Time Pool story located in France in 1783.
  • Aquaman #30 (November-December) "The Death of Aquaman"
    The JLA responds to Aquaman's 'funeral'.
  • Justice League of America #50 (December) "The Lord of Time Attacks the 20th Century"
    The Atom makes a brief appearance
  • The Atom #28 (December-January) "Time-Standstill Thefts!" and "The 100,000 'Atoms' of Ivy Town"
    Written by Gardner Fox
    Art by Gil Kane and Sid Greene
    First Story: The Atom stops Chronos from stealing timepiece related collectables.
    Second Story: White Dwarf matter in reservoir causes Ivy Town citizens to shrink uncontrollably. Ray restores them to normal.

Year 1967


  • Justice League of America #51 (February) "Z as in Zatanna and Zero Hour!"
    JLA teamup with Zatanna.
  • The Atom #29 (February-March) "The Thinker's Earth-Shaking Robberies!"
    Appearance by Golden Age Atom. Both Atoms face off against The Thinker, a Golden-Age villain.
  • Justice League of America #52 (March) "Missing in Action -- 5 Justice Leaguers"
  • The Atom #30 (April-May) "Daze of the Bat- Knights"
    The Atom battles once again with the Bat-Knights.
  • Justice League of America #53 (May) "Secret Behind the Stolen Super-Weapons"
  • Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #74 (May) "Superman's Unbeatable Rival!"
    The Atom and the JLA make a brief one-panel appearance as they hold a meeting on an interplanetary space treaty.
  • Justice League of America #54 (June) "History- Making Costumes of the Royal Flush Gang"
  • The Atom #31 (June-July) "Good Man, Bad Man, Turnabout Thief!"
  • Superman #199 (August 1967) "xxx"
    Superman and the Flash race for the first time and the JLA attends
  • The Atom #32 (August-September) "The Up and Down Dooms of the Atom"
    Ray is accidentally exposed to a ray that paralyzes him, but gives him telepathic powers. He manages to shrink down and is freed of his paralysis while he remains microscopic in size. He ends up on a microscopic world, helps some people, and is shot by a beam that counteracts the ray's effects.
  • The Brave and The Bold #73 (September) "Hail, Galg the Destroyer!"
    Aquaman and the Atom team-up against an underwater invader from a microscopic world.
  • Detective Comics #368 (October) "The Treacherous Time-Trap"
    The Elongated Man faces off against Chronos. The Atom guest-stars.
  • The Atom #33 (October-November) "The Amazing Arsenal of the Atom Assasin"
    The Atom vs. the Bug-Eyed Bandit.
  • Justice League of America #57 (November) "Man, Thy Name is Brother"
  • Justice League of America #59 (December) "The Justice Leaguers' Impossible Adventure"
  • The Atom #34 (December-January) "Little Man, You've Had a Big-Gang Day!"

Year 1968


  • Justice League of America #60 (February) "Winged Warriors of the Immortal Queen"
    JLA teamup with Batgirl vs. the Queen Bee.
  • The Atom #35 (February-March) "Plight of the Pin- Up Atom!" and "Colonel Blood Steals the Crown Jewels!"
  • Justice League of America #61 (March) "Operation: Jail The Justice League"
  • The Brave and The Bold #77 (April-May) "So Thunder the Cannoneer"
    The Atom teams with Batman vs. criminal circus performers.
  • The Atom #36 (April-May) "The Duel Between the Dual Atoms"
    Appearance by the Golden Age Atom (Al Pratt). Story is about solving aging/de-aging phenomena.
  • Justice League of America #62 (May) "Panic From a Blackmail Box"
  • Justice League of America #63 (June) "Time Signs a Death-Warrant for the Justice League"
  • The Atom #37 (June-July) "Meet Major Mynah!"
  • The Atom #38 (August-September) "Sinister Stopover, Earth!"
    Last solo issue.
  • Justice League of America #65 (September) "T.O. Morrow Kills the Justice League -- Today"
    Conclusion of JLA/JSA teamup vs. T. O. Morrow.
  • The Atom and Hawkman #39 (October-November) "Vengeance of the Silver Vulture!"
    Hawkman joins the Atom's book after his solo series was cancelled with issue #27.
  • Justice League of America #66 (November) "Divided -- They Fall"
  • Justice League of America #67 (November- December) "Doom of the Star Diamond", "Menace of the Atom Bomb", and "Riddle of the Runaway Room" (all reprints)
    Eighty Page Giant reprinting JLofA #4, #14, and #31
  • The Atom and Hawkman #40 (December-January) "The Explosive Exploit of the Split Atom" and "The Man with an Inbuilt Panic Button!"
    First Story: The Atom prevents spies from stealing robotikon.
    Second Story: Hawkman

Year 1969

  • Justice League of America #69 (February) "A Matter of Menace"
  • The Atom and Hawkman #41 (February-March) "Return of the 7-Year Dead Man" and "Yo-Yo Hangup in the Sky!"
  • Justice League of America #70 (March) "Versus the Creeper"
  • The Atom and Hawkman #42 (April-May) "When Gods Make Madness!"
  • Justice League of America #71 (May) "...and So My World Ends"
  • Justice League of America #72 (June) "13 Days to Doom"
  • The Atom and Hawkman #43 (June-July) "Come To My Hanging" and "Buzzin', Buzzin', Who's Got the Buzzin'?"
    First Story: Hawkman
    Second Story: The Atom prevents department chair at Ivy Town University from sabotaging colleagues.
  • Justice League of America #73 (August) "Star Light, Star Bright -- Death Star I See Tonight"
  • The Atom and Hawkman #44 (August-September) "The Ghost Laughs Last!" and "Hate is Where You Find It"
    First Story: Hawkman
    Second Story: The Atom defeats microverse alien and helps a scientist clear name. Strong anti-bigotry message.
  • Justice League of America #74 (September) "Where Death Fears to Tread"
  • The Atom and Hawkman #45 (October) "Queen Jean, Why Must We Die?"
    Final issue. Jean Loring is forced into having a nervous breakdown by a microscopic kidnapper and the Atom and Hawkman eventually save her.
  • Justice League of America #75 (November) "In Each Man There Is A Demon"
  • Justice League of America #77 (December) "Snapper Carr -- Super-Traitor"

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