Cyclotron (character)

Cyclotron
The Terry Curtis incarnation of Cyclotron as depicted in Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe #5 (July 1985). Art by Jerry Ordway.
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceTerry Curtis:
Action Comics #21 (1940)
as Cyclotron:
All Star Squadron #21 (1983)
Created byTerry Curtis:
Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster
Cyclotron:
Roy Thomas
In-story information
Alter egoTerrence Kurtzberger
SpeciesMetahuman
Abilities

Cyclotron is the name of two different characters appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Though a minor character, he holds an important place in the history of the Justice Society as a source of power and inspiration for both the Atom and Atom Smasher.

Publication history

[edit]

Terry Curtis was originally an obscure one-shot Superman character in Action Comics #21 (1940) who was a scientist who was kidnapped by Ultra-Humanite and forced to build an "atomic disintegrator".

Roy Thomas reinvented the character as Cyclotron, a reluctant supervillain, in All-Star Squadron #21 (1983) from DC Comics. He was one of the few original villains retroactively added to DC's Golden Age era in the series.

Fictional character biography

[edit]

Terry Curtis

[edit]

Terry Curtis is an atomic scientist who the Ultra-Humanite kidnaps and experiments on, giving him superhuman abilities.[1] While battling the All-Star Squadron, Curtis exposes Atom to large amounts of radiation, which eventually gives him superpowers. Curtis is killed while attempting to stop the Ultra-Humanite, with the Atom adopting a costume based on his.[2] Curtis' daughter Terri eventually has a son, Albert, who gains superpowers from her and Terry's exposure to radiation.

Cyclotron II

[edit]

A new incarnation of Cyclotron named Clarence Simms appears in "DC Rebirth". He is a member of the Suicide Squad before Amanda Waller kills him for attempting to betray her.[3]

Powers and abilities

[edit]

The first Cyclotron has immense strength, the ability to fly, project blasts of atomic energy, and manipulate matter on a molecular level. He can even sap his opponent's physique by touching them. He additionally possesses expertise in science.[4]

The second Cyclotron is capable of generating energy.

In other media

[edit]
  • An original incarnation of Cyclotron appears in the Super Powers Collection action figure line and its tie-in comic. This version, also known as Alex LeWitt, is an android built by Superman who has knowledge of every superhero and supervillain, can perform a powerful "twister punch", and is mostly incapable of independent thought.
  • A figure of Cyclotron was released in the DC Universe Classics line in April 2010.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Action Comics #21. DC Comics.
  2. ^ All-Star Squadron #21. DC Comics.
  3. ^ Suicide Squad #9. DC Comics.
  4. ^ Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe Vol 1 #5 (July 1985)
[edit]