In Infinite Frontier, a veteran Justice League hero has been replaced by someone who gives into Darkseid in the most dramatic way possible.
WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Infinite Frontier #2 by Joshua Williamson, Paul Pelletier, Jesus Merino, Xermanico, Norm Rapmund, Romulo Fajardo Jr, & Tom Napolitano
Darkseid has always been one of DC’s most fearsome and dangerous forces, working to bring about the end of all opposition to his rule over the universe. While many of his plans in the past have involved overt attacks and assaults against his enemies, that is seemingly changing in the age of Infinite Frontier.
Darkseid’s hopeless, nihilistic ideas are starting to spread throughout the DC Multiverse, and they just caught up with one multiversal hero, Captain Atom. While impersonating DC’s main Captain Atom for unknown reasons, he killed himself (and potentially countless others) by ripping himself open and causing a massive explosion in Darkseid’s name.
Cameron Chase has been investigating the recent changes to the DC Universe at the behest of Director Bones. Her search for answers ends up bringing her to Metropolis Airforce Base and Captain Atom. The radioactive superhero was killed during the events of Dark Nights: Death Metal, and while other figures also died during that event, they were seemingly restored to life with little consequence. His demise even helped lead to the radioactive deserts known as the Arkham Wastelands. Cameron reveals that due in part to this experience with the changes to the multiverse, her employers want Atom to work with them on the investigation. Captain Atom refuses, revealing he’s formally retired — and is content to possibly lead a quiet life in obscurity.
But Cameron — growing suspicious — tricks Captain Atom into revealing he’s lying about something. Drawing a gun on him, Captain Atom sadly confirms he’s from a different reality — and that he has no idea what has befallen the Captain Atom of the core DC Universe. He reveals he just wanted to be free in this world, but can’t risk being brought into the authorities, who could pry the information of what’s really going on in the multiverse from him. Fearful of some entity coming for him after discovering this, Captain Atom instead decides to rip open his containment suit, unleashing the full torrent of his energy out in a massive explosion — and killing not just him but presumably Cameron Chase and everyone in their immediate vicinity.
It’s a startling event that Cameron isn’t prepared for, and things only become worse when Atom says the words “Darkseid Is” before going through with it. It’s a brutal moment that hints that Darkseid may even be behind Captain Atom’s presence in the DC Universe. This event also raises many questions. Is the original Captain Atom still alive somewhere, or did he remain dead following the climax of Dark Nights: Death Metal? If Captain Atom was replaced, could other heroes who seemingly died during Dark Nights: Death Metal — such as Animal Man, Red Tornado, and Blue Beetle — also secretly be multiversal transplants? And what exactly does Darkseid have planned for the multiverse?
All that’s known so far is that Darkseid has become powerful enough to wipe out the Quintessence all on his own, has converted Psycho-Pirate into his servant and is seemingly seeking out the Black Lantern Ring currently affixed to Roy Harper. None of this bodes well for the future of the DC Universe and its place in the multiverse, with Darkseid clearly having plans to bring down all of existence around him once again. Hopefully, Chase is able to escape the explosion and reveal the truth of Atom’s identity to others so the investigation into Darkseid’s growing influence can continue throughout the rest of the world.
KEEP READING: Justice League Infinity: JM DeMatteis & James Tucker Revisit The DCAU
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