Showcase #34

KEY ISSUE

First appearance of The Atom.

Origin of The Atom.

Market Value

Graded copies for sale: $80.00 - $1,007; 20 graded copies listed, as of Oct 6, 2026

CGC Census

1,188

Total Graded

9.8 NM/MT

8.0 VF

Reprinted 13x

Scientist Palmer is experimenting with his reducer lens to try and reduce objects in size without blowing them up, all without success. However, when he, Jean and students are trapped in a cave-in, he decides to use the lens on himself and save the others before he is destroyed. To his surprise, he is not destroyed as he becomes a human atom, and the lens later returns him to normal size.

Cover Date

September 1, 1961

On Sale Date

July 27, 1961

Pages

Cover Price

$0.10

Rating

Approved by the Comics Code Authority

Editor

Julius Schwartz