The Religious Affiliation of Comic Book Character
Albert Julian Rothstein
Atom Smasher
of the Justice League of America
(also known as "Nuklon")

The Jewish community often complains that it's losing young people's attention. Have Jewish leaders checked the comic shops recently?

...Modern comic books -- lively keystones of American popular culture -- aren't afraid to feature numerous new heroes... who have clearly Jewish backgrounds. Nor do comic books shy away from topics of particular Jewish interest, such as interdating...

Ramban, Judith, Dybbuk and the Golem aren't the only Jews in comics published by DC, whose office is heavily populated by Jewish executives. In fact, there used to be one more -- Nuklon, a 7-foot-1 ponytailed power house who was a member of the Justice League America, DC's premier superhero team.

In one issue released last year, Nuklon had dinner with fellow Justice Leaguer Fire, who expressed a romantic interest in him. Nuklon told Fire he was "flattered" by her interest. But he said they couldn't get serious because "I'm going to marry a Jewish girl.

"You see, it isn't just my happiness that matters. I owe something to my family...to my heritage," Nuklon said. "I'm like a link in a chain. I can't be the one to break that chain."

Alas, the character's comic book didn't sell well so DC iced him from its list this summer.

The Thing may be the heaviest hitter to announce his Jewish roots, but he's far from alone. There are plenty of fellow Israelites in tights to join him at the Seder table...

From DC's largest hero [Colossal Boy], to the smallest: the Atom may be Jewish. Sure, he was married in a church, but in Justice League of America #188 he says that he is not familiar with the Chanukah story because he is "not very religious." Isn't that an odd thing to say if you're not Jewish? (As a side note, Nuklon, now known as Atom Smasher, protege of the Golden Age Atom is clearly Jewish. Could the whole Atom dynasty be Jewish?)

Gelbwasser, Michael. "Holy Blintzes! Practising Judaism OK for Super-heroes." Jewish Advocate Oct. 19, 1995, pg. PG.
Discusses the Jewish super-heroes Ramban the magician, Judith, Dybbuk, Golem, Nuklon, Colossal Boy, Ragman and Sabra...

Jones, Gerard. "Where the Wild Things Are". Justice League America #95 Jan. 1995. (NY: DC).
Half of the comic shows superhero Nuklon (aka Albert Rothstein)'s date with superheroine "Fire" (aka Beatriz DaCosta). Towards the end of the date, Fire tells Nuklon that she asked him out because she wants to settle down with someone. Nuklon, though flattered, tells her that he couldn't marry her unless she converted to Judaism: "I'm like a link in a chain. I can't be the one to break that chain."

Gelbwasser, Michael. "Cool Characters Entice Kids: Jewish Superheroes Work Wonders in American Comics" Boston Jewish Advocate Jan. 7, 1997.

Gelbwasser, Michael. "Look! Up in the Sky! Jewish Superheroes." Jewish Advocate Oct. 19, 1995, pg. PG.
Discusses the Jewish super-heroes Seraph, the Blasters, Colossal Boy, Ragman, Captain Marvel and the Marvel Family, Mindboggler, Ramban, Golem, Judith, Dybbuk, Nuklon, Phantom Stranger and Sabra.

Neil Welch
14 May 2004 at 4:19 am
Very little religion in the DCU - there seems to be a pervading non-denominational deist philosophy (Spectre is an agent of God, but let's not be specific about what religion for fear of alienating the others).

Nuklon/Atom Smasher clearly Jewish.

Huntress presumably Catholic by reference to crucifix.

Pre-Crisis Superman presumably nominally a member of the Kryptonian religion (whatever that was) by virtue of his frequent "Great Rao!"s.

A bit tricky to address religion in a universe where there is quite a high preponderance of actual Gods!

LadyM
10-01-2002, 03:29 PM

I don't know that religion is really ignored in comic books. I'd say it turns up at least as much as it would in a regular series of novels or a TV series. Moreso, even.

Other characters whose religions I'm familiar with:

Fire is Catholic
Nuklon is Jewish...
[More are listed]