Grounded USAF pilot NATHANIEL ADAM found work at the CONTINUUM, a research facility run by quantum physicist DR. MEGAL. MEGALA wanted NATE to pilot an experimental capsule designed to travel to other dimensions. When activated, the capsule imploded, destroying NATE at a subatomic level. NATE soon reappeared and discovered he had become a living nuclear reactor, with the ability to manipulate the quantum field! GENERAL WADE EILING insisted NATE was now a military asset-and a living weapon of mass destruction. Nate refused to cooperate and instead chose to serve the world as CAPTAIN ATOM!