There is no denying that Justice League’s top powerhouses. However, crowning him as DC’s strongest hero would be a mistake, especially when another hero has not only matched the Man of Steel blow for blow but has also defeated him. Now, DC explicitly confirms this hero’s dominance by officially labeling him as “the most powerful weapon on the planet.”

... Captain Atom can defeat Superman in a one-on-one fight...

Ryan Parrott, John Ridley, Mike Perkins, and Adriano Lucas’ Justice League: The Atom Project will conclude on June 4, 2025, with issue #6 serving as its final installment. Until then, fans have been treated to a preview that shows Ray “The Atom” Palmer in full meltdown mode as he frantically searches for Ryan “The Atom” Choi and Nathaniel “Captain Atom” Adam, who were captured by the Legion of Doom and are now being held hostage.

During Palmer’s emotional outburst and confession of guilt, he refers to Captain Atom as “the most powerful weapon on the planet,” making it clear who the heroes of the DC Universe regard as the strongest and most powerful among their ranks.

Captain Atom Officially Sures Superman in DC’s Power Hierarchy

Main Cover by Mike Perkins for Justice League: The Atom Project #6 (2025)

Justice League: The Atom Project #6 sees Mister Terrific confront Ray about his physical and mental health, urging him to get some rest after tirelessly working to locate Ryan and Nathaniel. However, Ray brushes off Holt’s suggestion, saying it is unlikely he would get much sleep knowing that the Legion of Doom is holding both the other Atom and Captain Atom captive, with the latter being, as Ray puts it, “the most powerful weapon on the planet.” To be called the most powerful weapon on Earth is one of the most extreme accolades a hero can receive from their peers.

This labeling also reinforces how DC’s other characters view the power rankings within their ranks. Ray, who likely speaks for many of his colleagues, clearly sees Nathaniel as one of the most powerful among them. This is a notable statement, as it essentially places Captain Atom above Superman, who is often considered DC’s most powerful and strongest hero. This revelation may disrupt how many fans mentally rank DC’s finest. While some critics may argue that “most powerful” does not necessarily mean “strongest,” that distinction becomes less important considering Captain Atom has already proven himself stronger by defeating Superman in battle.

Captain Atom Already Proved He’s Strong Enough to Beat Superman

Comic Comes From Tom Taylor’s Injustice: Gods Among Us Chapter #32 (2013) - Art by Jheremy Raapack

While DC has now explicitly labeled Captain Atom as the most powerful weapon on Earth, and by extension one of the most powerful heroes, the comic publisher has long since established that Captain Atom can not only match Superman in a fight but also defeat him. Injustice: Gods Among Us Chapter #32 (2013) by Tom Taylor and Jheremy Raapack features a no-holds-barred battle between Captain Atom and Superman. In this Elseworlds tale, Superman has become a fascist dictator after the Joker tricks him into killing Lois Lane and their unborn child. This event fractures the hero community, with some siding with Superman and his tyrannical rule, and others siding with Batman and his underground resistance. Captain Atom is among the heroes who stand with Batman.

Eventually, Superman and Captain Atom clash, with Nathaniel unleashing nuclear blasts that quickly begin to wear Superman down. Readers watch as Captain Atom pummels Superman into the ground, showing that he can not only match the Kryptonian in strength but also overpower him. Captain Atom is on the verge of finishing Clark off when Wonder Woman intervenes. She slices open the Dilustel layer of his suit, forcing him to retreat or risk triggering an uncontrollable nuclear reaction that would endanger countless lives. If not for Wonder Woman’s intervention, Captain Atom would have won in a one-on-one fight against Superman, proving that he is the stronger hero.

Will Captain Atom Be Strong Enough to Escape the Legion of Doom?

Cover D 1:25 Otto Schmidt Variant for Justice League: The Atom Project #6 (2025)

Thanks to the confirmation that Captain Atom can defeat Superman in a one-on-one fight, combined with DC labeling him as the most dangerous weapon on Earth, it is hard to deny that the hero is stronger than the Man of Steel. However, as shown in the preview for Justice League: The Atom Project #6, Captain Atom may have finally met his match. The hero is faced with the soul-crushing realization that he is not strong enough to break free from the Legion of Doom’s collar that is keeping him captive. Nathaniel even says outright, “I’m not strong enough.” As a result, fans will have to wait for the full issue to release to find out if Captain Atom, who can defeat Superman, will be strong enough to escape the Legion of Doom.

Justice League: The Atom Project #6 is available June 4, 2025, from DC Comics!