Brandon Routh deserved better than what he got with Superman, but honestly, his run as the Atom in Legends of Tomorrow was a masterclass in how to evolve a C-list hero into the emotional heartbeat of a franchise. Most people first met Ray Palmer in Arrow season three. Back then, he felt like a weird, tech-obsessed billionaire filling the void left by Oliver Queen’s identity crisis. He was basically a "discount Tony Stark" with a Boy Scout complex. But once he hopped on the Waverider? Everything changed.
The Atom Legends of Tomorrow version isn't just a guy who shrinks. It’s a subversion of the "genius billionaire" trope that dominates comic book media. Ray Palmer is pathologically optimistic. In a show filled with assassins, arsonists, and literal demons, he’s the one guy who genuinely believes the best of everyone. That’s hard to write without making a character feel annoying or one-dimensional. Yet, the writers managed to make his sincerity his greatest superpower, even more than the dwarf star alloy suit.
The Tech Behind the Tiny: How the Suit Actually Works
Let's get into the weeds of the science—or at least the "Arrowverse" version of it. Ray Palmer’s A.T.O.M. (Advanced Technology Operating Mechanism) suit isn't just a shrinking device. It’s a weaponized exo-suit powered by a white dwarf star fragment. In the comics, the Atom (traditionally Ray Palmer or Ryan Choi) uses a lens crafted from this star matter to compress his mass.
In the show, the mechanics are a bit more "super-suit" heavy. Ray can fly, fire compressed energy blasts, and, of course, manipulate his size. But there's a catch that the show actually explored quite well: conservation of mass. If Ray shrinks but keeps his full weight, he should be punching with the force of a 200-pound man concentrated into the tip of a needle. The show plays fast and loose with this—sometimes he’s light enough to ride a gust of wind, and other times he’s heavy enough to knock over a giant robot. It's inconsistent, sure, but the visual of him growing inside a robot's chest to blow it apart? Pure gold.
Why Brandon Routh Was Essential
It is impossible to separate the Atom Legends of Tomorrow success from Brandon Routh himself. Routh has this innate, dorky charisma. He plays Ray with a mix of high-level intellect and total social awkwardness that feels authentic. Remember the "Camelot/3000" episode? Ray is so genuinely excited to be a knight that he ignores the fact that they are literally in a historical aberration.
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He stayed on the show for five seasons before his somewhat controversial exit. Fans were—rightly—furious. It felt like the show was losing its moral compass. When Ray married Nora Darhk (played by Routh’s real-life wife, Courtney Ford) and left the team, it marked the end of an era. The Waverider felt emptier. He wasn't just the tech guy; he was the guy who made the team a family.
The Evolution of the Suit
The suit didn't stay the same. In Arrow, it looked a bit like a bulky piece of hockey equipment mixed with a motorcycle. By the time Legends hit its stride in season two and three, the CGI had smoothed out. We saw more creative uses of shrinking. It wasn't just about getting small to hide; it was about tactical infiltration.
- Miniaturized Sabotage: Ray would fly into complex machinery (or the human body) to fix things from the inside.
- The "Big" Problem: We occasionally saw him go the other way—becoming a giant to fight Leviathans or Kaiju-sized threats.
- The Nanite Era: Later seasons leaned more into his medical and biological engineering skills.
The Romance with Nora Darhk: A Strange Success
If you told a fan in season one that the Atom would fall in love with the daughter of Damien Darhk—the guy who literally tried to end the world—they’d have laughed. But the Ray and Nora arc is one of the best "enemies to lovers" (sorta) stories in the Arrowverse.
It worked because Ray didn't try to "fix" her. He just gave her the space to be good. He believed she could be better, and eventually, she was. This relationship highlighted the Atom's greatest strength: empathy. While other heroes are busy punching their problems into submission, Ray Palmer usually tries to talk to them first. He’s the guy who brings a cake to a prison interrogation. It’s ridiculous. It’s campy. And in the context of Legends of Tomorrow, it’s perfect.
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How Legends of Tomorrow Fixed the "Boring" Hero Problem
The biggest critique of the Atom in the comics is often that he’s "too perfect." He’s a brilliant scientist, a nice guy, and a hero. That can be boring. The show fixed this by making him a bit of a loser. Not in a mean way, but in a "he tries too hard" way. He’s the guy who wants to have a high-five and gets left hanging.
This vulnerability made him relatable. We’ve all been the person who cares a little too much about a project or a group dynamic. By leaning into the comedy, the showrunners allowed the Atom to become more than just a power set. They turned him into a symbol of "aggressive kindness." In a media landscape dominated by "gritty" reboots and anti-heroes, the Atom stood out by being unapologetically decent.
Addressing the Ryan Choi Connection
We can't talk about the Atom without mentioning the "Crisis on Infinite Earths" crossover. We finally got to see Ryan Choi, the man destined to take over the mantle in the comics. While the show didn't fully transition to Ryan as a series regular on the Waverider, his inclusion was a massive nod to the source material. It acknowledged that the Atom is a legacy.
Ray Palmer essentially acted as the mentor he never had. Even though the "Paragons" storyline was a bit messy, the interaction between the two Atoms was a highlight. It showed that being "The Atom" isn't just about the suit—it's about the "Paragon of Confidence" (even if Ray felt he didn't deserve that title).
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The Legacy of the Atom in the Arrowverse
Even though the show ended and Ray Palmer moved on, his impact on the genre remains. He proved that you can have a high-concept sci-fi character who is also the comic relief without losing the stakes. He wasn't just "the guy who shrinks." He was the guy who held the team together when they were literally lost in time.
If you’re looking to revisit the best Atom moments, start with season 2 of Legends. That’s where the show finds its footing and stops trying to be a serious superhero drama. It embraces the weirdness. Watching Ray try to survive in the Cretaceous period or accidentally becoming a god to a tribe in the past—those are the moments that define the character.
Actionable Steps for Fans and Creators
If you’re a writer or a fan of character development, there are a few key takeaways from the Atom’s journey that are worth noting:
- Subvert Expectations: If a character seems too perfect, give them a social or emotional flaw that makes them "try too hard." It’s more endearing than a dark secret.
- Power Set Creative Use: Don't just use shrinking for stealth. Use it for internal repairs, weight manipulation, and environmental interaction.
- Contrast is Key: Pair a hyper-optimistic character with a cynic (like Ray and Mick Rory). The friction creates the best dialogue and growth for both parties.
- Embrace the Camp: Legends of Tomorrow succeeded because it didn't take itself too seriously. The Atom is a guy in a red and blue suit who turns into a bug. Let it be fun.
The Atom Legends of Tomorrow legacy is one of heart. It’s a reminder that even in a world of gods and monsters, being the "nice guy" is a choice that requires more strength than any super-suit can provide. Whether he’s fighting historical anomalies or just trying to get a game night started on the Waverider, Ray Palmer remains the gold standard for how to handle a legacy hero.