Captain Atom (Volume 2) #41 is an issue of the series Captain Atom (Volume 2) with a cover date of May, 1990.
Synopsis for "Happy Birthday, Old Soul"
On Nathaniel's 50th birthday, he spends a romantic night with Catherine Cobert. However, Nathaniel realizes he hasn't move on from his wife's death in 1982. He abruptly leaves Catherine's apartment and head to the Justice League Embassy. There, Nathaniel talk with Metamorpho about his problem, revealing his ordeal in the Captain Atom Project that sent him from 1968 to 1986. His and Rex's life are not so different from each other, but the only exception is that Rex's wife is still alive. Rex console Nathaniel, telling him that he must have faith and that someday Nathaniel may reunite with Angela in Heaven. Rex's remarks unintentionally gives Nathaniel the possibility of seeing Angela in the afterlife.
At the Pentagon, General Eiling reviews over the deaths of three hostages that were taken by Kobra. He and his aides were under the assumption that Martin Allard and Babylon were among those killed, but they now realize it is not the case. As they have learn that the third hostage was a doppelganger made to resemble Heinrich Megala in his wheelchair bound state, thus knowing that Allard and Babylon are still alive.
Nathaniel convinces Red Tornado, Silver Shield, and along with Chester King to gather in Nevada, where he explains to them of his plans to see Angela in the same manner he did during his journey in the astral plane. Tornado is against his plan as he tries to warn Nathaniel that the Angela he saw was just an image of her and that by going into that dream-world again he will trap himself in his own fantasies, and as well coming into danger with the Black Racer. But Nathaniel is willing to go through with this, as he sees this his only chance to come to terms with his wife's memory in order to move on with his life. Silver and Chester agrees to help, and Tornado reluctantly does so.
Nathaniel has Tornado to guide him to and from the soul-realm; Silver Shield to provide a "telepathic lifeline" to the material world; and Chester is to stand guard should anything were to happen to the Captain's comatose body. Nathaniel and Tornado makes their journey to the astral plane where the former's subconscious desires takes hold, as he reenacts his first meeting with Angela and their marriage. Tornado attempts to pull Nathaniel from the realm before it takes him. But Nathaniel is too driven by his desire to be with his wife. In the material world, Silver loses his connection with Nathaniel and Chester desperately tries to revive him. But it is too late, Nathaniel is dead.
Appearing in "Happy Birthday, Old Soul"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Red Tornado
- Silver Shield
- Chester King
- General Wade Eiling
- Randy Eiling
Antagonists:
Other Characters:
Locations:
- Paris, France
- Catherine Cobert's apartment
- Justice League Europe Paris embassy
- Nevada
- Pentagon
Items:
Vehicles:
Notes
- Nathaniel's 50th birthday is May 3, 1990 (or 32nd, if you discount the 18 years he was missing).
See Also