All-Star Squadron #21
☆ Be the first to review + Add to your collection — Join freeAll-Star Squadron #21 (May 1983) is the opening chapter of writer Roy Thomas's seven-part Ultra-Humanite saga and serves as the first appearance of two new Bronze Age villains: Deathbolt, an electricity-wielding criminal turned living battery, and Cyclotron, a tragic atomic scientist pressed into unwilling villainy — both co-created by Thomas and penciler Jerry Ordway. Cyclotron in particular carries enormous downstream significance: his radiation exposure of the Atom retroactively explained that hero's later super-strength, and his genetic legacy passed atomic-manipulation powers to his grandson Albert Rothstein, who became Nuklon and eventually Atom-Smasher. The issue also marks the formal establishment of the Trylon and Perisphere — the real-world 1939 New York World's Fair structures — as the All-Star Squadron's official headquarters, a setting that anchored the team's visual identity for the rest of the series. On the villain side, Deathbolt later crossed into live-action television, appearing in both Arrow and The Flash in the CW's Arrowverse.
In "A Tale of Three Citadels!", the All-Star Squadron faces a dual threat as Dr. Fate, Hawkman, Atom, and Firebrand clash with the relentless Cyclotron, while Superman, Green Lantern, and Liberty Belle are caught in a deadly ambush inside Superman's Citadel by Deathbolt and the cunning Ultra-Humanite. Written by Roy Thomas and brought to life with dynamic art by Jerry Ordway, this 1983 classic showcases the team's resilience in a high-stakes battle across three distinct strongholds. The cover by Jerry Ordway captures the intensity of the conflict with bold, precise lines.
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We Buy Collections ▸History
Issue #21 is doubly a turning point in the series' production history: it was the first issue written by Roy Thomas himself as editor (he took over both writing and editing duties with this number, having previously served only as writer through earlier issues edited by Len Wein), and it was the second issue penciled by Jerry Ordway, who had shifted from inker/finisher to full penciler starting with #19. Ordway's longtime friend Mike Machlan joined him as inker beginning with this issue, forming the art partnership that would define the visual look of the Ultra-Humanite saga through issue #26 and Annual #2. Ordway's cover for the issue deliberately styled Superman in the manner of Joe Shuster's original Golden Age rendition of the character, a conscious nod to the series' period-authenticity mission.
Trivia · 8 facts
- First appearance of Deathbolt (Jake Simmons), an electrically-powered super-villain created by Roy Thomas and Jerry Ordway, who debuted as a henchman of the Ultra-Humanite.
- First appearance of Cyclotron in his super-powered form — Roy Thomas's reinvention of obscure 1940 Action Comics #21 character Terry Curtis (originally created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster) as a reluctant atomic villain coerced by the Ultra-Humanite.
- Cover date: May 1983; story title: 'A Tale of Three Citadels!'; written by Roy Thomas, penciled by Jerry Ordway, inked by Mike Machlan, colored by Gene D'Angelo, lettered by Carrie McCarthy.
- Issue #21 marks the first issue on which Roy Thomas served as both writer and editor of the series, taking over the editorial role from Len Wein.
- The Trylon and Perisphere — actual structures built for the 1939 New York World's Fair — are formally established as the All-Star Squadron's permanent headquarters in this issue.
- The story opens the seven-part Ultra-Humanite saga (issues #21–26 plus Annual #2), in which the villain — then occupying the body of actress Dolores Winters — deploys Deathbolt and Cyclotron to steal the Powerstone and the Hammer of Thor from the heroes.
- Cyclotron's radiation, delivered during his battle with the Atom in this story arc, is later established as the retroactive source of the original Atom's super-strength — and the inherited meta-human ability that his grandson Albert Rothstein (Nuklon/Atom-Smasher) would eventually wield.
- Deathbolt was adapted for live-action television in the CW's Arrowverse, portrayed by actor Doug Jones in both Arrow (Season 3, episode 'Broken Arrow') and The Flash (Season 1, episode 'Rogue Air').
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