Issue 166 - Atrocitus

THIS EPISODE SEETHES WITH RAGE AS WE DISCUSS ATROCITUS! FEEL THE ANGER THROUGH YOUR SPEAKERS AND INTO YOUR HEART

Intro Green Lantern watch party THIS SATURDAY NIGHT 8:30 PM Eastern

Background (2:35) Atrocitus created by Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver in Green Lantern #25 (Dec 2007)

The Manhunters were created by the Guardians of the Universe to protect the universe, but they went rogue and obliterated all life in Sector 666 - Atros was one of only five survivors in the entire sector

He renamed himself Atrocitus, and he and the other four survivors called themselves the Five Inversions - they performed a ritual and discovered the prophecy of the Blackest Night, which foretold the destruction of the universe at the hands of the Guardians - after attempting to defeat the Guardians, he and the Inversions were imprisoned on Ysmault

Abin Sur traveled there and began questioning Atrocitus about the prophecy - he freed Atrocitus from his prison to help guide Abin to Earth, but Atrocitus broke free and attacked Abin, retconning why Abin Sur’s ship crashed to Earth

He then created a divining rod that led him to William Hand, aka Black Hand, but before he could kill Hand, Sinestro & Hal Jordan intervened - Hand escaped with the rod (also a retcon), and Atrocitus was returned to his prison on Ysmault

While in prison, his rage helped him create the red power battery, which he used to murder his fellow Inversions, creating rings and a central battery - he used these rings and batteries to create the Red Lantern Corps, who would assault Sinestro and anyone responsible for the destruction of Sector 666

During Blackest Night, the other corps leaders bring him to his home planet, and he has a moment of grief for the loss of his family - he temporarily allies with the other spectrum corps 

Made a deal with Guy and Ganthet that once Krona was defeated, Atrocitus would take possession to enact justice - although Krona was killed, Ganthet gave Atrocitus the corpse to do what he wanted with it

Loses his ring to Guy Gardner, who joins the Red Lanterns as an undercover mole for Hal Jordan

DC Rebirth - creates a Hell Tower on Earth to plant the Rage Seed that will birth a new Rage Entity - the tower is destroyed by Simon Baz & Jessica Cruz, but Dex-Starr managed to deliver the seed before the tower was destroyed

Issues - Theme is the pain & rage cycle (9:36) Ruby - why would a psychologist go straight to rage?

Ruby - Rage in dealing with loss (16:04)

Really the only Red Lantern capable of thought - how does that affect his rage, and does it mean it’s capable of being tamed? (23:11)

Break (29:53) Plugs for Geek Peak, Bedknobs & Broomflicks, and Jordan Blum

Treatment (31:11) In-universe - Attempt hemodialysis on Atrocitus

Out of universe - Minus the powers, he’s a very angry man raging at the world because of his loss (33:15)

Skit (39:19) Hello Atros, I’m Dr - ATROCITUS AND YOU ARE NO DOCTOR

*Gulp* Hello Atrocitus, I’m Dr - I SAID YOU ARE NO DOCTOR TO ME. I do not recognize your title, only the title of MASTER OF RAGE HOLDS ANY MEANING TO THOSE WHO SUBSCRIBE TO the power it provides.

*pause* Um…I mean, I can’t lie, man. I’m here as an…um…professional…to -YOU ARE WASTING TIME, Doctor Issues. 

*Rapid* I’m here to make sure you don’t destroy all of existence because you are so powerful and mad and I don’t want to offend you but I need to do my job so please just let me…Atrocitus…sir -I HATE WHINERS. WHINING is the provenance of those too incompetent to comprehend the veracity of the world and TOO WEAK TO COMPEL THE CHANGE REQUIRED to bring JUSTICE to those who would cause DESTRUCTION AND PAIN TO THE INNOCENT.

*exasperated* OH COME ON! I’m doing my best here. Just tell me why you’re so angry. -*seething* EEEEEEEVVVVVVVERRRRRYTHIIIIIIIING IS WRONG!

Okay, but - DO NOT QUESTION ME, Doctor Issues. I HAVE SEEN THINGS your mere mortal brain IS INCAPABLE OF MAKING SENSE OF

I want to make it right -YOU ARE TOO WEAK TO DO ANYTHING, Doctor Issues. 

Ouch, dude. I’m not against you -THEN WHO SENT YOU? 

The…um…if I tell you, you’ll be…cross…er…like, more than now…or something -YOU CONSPIRE WITH MY ENEMIES! I have seen this coming, once I allowed my brain to acknowledge the TRUCE BETWEEN MY DESTINY AND REALITY

You’re projecting, which can get you in troub -DO NOT USE PSYCHOLOGICAL JARGON ON ME, Doctor Issues.

But it’s proper…oh man, this is much harder than usual…look, the way you come across, I usually try to offer something to help calm down. Can I do that? -WHAT? THERE IS NO CALM HERE. If you create an alliance with those aligned against me, Doctor Issues, THEN YOUR BLOOD WILL STAIN THE COSMOS FOR ETERNITY! I WILL SEND YOUR CORPSE TO A FAR AWAY STAR SYSTEM, and when they come to search for you, Doctor Issues, I will ASSAULT THE SHIP, rip open the cockpit doors, and DESTROY THE PILOTS WHO MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE.

Some people…not necessarily you, but SOME OTHER people…might consider that a bit…paranoid? -I’M NOT PARANOID! I KNOW THAT OTHERS ARE AFTER ME BECAUSE I’VE GONE AFTER THEM FIRST.

That doesn’t sound healthy either. Your blood pressure must be through the roof. -MY DIASTOLIC GOES TO INFINITYYYYYYY

But that’s the lower numb…that’s not poss…you’re just…what? -DO NOT DOUBT THE POWER OF THE RED LANTERNS. WE HAVE FORSEEN THE DESTRUCTION OF YOUR GALAXY AND IT TURNS CRIMSON WITH THE BLOOD OF YOUR DESCENDANTS. THERE IS NO ESCAPE FOR YOU THIS TIIIIIIIIIMMMMMMEEEEE

I…are you even listening to yourself? -MY EARS ARE OPEN AND MY EYES ARE NOT OF THIS WORLD. I hear the voices of THOSE WARRIORS who seek a connection with the ULTIMATE POWER. 

Alright, I will stop you right there. You may kill me for this but you are NOT MAKING SENSE. -*pause, surprising calm but still intense* This world, and everything you know about it is not ready for the final meeting of powers you can’t understand. *back to full intensity* ONLY THE RED LANTERNS MAY BREATH THE AIR THAT SMELLS OF COMBAT, AND WASH AWAY THE DISGRACE OF THOSE THAT CAME BEFORE US. 

That sounds nightmarish -NIGHTMARES ARE THE BEST PART OF MY DAY!

I…can’t match your intensity, so I won’t try. I have to admit, I feel lost in your presence. That’s not a good sign. I may have to seek a consult from someone else -THERE IS NO ONE ELSE TO PROVIDE FOR YOUR SALVATION. I WILL GIVE YOU THE DIVINE BLESSING OF THE BLOOD PROPHECY *vomit sound*

Ew…you puked on me?! Is this blood? YOU PUKED BLOOD ON ME? *psychedelic/ambient music* I…do you see it too? What is this? You’re…you’re a tortured soul. You’ve been through so much. I’m sorry. I wish you had known help is out there…it’s always there. -THIS IS NOT HOW IT WORKS! YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN DISINTEGRATED INTO THE MADNESS OF ATROCITUS. IF YOU HAVE SURVIVED…*quieter* then your journey is not at an end…your mind will travel, to parts unknown. My vision fades…THERE ARE OTHERS…YOU DO NOT KNOW THEM…BUT THEY ARE…OF YOU…*surprisingly quiet* and they make me…tame.

I’m understanding more now, but still confused, and you’re still here -NO, THIS IS NOT MY DOING. MY COMPLACENCY WILL ONLY LEAD TO THE DESTRUC OF MORE WORLDS IF I DO NOT GATHER MY ARMY, AND RECONSTITUTE MY RAGE. THIS OFFICE IS A CAGE, AND I WILL NOT LET YOUR WEAPON CONTINUE TO WEAKEN ME. 

I don’t have any weapons! -YOUR HEART…IT BEATS WITH THE FORBIDDEN LIGHT. YOU SAY NOTHING…*quiet, twinge of fear* but your presence speaks evvvvverything.

Um…thanks? -YOU WILL NOT HOLD MEEEEEEEEE *RUNNING, CRASH THROUGH DOOR*

*pause* Seriously What the hell was that?!!! I should be dead five times over…and he looked like he was scared of me? I’ve had a calming effect before, but this is ridiculous! *phone rings* Hello? Yeah, sorry! I forgot about this call! Thank you so much, I just had the most unique patient…well, I can’t divulge who, but…how did you know that? Yeah, and the one before? You can help? Ok, we’ll talk about equity tomorrow. If you can assist with these lanterns, I’d be so appreciative. And put a contingency in for door accommodations. Ok. Bye.

Ending (49:42) Recommended reading: Red Lanterns

Next episodes: Jessica Cruz, Ted Anderson interview, Animal sidekicks

Plugs for social

References:

The Noid - Anthony (54:30)

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