Comic Title: Showcase Presents:The Atom Vol. 2 TPB
Publisher: DC
Cover Date: 2008
On Sale Date: August 20, 2008 Direct Market Date August 13, 2008
Source: Previews, #236

Direct Market Date August 20, 2008
Source: ComicList, New Comic Book Releases List for Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Cover Price: $16.99
Page Count: 528
Editor: Peter Hamboussi

See Also: The Guide to Graphic Novels and Collected Editions

Title: "Bat-Knights of Darkness"
Pages: 24

Feature(s):
Atom (Ray Palmer of Earth-1)

Writer: Gardner F. Fox
Penciller: Gil Kane
Inker: Sid Greene

Reprinted From:
Atom #22 (1965)

Feature Character(s)

• Atom (last appearance in Justice League of America #40; next appearance in Batman #177)

Supporting Character(s)

• Jean Loring (last appearance in Atom #21; next appearance in Atom #23)

Villain(s)

• Eddie Gordon (a thief; next appearance in Atom #30)

Other Character(s)

• The Bat-Knights and the Elvarans (Olan Parr named; next appearance in Atom #30)
• Avery Sanders and Slim Peters (a courier and a photographer; no further appearances)

Synopsis:
Jewel carrier Avery Sanders is robbed aboard a train by a race of little people riding bats. After the robbery no one will believe his story, so he turns to Jean Loring for help. Ray Palmer learns about the case from Jean and investigates as the Atom. He has his own encounter with the Bat-Knights, but after a fierce battle he loses. Later Atom sets another trap for the Bat-Knights. Though the knights escape him again, he captures their leader Olan Parr.

When Parr is questioned, the Atom learns that the Knights are from the race of Elvarans who live in the caves where Ray Palmer first became the Atom. The Elvarans are acting under the hypnotic influence of Eddie Gordon, a small-time crook hiding in the caves. The sound of Gordon's gun causes the little people to obey his every command.

The effect of Gordon's influence has worn off of Olan Parr, so he returns to the caves with the Atom. Working together, they disarm Gordon and seal up the cave. Atom turns Gordon over to the authorities and creates a friendship with the Elvarans.