Brightest Day: The Atom Special # 1 2010 NM-

Brightest Day: The Atom Special # 1, released by DC Comics on July 7, 2010, is a prestige-format one-shot that serves as an introduction to a new era for Ray Palmer following the Blackest Night event. Written by Jeff Lemire and illustrated by Mahmud Asrar, the issue focuses on a journey of self-discovery for the "smallest hero in the DCU". 

The story, titled "Small World," follows Ray Palmer as he returns to Ivy Town. 

• The Incident: While Ray is handling a hostage situation in the local library, his lab is broken into and destroyed.
• Reflecting on the Past: As Ray searches for clues in the wreckage, he reminisces with his mentor, Professor Hyatt, about his origins. This includes memories of his childhood, his brother Danny, and his uncle David, alongside his discovery of the white dwarf star matter that gave him his shrinking powers.
• A Tragic Twist: The investigation leads to a shocking discovery: Ray's father is found dead. The issue ends with the revelation of a new relative, Uncle David, who may hold the key to the mysterious death and the break-in. 

Context in the DC Universe 

While bannered as a Brightest Day tie-in, the issue acts as a prologue to the "Giant-Size Atom" story arc that continued in the backup features of Adventure Comics #516–521. This era is also notable for the death of the third Atom, Ryan Choi, who was murdered by Deathstroke and his Titans in a separate Brightest Day tie-in, Titans: Villains For Hire Special #1.