Comic Title: Captain Atom Annual #1
Publisher: DC
Cover Date: 1988
On Sale Date: November 24, 1987 Shipping Date November 24, 1987
Source: DC Releases, #46

Shipping Date November 24, 1987
Source: Amazing Heroes, #130

Newsstand Date December 17, 1987
Source: Amazing Heroes, #130

Copyright Date December 15, 1987
Source: Library of Congress, Copyright Office 1987

Cover Price: $1.25
Page Count: 48
Editor: Dennis J. O'Neil

Title: "The Dark Side of the Force"
Pages: 39

Feature(s):
Captain Atom (Post-Crisis)

Writer: Cary Bates
Plotter: Greg Weisman
Penciller: Patrick R. Broderick
Inker: Robert Allen Smith
Letterer: Duncan Andrews
Colorist: Carl Gafford

Feature Character(s)

• Captain Atom (last appearance in Justice League International #12; next appearance in Captain Atom #13)

Supporting Character(s)

• Wade Eiling (last appearance in Captain Atom #12; next appearance in Captain Atom #13)
• Heinrich Megala (last appearance in Captain Atom #12; next appearance in Captain Atom #16)
• Martin Allard (last appearance in Captain Atom #12; next appearance in Captain Atom #13)
• Randy Eiling (last appearance in Captain Atom #12; next appearance in Captain Atom #13)

Villain(s)

• Major Force (last appearance in Captain Atom #12; next appearance in Captain Atom #15)

Other Character(s)

• Chuck and Cheryl (newscasters; no further appearances)

Synopsis:
Captain Atom is called to the site of a UFO crash. While the public watches, Atom greets a supposed alien exiting his ship. It then attacks him using blasts of black matter. After Captain Atom is temporarily subdued, Allard rushes into the fray.

The alien is actually Major Force, and the operation is a hoax perpetrated by General Eiling. A cover story is created claiming that Allard and the alien merged. Captain Atom is forced to go along with the cover story. Major Force is then unveiled as a new super-hero.

However, Force is a sociopath. He quickly causes civilian casualties whenever he goes into action. Captain Atom makes a public statement denouncing Major Force. The two quantum powered men fight it out. Eiling uses the gas capsules planted under Force's skin to knock him out. Captain Atom then deliver Major Force to Eiling with a message that he quits.