Ray Palmer is one of the world's most incredible scientists. He conducted remarkable research in the field of physics, but his most notable work was studying a fragment of a white dwarf star he found. After much study, he discovered that a beam of ultraviolet light passing through this piece of star gained the ability to shrink whatever it hit. Ray used this principle to create a suit that reduced his size. He can control how small he becomes and still maintain his physical strength, meaning he can be microscopic and still deliver powerful punches, becoming the hero Atom. After the events of the Flash movie, Ray works with a private detective, Ralph Dipney, who was affected by the dark matter wave, gaining the power to stretch, to investigate the disappearance of Professor Martins Stein, suspecting that he was also affected by the dark matter wave.
However, the duo encounters complications when they find Stein's former colleague, Dr. Alexander Sartorius, who also appears to have been affected by dark matter like Ralph.
Still searching for Stein, Ray finds a clue linked to a flaming figure. However, he is interrupted when visitors appear, inviting him to take a position at STAR Labs.
