# Atom Eve

Atom Eve is a fictional superheroine appearing in the American comic books series Invincible, created by writer Robert Kirkman and artist Cory Walker. She first appeared in Invincible #2, published in 2003 by Image Comics. As a character in the series, Atom Eve possesses the ability to manipulate matter at a subatomic level, allowing her to alter the molecular structure of objects, including her own body. She has been featured in comic books, television shows, video games, and novels.
Atom Eve's secret identity is Samantha Eve Wilkins. Initially, she was depicted as a teenage high school student at Reginald Vel Johnson High School and was raised in Chicago, Illinois, by her adoptive parents, Betsy and Adam Wilkins. She was placed in their care after her biological mother, Polly, died during childbirth, and her creator, Dr. Elias Brandyworth, was murdered.
Eve was born with superhuman powers due to an experiment conducted on her biological mother during pregnancy, granting her an innate understanding of biological and chemical sciences. Her abilities include superhuman strength, speed, agility, stamina, durability, and balance, as well as the power to manipulate matter. She can use her abilities to create shields, weapons, and objects during combat. Additionally, she constructs and repairs materials using artificial matter of her own design, which she utilizes both for fighting and travel across the city.

## Publication history

Invincible debuted in 2003, introducing readers to a new universe of superheroes. Atom Eve quickly became a central figure within this universe, known for her complex character development and significant impact on the storyline. Her popularity has extended beyond the comics, leading to appearances in various media adaptations.

## Fictional character biography
### Early life

Samantha Eve Wilkins, later known as Atom Eve, was the result of a top-secret government experiment designed to create a superhuman with unparalleled abilities. Her biological mother, Polly, was unknowingly subjected to genetic experimentation while pregnant under the supervision of Dr. Elias Brandyworth, a government scientist. Brandyworth's experiment aimed to enhance the unborn child's intelligence and molecular manipulation abilities, granting her an innate understanding of biological and chemical sciences at a subatomic level.
Shortly after Polly gave birth to Eve, the government sought to take control of the child, viewing her as a potential weapon. However, Dr. Brandyworth, recognizing the dangers of allowing the government to exploit her abilities, decided to intervene. He orchestrated a plan to smuggle the newborn away from the government's grasp, ensuring she would be raised in a normal environment. To protect her, Brandyworth switched Eve with another baby at the hospital, allowing her to be placed with Betsy and Adam Wilkins, an unsuspecting couple in Chicago, Illinois.
Polly tragically died during childbirth, unaware of the full extent of the experiment performed on her. The government, still intent on recovering Eve, eliminated Dr. Brandyworth, covering up his involvement in the project. However, his sacrifice ensured that Eve remained hidden for many years, growing up without knowledge of her true origins. The Wilkins family, completely unaware of her extraordinary heritage, raised her as their own daughter.
From an early age, Eve displayed an extraordinary intellect and an innate ability to understand complex scientific concepts without formal education. Her adoptive parents, noticing her advanced cognitive skills, struggled to comprehend the extent of her gifts. Despite this, they imposed strict rules and expectations, hoping to mold her into what they believed was a normal, disciplined child.
During her teenage years, Eve attended Reginald Vel Johnson High School, where she excelled academically while struggling with the constraints of her home life. Her parents maintained a strict and controlling approach, often dismissing her curiosity about the world and her own identity. This tension deepened as Eve became more aware of her abilities and questioned why she felt so different from those around her.
Eve eventually learned the truth about her origins when she encountered a dying Dr. Brandyworth, who revealed the full extent of the experiment that created her. He explained that her powers were not a random mutation but the result of deliberate scientific manipulation during pregnancy. This revelation shattered her understanding of her past, leaving her conflicted about her true identity and purpose.

### Superhero career and conflicts

As a superhero, Atom Eve often uses her powers to help people, sometimes clashing with the traditional concept of heroism. She takes a break from crime-fighting to focus on humanitarian efforts, using her abilities to create resources for those in need. However, she is repeatedly drawn back into battle, facing threats such as the Viltrumite invasion and various supervillains.
During her adolescence, Eve discovered her powers and decided to use them for good. She adopted the superhero identity of Atom Eve and joined the Teen Team, a group of young superheroes. Her abilities allowed her to transmute objects, enabling her to perform feats such as transforming one substance into another and healing injuries by rearranging molecular structures.
Eve's partnership with fellow superhero Invincible (Mark Grayson) evolved over time from comrades-in-arms to a deep romantic relationship. Their bond faced numerous challenges, including battles against formidable foes and personal struggles. Eventually, they married and had a daughter named Terra, balancing their responsibilities as parents with their duties as superheroes.

## Powers and fighting styles

Atom Eve possesses the ability to manipulate matter at a subatomic level. This power enables her to alter the atomic and molecular structure of both organic and inorganic matter, effectively transforming one substance into another. This power enables her to transform substances, such as changing leaves into food or reshaping her clothing. In combat scenarios, Atom Eve employs her powers to create protective force fields, generate energy blasts, and construct various weapons or tools from her energy constructs. She can also manipulate elemental forces, allowing her to control aspects of nature such as air and earth.
A notable aspect of her abilities is the presence of mental blocks, which typically prevent her from manipulating living beings. However, during moments of extreme emotional distress or near-death experiences, these barriers can be temporarily overridden, granting her enhanced capabilities, including accelerated healing and even resurrection. Despite the vast potential of her powers, their extensive use can lead to rapid caloric depletion, necessitating increased nutritional intake to maintain her health and sustain her abilities. Her fighting style is primarily defensive and strategic, emphasizing battlefield manipulation rather than direct combat. While her abilities are extensive, they are constrained by her concentration and the complexity of the transformations she performs. Overuse or attempting highly intricate alterations can result in both physical and mental exhaustion.

## Other media appearances
### Animated series

Atom Eve appears in the Invincible animated series on Amazon Prime Video, voiced by Gillian Jacobs. The series closely follows her comic book storyline, emphasizing her growth as a hero and her relationship with Invincible. A standalone "Invincible Atom Eve special" episode, released in 2023, delves deeper into her backstory.

### Video games

In November 2023, Invincible Presents: Atom Eve, a visual novel and turn-based role-playing game, was released. Players take on the role of Atom Eve, exploring her backstory and experiencing her journey as a superhero. The game has received positive reviews for its engaging narrative and gameplay mechanics.
Atom Eve also appeared as a cosmetic outfit in Fortnite Battle Royale.

## Reception

Atom Eve, created by Robert Kirkman and Cory Walker, has garnered significant attention and varied critical reception across different media adaptations.
Jean Henegan of Pop Culture Maniacs noted that the series offered a deeper understanding of Eve, highlighting her as a crucial character to the protagonist's journey. This adaptation has been credited with presenting Eve in a more supportive and proactive light, contrasting with her comic portrayal.
Joshua Edelglass praised the special episode focusing on Atom Eve, highlighting the depth it added to her backstory and character development. He noted that the episode effectively showcased Samantha Eve's inherent nobility and strong moral compass, contributing significantly to the series' narrative. A review from The Cosmic Circus commended the series for delving into her backstory, portraying her as "charming, witty, and full of preteen angst," which added depth to her character.
The release of the standalone episode "Invincible: Atom Eve" expanded on her origin story, receiving positive feedback for its storytelling and animation quality. Collider described the episode as a "captivating standalone story" that effectively explores her background and motivations.
In 2023, Invincible Presents: Atom Eve, a video game developed by Terrible Posture Games, further explored the character's backstory. The game received generally favorable reviews, with a Metacritic score of 79 out of 100. Audra Bowling of RPGFan praised the game for its accessibility to both newcomers and existing fans, noting that it provided an engaging narrative centered on Atom Eve. The game's portrayal was lauded for its depth, allowing players to experience Eve's journey of self-discovery and heroism. Shacknews highlighting its "thoughtful story and character development," and GameGrin noting it as a "short and sweet game" suitable for both newcomers and fans.
Her abilities have been compared to those of Doctor Manhattan, a character from Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons.