Captain Atom (Volume 2) #29 is an issue of the series Captain Atom (Volume 2) with a cover date of May, 1989.
Synopsis for "A Contrite Heart"
Nathaniel Adam is at the same pub where its patrons celebrated Captain Atom's heroism for saving squatters from a burnt down condemned hotel on Christmas Eve. Just as the patrons once again cheer for Captain Atom in his role in the alien invasion, a emotionally distraught and drunk Chester King yells to everyone to shut up and that Captain Atom is a "big brass phony!" Chester is escort out of the pub by the owner, whom he then explain to Nathaniel about Chester's sudden downturn in his life.
Nathaniel soon leaves the pub and finding Chester being mugged by two punks. He transform into Captain Atom and takes care of the muggers. But Chester is not too happy to see the superhero and tries to run away. But Captain Atom catches up to him and reason with Chester to have a conversation to what is troubling him.
Chester admits to Captain Atom that he was responsible for causing the arson on Christmas Eve that killed a homeless man that he befriended. Furthermore, he was paid by real estate tycoon Edmund Wiley who owned the condemned hotel and was even aware of the squatters. Since then Chester bought a rifle and tried to kill Wiley but gave up at the last second. Captain Atom decide to help Chester make amends to his crime by apprehending Wiley.
Chester sneak into Wiley's home and set his garage containing his expensive cars on fire. He then allows himself to be caught by Wiley's men before provoking his former employer to speaking out loud about his role in the hotel arson. Just as Wiley orders his men to throw Chester into the fire, Captain Atom appears and puts out the fire. Also, he had Wiley's confession recorded.
Epilogue
Nathaniel arrange a meeting with Peggy and Randy to learn of his cleared innocence. General Eiling helps in this endeavor, but for his own reasons.
Professor Megala speak with Eiling over the ramifications of not only revealing the children of Nathaniel's innocence. The likelihood of which would end Nathaniel's service to Eiling. However, Eiling only reassure Megala to simply wait.
On Friday night, Nathaniel's children read a newspaper article about Nathaniel's exoneration. Peggy is happy by the news and Randy apologizes to his father for doubting him. Nathaniel want to reveal one last secret to his children from keeping them apart by revealing his secret identity as Captain Atom.
Appearing in "A Contrite Heart"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Wade Eiling
- Edmund Wiley
- Lopez (Single appearance)
- Wiley (Single appearance)
- Stalin (Wiley's guard dog) (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- Chester King
- Smitty
- Sid (Single appearance)
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
See Also