Erik Josten

Erik Josten is presented in Marvel Comics as a human from Milwaukee who became a mercenary and underwent technological/pseudo-scientific augmentation. Early in his career he received ionic-ray treatment (linked to Heinrich Zemo/Enchantress) that produced an ionic-energy physiology. He later lost and had modified powers through interactions with Count Nefaria (who stole/enhanced ionic energy) and gained size-altering abilities via experiments by Karl Malus using Pym Particles; later restorations and adjustments were performed by figures such as Fixer and by institutional scientists (e.g., at Camp Hammond). Across decades of publication his powers and identity have shifted through these scientific interventions.

Baseline presentation is human (born in Milwaukee). At normal augmented size he is described as possessing a physically robust, superhuman form; when using growth-altering abilities he has been depicted as increasing in height and mass (originally up to about 60 feet/18 m) and wearing distinct costumes corresponding to his aliases Power Man, Smuggler, Goliath, and Atlas. At times he has manifested as a being of visible ionic energy—described in sources as a giant ionic-energy creature capable of flight and energy-form transformation; costume and exact visual detail vary with each identity and storyline.

Documented abilities include an ionic-energy physiology granting greatly increased strength, coordination, stamina, and durability (described in sources as 'virtually indestructible' at typical size); regenerative capacity that has allowed survival or restoration after apparent destruction; the ability to alter height and mass (growth to giant size, durability scaling with size, initial documented maximum around 60 feet and later extended under stress); after consolidation of ionic energy by Nefaria he could transform into ionic energy, fly, and maintain increased power while at normal height and reportedly no longer required physical sustenance. He also possesses trained combat skills from military and mercenary service and technical/aviation abilities. Behaviorally, he has served as mercenary/enforcer, member of villain teams (Masters of Evil, Lethal Legion) and later as Atlas with the Thunderbolts where public admiration influenced a partial reform arc; narrative episodes include apparent dispersion and later revealed survival.