After playing Superman Returns Brandon Routh is set to play another DC Comic character in The CW’s Arrow.

According to TVLine Brandon is joining in the third season in the recurring role of Ray Palmer, aka DC superhero The Atom.

A well known and successful Physics Professor, Ray will play a role in the lives of Oliver and (rumored love interest) Felicity as the new owner of Queen Consolidated. Palmer’s plans for Queen Consolidated’s Applied Sciences Division will be shrouded in mystery.

Stephen Amell has confirmed the source by sharing the same story on Facebook.

Who is Ray Palmer / The Atom?

Ray Palmer is the second super-hero to call himself The Atom, successor to Al Pratt. Originally a physics professor working at Ivy University, he develops equipment to shrink himself to subatomic levels using white dwarf star material. His wife is Jean Loring, and he is frequently partnered with his closest friend Hawkman. Palmer would have multiple successors some of whom he has worked alongside, including Adam Cray and Ryan Choi. He has been a member of the Justice League of America, Suicide Squad, Teen Titans and Indigo Tribe. [2]

Powers and Abilities

• Microscopic Stability: For some reason, Ray’s physiology allows him to not explode when he is miniaturized unlike other living things which explode after a short time of being miniaturized
• Judo: Ray Palmer often finds himself in situation where physical violence become necessary. As such, he has developed a proficiency in the martial arts form known as Judo
• Physics: Dr. Palmer has a Ph.D. in physics and was a full professor at Ivy University.
• Swordsmanship: The Atom used a long sword as a weapon while living among the Katarthans, gaining considerable skill in its use.
• Size Alteration: Able to shrink his body to varying degrees (including the subatomic level). As the Atom, Ray can assume any size from his normal six-foot stature down to sub-microscopic, although he generally deems a height of six inches as most functional.
• Mass Alteration: Able to instantly alter his molecular density to whatever degree he desires. Ray can also assume any weight at any height — up to his full 180 pounds. It has never been explained where his mass goes when he discards it to make himself lighter.
• Flight: He is able to glide on air currents and stiff breezes. A favorite travel method Ray had, was to call some location on the telephone; when the intended phone answered, he could shrink down enough to literally travel through the phone lines in seconds to emerge out of the answering phone.
• Superhuman Strength: By shifting all his mass into his fists he can punch with incredible force.

Source

1. tvline.com
2. dc.wikia.com/wiki/Ray_Palmer