Barely surviving the nuclear firestorm, Atomic Green Lantern was nearly killed while trying to save others. While holding aloft tons of rubble that pinned the survivors, his ring's construct suddenly shattered and he was crushed by the falling debris. Hal awoke days later in an emergency clinic to a shocking discovery: his right arm had been amputated. It had been too badly crushed and had to be removed before it became gangrenous. In addition, his now powerless ring was crushed into his chest and could not be removed without risk to his heart. This left Hal a broken man.

Hope returned when a mysterious figure visited Hal in the clinic. He said that he had discovered a radioactive isotope born of the nuclear war that might repair and repower his ring. However, this would not come without consequences. Hal agreed without a second thought. With the isotope in place, his ring's powers returned, although his constructs lack the definition they once had. He only hopes now that he can help his world rebuild before the radiation kills him.