Atómiko Character Analysis

Atómiko is a colorful figure that Nayeli meets in the dump in Tijuana. He's the self-professed king of the dump and believes he's a samurai. As such, he carries a "samurai staff," which is a six-foot length of bamboo with a gearshift epoxied in one end. It's a lethal weapon, and Atómiko wields it proudly. Atómiko has an overblown sense of his own prowess and importance; he asserts himself in Nayeli's group, demands to accompany them on their quest, and insists that they need a hero such as himself in order to make it to the US. Though Nayeli finds Atómiko generally obnoxious, she sometimes finds his presence comforting, and his skill with his staff comes in handy on several occasions. Irma doesn't like Atómiko at first but decides he'd be a great policeman if she could convince him to return to Tres Camarones. Though Atómiko does return with Nayeli and the other men, he also misses his life in the dump at several points throughout the novel. He took a great deal of care building his shack and his fence, and he made friends with dump dogs.