Atlan is Perry Rhodan's oldest and longest companion and in February, 1969 he received his own series, which no longer appears. Five of these stories have been translated into English. The focus of the novels dealt with the central character, Atlan. The novels provides an in-depth exploration of the culture of the Arkonides and of the biography of Atlan.

Atlan first appeared in Rhodan issue #50 in the year 2040 of the series. Later, in PR issue #150, which began in the year 2326, under Atlan's leadership, the United Stars Organization (USO) was formed.

Arkon, the homeworld of the Arkonides and the heart of the Great Imperium is located in Globular Cluster M13. There, an enormous computer called the Robot Regent ruled the empire. Over the centuries, the Arkonides had degenerated and grown weak, and were no longer able to rule over their mighty interstellar empire themselves.