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Robotman (Robert Crane)

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For the Doom Patrol version, see Robotman (Cliff Steele).
Robotman
Robotman as depicted in All-Star Squadron #58 (June 1986). Art by Arvell Jones (penciler), Vince Colletta (inker), Carl Gafford (colorist), and David Weiss (letterer).
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceStar Spangled Comics #7 (April 1942)
Created byJerry Siegel
Leo Nowak
In-story information
Alter egoRobert Crane
SpeciesHuman Cyborg
Team affiliationsAll-Star Squadron
Notable aliasesPaul Dennis
Abilities

Robotman is a Golden Age DC Comics superhero. He first appeared in Star Spangled Comics #7 (April 1942) and was created by Jerry Siegel and Leo Nowak.[1] As his name suggests, Robotman is a cyborg; part robot and part human.

Fictional character biography

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Robert Crane is a scientist whose brain is placed inside a robotic body after he had been fatally shot by a criminal named Mason. He assumes the civilian identity of Paul Dennis and joins the All-Star Squadron, accompanied by the robotic dog Robbie.[2][3][4][5][6] His stories are mostly lighthearted in nature, featuring whimsical situations and comic relief (usually provided by Robbie). Despite this, the story remains grounded in Robotman's struggle to adjust to his new existence, at one point having to reveal his real identity in court, and being declared legally human.[7]

In 1951, Crane helped Charles McNider, the original Doctor Mid-Nite, make the devices McNider needed to become Starman. McNider used the devices in that guise for a half a year and then gave them to David Knight, a Starman from the future who used them for the rest of the year before returning to the future and dying there.

Robotman was revealed to have been one of several other heroes involved in the first meeting of the charter members of the Justice League of America prior to the official forming of the team, an event which was suppressed from the public record.[8]

Robotman later regains his humanity after his lab assistant Charles Grayson discovers that he is dying of a brain disease and allows him to transfer his brain into his body.[9][10]

In The New 52 continuity reboot, Robert Crane is a scientist working for the Allied Forces during World War II and the creator of J.A.K.E.[11][12]

In The New Golden Age, Robbie the Robot Dog is among the Golden Age sidekicks who are kidnapped by the Time Masters.[13]

Powers and abilities

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Robert Crane possesses Genius-level intellect.

As Robotman, he possesses superhuman strength, stamina, durability, speed, agility, and senses. He can also unleash thermal blasts from his fingers and possesses extendable limbs.

Equipment

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Robotman possesses a jet pack that enables him to fly.

Enemies

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Robotman's "rogues gallery" includes:[14]

  • "Slick" Sharp - A criminal lawyer.[15]
  • Baffler[16]
  • Blaster - A saboteur working for a foreign agent.[17]
  • Dr. Gaunt - A mad genius.[18]
  • Dr. Ripari (aka Dr. Ripper)[19]
  • Eye - Dr. Benton is a hospital doctor and crime syndicate leader who has a luminescent painting of an eye on the back of his jacket.[20]
  • Human Magnet - A criminal who created a magnetic device that he wore on his torso.[21]
  • Mason - A criminal responsible for shooting Robert Crane which led to his transformation into Robotman.[2]
  • Murder Master - Carl Denton is a criminal who was previously sent to prison by Paul Dennis for trying to steal his research.[22]
  • An evil version of Robotman
  • "Slanteyes" - A Japanese agent.[23]
  • Tiger-Man - A costumed cat burglar.[24]
  • Wizard - Vince Watson is a criminal inventor.[25]

Other versions

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Elseworlds

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In the Elseworlds series The Golden Age, Robotman figures prominently as a troubled hero and later villain. The series depicts that after World War II Robotman purposefully ignores his humanity, developing an inhuman mental state, focusing on being a robot. He is depicted stopping a robbery with deadly force, and later being approached by Tex Thompson (Mr. America), the current form of the Ultra-Humanite. It is unsaid what the Ultra-Humanite promises or uses to recruit Robotman, but Robotman becomes his unquestioning servant, committing murder, and often staying close to Thompson during his political appearances. Thompson even berates him without any objections from Robotman. Publicly, Robotman is hailed as one of the few heroes to go public and serve with Thompson. In the final battle Robotman kills Miss America before she reveals Thompson is the Ultra-Humanite. An enraged Hourman rips off one of Robotman's arms and finishes Miss America's public accusation. While the other heroes face Dynaman, a transformed Dan the Dyna-Mite, Paula Brooks (a reformed villain, the Tigress) and Lance Gallant (Captain Triumph), who had become lovers over the course of the story, confront and defeat Robotman. During their fight Robotman states he always knew the Ultra-Humanite was in Tex Thompson's body and that he does not care. In the end, Gallant, refusing to transform into Captain Triumph, shoves one of the Tigress' wooden crossbow bolts further into Robotman's head. This causes Robotman to explode and fatally electrocutes Gallant, much to the Tigress' and Gallant's deceased brother's sorrow.

Flashpoint

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In the alternate timeline of the Flashpoint event, Robert Crane is a human scientist, never becoming a Robotman in World War II. Recently Robert's government services are shutting the Project M down of Frankenstein and the Creature Commandos.[26] In the modern era, Robert Crane is still alive and now a doctor, and he helps the government revive G.I. Robot to join the soldiers to eliminate Frankenstein and the Creatures of the Unknown after they escape from the lab facility.[27]

Earth 2

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In 2011, "The New 52" rebooted the DC universe. On Earth 2, Robert Crane is a scientist working for the World Army. He was among the scientists working on the Red Tornado project. When a clone of Superman was revealed to be one of the Hunger Dogs, Crane was assisted by Sam Lane in uploading Lois Lane's memories into the Red Tornado. When the Superman clone's fight with Doctor Fate caused as cave-in at the Arkham Base, Crane was caught in the cave-in. Terry Sloane places his brain in a robotic body to save him.[28]

References

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  1. ^ Benton, Mike (1992). Superhero Comics of the Golden Age: The Illustrated History. Dallas: Taylor Publishing Company. p. 184. ISBN 0-87833-808-X. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  2. ^ a b Star-Spangled Comics #7. DC Comics.
  3. ^ Rozakis, Bob, "Heroes Who Wouldn't Die!", The Brave and the Bold #116, December 1974-January 1975, p.71.
  4. ^ Thomas, Roy (2006). The All-Star Companion: Vol 2. TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 95. ISBN 978-1893905375.
  5. ^ Markstein, Don. "Robotman". Don Markstein's Toonopedia. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  6. ^ Star-Spangled Comics #29. DC Comics.
  7. ^ Mitchell, Kurt; Thomas, Roy (2019). American Comic Book Chronicles: 1940-1944. TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 150. ISBN 978-1605490892.
  8. ^ Englehart, Steve, Dick Dillin, & Frank McLaughlin, "The Origin of the Justice League—Minus One!", Justice League of America #144 (July 1977). DC Comics.
  9. ^ Rozakis, Bob, Alex Saviuk & Vince Colletta, "Whatever Happened to Robotman?", DC Comics Presents #31 (March 1981). DC Comics.
  10. ^ Wells, John (May 2013). "Flashback: Whatever Happened to...?". Back Issue! (#64). TwoMorrows Publishing: 51–61.
  11. ^ Men of War (vol. 2) #8. DC Comics.
  12. ^ Metal Men (vol. 4) #4. DC Comics.
  13. ^ Franey, Christopher (January 17, 2023). "Stargirl: The Lost Children #3 review". AIPT Comics. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  14. ^ Nevins, Jess (2013). Encyclopedia of Golden Age Superheroes. High Rock Press. p. 225. ISBN 978-1-61318-023-5.
  15. ^ Star-Spangled Comics #12. DC Comics.
  16. ^ Detective Comics #143. DC Comics.
  17. ^ Star-Spangled Comics #13. DC Comics.
  18. ^ Star-Spangled Comics #32. DC Comics.
  19. ^ Detective Comics #174. DC Comics.
  20. ^ Star-Spangled Comics #8. DC Comics.
  21. ^ Star-Spangled Comics #9. DC Comics.
  22. ^ Star-Spangled Comics #10. DC Comics.
  23. ^ Star-Spangled Comics #11. DC Comics.
  24. ^ Star-Spangled Comics #54. DC Comics.
  25. ^ Detective Comics #177. DC Comics.
  26. ^ Flashpoint: Frankenstein and the Creatures of the Unknown #1 (June 2011)
  27. ^ Flashpoint: Frankenstein and the Creatures of the Unknown #2 (July 2011)
  28. ^ Earth 2 #17. DC Comics.
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