Robotman I

ROBOTMAN I

Real Name: Robert Crane

Class: Human cyborg

Occupation: Teacher, scientist, mysteryman

Group Affiliation: All-Star Squadron

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: Paul Dennis

Base of Operations: Ivy University, formerly NYC, NY

First Appearance: Star-Spangled Comics #7 (April, 1942)

Powers: Dr. Crane was an intelligent man, and an expert in the field of robotics. When he was Robotman he possessed superhuman strength, endurance and enhanced vision. His limbs could extend great distances and his fingertips were equipped with acetylene torches.

History: (Star-Spangled Comics #7) - Dr. Robert Crane and his assistant Chuck Grayson worked for years on perfecting a mechanical body that could sustain a human brain. One day criminals broke into the lab, shot Crane and prepared to hijack the mechanical body. They couldn't figure out how to use it, so they abandoned their plans and left. Grayson transplanted Crane's brain into the body, and Robotman was born. Robotman let the world believe that Crane was dead and adopted the human identity of Paul Dennis.

Robotman served with the All-Star Squadron during WWII, but did not get a hero's welcome at the end of the war. Lawyer Sam Slattery attempted to have Robotman be declared property of Crain's heirs, but during the trial Robotman revealed his true identity. He also saved the court from a freak accident as the ceiling collapsed. Because of his heroic actions Robotman was legally declared a human being.

(DC Comics Presents #31) - Robotman was investigating corrupt businessman Alvin Lashky, who admitted that he was guilty, and promised to meet the hero at the abandoned Zabok mines with a full confession. It was a trap, and Robotman was caught in a cave-in that kept him in suspended animation for twenty years. His automatic recharging circuit kicked on, waking up his brain, and he tore his way out of the fallen rubble. He made his way to Lashky’s office, and finally realized he’d been gone for decades. The aged Lashky freaked out and commanded his goons to attack Robotman, who easily disposed of them and frightened Lashky into making a full confession to the police. Robotman learned that his friend Charles Grayson had died shortly after Robotman disappeared, and had cryogenically frozen his body, wanting Robotman to transplant his brain into it so he could be human again. Robotman was touched by the gesture, and had the surgery performed. He was satisfied that his career as Robotman was over, and adjusted to life as Chuck Grayson.

(Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. #8 (fb, BTS)) - Crane used Robotman's spare parts to help Pat Dugan (Stripsey) build S.T.R.I.P.E., a robotic battlesuit.

(Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. #8) - Crane stopped by Blue Valley, Nebraska, to help Pat tune up S.T.R.I.P.E. when the Nebula Man attacked them. They called in a small army of heroes to deal with the Nebula Man, but by the time the cavalry arrived Star-Spangled Kid II had trounced the villain.

Comments: Created by Jerry Siegel & Leo Nowak

In the pre-Crisis DCU Robotman I lived on Earth-2.

Robotman received a profile in Who’s Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe #19. He received a profile in Who’s Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe #1 under the All-Star Squadron entry.

Robotman’s old robotic head was seen on display in the JSA Museum in JLA / JSA: Virtue and Vice.

A statue of Robotman was seen in the JSA Museum in JSA #52 and JSA #63.