Robert Crane (New Earth)
From DC Database
Charles "Chuck" Grayson
Contents |
History
Origin
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Dr. Robert Crane and his assistant Chuck Grayson worked for years on perfecting a mechanical body that could sustain a human brain after the human body was unable to continue supporting the brain. Criminals found out about Crane's experiment thinking that it could provide a form of immortality and that people would be willing to pay high prices for the highly articulate mobile "iron lung" they tried to steal it and then tried to force Crane to tell them how to operate the robot. Crane refused and attempted to escape. The gangsters shot Crane in order to stop him from turning them in. Seeing their plans ruined the crooks fled leaving Crane to die. [2] The robot was so heavy that they could not take it with them and without the knowledge to make it work they could not sell it. Seeing that Crane was about to expire completely, Grayson transplanted Crane's brain into the robot body successfully. Robotman let the world believe that Crane was dead and adopted the human alias of Paul Dennis.
WWII
As Robotman Crane continued to operate as independent being, even joining the All-Star Squadron during WWII and later with the reformed Justice Society. But he was never accepted as an actual person due to his successful deception. In fact, lawyer Sam Slattery attempted to have Robotman be declared property of Crain's heirs, but during the trial Robotman revealed his original human identity of Dr. Crane. He also saved the people in the court from the ceiling collapsing. Because of his heroic actions Robotman was legally declared a "living being" but still not as Dr. Crane. Crane accepted the fact that his body had long since died and with it his original identity and accepted the condition of being only "Robotman".
Post WWII
When Crane's long time partner and friend died, Grayson had his body frozen to donate it to Crane in order to return to human life. Robotman had been trapped and buried by a criminal named Lashky. Going into an emergency suspended animation mode, preserving his human brain, he remain trapped for several decades until just before the current age of heroes when he was freed and captured the criminal, now an old man. When Robotman was finally able to free himself from his decades long imprisonment, he chose to live a few years as full human rather than potentially forever inside his mental shell. Robotman's brain was then transplanted into Chuck Grayson's body, possibly by Niles Caulder, and Dr. Crane started his new life as a human being.[3]
No longer a cyborg, he resurfaced to lend Pat Dugan some components of his own disassembled robotic body in order to perfect the S.T.R.I.P.E. suit of armor.Powers and Abilities
Powers
Superhuman strength and endurance, super speed, superhumanly sharp vision
Notes
- Although this character was originally introduced during DC's Earth-Two era of publication, their existence following the events of the 1985-86 limited series Crisis on Infinite Earths remains intact. However, some elements of the character's Pre-Crisis history may have been altered or removed for Post-Crisis New Earth continuity, and should be considered apocryphal.
- Robert Crane was legally declared as dead after being murdered and missing for several years as Grayson removed Crane's brain illegally.
- Robotman was specificially declared a legal citizen of the United States in the late 1940s for his heroic acts but not accepted as Robert Crane.
Trivia
- Because Chuck Grayson was the cousin of Richard Grayson, the Robin on Earth-Two, Crane became Robin's cousin once his brain was transplanted into Chuck's body.
See Also
- Discuss Robert Crane (New Earth) on the forums
- Appearances of Robert Crane (New Earth)
- Character Gallery: Robert Crane (New Earth)
- Images featuring Robert Crane (New Earth)
Links and References
- Robotman at Wikipedia
- DCU Guide entry on Robotman
- Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe #19
Footnotes
- ↑ All-Star Squadron #63
- ↑ October 31, 1941 according to All-Star Squadron #17
- ↑ DC Comics Presents #31
