the DCU's essential

 

So, what happened to superman, batman and Wonder woman of earth two?!
Well… This is what happened to Robin (+ some clues)

"The Super-Crisis That Struck Earth-Two!"
and "The Negative-Crisis On Earths One-Two!"

As a geek factoid to note, Grown Up Robin’s new costume has been referenced by many as the worsesuperhero outfi

The metal men

The Metal Men were and advanced artificially intelligent robots, created by scientist Dr. William "Will" Magnus. "Doc" Magnus (as his creations affectionately call him) states that their intelligence and personalities are generated by devices called "responsometers".

The team consisted of their field leader Gold, strong man Iron, slow-witted and loyal Lead, self-doubting and insecure Tin, hot-headed Mercury (the only metal liquid at room temperature), and Platinum. Each had abilities that reflected the traits of their namesake metal; Gold could stretch his body almost infinitely, Iron was super strong, Lead could block harmful radiation and the like and usually morphed into thick shields, Mercury could melt and reform himself through small spaces, or over vast distances, and Platinum could stretch and flatten herself, usually into coils of thin strands. While Tin seemed to prefer acting as a "can" or container, his other efforts usually failing due to his weak strength.

What is amazing of the metal men is that they were incredibly successful. And remain on of the highlight of the Silver age.  One of the most important contributions to the DCU is the appearance of Chemo. Chemo was originally a huge plastic vessel, about twenty-five feet tall and roughly man-shaped, built by eccentric scientist Ramsey Norton to contain the chemical by-products from his failed experiments to better motivate him to eventual success. After attempting to create a growth formula that would enlarge plants to help feed starving nations, the scientist again was unsuccessful and poured the remnants of his project into Chemo, finally filling the massive vessel. These chemicals caused a massive reaction that resulted in Chemo coming to life and growing into a building-sized giant. Chemo proceeded to poison the scientist with a lethal dose of the growth-formula chemicals and then went on a rampage, only to be defeated by the Metal Men…  but being a unique form of pseudo-life, it could not really die.

The Aqua Family

  During the 60’s Aquaman family boradened with the addition of new characters. So just like Batman had Robin, Aquaman had Aqualad, and just like Batamn had Bat-mite
Aquaman had Qwsp.

Aqualad

Aqualad’s origin begins with him being expelled from Atlantis when he was an infant. Partly for his own good because he was afraid of fish. But mostly because he was a purple-eyed freak.

Garth, the atlantean with purple eyes, was expelled as it was superstitious to raise a kid with purple eyes. Having now something in common with Aquaman, he adopts him as a sidekick. Garth was given to expressions such as "Great Guppies!", "Suffering Sardines," "Leapin’ Lionfish!", and "Suffering Snails!".

Qwsp, is a Fifth-Dimensional imp (just like Mister Mxyzptlk) who befriends Aquaman and Aqualad. He was for many years a valued ally of the undersea monarch.

 

Mera  was the former queen of Dimension Aqua and fleeing the criminal Leron that seized control of her kingdom, Mera arrived on Earth meeting Aquaman and Aqualad, who vow to help her. Leron captures them, imprisoning Aquaman and Mera in Dimension Aqua. Aided by Qwsp, Aquaman managed to free Mera and defeat Leron. Mera abdicates the throne of Xebel, and returns to Atlantis to marry Aquaman! Soon after, they had a son, Arthur Curry, Jr. aka Aquababy.

Aquagirl is Tula, an Atlantean girl who ffter losing her parents soon after her birth, is adopted by one of the royal families of Atlantis. Given the title Princess of Poseidonis, Tula is schooled in Atlantean traditions, and never leaves the royal palace until she meets Aqualad.

 

 

Batgirl II

The sixties, might have been a nightmare to batman fans, because of the renowned  TV series (Earth 166). However from all things bad, some good must come out. And from the TV series, came a new character to the Bat-Universe. Barbara Gordon became, Batgirl!

 

Batgirl is a librarian by day, and a spirited crime fighter by night. In her debut story, while driving to a costume ball dressed as a female version of Batman, Barbara Gordon intervenes in a kidnapping attempt on Bruce Wayne by the villainous Killer Moth, attracting the Dark Knight’s attention and leading to a crime-fighting career.

While her debut comic is quite memorable, Batgirl’s origin will be retold several times. So its not essential reading so far.

 

 

 

Recommended Buy.

JLA: Zatanna’s Search

It’s a  compilation of some of the best stories of the 1960’s, all written by Gardner Fox at his best, and introducing a girl who, while she’s never had an ongoing series of her own, has still become a cult favorite in the DCU today. Zatanna is looking through this stories for the mysterious disappearance of her father the Great magician Zatara.