Robins’ Relationships with Winged Wonders

On twin Earths, two lads named Dick Grayson became sidekicks to their worlds’ Batmen, as Robin the Boy Wonder. Interestingly, relationships later formed between the Robins and two young men who the Batmen's next partners, Jason Todd and Jan Haasan.  

On Earth-One, Jason accidentally discovered the Bat Cave underneath Wayne Manor, and pieced together a uniform from fragments of Robin's older costume. Aiding the Dynamic Duo who were rounding up several criminals recruited by Joker to use against new Gotham City crime boss Killer Croc, Jason soon discovered that Croc had slain his parents whom Dick tasked them with spying on. The vengeful masked man-child Jason pummeled Croc until restrained by the heroes. 

On Earth-Two, Jan Haasan was an orphan of Holland, displaced after his parents were slain in the early days of World War II. Encountering the American masked man the Atom of the Justice Society, who was visiting his country to render aid to the Dutch people, Jan was motivated by the young hero's example to make a difference in the world. Soon after, Jan was recruited by Rick Carter into joining the Boy Commandos, combating evil in Europe and around the world.

Shortly after Bruce adopted Jason, Dick retired his costumes career as Robin and created a new alter ego as Nightwing, the alter originally created by Superman and his Kryptonian cousin in the Bottled City of Kandor. Following this, Dick passed along the mantle and alias of Robin to Jason, becoming a secondary mentor and role model to the new Boy Wonder. At least on Earth-One future timeline, Jason continued the legacy of Robin for years to come.

Decades earlier on a parallel planet, a now older Jan Haasen returned to America after reuniting with his family and having left the Boy Commandos. Now adopting the alter ego of Wingman, Jan sought training from Batman so that Haasen could become Holland’s first superhero. Initially, this caused a rivalry between Wingman and Robin, as Dick was a few years younger than Jan (whereas the other Dick was a few years older than Jason). This subsided after the men initially training together, when Dick discovered that Batman and Wingman had exchanged identities, with the “European” hero becoming more proficient than before. Robin came to the realization that  in the end, he was irreplaceable.

Interestingly, this experience seemed to solidify the Earth-Two Dick’s Robin as an alter ego he would keep as an adult, as there was another “wing” hero in Wingman. While the Earth-Two Dick felt liberated from his Robin also as now that another adopted that identity, motivating him into becoming a “wing” hero in Nightwing. Likewise, Grayson-One founded his own team of superheroes in the New Teen Titans to step outside Batman’s shadow, while Grayson-Two filled the vacancy in the Justice Society of America left vacant when Batman retired from crimefighting. And while Nightwing left behind his home town to become a protector of New York City, the adult Grayson-Robin assumed the role of guardian of Gotham City. Although the Grayson’s lady partners Batgirl and Huntress also helped.

Amazingly Agile Aerial Automobiles: Whiz Wagon and Goitrude

On the surface, these two vehicles could not be more different. And yet, each of these aerial automobiles had attributes that mirrored one another.

The Whiz Wagon was a flying five-seater jalopy commissioned by the clone of Morgan Edge, a pawn of the sinister Darkseid, based on Apokolips technology. Crafted by the young Big Words, a member of the Newsboy Legion, this vehicle would be used by the Legionnaires and their frequent partner Jimmy Olsen in a series of Earth-One adventures. Its computi-pilot likely had its artificial intelligence based on the New Genesis' Mother Box devices.

The Atomobile was a revolutionary design crafted by teenage boy-genius Percy Clearwater. One of the newest recruits for the Boy Commandos, Percy opened up areas of exploration for his new teammates. Seeking to develope a vehicle that could traverse multiple environments, from the depths of the ocean to the vastness of space, Percy invented an aero-car / submarine / spacecraft, which his team used on some adventures. Perhaps this vehicle was the inspiration for Al "The Atom" Pratt's later Atomobile.

Batman's Sensational Sidekicks...Not Grayson, the Other Ones!

The Tragic Tales of Jan Haasen and Jason Todd are ones of bitter loss and uplifting recovery. These two lads once had happy lives, crushed by cruel men who left them as orphans, until two caped crusaders of their World's Greatest Heroes took them under their wings. The result was two brave lads.

Jason was the son of Joseph and Trini Todd, star acrobats from Hill Circus. When they accidentally discovered Batman of Earth-One's alter ego, they volunteered to aid him and Robin in exposing Killer Croc for his extortion of protection money from the Circus. When the couple perished at the hand of Croc, their son swore vengeance. Bruce Wayne then adopted Jason.

Eventually, he dyed his blonde hair black and created a patchwork of the Boy Wonder's spandex suit. Although initially opposed to Jason engaging in a costumed career, Bruce saw the same potential in Jason he had seen years earlier in Dick. Both were trained in circus life to be adept acrobats, with natural skills tailor made for a crimefighting career. And so Batman allowed Todd to accompany him on some preliminary cases. Initally, Jason considered aliases such as the Flying Ace, Bluejay, Cardinal, Eagle and Domino.

Jan Haasan was an orphan from Holland during the early days of World War II. Due to the invading armies from Germany which left both his family and fellow villagers dead, Jan sought guidance and support. He found this in the Atom who, along with other members of the Justice Society of America, were delivering Hawkman's food capsules to impoverished residents of various European countries.  As Atom escaped this occupied zone following this adventure, it is assumed he brought along with him Jan, as the lad was next seen under American protection.

Inspired by the Atom's courageous example, Jan joined several other orphans under the tutelage of Captain Rip Carter as the Boy Commandos. This elite team were freedom fighters helping to restore order to the lands of their birth, helping to liberate them from oppression. During these adventures, the Boys meet another member of the Justice Society and his sidekick, Sandman and Sandy. On one occasion, Jan and his fellow Boy Commandos met the Earth-Two Batman and Robin in Detective Comics 65.

Following several years working with his pals in the Commandos, Jan learned that he still had an uncle and other relatives who had survived the War. Welcoming back into their home, Haasen reluctantly parted company with his team, to resume the idealic life he once led as a younger, more innocent, lad. He would later briefly reunite with the Boys.

Jason earned the right to adopt the mantle of Robin. This occurred when Dick decided he had outgrown both the costume and the reputation of the Teen Titan and decided to become the more mature Nightwing. Jason would acquit himself well, even saving Superman's life when that hero was threatened by the machinations of the alien Mongul. Jason would also team of with Nightwing's New Teen Titans from time to time. 

Sadly in at least one alternate future succumbed to tragedy when he became a victim to the Joker's malicious schemes, which in that timeline cost him his life. Thankfully, this future never happened in the main timeline of Earth-One.

Now on Earth-Two, instead of Jan, the second Robin to appear was Rajah Rahbin, who was secretly a young ruler Maharaja Shundu in India who sought to combat the illegal threat to this people of the lawless Thuggee gang. Adopting the Boy Wonder's costume and style of crimefighting, the original Robin Dick Grayson trained Rajah Rahbin. Together, they defeated the Thuggees, and the two lads parted as friends. On Earth-One, Maharaja Shundu's counterpart was the criminal known as the Birdmaster, who led a gang of henchmen dressed as birds as well as hordes of trained attack birds.

In June of 1951, a new masked marauder Wingman arrived in Gotham from a Northern European country. Inspired by the successful career of Earth-Two's Batman, Wingman joined him on a month's worth of cases in Gotham in order to train under the more experience mystery man. Since Robin would be laid up in a cast for six weeks while recovering from an injury, this provided the Dark Knight with capable help. Evidence suggests this is Jan Haasen in his late teens, assuming a costumed identity after a growth spurt.

Wingman took advantage of this opportunity to acquire the needed edge to become an experienced superhero under the tutelage of Batman. This caused a rivalry between Wingman and Robin, until the Boy Wonder finally discovered that Wingman would be returning to his native home in Europe to engage in a solo career. Any further tales of Jan as Wingman are untold.

While on the surface it wouldn't seem that Jason Todd and Jan Haasen weren’t counterparts, they each after signifcant parallels. Both lads were daring blonde hairs boys, left orphaned at the same age. Each was inspired by a blue cape and cowled crimefighting crusader in Batman and Atom. Both were under the protective guardianship of brave brunette heroes in Bruce "Batman" Wayne and Rip Carter. Also, the two dressed in similarly colorful garb, equipped with a wide array of gadgets and weaponry. Jan would eventually leave his guardian behind to live with an uncle. Todd eventually lived was Natasha "Nocturna" Knight who sought to adopt him.

Ripples Through Time: Historical Heroes Heralded

Rip Hunter and his pal Jeff Smith invented a time sphere, which they piloted on a series of adventures throughout history alongside his girlfriend Bonnie Baxter and her younger brother Corky. Journeying to several eras, the so-called "Time Master" and his crew had an indelible mark in tales of the past. 

Among their various voyages through time were to the eras of the dinosaurs, Briton of 1,000,000 B.C.E., Egypt and Roog of 2000 B.C.E, 500 B.C.E., King Darius in 325 B.C.E., Rome of 3000 B.C.E., Baghdad and Navar of 800 C.E., England of 1194 C.E., America of 1774 C.E., Poland of 1800 C.E., Ritannia of 1860 C.E., Germany of the early 1940s, and Italy of 2500 C.E. They also journeyed to other worlds such as the Zark of 1000 B.C.E. and ZM3 of 2165 C.E., to name just a few. They also appeared during the Crisis on Infinite Earths.

After several years wherein they disappeared following an encounter with a mysterious pyramid created by Vandal Savage in which they prematurely aged, Rip and his partners were restored to youth and joined the Forgotten Heroes of Earth-One. While he met Superman on that occasion, Rip never met that hero's ally in Metropolis' Police Department, Dan "Terrible" Turbin. Dan was the counterpart of Rip Carter's teammate, Dan "Brooklyn" Turbin.

Rip Carter enlisted a quartet of youths during the formative days of World War II, including André Chavard from France, Alfie Twidgett from England, Jan Haasen from the Netherlands, and "Brooklyn" from the USA.

Although several of their tales as the Boy Commandos occurred during the present day on their native Earth-Two, they mysteriously had several tales in various historical periods through various inexplicable means. Some tales led them to Japan of 1842 B.C.E., Rome in 65 C.E., France of 1700 C.E., Earth of 3500 C.E., an ant world of 20,000 C.E. among other time periods.

The Commandos also battled various threats such as Sigrid aka Agent Axis, Crazy-Quilt and Case 13,  Case 13 was actually a husband and wife who matched wits with Carter repeatedly, and were the dopplegangers of Bonnie and Jeffrey.

Eventually, Andre, Alfie and Jan returned to their native countries to live with family, and new commandos in Tex and Percy Clearwater joined the team. During their tenure as troubleshooters, the Boys encountered various costumed crusaders of Earth-Two including Sandman, Sandy, the Guardian and the Newsboy Legion during an adventure. Likewise, Rip Carter and his teammates worked alongside the Sea Devils while both were allied in the Forgotten Heroes.

Fawcett's Finest: Avenging Avion Aviators

Mickey Malone may not be all that well-known among comicbook aficionados, however his alter ego Phantom Eagle is slightly more famous. One of the several teenage flyer of the 1940's, Eagle was a junior pilot who soon gained notoriety as a superb aviator. In fact, alongside his girlfriend Jerry, Mickey was so renowned that he soon became leader of an international team of courageous children conquering the clouds, the Phoenix Squadron.

Consisting of kids from Norway, Poland, Denmark, Greece, France and Holland, this mimiced other teen teams on Earths One and Two known as the International Sea Devils and Boy Commandos, themselves originating from several Eurasian countries. However, the diminutive dopplegangers of Earth-S had short-lived careers, all except Mickey himself who continued flying until 1948. However, Mickey and Jerry's counterparts on Earth-Two were the young aviator Hop Harrigon (aka Guardian Eagle) and his girlfriend Gerry, while Adam Strange and his wife Alanna were their cosmic twins on Earth-One... neither pair ever having occasion to meet their worlds' multi-cultural teen titans.

Aquatic Avengers Aid All: Sea Devils and Boy Commandos

Just to show that the Aquamen didn't corner the market on all Seven Seas, each of their Earths had a team of underwater agents protecting life above and below the ocean.

On Earth-One, it was Dane Dorrance and his Sea Devils team consisted of girlfriend Judy Walton, her younger brother Nicky and his pal Biff Bailey, Eventually, the acclaim of the Sea Devils led to the creation of the International Sea Devils including Sikki of India, Molo of Africa, Miguel of South America, Petey Eldidge and a lad named Brad from America. Their chief foe and begrudging ally throughout the seven seas was Captain X aka John Payton Dorrance, who was Dane's father.

Years later, the Sea Devils joined forces with time traveler Rip Hunter (along with his colleagues Jeffrey Smith, Bonnie and Corky Baxter) as members of the Forgotten Heroes of Earth-One.

As to Earth-Two, we had Red Torpedo aka Jim Lockhart operate solo with behind-the-scenes support of his fiancee Meg. Biff on this world was an assistant of Lance "Captain Triumph" Gallant. During their adventures, Torpedo journeyed throughout the seven seas saving the world below, while encountering a fascinating array of awesome life forms such as the Femazons, while battling his arch-enemy Black Shark several times. Eventually, he joined Uncle Sam's Freedom Fighters as they prevented the attack on Pearl Harbor to occur on Earth-X, although this cost Red Torpedo his life! 

Other Earth-Two scuba-divers who swam the same seas as Red Torpedo were the Boy Commandos, consisting of Andre Chavard of France, Alfie Twidgett from England, Jan Haasan from Netherlands, Tex and Percy Clearwater Poodle of America. Each of these members corresponded to a youth on Earth-One, in Nicky Walton, Jason Todd, Dan "Brooklyn" Turpin, Corky Baxter, Jonathan Ross and Bertran "Bug-Eyed Bandit" Larvan. 

Just as Nicky and Corky were junior partners on their respective teams, Jason was the second Robin trained under Batman as his sidekick, while Jonathan was the son of Superman's old friend Pete who quickly became the Man of Steel's unofficial sidekick. Meanwhile, Percy was more an annoyance as a junior reporter working alongside fellow Daily Planet reporter Jimmy Olsen, although he did tag along with the red-haired "Action Ace" on some of his adventurers

Additionally, there were substitute Commandos named Oklahoma, Bronx and Marconi Einstein Edison also from America. Another charter member Brooklyn was born Dan Turpin, of whom his Earth-One counterpart would be a famous Metropolis law enforcement officer. The Commandos' leader was Rip Carter, a time traveling adventurer like his cosmic twin Rip Hunter who repeatedly battled evil dopplegangers of Rip's pals Bonnie Baxter and Jeff Smith, the male and female criminal couple known as Case 13.

While the Forgotten Heroes and their forebearers the Sea Devils weren't as famous of their contemporaneous superhero teams of the Justice League and Teen Titans, while the Boy Commandos weren't as renowned as their contemporarneous superhero teams the Justice Society and Law's Legionnaires, these non-powered heroes were nonetheless necessary to keeping the peace on their respective Earths. And so, while many have forgotten them, we remember them.

Time Travelers of Twin Terras Triumph over Trouble

Time travel was a grand pursuit of individuals on both Earths One and Two. On Earth-One, Ripley "Rip" Hunter devised a time sphere along with his colleagues Jeffrey Smith, Bonnie Baxter and her brother Corky. Hunter as the "Time Master" along with his friends journeyed backward and forward in time several times. Rip Hunter's counterpart Rip Carter along with Carter's Boy Commandos, had their own unorthodox means of time travel. Both teams met several historic figures.

The Time Trust of Earth-Two consisted of Doctor  Swanley, Professor Everson, Professor Zee and Doctor Doome. This collaberation of scientists developed an experimental time ray which projected the Justice Society of America in the 30th century, whereby the heroes collected pieces necessary to devise a "bomb defense formula" that would protect America in the 20th century. Although initially this formula worked, the Time Trust's assistant Per Degaton sabotaged it to further his future schemes.

While the other Time Trust members left their own distinct marks on the history of the Justice Society of America, Degaton proved to have left the most indelible mark on the team. Three times, he attempted to alter history: first while altering history from 331 BCE Macedonia, next in December 1941 during the opening days of World War II and lastly in the Spring of 1942. Per battled the JSA a couple more times before a fourth failed chronal-caper led to Degaton’s death.

In place of Degaton’s forays versus the Society, another time traveling tyrant battled the Justice League of America in the same number of cases the Time Lord named Frand Mattar. This Lord of Time like his Earth-Two counterpart the Light (aka the Unknown) was tenacious, while Degaton and his Earth-One doppelgänger Brainiac Five of the Legion of Super-Heroes were equally so…on both sides of the law.

Professor Damon Everson assisted Earth-Two's Atom and his teammates of the Justice Society with his now improved time ray, as had Professor Alpheus Hyatt with his time pool during his long partnership with Earth-One's Atom and the Justice League. Everson projected members of the Society into past eras, to help Damon's assistant who had been tormented over his past. Hyatt used his small pool to extract historical items, unknowingly granting the diminutive Atom the ability to time travel with it.

Professor Malachi Zee developed a time machine that was stolen by his lab assistant Per Degaton on three occasions to employed various temporal schemes. Each was thwarted by the Justice Society, along with the All-Star Squadron and the Justice League. Decades later, a time-displaced Zee returned to identify his murderer before he died, in front of an assembled Justice Society. Seeing no alternative, Degaton took his own life rather than be returned to prison once more by his hated enemies.

A much kinder eventuality presented itself for Doctor Phineas Quayle who, unlike Zee, was not betrayed by any assistant as he kept his time traveling device secret. Using his time scanner to see future events, Quayle saw the collapse of society, blaming it on the presence of superheroes. To that end, he became the supervillain known as Doctor Anomaly. After a series of battles with the Justice League, when finally faced with defeat, Quayle projected himself into the future and self-isolated from mankind.

Doctor Wilfred Doome battled the Law's Legionnaires after his encounter with the Justice Society while with the Time Trust. Doome enlisted the aid of five historic tyrants to retrieve metals needed to refine his time machine. After his defeat, Doome retreated to the future and became Tibro, who fought the Earth-Two Wonder Woman. His twin was the Time Trapper, arch foe of the Legion of Super-Heroes in the 30th century and of the Super Friends in the 20th century. He first fought the Earth-One Wonder Woman as T.Y. Master.

Doctor Alvin Swanley had his death avenged when the Justice Society uses his time chute to track down the murder weapon and the man who used it against him. A competitor of Swanley Erik Pomar was jealous of Swanley's developments in temporal physics and sought to steal these while framing another man. After retrieving the weapon he used that had fallen through several past eras, the heroes brought Pomar to justice .

His doppleganger was Professor Mark Ronsom, a scientist who in 1942 on Earth-One developed the chronal transponder, and because of this became the target for Nazi Germany's Agent Axis. When Axis attempted to assassinate Ronson, he was thwarted by a visiting Wonder Woman from Earth-Two who used the transponder to save Ronson's life. Due to this, Mark became the Ravager, placed under the control of Agent Axis. The World's Finest Team of Wonder Woman with Earth-One's Superman, Batman, Green Arrow and Black Canary restored Ronson to normal and reset time.

In Earth-One's 30th century, it would be Brainiac Five and his allies in the Time Institute who would advanced temporal technologies in ways similar to the 20th century Time Trust. A version of the Institute existed in Earth-Two's 30th century with Jon Stannard's Space-Time Authority that worked with the Justice Society versus the Chameleon invasion.