Robots as a concept can elicit a wide range of responses from people. While some people see robots as technical wonders and the next stage of human evolution, others see them as alien and potentially dangerous killing machines. In the DC Universe, however, some of these sentient machines became superheroes. DC Comics has created a plethora of fan-favorite hero robots with interesting powers and captivating origins. Some were built as soulless and emotionless machines that, over time, developed sentience and a profound understanding of the complex human experience, while others were created from the outset with wild and fun personalities. Many of these robots joined iconic DC teams, such as the Justice League and the Green Lantern Corps.
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These are seven synthetic superheroes from the DC Universe who chose to use their powers to protect innocent people.
7) Tomorrow Woman
Unlike most other robots, Tomorrow Woman had no idea of her artificial nature or her intended purpose. Tomorrow Woman was created by the mad scientists T. O. Morrow and Professor Ivo. She was designed with telepathic and telekinetic powers and imbued with a desire to be a hero. She subsequently joined the Justice League with noble intent. However, without her knowledge, her creators had designed her as a bomb to destroy the League. When she discovered this plot, Tomorrow Woman sacrificed her life to save her new friends. However, and not surprisingly, Tomorrow Woman’s death was not what it seemed to be, and she sporadically appears in the comics. Most recently, she was in the “Absolute Power” storyline, where Amanda Waller began hunting superheroes. She was heavily damaged from the bomb, and was looking for someone to repair her. Green Arrow’s family rescued her from Waller’s army when they came to apprehend her.
6) Stel
The Green Lantern of Space Sector 3009, Stel comes from Grenda, a world of sentient machines. A strong and seasoned warrior, Stel is one of the most revered members in the entire Corps. As a tough veteran, Stel often fills the role of gruff drill sergeant for recruits. He died battling the cosmic villain and fallen Guardian of the Universe, Krona. He was succeeded by a fellow Grendan named Yron. However, when Yron was gravely injured in battle, he used the last of his ring’s power to resurrect Stel. Stel rejoined the Corps and bravely fought in major conflicts like “The Sinestro Corps War” and “Blackest Night.”
5) G.I. Robot
Four G.I. Robots were designed to fight the Axis Powers during World War II. Each new G.I. Robot was built after the previous one fell in battle. All four of these robots had “real” names, including Joe, Mac, and J.A.K.E. The last two G.I. Robots shared the name J.A.K.E., but were used for different anagrams, such as “Jungle Automatic Killer – Experiment 1” and “Joint Action Killing Engine.” With their durable metal bodies and machine-gun arms, G.I. Robots were a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. They fought valiantly alongside the Allied Forces, with some versions joining the monster super-soldier team the Creature Commandoes.
4) Spartan
Originally published under Image Comics, Spartan and the rest of his team, the WildC.A.T.s, were bought by DC Comics in 1998. Spartan is an android with the personality of the alien warrior, Yon Colt. After crash landing on Earth, Yon Colt took on the name John Colt and became an adventurer. After his death in a mission, Colt’s mind was uploaded into a robot body by his friend, Emp, who wanted to save his life. However, while the robot had the personality of Colt, it didn’t possess his memories and thus developed its own separate identity as the hero Spartan. He possesses super-strength, flight, and can fire energy blasts and create force fields. Spartan became the leader of the superhero team WildC.A.T.s, who work together to fight alien threats.
3) Hourman
The original Hourman was a human superhero from the 1940s who could obtain superhuman strength for an hour by taking a special drug. The third person to take on the Hourman mantle, Matthew Tyler, was an android built in the 853rd century and was based on the Golden Age Hero. Unlike his predecessors, this Hour Man’s power was that can manipulate time. He can travel through time, see the future, and even alter the timeline. He was built to be the replacement for Metron, the supreme explorer and scientist of the New Gods. With the ability to time travel, Hourman became a member of the 21st-century Justice League and their 853rd-century counterparts, the Justice Legion Alpha.
2) Metal Men
Created by the brilliant Dr. Will Magnus, the Metal Men are a team of eccentric robot superheroes composed of liquid metal, possessing the power of shapeshifting. Each member was constructed and named after a specific element: Gold, Platinum, Iron, Lead, Mercury, and Tin. What makes the team iconic are their unique and dynamic personalities. Gold is a natural leader, Platinum is nurturing, Iron is fearless, Lead is dimwitted, Mercury is arrogant, and Tin is insecure. Their identities stem from Magnus’ intention, the responsometer —a small microchip that can animate any metal liquid into a humanoid robot with thoughts and feelings. While the team may not be as big as the Justice League or the Teen Titans, the Metal Men are still a selfless team always ready to spring into action.
1) Red Tornado
Red Tornado was created by the mad scientist T. O. Morrow to infiltrate and destroy the Justice Society, just like Tomorrow Woman. To construct a robot capable of producing powerful tornadoes, Morrow harnessed a living elemental force called the Tornado Champion and housed it inside a metal body. The Tornado Champion’s inherently good personality influenced the android’s programming, causing Red Tornado to rebel against Morrow. Red Tornado has since become a valuable member of both the Justice Society and the Justice League. Red Tornado has been the most obsessed of the DC robots with becoming human. He created synthetic human-like skin and took on the identity of John Smith. He even married a woman named Kathy Sutton, and the couple adopted a little girl named Traya. While he may be a machine, Red Tornado became one of the most human members of the League.
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Image Courtesy of Pixar -
Image Courtesy of Lucasfilm
