Alan Tudyk's Powerless Character Is Actually In the Comics

NBC's upcoming sitcom Powerless promises to be a unique take on the DC universe, focusing on the employees of Wayne Security, a subdivision of Wayne Enterprises that makes civillian survival gear to use against superheroes.

While this concept might not seem rooted in the comics, one very big element of the show is - Wayne Security's boss, Van Wayne.

Vanderveer "Van" Wayne, played in Powerless by Firefly and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story's Alan Tudyk, made a single appearance in Batman #148, published in June of 1962.

Self-described as a "rich, over-educated globetrotting wastrel," his comic book counterpart is, as it turns out in this issue, equally as precocious.

In "The Boy Who Was Robin", a segment of the issue, Van functioned as a sort of thorn in his cousin Bruce Wayne's side. When Van comes to visit Bruce in his mansion, he sees Batman and Robin costumes in the laundry. After Alfred tells him the outfits are for a costume party, Van hatches a plan to impress Bruce and Dick Grayson.

He dresses up as Robin and hires a man - who he doesn't realize is a former con-artist - to play Batman. The criminal kidnaps Van, who ultimately has to be rescued by the real Batman and Robin and is taught a lesson in the process.

While it's safe to assume we will not get this origin story for Van in Powerless, there's a chance we will see his other comic canon talents of fencing and gymnastics, both of which he's shown to be talented in in Batman #148.

And judging off of the trailers for Powerless, which show Van arguing with his cousin over the phone about Netflix passwords, we could possibly get an entirely different relationship between the cousins on the show.

Van's appearance in the show (which holds a separate continuity from the Berlantiverse and the DC Extended Universe) has gone through plenty of evolution, with Tudyk initially playing a completely different role.

After the departure of showrunner Ben Queen, many elements of the show were changed, including that familial connection. As Tudyk put it at the show's recent stop at Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour, "I wasn't a Wayne before and now I am; totally better."

In a world where humanity must cope with the collateral damage of Super Heroes and Super-Villains, Emily Locke (Vanessa Hudgens) begins her first day as Director of Research & Development for Wayne Security, a subsidiary of Wayne Enterprises that specializes in products that make defenseless bystanders feel a little safer. Full of confidence and big ideas, Emily quickly learns that her expectations far exceed those of her new boss (Alan Tudyk) and officemates, so it will be up to her to lead the team toward their full potential and the realization that you don't need superpowers to be a hero.

MORE: New Powerless Promo Reveals Alan Tudyk is Playing Batman's Cousin / New Powerless Promo Drops Superman Joke / NBC Debuts New Powerless Teaser / New Powerless Image Contains Batman Easter Egg / Powerless's Batman Connection / Wonder Woman's Powerless Role Explained / Powerless Trailer

Powerless premieres Thursday, February 2 at 8:30/7:30c on NBC.