Robotman: Bio, Origin & History

Real Name: Clifford Steele

First Appearance: My Greatest Adventure #80 (June, 1963)

Powers: Superhuman speed, strength, and endurance. Shapeshifting, Healing, Flight, Enhanced Senses, Advanced Sight and Hearing

Affiliation: Doom Patrol

Did You Know? Robotman is the only member of the Doom Patrol to appear in every incarnation of the team.

A Little History

The creation of Arnold Drake and Bruno Premiani, Robotman first appeared in 1963 on the pages of My Greatest Adventure #80.

Clifford Steele grew up with a thirst for adventure and a lust for danger. His fascination for both took him to participate in the most extreme of sports. During his life he participated in white water rafting, mountain climbing, and race car driving…the latter of these proving the most important. His need for speed turned out to be his calling and he was asked to join the NASCAR circuit. Eventually, NASCAR lead to him taking part in the Indianapolis 500. This, unfortunately would be his last race.

During the race, Cliff’s car wound up in a terrible accident and flew end over end. As a result, Cliff’s body was destroyed leaving only his brain intact. Dr. Niles Caulder hears of the tragedy and quickly comes to his aid. He promptly takes the brain, implants it into a robot, and brings Cliff back to life. Now called Automan, two short issues later turning to Robotman, Cliff begins piecing his life back together.

Shortly after his surgery one of the wires  comes loose leaving Cliff to go on a brainless rampage. Eventually, he is found, the wire is fixed, and he is made a member of the Doom Patrol. Now a member of the Doom Patrol, Robotman begins to show exactly what he can do. The most notable of his abilities include superhuman strength, speed, and endurance.