10 Comic Issues To Read Before the Wonder Twins Debut in the DCEU
With the Wonder Twins set to star in a DCEU film of their own on HBO Max, the twins have started to draw some new eyes from both film buffs and comic fans alike. A little-known duo that featured prominently in the cartoon Super Friends, not many people know where to find content for the two that aren't already on screen.
With the news that KJ Apa and Isabel May have been cast in the roles in the upcoming film, some audiences are curious about the Wonder Twins' appearance in comics. Though Jayna and Zan haven't appeared often in comics, they have had a few key issues that perfectly showcase what the twins are about.
In their first comic appearance, the Wonder Twins arrive on Earth to warn humanity that a villain is coming to destroy the planet with a series of bombs. By teaming up with the Justice League, the twins help to disable the bombs and are eventually offered a place alongside Earth's heroes.
A solid introduction to the twins, this issue also introduces their famous power activation move, which would eventually become a comic book meme of its own. It also introduces readers to the true nature of the duo as kind-hearted kids just trying to do right by the world they would quickly come to adopt.
If comic books are known for anything, it's strange hijinx and wacky origins. The Wonder Twins are no exception to the rule. In "The Super Friends #14", fans discovered that the twins were orphan mutants who were raised in a circus on their homeworld, Exor. This issue goes on to explore how they escaped the circus and happened to become superheroes on Earth.
While it's a strange origin, to be sure, it's a fun introduction to how the two discovered their powers, and how they came to desire becoming superheroes. It also helps to explain some of their long-term goals, like becoming heroes of the planet Exor. Not to mention it shows how the two met their pet Gleek, which is always fun.
In the issue that first introduces Jayna and Zan to the DC main continuity, the twins crashland on Earth and find themselves desperately searching for help. Unfortunately, after being attacked by Earth's residents and then by the Justice League, the twins find themselves thrown back into the custody of a murderous villain.
Given that it's the first time the twins appeared in the main DC universe, this is an essential read for anyone trying to get a feel for the characters. It's also the introduction to some of the darker themes that would follow the twins throughout their continuity and showcases just how often they can take the iconic role of the fish-out-of-water DC aliens.
After realizing what happened to the Wonder Twins, the Justice League fights to free them from their captor. After the twins managed to talk their way out of the situation, they bond with the Justice League, explain their new backstory, and get their first taste of Earth's beer — they didn't like the latter much.
It's the first time in main continuity that the twins are presented as heroes, and it's a nice change of pace. Though their new origin is considerably more complicated, it still showcases the good nature of the pair, and their dedication to do right by their people and the people of Earth. It also helps flesh out the culture of Exor somewhat, which is always a nice touch.
After years in limbo, the Wonder Twins were reintroduced to the DC universe with their own solo comic, and it's an incredibly fun ride. The twins are presented as freshly immigrated residents of Earth under Superman's protection, and they spend their time as Justice League interns and regular high school students.
While they aren't exactly presented as the smartest heroes in the DC universe, the first issue of their solo is an incredibly fun ride with great humor and characterization for the twins. It also helps to present Exxor in a light that's much more understandable for modern readers and helps to integrate the twins well with the current DC landscape.
After decades without an appearance, the Wonder Twins' superpet, Gleek, is reintroduced in their solo series and quickly establishes himself as an essential figure. After being ambushed by the League of Annoyance, the Wonder Twins are about to be killed when Gleek, a traumatized circus monkey, steps in to save the day.
For fans looking to understand why, exactly, the twins have a blue pet monkey that follows them around, it's a necessary and enjoyable introduction to the character. This issue alone managed to get many fans excited for Gleek to join as a new DCEU character, and it isn't hard to see why.
Of course, it wouldn't be a superhero comic without a tragic backstory in the mix. The ninth issue of the Wonder Twins' solo run introduces their new backstory. Now, the twins were voluntarily exiled from their homeworld after discovering a dark lineage to a man who terrorized their planet.
It's a depressing twist to an upbeat comic, but it adds a sense of weight to their narrative. It also provides the twins with a specific reason for wanting to defend the people of Earth so badly — to ensure that they're nothing like their grandfather. The revelation also helps the twins bond with their closest ally and shows the depth of their empathy.
The final issue of their solo run sees Jayna and Zan confront the Justice League about their shortcomings. As a response, the Justice League allows them to graduate from interns to full-scale heroes of their own, overseeing a significant department of League operations.
It's a touching conclusion to a genuinely enjoyable series, and it manages to provide an adequate conclusion to each of the themes presented in their run. Though the twins were never the most powerful DC superheroes, they still managed to make a difference in the world, and helping to found a department of their own has given them the chance to continue making a difference.
As young heroes from another world, the Wonder Twins have never really been able to fit in with DC's mainstream heroes. That's why it was such a big deal when the Wonder Twins teamed up with Young Justice, a gang of teenage heroes like them.
It also gave the duo the perfect opportunity to use their connections with the League to ensure that Young Justice had a chance to complete their mission, even when the League wasn't available. They even had the opportunity to fight alongside them and, for a time, take full membership in the team. It's the start of an incredibly fun arc for the twins and one that genuinely sees them grow.
The latest appearance of DC's strangest duo is also their most depressing. After the Justice League is invaded by vampires, Zan comes across the Green Lantern Hal Jordan, interrogating a suspected vampire. Unfortunately, Zan is in the wrong place at the wrong time and manages to say exactly the wrong thing. Hal, secretly a bloodsucker himself, summarily executes the unsuspecting twin.
The real tragedy of the series is Jayna, unaware of her brother's death, desperately trying to track down her brother. Utterly defenseless without her powers, the subsequent issues follow Jayna's heartbreaking journey to the discovery of her brother's remains. It's a tragic arc that shows the depth of the love the twins have for each other, and one that appears to set up a big moment for the now non-meta Jayna.