Super Juniors are a group of fictionalDC Comics characters based on members of theJustice League of America, designed as baby versions to appeal to younger audiences and introduce them to the publisher's most popular properties. AtKenner's request, first appeared inJosé Luis García-López's1982 DC Comics Style Guide and had their first and only adventure inSuper Jrs. Holiday Special:The Best of DC Blue Ribbon Digest #58 (March 1985) in a story written byTom DeFalco and drawn by Vince Squeglia.[1][2]
Characters include "Jr." versions ofSuperman (Super-Kid, Casey),Batman (Bat-Guy, Carlos) andRobin (Kid-Robin, the Shrimp),Wonder Woman (Wonder Tot, Deedee),Flash (Flash-Kid, Rembrandt),Green Arrow,Green Lantern,Hawkman,Aquaman, andSupergirl.
Various unrelated stories set in the main DC Comics continuity have focused on the heroes' younger selves or had them transformed into children.
InWonder Woman #105 (1959),Wonder Tot was introduced as Wonder Woman during her younger years. Through magic, the child was able to co-exist alongside her older self without any ramifications. Befriending Mister Genie (Genro), she would return infrequently over the years that followed in her own adventures.[3]
InAction Comics #260 (1960), Supergirl is reduced in age when she comes into contact with a pool of water upon saving an old man.[4]
In several instances, Superman has been reduced to a youthful version of himself. InAction Comics #284 (1962), he purposely exposes himself to redkryptonite to transform himself into a child and enter a small gap into thePhantom Zone.[5] In theSuper Friends: The Legendary Super Powers Show episode "Uncle Mxyzptlk" (1984), Superman is again exposed to red kryptonite and is de-aged, referred by his teammates as "Super Brat". Beginning inSuperboy #8 (1950), the adventures of Superman during his youngest years were infrequently depicted with the hero identified as Superbaby. TheDC Nation Shorts segmentTokyo/Baby Superman features a baby who gains Superman's powers.
InBatman #147 (1962), a scientist transforms Batman's body into that of a four-year-old.[6] In theBatman: The Brave and the Bold episode "The Malicious Mr. Mind!" (2011),Doctor Sivana uses a ray on Batman that sees him regress in age. InMad #8 (1953), Batman is parodied as a little person named Bat Boy with sidekick Rubin (in place of Robin). This story would later be adapted for theBatman: The Brave and the Bold episode "Bat-Mite Presents: Batman's Strangest Cases!" (2011). ForDC Nation Shorts,Aardman Animations produced Batman shorts featuring a juvenile Batman and a likewise treatment of his cast of characters.
During the events ofYoung Justice:Sins of Youth (2000), theJustice League,Justice Society of America, and several other adults are transformed into children byKlarion the Witch Boy, who also transforms the members ofYoung Justice into adults.
In theSuperman/Batman arc "Lil' Leaguers", a juvenile Justice League from a parallel world is introduced including Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman,Green Lantern, Flash,Red Arrow,Red Tornado, Supergirl,Vixen,Black Lightning,Zatanna, andBlack Canary. Lil' villains from their world also appear inLex Luthor,Joker,Doomsday,Catwoman,Two-Face,Cyborg Superman,Brainiac,Bizarro,Poison Ivy,Hush,Clayface,Killer Croc, andMr. Freeze. 2012's "The Curse of Superman" inAction Comics #9 formally introduced Earth 42, home to the Little League featuring juvenile versions of Aquaman, Batman,Cyborg, Green Arrow, Hawkman,Martian Manhunter,Steel, Superman, and Wonder Woman. The seriesBatman: Li'l Gotham was based on this Earth.
InAdventure Comics #338 (November 1965), theTime Trapper transformed several members of theLegion of Super-Heroes into youthful versions of themselves. These members includedSaturn Girl,Chameleon Boy,Element Lad,Invisible Kid,Light Lass,Matter-Eater Lad,Star Boy, andUltra Boy. Earlier in the series, various Legion members had been similarly reduced temporarily to babyhood inAdventure #317 ("The Menace of Dream Girl") and later, in #356 the concept was re-introduced with "Superbaby, Element Infant, Dream Tot, Little Mon-El and Baby Braniac" cover-featured in the story "The Five Legion Orphans".
