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"Powers activate!" - Zan and Jayna, Idol

Zan and Jayna, together also known as the Wonder Twins, are super-powered admirers of the Blur.

Physical Appearances[]

Zan

Zan

Jayna

Jayna

When Zan and Jayna activate and de-activate their abilities, there is a blinding purple light that appears. Their eye color also briefly flash purple when they transform.

Wondertwins colors final by gattadonna-d6tfiuc

Zan's costume.

Zan is the taller of the two, with blue eyes and short, light brown hair, which in his later appearances is shown to be a little bit longer. He wore a purple plaid, long-sleeved shirt with a gray t-shirt underneath. As a member of Jay Garrick's team he wears a dark purple and black top with a yellow "Z" logo inside of a black triangle on his chest, jeans, a black belt with a gold triangle buckle on it and black shoes.

Copy of wondertwins colors final by gattadonna-d6tfiuc

Jayna's costume.

Jayna has hazel eyes and the same coloured hair as her brother, though she has a pink streak in hers and a pink flower on top. Jayna wore a black, strapless top with a purple tank-top underneath. She also wore a black, studded choker with a metal heart hanging off of it. As a member of Jay Garrick's team she wears light purple and black top with a yellow "J" logo inside of a black triangle on her chest, jeans, a black belt with a gold triangle buckle on it and black boots. Also, in her first appearance as a member of the team, Jayna appears with pink hair but later her hair is shown to be back to brown and then pink again, indicating that either she wears a wig or the change of her hair colour has something to do with her powers.

Personality[]

Zan and Jayna have almost the same personalities. The two are quite negligent in their actions and have a great desire to become heroes. They also have a great sense of loyalty and respect towards their idols and have seized upon them as role models, paying attention to their advice and trying to do things right, even if it meant getting hurt.

Powers and Abilities[]

  • Limited Telepathy: Zan and Jayna share a telephathic link that makes either one sense when the other is in pain.
  • Shapeshifting: Both Zan and Jayna have to activate their powers by touching each other. When they do so, they say, "Powers activate." However, they can return to human form at will. When their powers activate or de-activate, there is a blinding purple light.
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Zan becomes a sheet of ice

Zan
  • Elemental Mimicry: Zan has the ability to turn his body into any form of water (solid, liquid, gas). He first transforms into a sheet of ice, causing a speeding limo to sprint out of control. He later transforms into fog, hiding Clark Kent and Lois Lane on the Daily Planet rooftop from the crowds on the streets below.
Jayna
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Jayna turns into a cougar

  • Animal Morphing: Jayna can shapeshift into animals and insects. She is shown transforming into a cougar (to attack the limo), a ladybug (to spy on Chloe and to fly back to Watchtower) and a dog (to subdue Ray Sacks).

Early life[]

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Zan and Jayna's past.

Growing up, Zan and Jayna were told by their father to always stay together because they are stronger as a team. However, their father abandoned them the first time their powers were activated and Zan transformed into a pile of cubes and Jayna into an anteater. How the twins gained their metahuman abilities is unknown (as are many details about their early lives). According to Zan, they ended up living on the streets of Metropolis, since no one really bought that they were transfer students from Sweden, but he never elaborated what he meant by that.

Season Nine[]

"We're not the hero, you are!" Zan,
"We believe in you, Master B." Jayna, Idol
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Zan and Jayna at the Watchtower.

Zan and Jayna were two kids who idolized the Blur, but started to get him into trouble by making busts by themselves and leaving his mark without knowing better. Not to mention an e-mail, Facebook and Twitter accounts online. They obviously wanted to help, but ended up capturing a bunch of undercover narcotics police. After that, they go after a diamond thief. Zan turned into a sheet of ice to put the limo out of control, while Jayna became a cougar and scared the driver. Their plan worked, but they ended up taking out Metropolis' power.

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Zan and Jayna using their powers.

Back at Zan and Jayna's place, they found out that Jayna lost her phone at the power plant. Zan then received a call from Jayna's phone: they panicked under the belief that they were being tracked, so they planned to escape, but when they were about to activate their powers, they were knocked out by Clark (as the Blur). Clark took the twins to the Watchtower where Chloe Sullivan convinced them to back down from trying to help the Blur. Disguised as a ladybug, Jayna found out that the Blur was in even more political trouble and that it was their fault, so they decided to activate their powers and go help.

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Zan and Jayna are congratulated by the Blur.

To cover Lois and Clark from being seen, Zan turned into water vapor and Jayna turned into a dog to get Ray Sacks. When Lois fell, Zan brought her safely to the ground. Later, at their apartment, the Blur came to tell them that he was proud of them and that they did a good job, but also told them what the meaning of being a hero was truly all about and the responsibilities that came with it.

Season Eleven[]

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Zan and Jayna activate their powers.

When Doctor Phosphorus escapes from prison, Superboy appears and engages in a fight with him. When Phosphorus sets a Ferris wheel on fire, Megan Morse, Blue Beetle, Speedy, Zan and Jayna, who along with Superboy are all members of Jay Garrick's team, surprisingly appear and Megan says he must go and save the kids on the wheel and leave Phosphorus to them. Jayna asks from her brother to activate their powers but Zan says that he won't be very helpful around fire because he will turn to steam. Then they activate their powers with Jayna transforming herself into a gorilla and going to help Conner with the flaming wheel.

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The twins along with the rest of the team return to the school.

Some seconds later, Speedy, Blue Beetle and Jayna combine their abilities to defeat Phosphorus and knock him into the water. After the fight Jay appears saying that they actually failed on their mission, making them feel very disappointed about themselves. Zan and Jayna try to calm down an angry Superboy who argues with Garrick. Jay then tells them to return to the school.

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Zan and Jayna argue with Jay Garrick about their decision to take action.

At the team's headquarters Garrick talks to his students a little bit about Bart Allen's life, how Bart was the inspiration for the creation of the team and the Titan Corporation, which funded the school. He tells them he is very disappointed about their first mission and he is not sure if they ever will be ready for field work. Mia says that they couldn't just sit there and do nothing while Phosphorus was causing havoc and Conner says that Garrick is not fair with them. Jayna and Zan also say that they had to stop Phosphorus, but Jaime says that Garrick has a point. Megan says that the discord is clouding her mind but Garrick tells her to toughen up. Garrick then informs them that the D.E.O. wrangled Phosphorus back to prison and that they would probably succeed stopping him themselves, without the team's interference. Conner asks if he knows how Phosphorus escaped in the first place but Garrick says it's not their problem and if they make some more mistakes like this one it won't be even possible for Superman to convince the public that this team should not be locked away, too.

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Jayna talks to Mia about hers and Zan's past and how important her brother is to her.

Outside the building, Mia and Jayna are talking about their past and Mia says she is used to have men in her life that do not make good on their promises. Then Jayna says that they haven't really had it all that bad, revealing some of the problems she and Zan had to come through in the past and how important her brother is to her. She also reveals that even though they had problems they were pretty well on their own. Mia then asks her why did they join Garrick's team and Jayna responds that they felt lost and they needed some guidance and gear. Suddenly Garrick appears and says that they don't always need gadgets and gear and that Bart Allen outran his past so they can do the same.

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Jaime finds Zan severely wounded.

Meanwhile, Jaime enters his room, saying to his roommate, Zan he wants to skype with a friend of his but he slides on some blood that there is on the floor and sees his Zan severely wounded with a sword in his belly. Jaime immediately turns on his armor but before he can transform, an unknown woman, who was behind the door, attacks him with some kind of sonic waves and wonders if the Blue Beetle will be more cooperative than his roommate, suggesting that she was the one who stabbed Zan.

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Jayna feels that something has happened to Zan.

When Conner and Megan arrive at the compound they find Mia trying to calm down Jayna, who is lying on the floor screaming her brother's name. Mia asks what is happening to Jayna and Megan responds that this reaction is caused by her connection to Zan, meaning that something has happened to him.

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The mysterious woman reveals her identity, while hurting Zan.

Inside Jaime and Zan's room, the woman reveals that she is Slade Wilson' s daughter and that the reason she is attacking them is because of her father, she is continuing his task, which was to stop and imprison the vigilantes. Then she asks him why would he want to join this team but Jaime replies to her by asking why she doesn't just kill him and she says that he and Zan were just practice for her.

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Jayna finds her wounded brother.

Back in the boys' room, Jayna finds her brother hurt but she realizes he is not yet dead because he has a pulse even though its very weak. She then tells to Jaime to armor up so he can either help the others in their battle against their attacker or fly Zan to S.T.A.R. branch at Berkley. Jaime reveals then that he can't because Rose has placed a bomb on his scarab.

Later, Rose threatens the rest of the team to stand down or she will kill their teammates by detonating the bomb Jaime has on his back. Conner tells her if she wants a real fight she should confront him and leave the rest of his team out of this.

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Jayna pleads for Zan to stay awake.

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Jayna along with Zan and Jaime make a grant entrance.

Jayna tries to keep the wounded Zan awake, telling him not to die on her, but Jaime tries to calm her down by saying she needs to take a step back and focus. Jaime says that Zan needs to activate his powers but Jayna is not sure if he can activate in his condition. Then Jaime asks her if Zan can still transform into ice so he would stop bleeding out until he gets into a hospital.

After Rose has been defeated and arrested by D.E.O., Zan, who has been transformed into an ice man, along with Jaime appear being on top of a huge pink dinosaur, in which Jayna has been transformed. Watching them the team shouts to the D.E.O.'s soldiers that the dinosaur is with them.

Weeks later, Zatanna Zatara turns a young girl, named Rachel Roth, over to Jay Garrick and the Teen Titans at the airport, with the team being very excited for their new teammate.

Jaime is awoken by the Scarab, which informs him about an alien threat but neither the Scarab nor the Titans know what exactly it is. He and the others observe, while the rings approach their base, and even one of the rings identify one of them, Megan, as a potential harvester but she is deemed incompatible by the ring, which then moves on in search of another host. After that, Conner says they need to get Watchtower on the line immediately.

Weeks later, Superman and Lois arrive at Watchtower where Tess Mercer, Chloe and Oliver along with Batman, Nightwing Martian Manhunter, Supergirl, Jay Garrick and his team of teenagers. Clark tells Chloe, Tess and Bruce to find out everything from one of the Manhunters he destroyed about the Crisis, because more ships are on their way. As Batman starts to examine the crumpled Manhunter head he wonders where are they going, Clark grimly says everywhere.

The next day, Clark gathers all of the heroes onto his rooftop and gives them the lowdown. They can distract the Manhunters with physical attacks while Watchtower leads an evacuation to the heartland. If the distraction they provide fails everyone will die or be 'rebooted', but if they win everything will stay as it was and how they all remember the world. Clark tells them to say goodbye to their loved ones and suit up ready for war.

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The Justice League attacks.

Superman delivers a rousing speech to the heroes. The other Earths might have been erased or rebooted but they are determined for their Earth to survive and their continuity to continue. With that Superman, Luthor and all of Earth's heroes attack the incoming Manhunters.

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The Legion and the Titans head to Smallville.

The Monitors automatons suddenly change direction and race to reboot Smallville and if they succeed everything will be lost. Superboy has gathered all of the youngest of heroes and they prepare to stop the tide. Superman orders him to stand down but another team arrives to help, the Legion. With the Legions arrival as back up the Titans with Superman's blessing rush to stop the reboot in Smallville.

Three weeks later LexCorp holds a major press confrence and Lex introduces the public to a new monument built on the former Watchtower site. In a massive turnout Lex publicly admits that if it weren't for the heroes of earth the universe would be lost. Then Superman makes a speech that is broadcast all over the world. The Teen Titans are also watching the reveal, in their new base.

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The Justice League welcomes a new family member.

After her son's birth, Chloe worries about the dangers in the world and the rise in heroes. Oliver reminds her they all fight for justice and will ensure their new baby will have a safe and healthy upbringing. Chloe laments that family should be here for their big occasion and Ollie smiles as he wheels her into the waiting room to be greeted by their 'family' composed of the Heroes that they met over time.

Appearances[]

In the Comics[]

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The Wonder Twins as they appear in the comics.

The Wonder Twins, Zan and Jayna, are teenage alien superheroes who were helpers to the Super Friends that debuted in the Hanna-Barbera animated television series of the same name.

Zan and Janya were from the planet Exxor, where two races existed, the normal humans and the shape-shifters. Over time the two races inter-married and the shapeshifters seemed to vanish. Once in a while children were born with shape-shifting powers. Unfortunately shortly after Zan and Jayna's birth, a plague hit Exor and the their parents were among the many that died. Having no other living relatives, the two orphans were adopted by Dentwil, the owner of the Trans-World Shows which was basically an intergalactic traveling circus. Growing up in the circus, one day they asked what their future held and were surprised to hear they were to live out their lives as performers. Until they turned 20, they had no rights under the laws of their planet. Soon they also discovered that the other performers got paid yet they did not. Secretly practicing on improving their powers, they "convinced" Dentwil that he owed them quite a bit. Later they returned to their home planet.

While the Super Friends were away, Wendy and Marvin noticed a spaceship had landed on Earth. Hopping on their bicycles, they discovered two humanoid aliens, Zan and Jayna dressed in purple. The two arrived on Earth to warn them that the world was in danger. A villain known as Grax had a secret lair on their home planet. They had overheard Grax's plans to destroy Superman's adopted home world. Despite being runaways, the Twins returned to Exor with the Super Friends to help capture two super-criminals. As thanks, the Twins received word from the Grand Rulers that they were now free of their obligations to Dentwil. As thanks for their help, the Justice League arranged for the teens to live with a scientist under the names Johan and Johanna, as exchange students from Sweden.

Their powers were activated when the twins touched each other and spoke the words, "Wonder Twin powers, activate!" (in the comics, it was revealed that this phrase was unnecessary, just a habit of theirs). As they were about to transform, they would each announce their intended form. Zan can transform into water at any state (solid, liquid, gas) and Jayna can transform into any animal (whether real, mythological, indigenous to Earth or to some other planet), so long as she knows the name. The two also shared a telepathic link. In addition, they had a space monkey, as a pet, called Gleek who had a useful prehensile tail and whose body could act as a conduit for the twins to activate their powers should they be out of reach.

They were first introduced into the main DC Universe in the series Extreme Justice in 1995. In Extreme Justice #9, Zan and Jayna's spaceship crashes on Earth. Tired and hungry, they found their way to the nearest gas station. Immediately they were threatened and exhibited their powers in self-defence. After the local law enforcement made matters worse, the Justice League met up with the two aliens. Since they can't speak English, they attack the Justice League. It's revealed that the Twins were slaves of an evil alien slave lord. With the help of Justice League, they were able to prevent their race from being sold into slavery. Then Zan and Jayna choose to stay on Earth and join Captain Atom's team.

Zan and Jayna are revealed to be two of the ten hereditary protectors of Exor. The "Ten Elements of the Universe" is the name given to a group of five pairs of royal twins on Exor, each pair possesses elemental powers including fire, love, vapors, plants, sound, metal, and shadows.

They later help avenge the murder of Empress's parents, wearing uniforms which resembled t-shirts and jeans. Along with an army of other teen heroes were called together to assault the super-villain island of Zandia. They also enjoyed eating compact discs, as they ate several of Wonder Girl's favourite discs.

They also had some cameo appearances in Teen Titans' #70 and in DCU: Legacies #9.

In the New 52, a version of the Wonder Twins make their first appearance in Justice League 3000 #1. The brother and sister duo, who are now renamed as Terry and Terri, live in the 31st century and are the benefactors of the new Justice League, which is consisted by clones of the original members, made by genetic samples taken from Cadmus Labs.

Notes[]

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    Jayna and her Gleek cell phone.

    The Wonder Twins were created by Hanna-Barbera and made their debut on Hanna-Barbera’s SuperFriends (1973-1985) during the 1977 season.
  • In the episode Idol, Zan and Jayna only refer to each other as "Z" and "J" (with Clark calling them "the Wonder Twins"). The names "Zan" and "Jayna" were not used until Titans.
  • Jayna's cell phone has on it a picture of Gleek, the space monkey pet of their counterparts in the comics and TV series. Similarly, Zan's phone emits a sound like that the monkey does in the animated series.
  • In their original appearance, Zan and Jayna wore purple and black clothing as a nod to their future uniforms.
  • To activate their powers, Zan and Jayna touch and say "Powers activate!" In the Super Friends cartoon, the Wonder Twins say "Wonder Twin powers, activate!".
  • A flashback in Titans depicts Zan and Jayna as being thrown out by their father, in a seemingly normal neighbourhood on Earth, indicating that they are metahumans (as opposed to aliens) in the universe of Smallville.
  • Zan tells Chloe that nobody was really buying that he and Jayna were exchange students from Sweden. In the Super Friends comic, the Wonder Twins (who were aliens) pretended to be transfer students from Esko, Sweden in order to assimilate into a normal life among humans. As a flashback in Titans established the Smallville versions of Zan and Jayna being metahumans from Earth, as opposed to aliens, it is unknown why they would have pretended to be exchange students from another country (if they are Americans). Though, one possibility is that they really are from Sweden, and tried to use "exchange students" as a cover to explain away their presence in a foreign country.
    • If Zan and Jayna are from Sweden, it would make them the first non-American superheroes (not counting aliens) to be featured on Smallville (while Arthur Curry's half-Atlantean, and (according to Mera) the future King of the Seven Seas, he is still a U.S. citizen through his father).

Other faces of the Wonder Twins[]

External links[]

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