Growing up in the 1970s , there was no cartoon network, and almost all cartoons aired on Saturday mornings. Children across America woke up early Saturday mornings to watch their favorite cartoons and from 1973 to 1985, there was none more popular than the Super Friends. The Super Friends consist of superheroes lead by Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and Aquaman. Yes, it was campy and the animation was not the best, but it was a team of our favorite heroes fighting supervillains that threatened the world.
In 1977, creator Norman Maurer brought to the Justice League a new sensation of superheroes, the Wonder Twins. A brother and sister duo whose powers activated with the touch of their hands.
The Wonder Twins Have A Pet Monkey Named Gleek
When fans of the Super Friends think of the Wonder Twins, they remember the activation of their superpowers with the use of a phrase. In reality, the phrase was not needed, they only had to touch hands to trigger their powers. One can turn into the shape of any form of water and the other can transform into an animal. But what is often forgotten is their pet, Gleek (voiced by Michael Bell, who also was the voice of Zan). Yes, the monkey who has always kept things in order and was comic relief for the show. So, to categorize him as a pet would be a bit of an understatement. He was more like the third member of the team.
The Wonder Twins Were Introduced In An Animated Series Before Comic Books
Usually, to be on television or to be included in a series, superheroes (for the most part) are taken from comic books or graphic novels. Comic books characters have to be popular to warrant a television series. But the Wonder Twins were introduced in 1977 in The All-New Super Friends Hour, “Joy Ride”. Later that year they were introduced in issue #7 in the Super Friends comic book as a tie-in to the show that gave fans a more detailed view of the twins’ backgrounds.
Jayna Can Transform Into Any Animal Whether Real or Mythological
On the 1977 animated Super Friends television series, Zan’s twin sister Jayna could transform into any animal. Usually, it was a flying creature like a falcon, pelican, or even an eagle. But as it was later discovered in the comic book series that she can transform into any animal whether real, mythological, inherent to Earth, or indigenous to some other planet like her home planet of Exxor.
Most importantly, she must know the common name of the animal, or else she will transform into a strange creature.
The Wonder Twins Replaced Another Duo On The Show
The Wonder Twins replaced Wendy Harris, Marvin White and Wonder Dog. Some might ask, “Who were they?”
Wendy and Marvin were two American teenagers who were companions of the Super Friends. No, they did not have superpowers, but they did have a pet named Wonder Dog. Wonder Dog was half bloodhound and wore a cape, like Marvin. Marvin had a large green “M” on his chest as well, reminiscent of his big buddy Superman.
The trio only lasted for a short time and were replaced by the Wonder Twins in The All-New Super Friends Hour.
The Voice of Jayna Is The Stepmother Of Actress Helen Hunt
BJ (Betty Jean) Ward voiced Jayna in 1984 after Louise Williams voiced her for six years from 1977 to 1983. Ward is an actress, voice actress, and singer. She was married to Gordon Hunt until he died in 2016. Her stepdaughter is Academy Award-winning actress Helen Hunt who played in Twister, As Good As It Gets, and in the TV series, Mad About You.
Notably, she was also the voice of Jana of the Jungle, the female version of Tarzan in 1978. It was short-lived only lasting a year created by Hanna-Barbera. Jana has long blond hair, a dress made out of animal skin, and a necklace that served as her weapon.
The Wonder Twins Are Rumored To Be Based On Donny and Marie Osmond
“I’m a little bit country. And I am a little bit rock n’ roll” was a famous quote from the cutest singing tandem in the seventies, Donny and Marie Osmond. So, it would go without mention, that the cutest brother and sister duo of the Justice League are rumored to be marketed after their personalities. As Donny Osmond posted on his Facebook page in 2019, "I can see the resemblance...he's got a defined jaw, dark hair and a sister full of sass."
Although not twins, Donnie is two years older than his younger sister, Marie, the pair was undeniably popular. They had star quality written all over them with their youth and good looks. The Donny and Marie Variety Show was a hit for ABC and ran from 1976 to 1979.
The Wonder Twins Have Appeared on Teen Titans Go!
The Wonder Twins appeared on season 1 episode 14 of Teen Titans Go! , “You’re Fired”. Khary Payton, Ezekiel on The Walking Dead, voiced Zan and Tara Strong voiced Jayna. Payton also voices Cyborg on the show.
In this episode, Beast Boy accidentally blows up a planet on a mission and is fired from the team. The team holds tryouts for his replacement and wants to hire Jayna because during the tryouts she mutates into a tiger but the team was not impressed when her brother transformed into a puddle of water. But they realize that they cannot hire one without the other because their powers only activate when they touch hands.
The Wonder Twins Appeared On A Live-Action Television Series
Although animated, the twins did make an appearance on a live-action television series in Season 9 of Smallville.
David Gallagher (known for his role as Simon Camden for ten seasons on 7th Heaven) played Zan, and Jayna was played by Allison Scagliotti of Syfy’s Warehouse 13. Gleek, their pet monkey, was absent from the television show, but his image was on the back of the twins’ cell phones and there was a Chimpanzee’s laugh for a ringtone.
In the episode titled “Idol”, the Wonder Twins come to Metropolis to help young Clark fight crime using their abilities to shape-shift but end up hurting him instead of helping him.
Their Original Powers Were Different
We all know when the Wonder Twins touch fists and shout, “Wonder Twin powers activate!” Jayna transforms into an animal, mainly a flying creature like a bird or even a pterodactyl. Zan transforms into a form of water in any state usually carried in a bucket by their pet monkey, Gleek. But originally, according to an interview with animator Darrell McNeil, Zan would have the ability to stretch with Plastic Man-like powers, and Jayna would be able to transform into anything, not just animals.
Their Original Names Were Dick And Jane
According to the same interview, The Wonder Twins' names were originally Dick and Jane. Due to Norman Maurer’s interest in Jane, Zan and Jayna were borrowed from the Edgar Rice Burroughs characters in Tarzan, Janya from Jane, and Zan from Tarzan. Also, their pet Gleek’s name was going to be Mighty Monkey.
Married to the daughter of The Three Stooges Moe Howard, Joan Howard, Norman Maurer was the Super Friends series developer and story editor. He was also responsible for the creation of 3-D comics.