the secret identity of doll man, "the world's mightiest mite", is research chemist darrel dane, who invents a formula that enables him to shrink to the height of six inches while retaining the full strength of his normal size. he was the first example of a shrinking superhero, and also one of the few that was unable to change to a height in between his minimum and maximum sizes (though artists would fail to keep his scale visually consistent). his first adventure in "feature comics" #27 involves the rescue of his fiancée, martha roberts, from a blackmailer. he subsequently decides to fight crime and adopts a red and blue costume sewn by martha. years later, somehow martha's wish to be able to join him in his small size comes true, and now possessing the same shrinking powers, she becomes his partner known as "doll girl" in "doll man" #37. he also has the aid of "elmo the wonder dog," a great dane who serves as his occasional steed and rescuer, and the "dollplane," which was deceptively presented as a model airplane in his study when not in use. in his adventures published during world war ii, doll man was also frequently depicted riding a bald eagle.