Earl was a top-flight engineer for Global Motors, but quit in protest when the company leaders refused to listen to his warnings about serious safety defects in their hot new sports car. Afraid that he would expose their callousness to the press, the executives sent thugs after Earl. Batman intervened and saved his life. After several months, Earl had been unable to get work in the auto industry due to being blacklisted as a whistleblower. Batman appeared again, and offered Earl "the challenge of a lifetime"—to build him a new car.