Dr. Hans Iker first came to public attention in the late 1930's as an eccentric member of the Newark, New Jersey Science Club. Known for his odd theories about extradimensional matter, Iker was ridiculed and cast out of the club, led by Dr. Simon Orr. In 1941, a robbery at a major bank in Paterson attracted the attention of both the police and the scientific community around New York City. In broad daylight, gray elfs robbed the bank, killed a guard and teller. When confronted with the authorities, the elves simply dissolved into gray mist and floated away. Unknown to authorities, the mists slipped into a pipe of a dark car, re-materializing on the inside. There they consulted with their secret master, who plotted their next move.

    At the next meeting of the Science Club, Orr was confronted about the existence of the disappearing elves but scoffed. A suggestion by Rex Tyler that the Club investigate w as met with derision. Bursting in on the meeting, Iker supported Tyler but was quickly rebuffed and escorted our. Reminded of his ire at his first expulsion, Iker and his creations laid a trap for Orr. Concerned about Orr's safety, Tyler changed to Hourman and pursued him. On a deserted road outside of town, Orr's car was waylaid by Iker's dwarves. The rhyming minions, now joined by a giant brother, defeated Hourman and fled with Orr. After a brief altercation with the confused authorities, Hourman tracked Iker back to his lair and destroyed his device. Iker's mind collapsed under the strain of seeing his "creations" defeated and he was easily apprehended. In the aftermath, Orr determined that the beings were generated from "5th dimensional matter" (Adventure Comics #64). Based on eventual discoveries about the 5th dimension, it now seems likely that Iker's servants were not his creations at all but mischevious residents of that realm.

        The activities of Dr. Iker of Earth-Two since the 1940's have yet to be recorded. Whether he survived or produced heirs to his criminal legacy is a subject of speculation.