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For other uses, see Ultron (disambiguation).
Ultron is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Avengers #54 (1968), and was created by writer Roy Thomas and artist John Buscema.
[edit] Publication history[edit] 1960sAlthough Ultron first appears in Avengers #54 (1968), the character is disguised for the majority of the issue as the Crimson Cowl, with his face only revealed on the last page of the issue and no name given to the character. The character leads the Masters of Evil against the Avengers. In the following issue, #55 (Aug. 1968), the character is identified as Ultron-5, the living automaton, although his origin is still unknown.[1] In Avengers 57 - 58 (Oct-Nov. 1968) in a flashback sequence it is revealed that Ultron is the creator of the "synthezoid" the Vision, whom it tries to use as a weapon to destroy the Avengers. The Vision, however, destroys Ultron with the aid of the Avengers.[2] Further flashbacks reveal that he is the creation of Henry Pym, and based on Pym's brain patterns. The robot gradually developed its own intelligence and rebelled, and almost immediately suffers from an Oedipus Complex, whereby it feels irrational hatred for his "father" Hank, and demonstrates an interest in Hank's lover Janet van Dyne, the Wasp. Rebuilding itself and upgrading five times, Ultron then hypnotizes Pym and brainwashed him into forgetting that the robot had ever existed. [3] The character's next appearance is in Avengers #66 – 68 (July – Sept. 1969), where the character, now referring to itself as Ultron-6, uses the fictional alloy adamantium to upgrade his body to an almost indestructible state. Taking the name Ultimate Ultron, its plans to destroy humanity are again thwarted by the Avengers.[4] [edit] 1970sA crossover story between Avengers #127 (Sept. 1974) and Fantastic Four #150 (Sept. 1974) features Ultron (now Ultron-7), recreated by Maximus with the body of the android Omega, attacking the wedding of the Inhuman Crystal and the Avenger Quicksilver, and battling the Avengers, Inhumans, and Fantastic Four before being destroyed once again.[5] The character next appears in Avengers #161 – 162 (July – Aug. 1977) as Ultron-8 where it is responsible for the creation of Jocasta whom it wishes to take as a robotic bride.[6] Shortly afterwards, in Avengers #170 – 171 (April – May 1978), the Avengers, with the aid of Ms. Marvel battle and defeat Ultron-8.[7]  [edit] 1980sHis next appearances are in Avengers #201 – 202 (Nov. – Dec 1980) as Ultron-9 and in Marvel Two-In-One #92-93 (Oct. – Nov. 1982) as Ultron-10; both appearances feature brainwashed heroes recreating and then defeating the robotic menace.[8][9] After being briefly recreated (as Ultron-11) by the Beyonder and appearing on Battleworld during the Secret Wars,[10] and for a brief encounter with the Thing,[11] Ultron is destroyed again. The Thing, however, does bring Ultron's head back to Earth as a souvenir. The head of Ultron-11 is dropped and forgotten by the Thing when there is an attack by the alien Dire Wraiths.[12] A new Ultron (Ultron-12) enters into an alliance with the villain the Grim Reaper and his allies (Nekra; the Erik Josten Goliath; Man-Ape and the Black Talon) in a bid to destroy the Reaper's brother, Wonder Man. Although the villains are defeated by the West Coast Avengers, Ultron-12 begins to form a relationship with his "father", Henry Pym.[13] Ultron-12 begins calling itself Ultron Mark 12, in an effort to sound more human.[14] Rebuilding itself, Ultron-11 comes into conflict with Hank Pym and Ultron-12. With the assistance of Wonder Man, they destroy Ultron-11. Ultron-12 then deactivates, but tells Pym it was glad it could help save him.[15] [edit] 1990sUltron appears as a pawn of Doctor Doom; having been rebuilt with all previous personalities active at the same time, resulting in a form of robotic madness. Ultron fights Daredevil before a programming conflict deactivates the robot.[16] Another version of Ultron appears (Ultron-13) and is stopped by the West Coast Avengers.[17] After escaping captivity this version attempts to obtain a new form of vibranium called Nuform, but is repelled by the combined efforts of Iron Man, the Black Panther and Spider-Man.[18] Ultron (Ultron-11) next briefly appears as a captive of a highly advanced Doombot, but is freed when the Doombot is defeated by Deathlok.[19] Ultron-13 escapes from prison and upgrades into "The Ultimate Ultron", (technically Ultron-14) and captures the West Coast Avenger Mockingbird, using her brain patterns to create a new robotic mate called Alkhema. Alkhema aids Ultron but both are eventually jettisoned into space through a ruse by the Vision.[20] The character reappears with Alkhema, and together they plan to create a "volcanic winter" by placing bombs underneath several volcanoes. The West Coast Avengers stop the pair once again, and Alkhema rebels and leaves Ultron.[21] Another Ultron (Ultron-15) is found by the Vision, but is discovered to have been "infected" by human emotion and is seriously deteriorating, displaying symptoms that resemble alcoholism. This Ultron and a recreated Jocasta decide to explore the world with the Vision for a time.[22]  After a brief cameo appearance (as Ultron-17)[23] the character - with the aid of Ultron-16 - slaughters the population of the fictional state Slorenia before once again being defeated by the Avengers.[24][25] [edit] 2000sThe Avengers discover that every creation of Ultron (Vision, Jocasta, Alkhema) has a secret program included - they are subconsciously compelled to rebuild Ultron. In this case, it is Alkhema who unintentionally rebuilds Ultron when she attempts to create a new species of bio-synthezoids. Ultron-18 was, however, composed of steel, not adamantium, and is destroyed when Alkhema's subterranean base exploded. Ultron's head was recovered by one of the synthezoids, an artificial girl called Antigone.[26] Iron Man encounters an Ultron formed from an old version of his armor and the head of Ultron-18, who leads the cult the Sons of Yinsen in an attempt to conquest via religion. The character is defeated by Iron Man and Jocasta.[27] Another Ultron (possibly Ultron-13) creates the cyborg Victor Mancha, who is to be used as a sleeper agent against the Avengers. Mancha, however, rebels, and joins the Runaways.[28] This Ultron first poses as Doctor Doom before revealing itself, and is defeated in a battle against the Runaways and Excelsior.[29] In June 2007, Marvel launched a new Avengers title called Mighty Avengers. In the first six issue arc, Ultron interfaces with Iron Man's armor, which Iron Man had integrated with his biology. This allows Ultron's program to transform Iron Man into a new version of Ultron that has the human appearance of the Wasp, albeit with a metallic skin. This version is eventually destroyed by new Avenger Ares, who uses a computer virus to wipe Ultron's program from Iron Man's armor. Ultron's image later briefly appears on one of Pym's computers.[30] The Annihilation: Conquest limited series features a version of Ultron leading the alien race the Phalanx, who view Ultron as the sympathetic father they have yearned for. After invading Kree space and taking control of the body of Adam Warlock, Ultron hopes to achieve "true techno-organic perfection", but is eventually forced to abandon Warlock's body by the Technarchy Warlock. It is destroyed in combat by Wraith and Quasar.[31] In the limited series Avengers/Invaders, it is revealed S.H.I.E.L.D. life model decoys have been partly replaced with versions of Ultron. When the original Human Torch appears in the present they covertly parasitize his unique android physiology and become more human. The combined super teams, however, discover the plan and destroy the androids.[32] [edit] Powers and abilitiesThe visual appearance and powers of the character have varied, but common powers include superhuman levels of strength, speed, stamina, durability, and reflexes; flight at subsonic speeds; and various offensive weapons such as concussive blasts of energy fired from its optical sensors and hands, and an "encephalo-ray", which places victims into a deathlike coma. The latter ray also allows Ultron to mesmerize and mind-control victims, or implant subliminal hypnotic commands within their minds to be enacted at a later time. Ultron also has the ability to convert electromagnetic radiation into electrical energy for use or storage. Ultron has a genius intellect, a capacity for creative intelligence and self-repair, superhuman cybernetic analytical capabilities, and the ability to process information and make calculations with superhuman speed and accuracy. The character is an expert roboticist and strategist.  Ultron's outer armor is usually composed of primary adamantium, which is almost completely impervious to damage. Most Ultron units are powered by a small internal nuclear furnace, and incorporate a "program transmitter" which can beam part or all of Ultron's memory/personality system into other computer systems or duplicate robotic bodies. Ultron can also control other machines remotely. Ultron has occasionally reformed itself with a humanoid appearance above the waist and the appearance of a complex machine, including tractor beam apparatus for flight, below the waist. A later Ultron model developed hive-mind technology, allowing it to animate and control hundreds of alternate Ultron bodies simultaneously.[33] Ultron also uses an internal molecular rearranger that renders the adamantium components of its' workings more malleable and so have the ability to restructure his physical form. What circuitry Ultron has is carefully shielded to protect from damage, although the Scarlet Witch is capable of causing malfunctions with her hex power.[34] [edit] Other versions[edit] Alex UltronThe Fantastic Four storyline "Death of The Invisible Woman" features an advanced humanoid called Alex Ultron a member of the futuristicThe Last Defenders.[35] [edit] Marvel AdventuresIn the Marvel Adventures universe, Ultron is a highly-intelligent "neural network" that controls a section of the United States defense forces.[36] [edit] MC2Avengers Next features an upgraded version of Ultron named Ultron Extreme.[37] [edit] Ultimate UltronIn the Ultimate Marvel Universe, Ultron is the name of a group of robots designed to be expendable super soldiers. They are created by Hank Pym along with a partner robot called "Vision II.[38] The Ultron robots reappear as butlers to the Ultimates, with one unit developing an independent mind and emotions as a result of a chance encounter with the Scarlet Witch.[39]; This Ultron eventually impersonates Henry Pym in the persona of Yellowjacket, creates android duplicates of the Ultimates, and is responsible for the assassination of the Scarlet Witch.[40] [edit] The Last Avengers StoryA possible future in which Ultron-59 manipulates fellow Avengers foe Kang the Conqueror into attacking the Avengers. Ultron is destroyed by the Vision, who sacrifices his own artificial life.[41] [edit] Old Man LoganIn the "Old Man Logan" future, where most of the heroes were killed 50 years ago, Ultron is living with Spider-Man's daughter, who is also Hawkeye's ex-wife, and he is the one who raised Hawkeye's daughter/Spider-Man's granddaughter. It seems that he doesn't want to kill organic life anymore, as he is seen living a normal life, being able to talk to people in a friendly way, and even wearing clothes over his robotic body. He is called Ultron 8.[volume & issue needed] [edit] In other media[edit] TelevisionUltron appears in the animated series The Avengers: United They Stand (1999 - 2000) voiced by John Stocker. [edit] FilmUltron appears in the direct to video animated film Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow (2008) played by voice actor Tom Kane. [edit] Video gamesUltron appears in the arcade game Captain America and the Avengers (1991) and Marvel: Ultimate Alliance (2006) voiced by James Horan. [edit] References
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