Awesome Android: Difference between revisions
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image=[[Image:AA-14.jpg|250px]] |
image=[[Image:AA-14.jpg|250px]] |
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|caption= |
|caption=The ''Awesome Android'' features on the cover of ''[[Rom (comics)|Rom]]'' #14 (Feb. 1981). Cover art by [[Dave Cockrum]]<!--both pencils and inks per GCD and The Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators, both of which also give series title as simply "Rom," as on this cover--> |
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|character_name=Awesome Android |
|character_name=Awesome Android |
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|alter_ego= |
|alter_ego= |
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|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]] |
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]] |
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|debut='' |
|debut=''Fantastic Four'' #15 (June 1963)<!--title included "The" at the time--> |
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|creators=[[Stan Lee]]<br>[[Jack Kirby]] |
|creators=[[Stan Lee]]<br>[[Jack Kirby]] |
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|alliances=[[Goodman, Lieber, Kurtzberg & Holliway]]<br/>Heavy Metal |
|alliances=[[Goodman, Lieber, Kurtzberg & Holliway]]<br/>Heavy Metal |
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The '''Awesome Android''', |
The '''Awesome Android''', (also known as '''Awesome Andy''') is a [[fictional character]] that appears in [[comic books]] published by [[Marvel Comics]]. The character first appeared in ''[[Fantastic Four]]'' #15 (June 1963) and was created by writer [[Stan Lee]] and artist and co-plotter [[Jack Kirby]]. |
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==Publication history== |
==Publication history== |
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The character [[debut]]s in the title ''[[Fantastic Four]]'', and is established as being an [[android]] created by Fantastic Four member ''[[Mister Fantastic]]''. The character is a synthesis of [[ape]] [[DNA]] and [[unstable molecules]] incorporated into an almost indestructible body with a [[microcomputer]] and a [[solar-power]] source. The villain the [[Mad Thinker]] steals the creation, and redesigning it as the ''Awesome Android'' directs it against the Fantastic Four, although the [[superhero]] team defeat both the Android and the Thinker.<ref>''Fantastic Four'' #15 (June 1963)</ref> The Awesome Android reappears - still as a pawn of the Thinker - in the title, battling the combined efforts of the Fantastic Four and the [[mutant (Marvel Comics)|mutant]] ''[[X-Men]]'' before being deactivated by X-Men leader [[Professor X]].<ref>''Fantastic Four'' #28 (July 1964) </ref> |
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Following its [[debut]] as "the Awesome Android" and a pawn of the villain the [[Mad Thinker]], the character returned in ''Fantastic Four'' #28 (July 1964) to battle the Fantastic Four and the mutant [[X-Men]]. Two decades later, the creature appeared as an antagonist in ''Rom'' #14 (Jan. 1981) and ''The Avengers'' #286-289 (Feb. - May 1988). The Android was next seen, salvaged and having gained sentience, as office worker "Awesome Andy" in the 2004-2005 series ''[[She-Hulk]]''. |
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In the title ''[[Tales of Suspense]]'' the Thinker directs the Android to [[kidnap]] [[industrialist]] Tony Stark, which eventually leads to a battle with his [[alter ego]] [[Iron Man]].<ref>''Tales of Suspense'' #72 (Dec. 1965)</ref> After an appearance during the "War of the Super Villains" in the title ''Iron Man''<ref>''Iron Man'' #77 (Aug. 1975)</ref> the character is absent from Marvel continuity until reappearing in the title ''[[Rom (comics)|Rom]]'', the Thinker discovers the [[Galador]]ian spaceknight and sends the Android to capture the character for further study. After a brief battle, Rom successfully deactivates the Android.<ref>''Rom'' #14 (Jan. 1981)</ref> The Android battles ''[[Captain America]]'' in the self-titled series, having been repaired by then abandoned by the Thinker.<ref>''Captain America'' #311 (Nov. 1985)</ref> Fellow artifical creation the [[Super Adaptoid]], posing as villain the [[Fixer (comics)#Fixer/Techno|Fixer]], reprograms the Android and uses it as part of an assault team of advanced [[robot]]s called ''Heavy Metal'' (consisting of the [[Awesome Android]]; [[Machine Man]]; the [[Sentry (Kree)|Sentry 459]] and [[TESS-One]]) in the title ''[[Avengers (comics)|Avengers]]''. The group are eventually defeated by the heroes, with ''[[Namor the Sub-Mariner]]'' deactivating the Android.<ref>Avengers'' #286 -289 (Feb. - May 1988)</ref> |
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==Fictional character biography== |
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The Awesome Android is a synthesis of [[ape]] [[DNA]] and [[unstable molecules]] incorporated into an almost indestructible android body with a [[microcomputer]] and a [[solar-power]] source. The [[Mad Thinker]] creates the Awesome Android as a combat instrument with no personality, and uses it twice against the superhero team the Fantastic Four. On both occasions, however, the Android is deactivated; first by the [[Invisible Woman|Invisible Girl]] <ref>''The Fantastic Four'' #15 (June 1963)</ref> and then by [[Professor X]], leader of the mutant [[X-Men]].<ref>''The Fantastic Four'' #28 (Jul. 1964)</ref> |
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The character reappears during the [[Acts of Vengeance]] storyline in the title ''[[Avengers Spotlight]]'', being repaired by the robot [[Machinesmith]] and used to distract the Avengers while several villains escape confinement in the prison facility the ''[[Vault (comics)|Vault]]''. The Android and is neutralized by [[Monica Rambeau|Captain Marvel]].<ref>''Avengers Spotlight'' #27 (Mid-Dec. 1989)</ref> After an appearance in the title ''[[Thunderbolts (comics)|Thunderbolts]]'',<ref>''Thunderbolts'' #2 (Jun. 1997)</ref> a battle with various heroes in the title ''[[Heroes For Hire]]''<ref>''Heroes For Hire'' #1 (July 1997)</ref> and two more encounters with the Fantastic Four in the third volume of the series<ref>''Fantastic Four'' vol. 3, #23 (Nov. 1999); #43 - 44 (July - Aug. 2001)</ref> the Android is reclaimed by the Thinker in the title ''[[She-Hulk]]''. |
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The Android then kidnaps [[Tony Stark]], which leads to a battle with his alter ego [[Iron Man]].<ref>''Tales of Suspense'' #72 (Dec. 1965)</ref> The Android has a minor encounter with [[Rom (comics)|Rom]] many years later, when the Thinker sends it to incapacitate Rom for study. The Android suffers a programming breakdown and subdues the Thinker instead. <ref>''Rom'' #14 (Feb. 1981)</ref> The Mad Thinker repairs the android and abandons it, and it subsequently battles [[Captain America]].<ref>''Captain America'' #311 (Nov. 1985)</ref> The [[Fixer (comics)#Fixer/Techno|Fixer]] reprograms it, and sends it against the [[Avengers (comics)|Avengers]], but the heroine [[She-Hulk]] deactivates it.<ref>''Avengers'' #286 (Feb. 1988)</ref> |
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The Thinker upgrades the character to absorb additional abilities, such as musical talent and animal traits. Acquiring [[sentience]], the Android rebels against the Thinker and seeks legal aid from [[law firm]] [[Goodman, Lieber, Kurtzberg & Holliway]] (the firm that employs [[Jennifer Walters]], the [[alter ego]] of heroine She-Hulk). The Android is legally [[emancipate]]d from the Thinker, with a court recognizing the character as a male and its' new name, "Awesome Andy". Andy becomes a general office worker for the firm, lacking speech communicates via hand-gestures, body language, and a message board around his neck (the board was originally depicted as a chalk board, but was [[retcon]]ned into a digital display screen with a [[Wi-Fi]] connection to his [[CPU]]. |
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The abandoned Android is found and reprogrammed by the [[Super-Adaptoid]], who leads it and other robotic beings in a group called Heavy Metal. During a battle with the Avengers, the [[Sub-Mariner]] removes the Awesome Android's head, leaving the body to sink into the ocean.<ref>''Avengers'' #289 (May. 1998)</ref> The Android is eventually repaired by the [[Machinesmith]] and used to distract the Avengers while the other robots escape confinement, and is neutralized by [[Monica Rambeau|Captain Marvel]].<ref>''Avengers Spotlight'' #27 (Mid-Dec. 1998)</ref> |
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| ⚫ | After a brief fight with the [[Eternal (comics)|Eternal]] [[Starfox (comics)|Starfox]], Andy inadvertently absorbs Starfox's [[pheromone]]-like abilities, causing Andy to gain the affections of his coworker Mallory Book. Upon realizing she does not actually reciprocate these feelings, the character deactivates his powers, and after being rejected, leaves the law firm.<ref>''She Hulk'' #2 (June 2004); #4 (Aug. 2004); #6 - 9 (Oct. 2004 - Jan. 2005); #11 - 12 (Mar. - Apr. 2005); #14 (Feb. 2007)</ref> Andy reappears as the Awesome Android in the employ of the Thinker, having reset its' system with no trace of the previous personality.<ref>''She-Hulk'' #20 (Sept. 2007)</ref> |
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The Android later attempts to kidnap [[Franklin Richards]], and fights the superhero team the |
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[[Thunderbolts (comics)|Thunderbolts]].<ref>''Thunderbolts'' #2 (Jun. 1997)</ref> The Android then has a brief encounter with the Fantastic Four,<ref>''Fantastic Four'' #23 (1999)</ref> and is next seen employed by Gideon Trust.<ref>''Fantastic Four'' #43-44 (2001)</ref> The Mad Thinker eventually reclaims the Android, and upgrades it to absorb abilities apart from superhuman powers, such as musical talent and animal traits. The Android later turns on the Mad Thinker, and acquiring sentience seeks legal aid from [[Goodman, Lieber, Kurtzberg & Holliway]], the law firm that employs Jennifer Walters, the superhero [[She-Hulk]].<ref>''She-Hulk'' #14 (Feb. 2007)</ref> |
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The characer makes a brief appearance in an issue of the second volume of the [[Parallel universe (fiction)|parallel universe]] title ''[[Exiles (comics)|Exiles]]''.<ref>''Exiles'' vol. 2, #4 (Sep. 2009)</ref> |
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The firm legally emancipates the Android from the Mad Thinker, <!--takes seven years to be naturalized as a citizen--> with the court recognizing its new name, "Awesome Andy", and officially considering him male. Andy becomes a general office worker for the firm, finding this more fulfilling than doing the Mad Thinker's bidding. As Andy, the Android shows that he cares deeply for his friends and coworkers and was willing to fight to protect them. As the Mad Thinker did not give him the ability to speak, Awesome Andy communicated via hand-gestures, body language, and a message board strung around his neck. Initially, the display board was depicted as a chalk board (which displayed messages much faster than could be written in real time), but was [[retcon]]ned into being a digital display screen with a [[Wi-Fi]] connection to his CPU. |
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| ⚫ | After a brief fight with the [[Eternal (comics)|Eternal]] [[Starfox (comics)|Starfox]], Andy inadvertently absorbs Starfox's [[pheromone]]-like abilities, causing Andy to gain the affections of his coworker Mallory Book. Upon realizing she does not actually reciprocate |
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Andy reappears as a blank slate, having reset his system and leaving no trace of his previous personality, and returns to the employ of the Mad Thinker.<ref>''She-Hulk'' #20 (Sept. 2007)</ref> |
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== Powers and abilities == |
== Powers and abilities == |
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The Awesome Android |
The Awesome Android is created when the Mad Thinker steals and uses a technique invented by Mister Fantastic, involving splicing unstable molecules into the DNA patterns of an ape. The character has limited artifical intelligence and no capacity for self-motivated activity, and is totally dependent on its programming or on the spoken commands of its programmer, and usually deactivates itself when not active. |
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The Android has a malleable gray body (hands can be shaped into blocks) with a head depicted as either a flattened rectangle or as a cube. It has no eyes, nose, or visible ears, though it has the suggestion of a mouth cavity. The Android possesses superhuman strength, stamina and durability. |
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The Android can also mimic certain abilities after touching an opponent, such as the strength and epidermis of the [[Thing (comics)|Thing]] or the frost coating of [[Iceman (comics)|Iceman]]. The Android, however, can only mimic one attribute at a time for one hour. The Android can also emit close-range blasts of [[gale|gale-force wind]] from its mouth. |
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The |
The Android has superstrength and durability, and can also mimic an ability (one at a time) after touching an opponent, such as the strength and epidermis of the [[Thing (comics)|Thing]] or the frost coating of [[Iceman (comics)|Iceman]]. The character can also emit close-range blasts of [[gale|gale-force wind]] from its' mouth. The Android is given one weakness by the Thinker: a collection of [[Nervous system|nerve]] [[Ganglion|ganglia]] underneath the left armpit that if struck will cause the Android to shut down.<ref>''The Avengers'' #286 (May 1988)</ref> |
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==Other versions== |
==Other versions== |
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===Ultimate Awesome Android=== |
===Ultimate Awesome Android=== |
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The [[Ultimate Marvel]] imprint [[Parallel universe (fiction)|parallel universe]]title ''[[Ultimate Fantastic Four]]'' features a version of the character called Bobby Burchill. The character is the younger brother and slave of Rhona Burchill, the [[Mad Thinker#Ultimate Thinker|Mad Thinker]].<ref>''Ultimate Fantastic Four'' #19 - 20 (July - Aug. 2005)</ref> |
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==In other media== |
==In other media== |
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The Awesome Android |
The Awesome Android features in a ''[[Namor the Sub-Mariner]]'' segment of the [[animated series]] ''[[The Marvel Superheroes]]'' (1966). |
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==Footnotes== |
==Footnotes== |
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==References== |
==References== |
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*[http://www.marvel.com/universe/Awesome_Andy Marvel.com: Awesome] |
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*[http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix2/heavymetal.htm The Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Heavy Metal] |
*[http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix2/heavymetal.htm The Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Heavy Metal] |
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Revision as of 06:43, 14 September 2009
| Awesome Android | |
|---|---|
| File:AA-14.jpg The Awesome Android features on the cover of Rom #14 (Feb. 1981). Cover art by Dave Cockrum | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Fantastic Four #15 (June 1963) |
| Created by | Stan Lee Jack Kirby |
| In-story information | |
| Team affiliations | Goodman, Lieber, Kurtzberg & Holliway Heavy Metal |
| Notable aliases | Awesome Andy |
| Abilities | Superhuman physical attributes Ability to mimic surfaces and textures |
The Awesome Android, (also known as Awesome Andy) is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Fantastic Four #15 (June 1963) and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist and co-plotter Jack Kirby.
Publication history
The character debuts in the title Fantastic Four, and is established as being an android created by Fantastic Four member Mister Fantastic. The character is a synthesis of ape DNA and unstable molecules incorporated into an almost indestructible body with a microcomputer and a solar-power source. The villain the Mad Thinker steals the creation, and redesigning it as the Awesome Android directs it against the Fantastic Four, although the superhero team defeat both the Android and the Thinker.[1] The Awesome Android reappears - still as a pawn of the Thinker - in the title, battling the combined efforts of the Fantastic Four and the mutant X-Men before being deactivated by X-Men leader Professor X.[2]
In the title Tales of Suspense the Thinker directs the Android to kidnap industrialist Tony Stark, which eventually leads to a battle with his alter ego Iron Man.[3] After an appearance during the "War of the Super Villains" in the title Iron Man[4] the character is absent from Marvel continuity until reappearing in the title Rom, the Thinker discovers the Galadorian spaceknight and sends the Android to capture the character for further study. After a brief battle, Rom successfully deactivates the Android.[5] The Android battles Captain America in the self-titled series, having been repaired by then abandoned by the Thinker.[6] Fellow artifical creation the Super Adaptoid, posing as villain the Fixer, reprograms the Android and uses it as part of an assault team of advanced robots called Heavy Metal (consisting of the Awesome Android; Machine Man; the Sentry 459 and TESS-One) in the title Avengers. The group are eventually defeated by the heroes, with Namor the Sub-Mariner deactivating the Android.[7]
The character reappears during the Acts of Vengeance storyline in the title Avengers Spotlight, being repaired by the robot Machinesmith and used to distract the Avengers while several villains escape confinement in the prison facility the Vault. The Android and is neutralized by Captain Marvel.[8] After an appearance in the title Thunderbolts,[9] a battle with various heroes in the title Heroes For Hire[10] and two more encounters with the Fantastic Four in the third volume of the series[11] the Android is reclaimed by the Thinker in the title She-Hulk.
The Thinker upgrades the character to absorb additional abilities, such as musical talent and animal traits. Acquiring sentience, the Android rebels against the Thinker and seeks legal aid from law firm Goodman, Lieber, Kurtzberg & Holliway (the firm that employs Jennifer Walters, the alter ego of heroine She-Hulk). The Android is legally emancipated from the Thinker, with a court recognizing the character as a male and its' new name, "Awesome Andy". Andy becomes a general office worker for the firm, lacking speech communicates via hand-gestures, body language, and a message board around his neck (the board was originally depicted as a chalk board, but was retconned into a digital display screen with a Wi-Fi connection to his CPU.
After a brief fight with the Eternal Starfox, Andy inadvertently absorbs Starfox's pheromone-like abilities, causing Andy to gain the affections of his coworker Mallory Book. Upon realizing she does not actually reciprocate these feelings, the character deactivates his powers, and after being rejected, leaves the law firm.[12] Andy reappears as the Awesome Android in the employ of the Thinker, having reset its' system with no trace of the previous personality.[13]
The characer makes a brief appearance in an issue of the second volume of the parallel universe title Exiles.[14]
Powers and abilities
The Awesome Android is created when the Mad Thinker steals and uses a technique invented by Mister Fantastic, involving splicing unstable molecules into the DNA patterns of an ape. The character has limited artifical intelligence and no capacity for self-motivated activity, and is totally dependent on its programming or on the spoken commands of its programmer, and usually deactivates itself when not active.
The Android has superstrength and durability, and can also mimic an ability (one at a time) after touching an opponent, such as the strength and epidermis of the Thing or the frost coating of Iceman. The character can also emit close-range blasts of gale-force wind from its' mouth. The Android is given one weakness by the Thinker: a collection of nerve ganglia underneath the left armpit that if struck will cause the Android to shut down.[15]
Other versions
Ultimate Awesome Android
The Ultimate Marvel imprint parallel universetitle Ultimate Fantastic Four features a version of the character called Bobby Burchill. The character is the younger brother and slave of Rhona Burchill, the Mad Thinker.[16]
In other media
The Awesome Android features in a Namor the Sub-Mariner segment of the animated series The Marvel Superheroes (1966).
Footnotes
- ^ Fantastic Four #15 (June 1963)
- ^ Fantastic Four #28 (July 1964)
- ^ Tales of Suspense #72 (Dec. 1965)
- ^ Iron Man #77 (Aug. 1975)
- ^ Rom #14 (Jan. 1981)
- ^ Captain America #311 (Nov. 1985)
- ^ Avengers #286 -289 (Feb. - May 1988)
- ^ Avengers Spotlight #27 (Mid-Dec. 1989)
- ^ Thunderbolts #2 (Jun. 1997)
- ^ Heroes For Hire #1 (July 1997)
- ^ Fantastic Four vol. 3, #23 (Nov. 1999); #43 - 44 (July - Aug. 2001)
- ^ She Hulk #2 (June 2004); #4 (Aug. 2004); #6 - 9 (Oct. 2004 - Jan. 2005); #11 - 12 (Mar. - Apr. 2005); #14 (Feb. 2007)
- ^ She-Hulk #20 (Sept. 2007)
- ^ Exiles vol. 2, #4 (Sep. 2009)
- ^ The Avengers #286 (May 1988)
- ^ Ultimate Fantastic Four #19 - 20 (July - Aug. 2005)