Thunderbolts*: Who Is Bob? Lewis Pullman Villain Sentry Explained

Thunderbolts*: Who Is Bob? Lewis Pullman Villain Sentry Explained

As a seasoned comic book enthusiast with over three decades of reading under my belt, I must say that the character of Bob Reynolds, also known as The Sentry and The Void, is one of the most intriguing and complex characters ever created within Marvel’s universe. His journey from a schizophrenic college student to the most powerful superhero on Earth, only to be revealed as the embodiment of evil, is nothing short of captivating.


Translation: In the film Thunderbolts*, instead of Robert “Bob” Paulson, his character is named Robert “Bob” Reynolds. In the recently released trailer for Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts*, Lewis Pullman‘s Bob says, “I’m Bob,” as Black Widow (played by Florence Pugh), U.S. Agent (Wyatt Russell), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), and Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko) point their weapons at the unkempt, hospital gown-wearing Bob, who is located deep within an underground vault.

The trailer uses the Pixies song “Where is My Mind,” a track that was notably featured in David Fincher’s 1999 film Fight Club, where it underscored the complex character of Edward Norton, whose mental condition led to the emergence of two distinct personalities: one benign and the other violent, portrayed by Brad Pitt as Tyler Durden. Subtly hinted through an “S”-shaped buckle and symbol, these references are tied to The Sentry, a superhero from the comics who is associated with Bob’s solar-powered persona.

Thunderbolts*: Who Is Bob? Lewis Pullman Villain Sentry Explained

Are you prepared for the mystery behind The Sentry? As requested by our faithful readers, we’re unveiling the ultimate hero – the Radiant Champion of Righteousness!

In the 2000’s Marvel comic book Sentry #1, written by Paul Jenkins and illustrated by Jae Lee, we were introduced to Bob Reynolds, a hero who was Marvel’s best-kept secret. This comic book, reminiscent of Jack Kirby’s Silver Age style, was nested within the larger comic, titled Startling Stories featuring The Sentry. It unveiled the origins of the Sentry as Robert “Robby” Reynolds, a high school freshman. After ingesting a mysterious professor’s secret concoction – an experimental chemical serum that bestowed him with the power equivalent to a million exploding suns – Bob adopted the name Sentry, fulfilling his destiny to safeguard the world.

You want to remember, Sentry, but you can’t. Something happened… it was something very bad.

Thunderbolts*: Who Is Bob? Lewis Pullman Villain Sentry Explained

It was only Bob Reynolds who recalled his brave deeds, working alongside legendary groups such as the Fantastic Four, Avengers, Spider-Man, X-Men, and Hulk to save the world. As the unsung hero delved into why everyone seemed to have erased him from memory, Bob issued a warning: his arch-nemesis, an ominous entity called The Void, was due to reappear.

Now is a time for vigilance.

Following Bob’s activation of Reed Richards’ memories, it was unveiled in the 2001 one-shot titled Sentry/The Void #1 that Bob Reynolds is actually The Void. When Bob consumed the Golden Sentry Serum, his troubled mind developed two distinct personalities – one as a heroic superbeing and the other as a sinister villain. As The Void, Bob unwittingly caused the deaths of over a million people during an assault that leveled half a city.

Should we recall The Sentry at any point, I implore you on behalf of mankind, to exert every effort possible, so that we may erase the memory of him.

Thunderbolts*: Who Is Bob? Lewis Pullman Villain Sentry Explained

To ensure none would remember the Sentry, Bob teamed up with Reed and Doctor Strange. They devised a plan to use a hypnotic device that broadcasted a virus, effectively erasing the Sentry from existence. Simultaneously, as the antithesis of the Sentry, the Void disappeared along with Bob’s superhero persona.

Robert Reynolds is commonly known as The Sentry. Some believe, as per Reed Richards’ assertion, that he’s the strongest superhero residing on Earth.

In the debut issue of New Avengers, penned by Brian Michael Bendis and David Finch, we find Bob confined as a captive within The Raft – S.H.I.E.L.D.’s high-security prison for notorious supervillains. The reappearance of the Sentry set free the Void, who engaged in an intense battle with the collective might of the Avengers, X-Men, Fantastic Four, Inhumans, and S.H.I.E.L.D., until Emma Frost, a mutant with powerful telepathic abilities, managed to delve into Bob’s thoughts. Her exploration uncovered that Mastermind, another mutant, manipulated Sentry’s psyche using his psionic powers, effectively altering the public’s perception of Sentry’s existence.

Thunderbolts*: Who Is Bob? Lewis Pullman Villain Sentry Explained

The 2005-2006 miniseries titled “Sentry” Volume 2 eventually exposed that Bob Reynolds’ genuine character is actually the malicious Void, and it was revealed that the Sentry is merely a fabricated persona. In issue #8 of “Sentry,” written by Jenkins and illustrated by John Romita Jr., the origin story of Sentry underwent another change as we learned that the serum responsible for his powers was concocted as part of “Project Sentry,” an endeavor to replicate the super-soldier serum which transformed Steve Rogers into Captain America.

Robby Reynolds, diagnosed with schizophrenia, generalized anxiety disorder, and agoraphobia, resorted to stealing the Professor’s vial of serum for recreational purposes. Once addicted to its effects, Void shared a revelation with Sentry: “If this serum could transform a timid college student into both the most powerful hero and the gravest danger Earth had ever faced, it could have the same impact on anyone else. That’s the secret, Sentry – we’re no different from others. The serum would have worked on any ordinary person.

Thunderbolts*: Who Is Bob? Lewis Pullman Villain Sentry Explained

Here’s your role, you’ll constantly stand guard while the void persists. This is how things will continue until the very end of existence. Stay alert, as you are all that remains to safeguard humanity.

Following the ex-leader of the Thunderbolts, Norman Osborn, gathering a H.A.M.M.E.R. team of villains mimicking Earth’s strongest heroes such as Spider-Man (Scorpion), Hawkeye (Bullseye), Wolverine (Daken), and Ms. Marvel (Moonstone), the Sentry chose to join Osborn’s version of the Avengers, known as the Dark Avengers. During Osborn’s attack on new Asgard in the four-issue series “Siege”, the New Avengers confronted the Void. Upon defeat, the Void transformed back into Bob for a moment, then begged the Avengers to end his life. In response, Thor summoned a bolt of lightning that took Bob’s life. The thunder god then placed Bob’s remains in the core of the Sun.

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2024-09-24 03:39