Sentry Creator Reveals Dark Origin Story! (Thunderbolts* Spoilers)

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In the recent blockbuster hit, Thunderbolts, one of the significant newcomers to the Marvel Cinematic Universe is Bob Reynolds. This unassuming character joins the team of witty anti-heroes right at the start of their adventure and plays a crucial role in the latest MCU movie. In his superhero persona, Sentry, Bob has stolen the show in the highly praised film, a fact not without purpose. We at egmr.ru were fortunate enough to interview Paul Jenkins, the creator of Sentry, about the development of Bob and the villain the Void, which began in 2000. Jenkins also shared insights into his work with Marvel Studios in bringing this character to life on screen.

Initially, Jenkins shared that the concept for Sentry was initially proposed as a series featuring the well-known DC character, Hourman, who boasts a rich history with the legendary superteam, the Justice Society of America. He explained that he had devised this series years before its publication and pitched it to DC while working on Hellblazer. Eager to explore other writing opportunities, he saw Sentry as a fitting project. Being less versed in comic lore at the time, Jenkins felt this advantage allowed him to approach these characters from a fresh perspective. He proposed Hourman due to the character‘s reliance on a pill for superpowers, which he believed made it an ideal narrative about addiction.

In essence, my initial attempt at The Sentry character didn’t work out at DC Comics. My editor advised me to create a new character instead. Consequently, the character you see in The Sentry #1 is identical to what I had originally intended for Marvel, but with a twist. Over the years, DC declined my proposal, and I moved to Marvel, only to return to DC without anything materializing. When I won an Eisner Award for the Inhumans, they granted me creative freedom over my characters. I asked artist Jae Lee if he would be interested in working on The Sentry, to which he enthusiastically agreed. I had already planned a contained storyline, and then I received a call from Brian Michael Bendis.

The Sentry Lives

If you need a reminder, Brian Michael Bendis is an author who worked with Marvel Comics and contributed numerous characters and storylines that are now integral to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Some notable figures and narratives he introduced include Miles Morales, Secret Invasion, Ironheart, Maria Hill, and Ronin. Additionally, he played a key role in reviving The Sentry character when he initially formed The New Avengers team, as described by Jenkins.

Brian had a unique vision for the Avengers, wanting to introduce fresh, outstanding characters to the team, but was met with the response that there were none available. He found this claim unconvincing and decided upon Sentry as a suitable addition to the New Avengers. He devised a narrative that not only reintroduced Bob, but also incorporated himself into the storyline as a metanarrative. This approach proved effective for Sentry, given that the character serves as a reflection of our delicate mental state. The concept was that due to his duality, he embodies both the ideal ‘Superman’ and the destructive Void; with each person he saves, the Void takes the lives of an equal number. Unfortunately, there’s no way for him to escape this cycle.

The Movie Mentality of the Golden Guardian

Jenkins served significantly in the capacity of a script advisor for Marvel’s Thunderbolts, collaborating closely with director Jake Schrier to develop Bob’s character. Jenkins shared, “I was incredibly fortunate that, in this role, I had the opportunity to meet Jake the director, and we instantly connected. I suggested to him that the Sentry could serve as a representation for individuals struggling with mental health issues, similar to how Black Panther represents people of color. I often lose track of the number of messages I receive expressing gratitude for the Sentry character, as they say ‘that’s my persona, I struggle with depression and mental health problems myself.’ To be honest, if you aren’t battling your own mental health issues, chances are you know someone who is. Mental health affects us all.

Paul shared his aspirations for molding Bob into a character fitting for the renowned Marvel Cinematic Universe movie. He explained to Jake that he had an idea for the character, emphasizing the significance of portraying mental health struggles, given today’s often volatile and mentally tense society. Jake and the other creators seemed to genuinely value Paul’s input. During the film’s premiere, Jake was the one who sought Paul out first to discuss his thoughts on the movie, demonstrating his concern for Paul as the Sentry’s creator.

Thunderbolts* is now available in theaters.

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2025-05-02 22:43