Sentry Co-Creator Paul Jenkins Teases an Emotional and Cathartic Journey (And Get a First Look at the Next issue) [EXCLUSIVE]

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The Marvel Cinematic Universe recently introduced the powerful character Sentry in the movie Thunderbolts. While many moviegoers were meeting Sentry for the first time, comic book fans have known him for years. Created by Paul Jenkins, Sentry is one of Marvel’s most formidable heroes – possessing incredible power equivalent to a million exploding suns – but he also battles a dangerous inner darkness known as the Void.

The comic book series Sentry launched this week with its first issue. Penned by writer Jenkins, the story begins strongly, bringing back the Void – a dangerous force that threatens to destroy reality. This means the Sentry has to fight not only external threats like powerful villains and cosmic dangers, but also his own inner demons. ComicBook has a sneak peek at Sentry #2 and an interview with Jenkins discussing the series.

Sentry Is a Story Less About the Powerful Hero and More About the Man Within


It had been a while since you last wrote about The Sentry in comics. What’s it been like revisiting the character with this new series?

I’ve been slowly coming back to the Sentry character, especially since I consulted on the Thunderbolts movie, which kept him on my radar. What’s really surprised me is how many new fans Thunderbolts brought in, and how much people connected with Bob Reynolds. I’ve always felt he’s an important character because even if you don’t personally struggle with mental health, you likely know someone who does. Bob is relatable, and revisiting him now allows me to connect with all those new fans.

The first issue of Sentry is being released this week, and even just the beginning is incredibly moving. Given how deeply complex this character is, what’s something about the writing process or his development that readers might find unexpected?

That’s a great question – it’s something I haven’t been asked before. I think people would be surprised to learn that I actually focus much more on the character’s internal struggles than on his incredible powers. While his ability to unleash the power of a million exploding suns is exciting, it’s really just a backdrop to the story of who he is as a person and his battles with mental health. The story isn’t about how powerful he is, but about how fragile he can be. I often find that writers run into trouble when they get too caught up in showcasing his strength and lose sight of the more personal, emotional core of the character.


From the beginning, it’s obvious this story will be deeply moving. Can you give us a hint about the emotional journey Sentry has in store for readers, and specifically for the character Bob?

I don’t want to reveal too much, but the first issue is out now, and many people have read the five-page preview. If that preview really hit you hard emotionally, the full series will likely be even more impactful. We explore Bob’s childhood trauma – he never got over the death of Laika, the Russian space dog, even though it happened long before he was born. It deeply affected him, and he’s carried that grief ever since. This series is about how grief and loss stay with us, how we don’t always heal completely, and how painful love can be. I’ve seen issue #3, and I know it will be incredibly moving – I expect readers will cry! But I hope those tears will be cleansing and ultimately worthwhile. You’ll see why everything happens the way it does by the end.

Of the character’s different forms – Sentry, Bob, or the Void – which one is the hardest to write, and why?

You know, when I think about this story, it really feels like it’s all about Bob. The character ‘Void’ seems to embody his self-loathing and inability to move past his mistakes, while ‘Sentry’ is basically the perfect version of himself he wishes he could be. But at its core, it’s Bob’s journey, and how he navigates life with all that internal conflict.

Many people are discovering Sentry through the Thunderbolts movie. Considering the movie and the comics are different, what aspects of this comic book storyline do you think would still attract fans who first encountered the character on screen?

You know, people keep asking me about how this new ‘Thunderbolts’ movie stacks up against my original work, and I’m actually feeling pretty optimistic. The director, Jake Schreier, told me they really leaned into my second series when crafting Lewis Pullman’s performance as Bob. So, I think fans of the movie will find my version pretty easy to get into. There are a few new faces they’ll need to meet – Bob’s wife, Lindy, his super-powered pup, Watchdog, and his AI helper, CLOC – but I have a feeling they’re going to love them just as much as I do.

Everything You Need to Know About Sentry #2 (And a Look at Sentry #4!)

Okay, so I just read Sentry #2, and wow, it’s intense! It’s basically Hulk versus Sentry, but there’s this really creepy ‘Crystalline Plague’ going around, freezing people and knocking out power everywhere. The worst part? Even the Hulk gets infected! As things fall apart, Sentry is desperately trying to control the darkness within himself – the Void – but every fight seems to pull him closer to it. The story throws you right into the action, from a crazy battle in Siberia to a huge attack on Kingpin’s organization. It’s a total mystery, and it feels like the whole planet – and especially Sentry himself – is in serious danger. It’s a really gripping story, and I’m completely hooked to find out what this plague wants!

Written by Paul Jenkins with art by Christian Rosado, Sentry #2 hits shelves April 22nd.

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2026-03-20 00:27