Red Ronin
Comics character
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Red Ronin is a fictional gigantic humanoid robotic construct (mecha) appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, and went on to be a menace to other Marvel characters such as the Avengers and Wolverine.
Namie: Loners #5 (October 2007)
Namie: C.B. Cebulski and Karl Moline
| Red Ronin | |
|---|---|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Original Model: Godzilla, King of the Monsters #6 (January 1978) Namie: Loners #5 (October 2007) |
| Created by | Original Model: Doug Moench and Herb Trimpe Namie: C.B. Cebulski and Karl Moline |
| In-story information | |
| Team affiliations | Original Model: Thunderbolts |
| Notable aliases | Original Model: SJ3RX Namie: UJ1-DX |
Publication history
Originally created by writer Doug Moench and artist Herb Trimpe as a foil for Godzilla, Red Ronin's design was influenced by those of the super robots that were a staple of anime during the 1970s.
Fictional character biography
Original model
Red Ronin (originally referred to as SJ3RX) was developed with the assistance of Stark International by scientist Tamara Hashioka and engineer Yuriko Takiguchi, and constructed in Detroit, Michigan. It was intended to be used by S.H.I.E.L.D. as a weapon against the monster Godzilla. Before it could be utilized for this purpose, the robot is stolen by Yuriko's 12-year-old grandson Robert and renamed Red Ronin. After an initial attempt to control the robot fails, Rob pilots Red Ronin into battle with Godzilla. Red Ronin is imprinted with Rob's brain patterns, making it useless without Rob to pilot.[1] Alongside Godzilla, Red Ronin battles the alien Mega-Monsters (Triax, Rhiahn, and Krollar) outside Salt Lake City, Utah. During the battle, Red Ronin is decapitated by Rhiahn.[2]
Red Ronin is repaired by S.H.I.E.L.D. and Stark International. Technician Earl Cowan alters the robot so it would only respond to his brain patterns, similarly to how it had previously been linked to Rob's. Cowan intends to use Red Ronin to orchestrate a series of events that would set off World War III with the Soviet Union. As Cowan passes over New York City, he is intercepted and stopped by the Avengers. Red Ronin is destroyed in the ensuing battle, with its remains being carried off by S.H.I.E.L.D.[3]
Scientist Karaguchi Inoyawa rebuilds Red Ronin, hoping to use as a force for good. The robot is displayed by Stane International at a trade show at the Pontiac Silverdome. While there Red Ronin was commandeered by vengeful ex-employee Joe Kilman, who causes Red Ronin to go on a rampage. Inoyawa guides the Wasp in deactivating Red Ronin.[4]
Red Ronin is obtained by Fujikawa Electronics and altered to resemble a samurai. Numerous military and criminal organizations (such as the Hand) attempt to gain possession of Red Ronin, but are foiled by Wolverine and Sunfire.[5]
Red Ronin next appeared restored to its original form and used by Henry Peter Gyrich to lure the Avengers into a battle with the Thunderbolts.[6] Red Ronin goes on to join the Thunderbolts during the Civil War storyline.[7]
Namie
The limited series Loners introduces a character known only as Namie,[8] who was amnesiac after breaking out of a facility producing Mutant Growth Hormone. Julie Power looks after her while the other members of the group try to figure out what to do with her, but before anything can be decided, they are brought into a fight with Phil Urich. Urich agrees to return to Fujikawa with Hollow, while Namie stays with the Loners. Namie is revealed to be a cyborg entitled UJ1-DX.[9]
Powers and abilities
Red Ronin is over 100 ft (30 m) tall, weighs in excess of 23 tons and its design was influenced by traditional samurai armor. Red Ronin is controlled by a human operator who wears a "cybernetic helmet" and sits within its head.
Red Ronin possesses immense strength and speed, is highly durable and can fly at subsonic speed using the atomic propulsion units in its legs. It is armed with a pulsating "rotary discus" shield on its right arm that has a solar-powered laser-blade sword and which doubles as an ultraviolet laser Gatling gun device. Red Ronin also has a magnetic field generator in its shoulder epaulets and arm-mounted power blasters that are capable of firing blasts of concussive force equivalent to 100 tons of TNT. Additionally, the shield is also capable of firing missiles, which Red Ronin used during its battle against Yetrigar in the Grand Canyon, and can be used as a detachable thrown weapon, containing a homing device that enables it to return to the robot. Red Ronin's left hand can transform into an energy cannon that projects energy blasts. In addition, it could release "magne-clamp cables" from its boot units, which were strong enough to hold and support a being as massive as Godzilla. Red Ronin later gained the ability to automatically repair its circuitry and to detach its hands from its body and retain control of them while detached.
Namie possesses red energy blades that extend from her wrists. She has also demonstrated some advanced fighting techniques as well.
Other versions
- An alternate universe version of Red Ronin from Earth-3752 appears in Exiles. This version is a monster-hunting robot created by Bolivar Trask.[10]
- An alternate universe version of Red Ronin appears in Mega Morphs.[11]
- An alternate universe version of Red Ronin appears in Earth X. This version was decommissioned and given to Tony Stark by President Norman Osborn. The robot's designs were eventually used as the base for a new version of Iron Man's armor.[12]