Disney+ Presents: Sentry Unveiled in "Thunderbolts"

Marvel's upcoming Thunderbolts film remains enigmatic, but the recent Big Game trailer offers a glimpse into the MCU team-up. While plot details are scarce, we get a clearer view of Lewis Pullman as Bob, aka The Sentry. This Superman-esque hero's MCU debut promises significant upheaval.

Who is The Sentry, and why is he both the Marvel Universe's greatest champion and its ultimate nemesis? Let's explore this mentally unstable hero's history and his potential role in Thunderbolts.

The Sentry: Power, Peril, and Pullman

The Sentry is arguably the Marvel Universe's most potent, yet perilous, superhero. Once an ordinary man named Bob Reynolds, he consumed a serum granting him "the power of a million exploding suns." This power comes with a dark price: The Void, a malevolent alter ego mirroring The Sentry's good deeds with evil ones. Bob's struggle against his inner darkness is a constant, losing battle. Yet, when a powerful hero is needed, none surpass The Sentry.

The Sentry's Extraordinary Abilities

The Sentry's powers stem from an experimental serum, a post-WWII attempt to replicate the Super Soldier Serum. It reportedly accelerates his molecules forward in time, resulting in near-limitless abilities. His strength rivals the Hulk and Thor; he possesses flight, super-speed, enhanced senses, and near-invulnerability. Energy absorption and projection allow energy blasts, teleportation, and even subduing the Hulk. He's Marvel's equivalent to Superman.

The Void, however, is arguably more powerful and dangerous. This shapeshifting entity controls weather, manipulates minds, and has withstood the combined forces of the Avengers, X-Men, and Fantastic Four. Even solar confinement proves only temporary.

The Sentry: A Quick Reference

First Appearance: The Sentry #1 (2000)

Creators: Paul Jenkins, Rick Veitch, & Jae Lee

Aliases: The Void, Golden Man, The Golden Guardian of Good

Team Affiliations: (formerly New Avengers, Mighty Avengers, Dark Avengers)

Essential Reading: The Sentry Vol. 1, Age of the Sentry, Dark Avengers, Siege

The Sentry's Obscure Origins

Created by Jenkins, Veitch, and Lee, The Sentry debuted in 2000. Initially presented as a forgotten hero, even Bob Reynolds—a middle-aged man—didn't remember his past as "The Golden Guardian of Good." Reclaiming his memories, he confronts The Void's return. His history with the Hulk and Fantastic Four is retroactively established, integrating him into Marvel continuity.

The Sentry and The Void are revealed as two sides of the same coin. The world's collective memory of The Sentry was erased to protect it from The Void. Bob repeats this act to contain his dark side, leaving the extent of his own memory loss ambiguous.

The Sentry's Avenger Days

While initially a self-contained story, The Sentry became a recurring Marvel character. He joined the New Avengers in 2004, alongside Spider-Man, Wolverine, and Luke Cage. A powerful asset, he struggled to maintain sanity and control The Void.

During the Civil War, he sided with Iron Man's pro-registration stance, understanding the dangers of unchecked power. He played a crucial role in countering the Hulk in World War Hulk.

His downfall began in Dark Reign (2009), joining Norman Osborn's "Dark Avengers." Osborn's gamble to control him failed, unleashing The Void in Siege (2010). The Sentry's death followed, though resurrections and further explorations of his duality have continued. His most recent demise occurred in 2020's King in Black, with 2023's The Sentry series exploring a new host for his power.

The Sentry's Thunderbolts Role

Beyond comics and appearances in mobile games, The Sentry's MCU debut with Lewis Pullman in Thunderbolts is significant. While not starring in his own film (yet), his presence alongside Bucky Barnes, Yelena Belova, and Red Guardian promises conflict.

His role remains unclear, but his comic book history suggests a powerful hero turned terrifying villain. Will he be a Thunderbolt turned nemesis? His immense power would certainly challenge the team.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus' Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine might mirror Norman Osborn's manipulative role from the comics, exploiting The Sentry before losing control. If Thunderbolts is a Marvel Suicide Squad, The Sentry could be the Enchantress equivalent.

The film's treatment of The Sentry's forgotten past and his Superman-esque nature remains to be seen. More details will emerge closer to the May 2025 release.

Note: This article was originally published on November 17, 2023, and updated on September 23, 2024, with the latest information on Thunderbolts*.

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