I Can’t Believe The MCU Introduced One Of Its Most Powerful & Terrifying Characters By Having Them Throw Up Off-Screen

Thunderbolts* introduced one of the MCU’s most powerful and terrifying characters yet, but immediately undermined them by having the first thing they did be throwing up off-screen. It was certainly a shock for Thunderbolts*, a movie that ostensibly spotlighted some of the weaker characters in the MCU’s roster of ultra-powerful superheroes, to also debut what might be the MCU’s most powerful character yet. Ultimately, I think it was the perfect way to subvert expectations, as was the reveal at the end of Thunderbolts*.

Now, the New Avengers are powerful in other ways. The government-sanctioned super-team is now dwelling in the old Avengers tower as Sam Wilson is apparently litigating against them for using the Avengers name. If this leads to the two teams coming to blows, it might have been a wash in favor of Sam’s team were it not for one key figure that has now joined the ranks of the New Avengers after a not-so-magnificent introduction in the first act.

Sentry Is One Of The MCU’s Most Powerful Characters

Sentry Is Nearly Omnipotent In Marvel Comics

As many had expected in the lead-up to Thunderbolts*, Lewis Pullman’s Bob was ultimately revealed to be Robert Reynolds, the unassuming and down-and-out addict who was granted formidable powers after taking a particularly potent sample of the super soldier serum called the Golden Sentry Serum in Marvel Comics. This gave rise to his alter-ego, the Sentry, who is described in the comics as boasting the power of one million exploding suns. This essentially gives him limitless powers tantamount to omnipotence, which include:

Super strength

Super speed

Invulnerability

Molecular manipulation

Flight

Healing factor

Teleportation

Energy manipulation

While it remains unclear if the MCU’s version of Sentry boasts an identical litany of powers, especially as he was described as possessing the power of one thousand exploding suns as opposed to one million, it certainly remains possible. The first time Sentry appeared on-screen showed him making short work of the Thunderbolts, who were painfully ineffective at inflicting so much as a scratch. In this scene, he was seen boasting super speed, strength, and durability as well as flight, heat vision, telekineses, and the ability to seize hold of Ghost when she was supposed to be intangible.

Still, despite Sentry being profoundly powerful, I can’t believe he was heralded in such an inglorious manner.

While Sentry may be one of the most powerful characters in the entire MCU, this does come with a significant caveat. Namely, the Void, the darker alter-ego of Sentry that embodies all of Bob’s darker emotions. Although the only power the Void displayed in his time on-screen was the ability to banish a seemingly unlimited number of people to a realm comprising “shame rooms” in which they live out their worst memories, it’s probably safe to assume that he also boasts all the powers of Sentry.

This alone makes Sentry’s emergence an insurmountable risk. As such, Bob was last seen keeping his powerful alter-ego suppressed, despite the aid he could offer his new teammates, the New Avengers. Still, despite Sentry being profoundly powerful, I can’t believe he was heralded in such an inglorious manner.

Bob’s MCU Introduction Scene Paints A Very Different Picture Of The Character

The First Thing That Bob Does Is Throw Up

Bob first appeared in Thunderbolts* as the team-to-be were in the midst of a four-way brawl. Bob was contained (perhaps forcibly) in some kind of box that John Walker inadvertently opened during the fracas, from which he quietly emerged while the other occupants of the incineration room were distracted. This culminated in Ghost succeeding in the mission given to her by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine and shooting Taskmaster in the head, bringing Taskmaster’s already tenuous MCU arc to an unceremonious end. Bob then alerted the room to his presence by throwing up in response to the gruesome sight.

This was probably the most unseemly introduction to a superhero the MCU has ever depicted. Bob’s weak stomach paints him as a relatively meek person from the get-go, establishing that he is not exactly superhero material, despite many viewers knowing that he would probably become Sentry later in the movie. Ultimately, however, I think this was a shrewd move by setting up a significant contrast.

Bob’s First MCU Scene Sets Up The Story’s Big Twists Effectively

It’s Difficult To See Bob Transforming Into A Powerful Superhero

Thunderbolts* handled Bob’s characterization perfectly. Despite what many suspected would happen, Bob’s introduction as a hapless human who stumbled into the vicinity of a super-powered brawl enhanced the twist that he would turn into a superhero capable of defeating everyone in that room with little to no effort at all. Bob is about as far as a hero can get from the likes of the self-assured Tony Stark and Thor or the steel-willed Steve Rogers.

Related

Bob, Sentry & The Void’s Backstory Is Secretly Told Throughout Thunderbolts*

Even though I knew Bob would eventually morph into the Sentry at some point, this introduction certainly threw me off guard. While Sentry is a self-described god, Bob is immediately shown to be about as human as anyone can be, complete with a litany of flaws that help to humanize him even further. I love that this is a pretty comic-accurate representation of Bob Reynolds and how much he contrasts both Sentry and the Void, with the latter proving to be at least an Avengers-level threat and a significant far cry from the person who can’t stomach seeing somebody get shot.

Sentry’s Thunderbolts* Introduction Actually Helps Him Seem Even More Powerful

Bob Is Quite The Juxtaposition To Sentry

Custom image by Milica Djordjevic

Bob’s introduction further helps to make Sentry look even more powerful by comparison. The juxtaposition between Bob’s meek human form and his impervious superhero form arguably goes further than even Bruce Banner and Hulk, as at least Bruce is a useful brain to have on side, even if he isn’t built to weigh in in a fight. This is arguably a conscious decision, as Bob’s transformation is less visually stark than Bruce Banner’s, save for the superhero suit and blond hair. Bob’s early characterization moment makes it difficult to fathom how he shares the same body as the Sentry.

Given that Lewis Pullman is already among the confirmed cast for Avengers: Doomsday, I would be surprised if he doesn’t transform into Sentry once again, even if the team is striving to keep the alter-ego subdued.

In the absence of the classic Bruce Banner and Hulk dynamic, I can’t wait to see how this develops in future MCU installments. The Thunderbolts* post-credits scene showed how the New Avengers now count Bob among their ranks, mostly as a way to keep tabs on him should Sentry and the Void manifest once again. I’m heartened to see that Bob continues to be so mild-mannered, even if he will no longer retch at the sight of blood.

In Marvel Comics, Bob enlists the help of Doctor Strange and Mister Fantastic to cause the world, including himself, to forget about Sentry and the Void.

It will be a compelling dynamic to see develop over the course of the next movies due to feature the New Avengers, which, after Thunderbolts*, will continue with Avengers: Doomsday. Given that Lewis Pullman is already among the confirmed cast for Avengers: Doomsday, I would be surprised if he doesn’t transform into Sentry once again, even if the team is striving to keep the alter-ego subdued.