Prototype (comics)
| Prototype | |
|---|---|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Malibu Comics Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Prototype # 1 (August, 1993) |
| Created by | Tom Mason Len Strazewski |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Jimmy Ruiz |
| Team affiliations | Ultratech Ultraforce |
| Abilities | energy generation Use of advanced body armor Jet impulsors |
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Prototype is the name of two fictitious superheroes of Malibu Comics, that existed in the Ultraverse imprint. Both characters were employees of the Ultratech corporation, and used an advanced exo armor developed by the corporation. The original Prototype was Bob Campbell, who was replaced after an accident by Jimmy Ruiz.[1].[2][3]
Publication history
Both Prototypes were depicted in their ongoing series Prototype published by Malibu Comics and written by Tom Mason and Len Strazewski. The series lasted 18 issues from August 1993 to February 1995 and had a special Giant Size Prototype. Also Malibu published the exploits of Bob Campbell before his accident in Prototype #0 (Aug. 1994). Both Prototypes were members of the Ultraforce team and were depicted in the team's books.
Fictional biography
Bob Campbell served as the first spokesperson for Ultratech corporation. He used the Prototype armor developed by the company but he was injured in a showing and lost his right arm.[4]
After the accident, the young video-game player Jimmy Ruiz was contracted by Ultratech to serve as new spokesperson. He was given steroids and was surgically implanted with special cybernetics to allow him to control the Prototype Armor. In his first appearance to the shareholders meeting, Jimmy was attacked by a supervillain. The fight ended with the killing of the villain.[5] In the middle of the filming of a commercial Prototype was attacked by the Ultra Prime (comics), and Jimmy develops a dislike for him.[6] Meanwhile, Bob Campbell was developing his own armor and was attacked by an Ultratech hitman called The Cat.[7][8]
Break-Thru
In a strange night, a strange phenomenon begins in the sky of San Francisco: the moon was colored blue, the common people were driven into madness and various Ultras had strange visions. Prototype joined Hardcase and other ultraheroes in a fight against the minions of the villain Rex Mundi's, who tried to capture Amber Hunt, who was acting like a herald for an alien entity.[9]
In an attempt to discover the source of their powers, the Strangers steal a shuttlecraft from the villain J.D. Hunt. The shuttle was being stored on a military base and was being protected by ultratech. I.D.Hunt demanded that Ultratech recovered his shuttle. Stanley Leland, the CEO of Ultratech ordered Prototype to pursue the Strangers in a new spaceship. He also threatened Jimmy to replace him if he failed[10] This brings him into conflict with the Strangers. however they decided to go to the Moon and discover the origins of the ultras. On the way to the moon they encounter, Prototype and the Strangers destroy a monstrous infestation of a Russian space station.[11]
In the moon Prototype meet the ultras Hardcase, Choice, Prime (comics) , Mantra (comics), and The Solution. All the Ultraheroes discovered the source of the "Jumpstart Effect" which has been granting people powers all across Earth. Alongside other ultraheroes, Jimmy protect the Entity, a crashed alien starship that was causing the Jumpstart Effect, from attack from Mundi's minions. He secretly downloaded the information of the entity to the armor databases.[12]
Fight with Ultratech
Jimmy with Bob, after uncovering Ultra-Tech's corruption, opted to overthrow the company and become independent heroes. Jimmy Ruiz later joined Ultraforce and was involved in the defeat of the subterrain warlord Attalon.[13]
Black September
When Marvel relaunched the Ultraverse, in the Black September (comics) event, Jimmy Ruiz was erased out of existence and Bob Campbell was the only Prototype that had existed (his arm had never been torn off, either)[14]. He became part of the new Ultraforce and after a time, his leader. He led the Ultraforce heroes against the villain Demonseed.[15]
Reception
Prototype is generally considered as a rip-off of Iron Man.[16][17][18][19]
Appearances in other media
Prototype-Jimmy Ruiz was a recurring character in the short-lived Ultraforce cartoon show, and he constantly bickers with Prime, usually insulting Prime for his lack of intelligence. Prototype's team faces off with other Ultraverse villains such as Rune and Lord Pumpkin. In the series, Jimmy Ruiz was voiced by Rino Romano.
Prototype was one of the action figures produced for Galoob's Ultraforce line.
References
- ↑ The Superhero Book: The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Comic-Book Icons and Hollywood Heroes, Gina Misiroglu (2012), p. 377.
- ↑ Cronin, Bryan (December 4, 2016). "The Malibu Ultraverse: 15 Things We Still Miss". CBR. CBR. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
- ↑ Davison, Joshua (July 23, 2018). "Celebrating the Ultraverse: 25th Anniversary Panel at SDCC". CBR.com.
- ↑ Prototype #0 (1994) Malibu Comics
- ↑ Prototype #1 (1993) Malibu Comics
- ↑ Prime' #4 (1993) Malibu Comics
- ↑ Prototype #2 (1993) Malibu Comics
- ↑ "Ultraverse Revisited: Prototype #2". Retrieved 23 August 2020.
- ↑ Break-Thru#1 (1993)
- ↑ "Prototype" #5 (Dec. 1993)
- ↑ "The Strangers" #7 (Dec. 1993)
- ↑ Break-Thru#1-2 (1993)
- ↑ Ultraforce' #0-6 (1994) Malibu Comics
- ↑ "Altered Reality: The Ultraverse Before and After Black September". Retrieved 23 August 2020.
- ↑ Ultraforcevol.2 (1995) #13-15
- ↑ Hopkins, Evans (February 18, 2018). "15 Rip-Off Superheroes From The '90s". CBR.com.
- ↑ Webber, Tim(October 7, 2017). "16 Cartoons From The 90s Way Too X-TREME For Kids Today". CBR.com.
- ↑ Joseph, Dooley(November 4, 2018). "Avengers: 10 Rip-Off Teams More Powerful Than Them (And 10 That Are Weaker)". CBR.com.
- ↑ "L'Ultraverse : l'univers partagé de Marvel et Malibu Comics que tout le monde (ou presque) a oublié !". Retrieved 23 August 2020.
Sources
- Misiroglu, Gina (2012). "Ultraverse Heroes". The Superhero Book: The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Comic-Book Icons and Hollywood Heroes. Visible Ink Press. pp. 377–379. ISBN 9781578593972. Search this book on
- Keith Dallas, Jason Sacks (2018). "1991". American Comic Book Chronicles: The 1990s. TwoMorrows Publishing. pp. 99–100. ISBN 9781605490847. Search this book on
External links
- details of Ultraforce and Ultraverse, including Prototype
- Prototype at the Marvel Database Project
- Prototype at Comicvine
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