Marvel's The Sentry Explained: Who Is Lewis Pullman's "Bob" 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 remain scarce, the trailer provides a clearer view of Lewis Pullman as Bob, aka The Sentry. This Superman-esque hero's MCU debut promises significant ramifications.

Who is The Sentry, and why is he both the Marvel Universe's greatest champion and its most terrifying threat? Let's delve into this mentally unstable hero's history and his potential role in Thunderbolts.

The Sentry: A Closer Look

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 immense power, however, comes at a devastating cost: a dark alter ego known as The Void. For every heroic act, The Void commits an equally evil deed, making Bob's struggle for sanity a constant, losing battle. Yet, when a powerful hero is needed, none surpass The Sentry.

The Sentry's Powers and Abilities

The Sentry's abilities stem from an experimental serum, a post-WWII attempt to replicate the Super Soldier Serum. This serum supposedly accelerates his molecules forward in time, granting him near-limitless powers. His strength rivals the Hulk and Thor; he possesses flight, super-speed, enhanced senses, and near-invulnerability. He can absorb and project energy, enabling feats like energy blasts, teleportation, and subduing the Hulk. Essentially, he's Marvel's answer to Superman.

The Void, however, is arguably even more formidable. This shapeshifting, demonic entity controls weather, manipulates minds, and has withstood the combined might of the Avengers, X-Men, and Fantastic Four. Even banishing him to the sun proves only a temporary solution.

The Sentry: Key Facts

• First Appearance: The Sentry #1 (2000)
• Creators: Paul Jenkins, Rick Veitch, & Jae Lee
• Aliases: The Void, Golden Man, The Golden Guardian of Good
• Past Teams: New Avengers, Mighty Avengers, Dark Avengers
• Essential Reading: The Sentry Vol. 1, Age of the Sentry, Dark Avengers, Siege

The Sentry's Hidden Origins

Created by Jenkins, Veitch, and Lee, The Sentry debuted in the 2000 miniseries. Initially presented as a forgotten hero, even Bob Reynolds – a middle-aged, overweight man – doesn't remember his past as "The Golden Guardian of Good." Upon regaining his memories, he confronts The Void's return. The Sentry's history with characters like the Hulk and Fantastic Four is retroactively established within Marvel continuity.

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

The Sentry as an Avenger

Beyond the initial miniseries, The Sentry became a recurring Marvel character. He joined the New Avengers in 2004, alongside Spider-Man, Wolverine, and Luke Cage. Despite his power, he struggles to maintain sanity and control The Void. During Civil War, he sided with Iron Man, showcasing his understanding of unchecked power's destructive potential. He also played a crucial role in thwarting the Hulk in World War Hulk.

However, his downfall begins in Dark Reign. Norman Osborn manipulates him into joining the "Dark Avengers," alongside villains like Bullseye and Venom. The Void is unleashed in Siege, leading to The Sentry's demise. Subsequent resurrections and deaths, along with new stories, continue to explore his powers and the duality of The Sentry and The Void. His most recent death occurred in King in Black (2020). Marvel's 2023 The Sentry series explores a new host for his power.

The Sentry's Role in Thunderbolts

The Sentry's appearances outside comics have been limited to mobile games. Lewis Pullman's casting marks his MCU debut. He won't star in a solo film (yet), but will appear in Thunderbolts (2025) alongside Bucky Barnes, Yelena Belova, and Red Guardian.

His exact role remains unclear, but his comic book history suggests a portrayal emphasizing both his heroic and villainous aspects. Will he initially be a Thunderbolts member, only to become their nemesis? His immense power would certainly pose a significant challenge.

Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine might play a role similar to Norman Osborn's, exploiting The Sentry's power before losing control. If Thunderbolts mirrors Suicide Squad, The Sentry could be the Enchantress equivalent.

The film's handling 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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