Amazo
Amazo | |
---|---|
Publication information | |
First appearance | The Brave and the Bold #30 (June 1960) |
Created by | Gardner Fox Mike Sekowsky |
In-story information | |
Alter ego | Armen Ikarus |
Species | Android Sentient virus |
Team affiliations | Injustice League Secret Society of Super Villains Cabal |
Notable aliases | Professor Ivo's Amazing Android (As Ikarus): Doctor Armen Ikarus Patient Zero |
Abilities |
(Virus version):
|
Amazo is a
In the New 52 timeline of DC Comics, Amazo begins as the A-Maze Operating System and then becomes an android capable of duplicating superhuman powers. Later on, a sentient Amazo Virus infects research scientist Armen Ikarus and takes over his mind. With Ikarus as a host, the Amazo Virus infects other people, granting them super-powers and controlling their minds before they die within 24 hours.
In live-action media, multiple Amazo robots appeared in the Arrowverse crossover event Elseworlds.
Publication history
Amazo first appeared in a one-off story in The Brave and the Bold #30 (June 1960)
A different Amazo model featured in
Amazo's origin is revealed in Secret Origins of Super-Villains 80-Page Giant #1 (December 1999). Another version is discovered to be part of a weapons shipment in
Amazo's consciousness returned in Justice League of America #1-5 (October 2006 – March 2007), planted in the body of fellow android the Red Tornado. Ivo also created Amazo's "offspring" in JLA Classified #37-41 (June – October 2007). A story continuing the first Red Tornado storyline featured in Justice League of America vol. 2 #21-23 (July – September 2008).
Writer Mike Conroy noted: "Amazo was a persistent thorn in the JLA's side... although his programming and own sentience have displayed no ambition towards world conquest... His very existence is a hazard to all of humanity".[3]
Fictional character biography
The android Amazo was created by Professor Anthony Ivo, a scientist with expertise in multiple fields who is obsessed with immortality.[4] The original Justice League of America (Green Lantern, Flash, Aquaman, Wonder Woman, and the Martian Manhunter) discover their powers are being drained and somehow then being used by a thief who is after animals known to have long lifespans. While attempting to discover the perpetrator, the League is confronted and defeated by Amazo, who has duplicated their powers thanks to "absorption cell" technology created by Ivo.[5] Amazo brings the team to Ivo, who reveals he has created a means of extending his life span courtesy of the data obtained from studying the creatures Amazo captured. The League then defeats Ivo and the android. Ivo's immortality results in his body becoming monstrous in form, and the android is stored in the League trophy room.[6]
The android is temporarily re-activated twice to assist the League in regaining lost abilities.
After the Justice League of America disbands and reforms as a small team of mostly new heroes based in Detroit, Ivo reactivates Amazo to attack this less experienced, "weaker" League. The android defeats all the new members but is finally stopped by Justice League founding members the Martian Manhunter and Aquaman.[11]
A different Amazo model is later activated and battles the superhero team the Conglomerate.
Another model of Amazo is activated that can wield multiple powers at once and is programmed to automatically upgrade its abilities to match those of all active Justice League members. Initially not understanding this upgrade, the Justice League calls in reserve members to help defeat Amazo, which only results in its power increasing. On the Atom's advice, Superman (active team chairman at the time) announces the League is officially disbanded. Programmed only to mimic the powers of active members, this Amazo is suddenly depowered and easily deactivated.[17] Years later, Batman and Nightwing discover a partially built Amazo android in a weapons shipment and destroy it.[18]
Another Amazo participates in a massive attack by a group of villains on the city of Metropolis, but is destroyed by Black Adam.[19]
It is eventually revealed that after perfecting Amazo's absorption cells, Ivo combined this technology with human
Later, Ivo downloads Amazo's programming into the body of the Red Tornado, the android villain-turned-hero created by Professor
The New 52
As part of The New 52, the new origin story of the Justice League references the "A-Maze Operating System" and "B-Maze Operating System" designed by Anthony Ivo.[23] The League later battles an android equipped with a corrupt version of this operating system.[24]
During the Forever Evil storyline, the New 52 Amazo appears as a member of the Secret Society of Super Villains.[25]
During the "Amazo Virus" storyline, a biotech pathogen is created based on the android's absorption cells. The first person to be infected by this virus is former Lexcorp research scientist Armen Ikarus, whose mind becomes corrupted in the process and replaced by the virus's will. Now possessing power and driven to infect others, Ikarus's personality is replaced by the new Amazo. The Ikarus Amazo infects others, granting them super-powers based on desires and personality traits, but killing them within 24 hours. The Ikarus Amazo, able to enhance infected humans and control them through a "hive-mind" connection, is defeated by the Justice League. Young Reggie Meyer and his family are also affected. Influenced by technology from the original Amazo android, Reggie becomes Kid-Amazo.[26]
DC Rebirth
In the storyline Outbreak, Amazo is one of the villains recruited by an A.I. named Genie, created by the daughter of computer technician James Palmer.[27] His technology cells are later hacked and he briefly joins the Justice League's side.[28]
Amazo later appeared as a member of the Cabal, alongside Per Degaton, Doctor Psycho, Queen Bee, and Hugo Strange.[29] [30] Amazo re-appeared in the pages of Batman/Superman: World's Finest #16 with Metamorpho abilities labeled NewMazo with aide by Dr. Will Magnus of the Metal Men. It also created an ally in the form of Ultra-Morpho. [31][32]
Powers and abilities
Amazo (Android)
Amazo is an advanced android built using Professor Anthony Ivo's "absorption cell" technology. This technology (later indicated to involve nanites) allows Amazo's cells to mimic the physical structure and energy output of organic beings he encounters, empowering him to mimic physical and energy-based abilities (such as the strength of
At times, Amazo is a simple minded android, capable of basic strategies and possessing average intelligence but with narrow focus. Some models of Amazo have demonstrated advanced analysis and tactics in battle, helping them maneuver to apply their stolen powers effectively to defeat opponents.[36] In most incarnations, Amazo takes on a person's weaknesses simultaneously when mimicking their powers (as an example, becoming vulnerable to kryptonite radiation while using Superman abilities). Multiple stories have also indicated that his android body, designed to emulate the form and function of a human being, also possesses the pressure points and stress spots the average human body possesses.
Amazo (Ikarus)
Arman Ikarus is a former scientist and researcher at Lexcorp who is the first to be exposed to the Amazo Virus outbreak.[37] This version of Amazo is driven to infect others with the Amazo virus, causing them to develop psychoactive superhuman abilities based on inherent desires and characteristics before dying within 24 hours. The Ikarus Amazo could emulate technology and super-powers he encountered by crudely modifying his genetic structure and biological structure.[38] The Ikarus Amazo can remotely augment the physical abilities of anyone infected with the Amazo virus and influence their behavior through establishing a mental "hive-mind" connection.[39] Initially, Ikarus's body seemed to degenerate from the strain of the virus altering his biology, but later his form stabilized and evolved into the appearance of the classic Amazo android.
Other versions
Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew!
A funny animal-inspired counterpart of Amazo called "Amazoo", a robotic chimera of a dozen different animal body parts and abilities, from "Earth-C-Minus" appears in Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew! #14-15.
In other media
Television
- Amazo appears in series set in the DC Animated Universe (DCAU), voiced by Robert Picardo:[40]
- First appearing in the Justice League two-part episode "Tabula Rasa" and initially referred to simply as the "Android", this version is a gray, blank humanoid capable of accessing several replicated abilities simultaneously and gradually removing weaknesses. While looking for Professor Ivo to help him fix his battle suit, Lex Luthor finds Amazo and uses him to steal the Justice League's abilities and the parts he needs to fix his suit. After absorbing J'onn J'onzz's abilities however, Amazo takes on a gold coloration and flies off into space to find the meaning behind his existence.
- As of the Justice League Unlimited episode "The Return", Amazo has attained godlike power and the ability to teleport. He intends to kill Luthor for using him, but eventually gives up this quest after fighting Doctor Fate and is given sanctuary in the Tower of Fate to find his purpose. In the episode "Wake the Dead", Amazo attempts to defeat the recently empowered and resurrected Solomon Grundy, but the latter drains some of Amazo's energy. Realizing he is putting the League at risk, Amazo teleports away.
- Amazo appears in the Young Justice episode "Schooled", voiced by Peter MacNicol.[40]
- Amazo appears in the Batman: The Brave and the Bold episode "Triumvirate of Terror!", voiced by Roger Rose. This version is a member of the Legion of Doom.
- Amazo appears in the Justice League Action episode "Boo-ray for Bizarro", voiced by Thomas Lennon.[40] In addition to replicating a target's skills, powers, and personal tools, this version is also able to replicate mental prowess. He captures the Justice League in an attempt to replicate their powers, only to be overloaded and rendered catatonic by Bizarro's backwards mentality.
- A.M.A.Z.O. (Anti Metahuman Adaptive Zootomic Organism) appears in the Brainiac 5.
Film
- Amazo appears in Batman: Under the Red Hood, voiced by Fred Tatasciore. This version has the same weak points as a human being.[citation needed]
- Amazo appears in Injustice.[citation needed] This version was built by Ra's al Ghul ostensibly to help Superman enforce global peace, but with the secret goal of killing Superman after replicating his powers. After becoming violent in its quest to maintain order, Superman and his allies join forces with Batman's resistance to fight Amazo. It kills Hawkman and Cyborg before Plastic Man destroys it from the inside.[citation needed]
- Amazo appears in Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part One, voiced by Nolan North.[41]
Video games
Amazo appears in Justice League: Chronicles.
Miscellaneous
- Amazo appears in DC Super Friends #18.[42]
- Amazo appears in the Injustice 2 prequel comic.[43][44][45] After being forced by the League of Assassins to build Amazo, Professor Ivo sells him off to a terrorist initiative led by Ra's al Ghul and Solovar.
See also
References
- ISBN 0-8160-1356-X.
- ISBN 978-1-4654-8578-6.
- ISBN 978-0-7641-2908-7.
- ISBN 978-1-4654-5357-0.
- ISBN 978-0-345-50108-0.
- ^ The Brave and the Bold #30 (July 1960)
- ^ Justice League of America #27 (May 1964)
- ^ Justice League of America #111-112 (June – August 1974)
- ^ Action Comics #480-483 (February – May 1978)
- ^ Justice League of America #191 (June 1981)
- ^ Justice League of America #241-243 (August – October 1985)
- ^ Justice League Quarterly #12 (Fall 1993)
- ^ Aztek: The Ultimate Man #10 (May 1997)
- ^ Resurrection Man #2 (June 1997)
- ^ Hourman #1 (April 1999)
- ^ Hourman #5-7 (August – October 1999), #17 (August 2000) and #19-21 (October – December 2000)
- ^ JLA #27 (March 1999)
- ^ Batman #636-637 (March – April 2005)
- ^ Villains United: Infinite Crisis Special (June 2006)
- ^ JLA Classified #37-41 (June – October 2007)
- ^ Justice League of America vol. 2 #1-5 (October 2006 – March 2007)
- ^ Justice League of America vol. 2 #21-23 (July – September 2008)
- ^ Justice League vol. 2 #4 (February 2012)
- ^ Justice League vol. 2 #8 (June 2012)
- ^ Forever Evil #1 (September 2013)
- ^ Super Sons #1
- ^ Justice League vol. 3 #10 (February 2017)
- ^ Justice League vol. 3 #11 (March 2017)
- ^ Plastic Man (vol. 5) #3. DC Comics.
- ^ Plastic Man vol. 5 #4. DC Comics.
- ^ Batman/Superman: World's Finest #14
- ^ "DC's Robot Revolution is Worse Than the Matrix". 2 July 2023.
- ^ The Brave and the Bold #30 (July 1 1960)
- ^ JLA #27 (March 1999)
- ^ Justice League of America #27, 65 & 112 (1960)
- ^ Justice League of America vol. 2 #22 (July 2008)
- ^ Justice League vol. 2 #36 (January 2015)
- ^ Justice League vol. 2 #37 (February 2015)
- ^ Justice League vol. 2 #39 (April 2015)
- ^ a b c "Amazo Voices (DC Universe) - Behind The Voice Actors". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved November 3, 2023. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its opening and/or closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.
- ^ Harvey, James (2023-12-05). ""Justice League: Crisis On Infinite Earths, Part One" Release Date". The World's Finest. Retrieved 2023-12-05.
- ^ DC Super Friends #18
- ^ Injustice 2 #12
- ^ Injustice 2 #17
- ^ Injustice 2 #20