While most comic fans likely know the character from Warren Ellis and Stuart Immonen’s landmark run on Nextwave: Agents of H.A.T.E., the original character is very different from the “barely restrained homicidal robot” routine (or, as it’s sometimes called, “Michael Shannon”). that dominates his Nextwave characterization. In 2001, Machine Man is the 51st edition and only survivor of a group of androids that are destroyed at the start of the story. Mentored by his “father,” Dr. Abel Stack, and given the human name “Aaron,” X-51 escapes captivity in a government facility through fisticuffs, flamethrowers built into his fingers, and the power of flight before his captors let him walk out the door. A quick visit from the monolith evolves X-51 even further, preparing him for life outside the compound.
Marvel
Kirby wants to ground the newly christened Mister Machine in the world of superheroes so badly that he saddles Aaron with possibly the worst sidekick he ever created: Jerry. Jerry has the unique superpower of transforming subtext into a weapon that he uses to beat the reader over the head. Jerry likes comics, and he. Never. Ever. Stops. Talking. About. Them. When he meets Mister Machine, one of the first things out of his stupid mouth is, “You look like one of the Marvel super-heroes!” This is the closest thing to a knowing wink I’ve ever seen Kirby write into a comic.
It’s almost like Kirby said to himself, “How can I show that X-51 is slowly embracing his destiny as a superhero? Perhaps I should mirror the structure of Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey? Maybe I could show him interacting with and earning the approval of the heroes of the Marvel Universe? Nah, lemme introduce this awful little turd who brings the story to a screeching halt every time he talks! Job well done. Time to sit back, relax with a cigar, and brood about how much I despise Stan Lee.”
Marvel
“The King” was truly doing a mitzvah for his readers when—in the final panels of the series—Mister Machine leaves Jerry and his family behind for a life on the open road. The final panel of the issue teases, “Don’t stop here, reader! Follow the strange and stupefying adventure of Mister Machine in his own magazine! Watch for it!” With a once again renamed leading man, Machine Man launched in 1978, and Kirby explored the evolving world of his newly created character over nine issues before cancellation.
Marvel
While Machine Man would go on to star in works from such certified greats as Spider-man creator Steve Ditko and Weapon X wunderkind Barry Windsor-Smith, he has yet to appear in a Marvel Cinematic Universe outing. Given the character’s origins in the 2001 comic, his eventual appearance in the MCU would bring us one step closer to a film even Martin Scorsese would have to admit qualifies as cinema: Marvel vs. Kubrick. Disney, I’m ready to accept a fat check when you want to hear more.
Top Image: Marvel Comics
Marvel Made A Whole Comic Series Out Of '2001: A Space Odyssey'
Source: Pinoy Daily News
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