History
Red Ronin was developed with the assistance of Stark International by Japanese engineers and scientists Tamara Hashioka and Yuriko Takiguchi. It was intended to be used by S.H.I.E.L.D. against the monster Godzilla. Before it could be utilized for this purpose, the robot was stolen by Takiguchi's twelve year old grandson Rob. Originally referred to as SJ3RX, the robot was named Red Ronin by the youngster.
After an initial attempt to control the robot failed, Rob succeeded in piloting Red Ronin into battle with Godzilla, in an attempt to drive the beast off. Rob wished to prevent the radioactive creature from being harmed and his attempts to ward the monster off were designed to actually preserve his life. He succeeded in doing so and it was discovered that Ronin had been imprinted with Rob's brain patterns, making the robot useless without him to pilot it.
Rob used Ronin a few more times, aiding Godzilla in battles against creatures such as Yetrigar, Krollar, Rhian, and Triax. During one such battle, Rhiahn decapitated Ronin, leaving the robot inactive.
S.H.I.E.L.D. eventually rebuilt the robot with the aid of Stark technicians. One such technician, Earl Cowan, altered the robot so it would only respond to his brain patterns, similarly to how it had previously been linked to Rob Takaguchi.[1] Cowan intended to use Ronin to orchestrate a series of events that would set off World War III. Fortunately, Cowan was completely ignorant of the shortest aerial route to the USSR and went eastward instead of going north and passed over New York City. This allowed the Avengers to intercept and defeat Red Ronin, and the robot's remains were carried off by S.H.I.E.L.D.[2][3]
Stane International eventually gained possession of the remains. A scientist named Karaguchi Inoyawa rebuilt the robot, hoping to use it as a force for good. The robot was displayed by Stane at a trade show at the Pontiac Silverdome. While there it was commandeered by vengeful ex-Stane employee Joe Kilman who caused it to go on a rampage. This time Inoyawa guided the Wasp in deactivating Ronin.[4]
Ronin eventually wound up in the hands of Fujikawa Electronics. It was altered to look more like a samurai in appearance. Numerous military and criminal organizations such as the Hand attempted to gain possession of the mechanoid, but were foiled by Wolverine and Sunfire.[5]
When Red Ronin next appeared, it was used by Henry Peter Gyrich to lure the Avengers into a battle with the Thunderbolts.[6]
Red Ronin has since "joined" the Thunderbolts during the Civil War.Tony Stark mentioned working on that version and that the Fixer is likely all over it.[7] Red Ronin was seen in Japan alongside Big Hero 6 and Otomo during the Japanese version of the Superhuman Registration Act.[8]
When Norman Osborn dissolved S.H.I.E.L.D. and created H.A.M.M.E.R., he brought Red Ronin along with many of his Thunderbolts back to work under him. Red Ronin was stored as a last resort. It was eventually deployed by Osborn, who was piloting it, when Zodiac hacked H.A.M.M.E.R.'s satellites and made it look like Galactus was heading to Earth. In reality, Galactus was not near the system. Red Ronin rampaged through the city without any purpose, which in turn incriminated Osborn. It was then attacked by Ms. Marvel and the Fantastic Four since they thought it had gone haywire. It was ultimately destroyed when Human Torch flew through it and caused it to explode.[9]Attributes
Powers
Red Ronin's design affords it another of superhuman attributes.
Superhuman Strength: The massive and advanced hydraulics that essentially act as the Ronin's muscles grant it vast superhuman strength sufficient to lift well in excess of 100 tons.
Superhuman Speed: In spite of its massive size and weight, the Ronin can run and move at speeds beyond the natural physical limits of the finest human athlete. Even while walking at a leisurely pace, the Ronin's stride is such that it can easily outpace the fastest human runner.
Superhuman Stamina: The Red Ronin's highly advanced hydraulics are far superior to the organic musculature of a human being. At peak operating efficiency, the Ronin can be exerted physically for several days before various systems, particularly the hydraulics, begin to suffer from wear and tear.
Superhuman Durability: The Red Ronin's metallic body is highly resistant to physical injury. The Ronin can withstand powerful energy blasts from the likes of Godzilla, exposure to temperature extremes, falls from great heights, powerful impact forces, and a combined assault from the Avengers without sustaining damage.
Abilities
Weaknesses
Paraphernalia
Weapons
Notes
- A version of Red Ronin appeared on an Earth visited by the time-hopping heroes known as the Exiles. On this Earth it was the chief weapon of a group of monster hunters known as the Science Squad and was invented by one of the Squad's members, Bolivar Trask. This version of Ronin was destroyed by this reality's version of Fin Fang Foom.
Trivia
- Red Ronin's design was influenced by those of the super robots that were the staple of anime during the 1970s. Super robots first came into the notice of American pop culture in the form of the Gigantor (Tetsujin 28) anime series that was imported into the United States from Japan during the 1960s. Mattel's line of imported Shogun Warriors toys became popular in the United States during the late 1970s, the same time period that Red Ronin first appeared in Marvel Comics. Indeed, then Marvel Editor-In-Chief Archie Goodwin admitted that Red Ronin's basic design was inspired by the super robots of anime.
See Also
- 26 appearance(s) of SJ3RX (Earth-616)
- 4 appearance(s) in handbook(s) of SJ3RX (Earth-616)
- 1 minor appearance(s) of SJ3RX (Earth-616)
- 6 mention(s) of SJ3RX (Earth-616)
- 1 mention(s) in handbook(s) of SJ3RX (Earth-616)
- 8 image(s) of SJ3RX (Earth-616)