SIMON
RYKERSIMON
RYKER
Real Name: Simon Ryker
Identity/Class: Alternate Reality (Earth-7484) human mutate/cyborg
Occupation: Would-be World Conqueror
Group Membership: Project: Alpha-Mech
Affiliations: Julian Biggs, Dr. Commonhate, Death-Machine/Super-Tank, Hugo, Omni-Computer, Peters, Terminal Eye, Trouble-Shooters, War-Wolf (agent), unidentified aides/associates (circa 1985 A.D.);
formerly the US Army, Nina
Ferry (former assistant and later pawn), Luther Manning and Mike
Travers (military subordinates),
Harlan Ryker;
formerly the doctors who preserved Luther Manning's
brain and the doctors who created Deathlok (presumably Drs. Curtis Giles,
Wilcox, & Wilkins, plus Jim; with Harlan Ryker directing +/-
performing the procedure; discussed in the comments section for Dr. Curtis Giles), Dr. Blaine, Dr. Lemner,
Luther Manning clone (former
pawns), Dr. Wilcox;
Enemies: CIA (Central Intelligence Agency; notably Teresa Devereaux), Deathlok the Demolisher, Dr. Doom (Victor von Doom), Nina Ferry, Dr. Curtis Giles and his unidentified associate, Godwulf, Hellinger (Simon Ryker), Dr. Lemner, Linc Shane and his allies, Mike
Travers, Dr. Wilcox
Known Relatives: Harlan Ryker (Hellinger, brother)
Aliases: Savior Machine, Saviour
Machine;
Mister Ego (nickname from Luther Manning)
Base of Operations: Unrevealed;
last seen within a padded cell, presumably in CIA HQ at Fort Dix, New Jersey;
formerly/possibly a Long Island estate (in which Harlan Ryker/Hellinger was apparently imprisoned);
formerly a building (possibly one of the World Trade Center towers, Manhattan,
New York, USA, Earth-7484;
formerly a base within the Pan Am building;
formerly a base within the Statue of Liberty, Liberty Island
First Appearance: Astonishing Tales#25 (August, 1974)
Abilities: Ryker had access to the
Omni-Computer, enabling him to view events occurring over an
undisclosed area, but at least as far as New York City.
He commanded Project: Alpha-Mech and the involved soldiers, giving him both armed combatants and cyborg technicians at his bidding.
He was also a military leader and he controlled much of Manhattan via his Omni-Computer.
As the Savior Machine, Ryker was linked to the Omni-Computer ,
which gave him control of all computer systems throughout New
York City, and possibly beyond.
The full extent of his abilities was unrevealed, but it enabled him to manipulate the world of Cyber-Space, or at least to control others' perceptions of it.
Portions of Ryker's body had been replaced by cybernetic parts,
including his legs, spine, and parts of his brain.
The computers linked to his brain allowed him to link to other computer systems. He did not demonstrate any superhuman physical abilities.
The Terminal Eyes were various camera, recording, and reporting units presumably linked to the Omni-Computer.
Height: Unrevealed (approximately 6')
Weight: Unrevealed (approximately 200 lbs.)
Eyes: Light blue
Hair: Gray (likely darker in youth; presumably brown or black)
History:
(Astonishing Tales I#25 (fb) - BTS) - Simon Ryker served in boot camp alongside Luther Manning.
(Captain America I#288 (fb)) - BTS / Official
Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Alternate Universes: Deathlok) - At
some point, brothers Harlan (Hellinger) and Simon Ryker
spear-headed Project: Alpha-Mech, designed to build armies of cyborg
super soldiers.
(Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Deluxe Edition#3: Deathlok) - The Project was under the direction of the CIA, and performed with the aid of major contractors Rockwell International, Manned Armor Division; IBM Corp; Federal Systems Division; BASF Corp.
(Captain America I#288 (fb)) - BTS) - Though employed in this endeavor by the CIA, each of the
Rykers had their own agenda; Simon wished to use the cyborgs to take control of
the USA (and then the world).
(Astonishing Tales#27) - Simon Ryker used people to create the future, with his ultimate goal being to gain mastery over life -- and finally, death.
(Astonishing Tales#25 (fb) - BTS / Astonishing Tales#35 (fb) - BTS / Captain America I#288 (fb) - BTS) <1983 A.D.> - The Roxxon Oil Company, via the Brand Corporation's Nth Command, banished Earth's super heroes extradimensionally (to likely terminal fates) and then attempted to take over the USA via more conventional warfare. A number of separate factions struggled for control, including the CIA, the military, and other splinter groups. Eventually, many US cities, including Manhattan +/- all of New York City were bombed by unidentified parties.
(Astonishing Tales#27 (fb)) - As a captain in the US Army, Ryker
was the commanding officer on a base where war games were held.
(Astonishing Tales#27 (fb)) <Circa 1985 A.D.> - During a war-games training session, as Col. Luther Manning and Lt. Mike Travers expressed frustrations, Captain Simon Ryker (see comments) ordered them to finish their talk/stroll and go through some real maneuvers. Manning mocked Ryker's rank and noted that he had been climbing on top of everybody's back in his effort to make it to major. Asserting that he was still commanding officer, Ryker punished them for their irreverence by sending them into war maneuvers without helmet or gear.
(Astonishing Tales#26 (fb) - BTS / Astonishing Tales#27 (fb)) - While on the obstacle course, Mike Travers saved Luther Manning's life from a bomb.
(Astonishing Tales#25 (fb) - BTS / Astonishing Tales#26 (fb)) - Ten minutes later, however, Luther Manning had half of his face and all of his right arm blown off by a concussion bomb.
(Astonishing Tales#25 (fb) - BTS) - When Manning did not survive surgery, the four surgeons working on Manning -- under Ryker's instruction -- isolated and kept alive a portion of his brain.
(Astonishing Tales#25 (fb)) - After Ryker confirmed
the doctors had preserved a portion of Ryker's brain, the lead doctor
voiced his opposition to the procedure. Ryker explained that Manning
had been the most brilliant military strategist alive and that he
wanted that knowledge preserved.
When the doctor argued the procedure to have been ghastly, Ryker advised him of the necessity of Project: Alpha-Mech to the current war, and further warned the doctor if he had further complaints he could bring them up at his court-martial.
(Astonishing Tales#33 (fb) - BTS / Astonishing Tales#34 (fb) - BTS) - At least two clones of Luther Manning were created, with one retained by Simon Ryker and one by Harlan Ryker.
(Astonishing Tales#28 (fb) - BTS) - Ryker envisioned an "army of walking death-soldiers."
(Astonishing
Tales#35 (fb) - BTS) - Fearing the unknown, such as the enemy that had
attacked Manhattan and the chaos that had ensued, Simon Ryker sought to
control the world and enforce his order upon it.
(Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe I#3) - At some point, Simon received severe damage to
his legs and spine after an altercation with their world's Dr.
Doom. Harlan secretly gave him cybernetic
replacements.
(Astonishing Tales#25 (fb) - BTS) - Simon Ryker received computer implants into his brain.
(Astonishing Tales#28 (fb) - BTS) - Simon Ryker was Project Alpha-Mech's first "failure."
(Astonishing Tales#25 (fb) - BTS) - By the time they had been commissioned to construct Deathlok, at least one of the surgeons had heard of computer-housing previously being installed in a man.
(Astonishing Tales#25 (fb)) <1990> - Simon watched over the
construction of the Deathlok cyborg, although Wilkins remarked how the
operation would progress better without Ryker watching over them.
(Astonishing Tales#28 (fb) - BTS) - Ryker had Deathlok programmed so that he could not kill himself. In that way Ryker considered him "locked in death."
(Astonishing Tales#27 (fb) - BTS) - In addition the
the computer, Ryker had another consciousness/voice placed into
Deathlok's system/programming. In addition to providing bizarre,
stream-of consciousness dialog, this consciousness/voice allowed Ryker
to track Deathlok beyond even his Omni-Computer/Terminal Eyes.
(Astonishing Tales#28 (fb) - BTS) - Ryker considered that everything he did was done in absolute secrecy.
(Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe I#3: Deathlok) - Harlan Ryker directed Deathlok's construction, but he had developed a different plan for Project: Alpha-Mech, and so had parted ways with Simon, taking the future of the Project with him.
(Astonishing Tales#33 (fb) - BTS) <According to
Hellinger> - At some point, Ryker had Hellinger imprisoned in his
Long Island estate; however, Hellinger was able to re-program Ryker's
computers to serve him instead (see comments).
(Astonishing Tales#28 (fb) - BTS) - Ryker dated Nina Ferry, whom he came to love.
(Astonishing Tales#25 (fb)) - With Nina at his side, Simon supervised demonstrations of Deathlok's abilities and received a narrative report from one of the doctors.
(Astonishing Tales#26 (fb) - BTS) - Deathlok demonstrated tendencies toward rebellion against his built-in computer; in his last two missions, he four times disregarded programmed orders, once defied a direct order, and twice acted counter to programming.
(Astonishing Tales#25 (fb) - BTS) - Ryker was
confirmed as a major by this point (although he likely became a major
soon after Luther Manning's death in 1985).
(Astonishing Tales#25 (fb) / Astonishing Tales#26 (fb)) - Following Deathlok's demonstrating tendencies toward rebellion against his built-in computer, defying or even acting counter to programming, Ryker had Deathlok brought in for examination and questioning. After receiving injectable sedation under Peters' direction, Deathlok was placed in a power siphon.
(Astonishing Tales#25 (fb) / (Astonishing Tales#26 (fb)) - Alongside Peters, Ryker prepared to question Deathlok regarding the nature and reasons for his rebellion.(Astonishing Tales#25 (fb)) - Although Peters assured
Ryker that Deathlok was heavily sedated and would be helpless, they
were both very surprised to hear Manning's voice, revealing that his
personality had reasserted itself and taken control of Deathlok's form.
Deathlok then reversed the flow of the power siphon, enabling him to
break free from the restraints. 
(Astonishing Tales#26 (fb)) - A
fearful Ryker told Deathlok to stay back, but Deathlok smashed his head
into a wall as payback for turning him into a machine.
(Astonishing Tales#25 (fb) / Astonishing Tales#26 (fb)) - Deathlok then stole an army helicopter,
and escaped, taking Travers -- who had apparently been employed by Ryker -- with him.
(Astonishing Tales#26 (fb)) - Firing on the escaping helicopter, Ryker vowed vengeance on both Ryker and Deathlok.
(Astonishing Tales#28 (fb) - BTS) - Deathlok later speculated that even the cannibals had been under Ryker's control.
(Astonishing Tales#28 (fb) - BTS) - Travers was brought back to Ryker's base and kept prisoner.
(Astonishing Tales#25 (fb) - BTS) - Hoping to make enough money to re-transplant his brain into a human body, Deathlok hired himself out as a mercenary/assassin
(Astonishing Tales#25 (fb) - BTS) - Simon Ryker employed racketeer Julian Biggs, instructing him to hire Deathlok to kill two men, Curtis Giles and another unidentified, whom Ryker believed to be out to stop Project: Alpha Mech.
(Astonishing Tales#28 (fb) - BTS) - Both Giles and his associate had been involved in Deathlok's construction.
(Astonishing Tales#25 (fb) - BTS) - Deathlok took the job working for Julian Biggs, assassinated the targets and then returned to Biggs for his payment. When Biggs refused to pay, Deathlok attacked him, shattering his body and revealing him as a cyborg or robot.
(Astonishing Tales#25) -
Transmitting through Biggs' form, Simon Ryker then taunted
Deathlok, telling him the two men he killed had been out to stop
Project:
Alpha-Mech. Ryker then warned that he would create more cyborgs and
that they would be dispersed to follow him but would be
indistinguishable from normal humans. Having heard Deathlok tell Biggs
that he was gathering funds to try to regain his humanity, Ryker
vowed that he would never allow him to have a
brain transplant.
Seeing an open panel on the back of his head, Nina discovered that Ryker was a cyborg, and Ryker advised her that that would be her last thought.
(Astonishing Tales#28 (fb)) - Ryker was charging his bio-feedback mechanism at the time.
(Astonishing Tales#27 (fb) - BTS) - To keep Nina quiet, Ryker hooked her up to equipment that placed her in an unconscious "electro sleep."
(Astonishing Tales#26 (fb) - BTS) - Relocating to his
facility within the base of the Statue of Liberty where his scientists
completed work on the War-Wolf, Ryker had some agents abduct Mike
Travers.
(Astonishing Tales#28 (fb) - BTS) - Travers was
apparently transported to and imprisoned within a room in another of
Ryker's bases, the Pan Am building.
(Astonishing Tales#26 - BTS) - Assaulted by Deathlok, Ryker's agents told him Travers was
being held in the Statue of Liberty.
(Astonishing Tales#26) - As Deathlok approached,
Ryker urged his assistant to complete the War-Wolf. After Deathlok
arrived, Ryker introduced the War-Wolf, claiming it to be a transformed
Travers.
(Astonishing Tales#27) - Ryker set the War-Wolf on Deathlok, who found himself unable to fight back against what he believed was his best friend. As a result, Deathlok was pummeled, and War-Wolf yanked Deathlok's vital life-line from his body. When Deathlok's defeat seemed imminent, Ryker revealed that War-Wolf was not actually Travers, and also lied again, telling Deathlok that Travers had died in the process of trying to turn him into a cyborg. Angered by this insult, Deathlok rallied and destroyed the War-Wolf, though they both fell from the statue's pedestal in the process.
Ryker noted that even though
Deathlok had destroyed War-Wolf like he had done to Biggs, he (Ryker) still
withheld the truth, that he actually held captive the still-living Travers, and
that the unconscious Nina would not even feel the changes she would
undergo when he used her for his own purpose.
Deathlok was pleased to learn that the third voice in his head, the stream-of-consciousness one, had been removed in the process; his computer system revealed that voice to have been an implant used by Ryker to trace him, and the computer then neutralized it. Nonetheless, weakened by the conflict, Deathlok departed.
(Astonishing Tales#28 - BTS) - Linc Shane and his
people, who supported the rebellion against Ryker, heard through the
grapevine that Ryker had built a new Saviour Machine. They incorrectly
figured this to be Deathlok.
(Astonishing Tales#28 (fb) - BTS) - Regardless, Ryker continued to monitor Deathlok's every move via his Omni-Computer's Terminal Eye.
(Astonishing Tales#28 (fb) - BTS) - Ryker thusly observed Deathlok's failed reunion with his wife/widow, Janice.
(Astonishing Tales#28 (fb)) - Simon had Nina plugged into the Omni-Computer, which left her in a semi-catatonic state, responsive to his directions.
(Astonishing Tales#26 + 27 - BTS / Astonishing Tales#33 (fb) - BTS) - Hellinger plotted the downfall of Simon Ryker; he arranged for the mind-lock of Nina Ferry with the Omni-Computer, which provided Hellinger with vital information to use against him.
(Astonishing Tales#28) - After Deathlok returned to
Manhattan, Ryker observed him via his Omni-Computer's Terminal Eye,
noting his frustration that he could no longer record the "ecstatic
synaptic sensations of <his> violence." Speaking to himself,
Ryker told Deathlok to enjoy his freedom while he had it, as it was not
a "Death-Machine" that the world needed now, nor an army of walking
death-soldiers as he had once envisioned, but a "Saviour-Machine."
(Astonishing Tales#28 - BTS) - Ryker's Terminal Eye noted that Deathlok was unaware of "cannibal-decoys" and that it was initiating phase two of plan.
(Astonishing Tales#28 (fb) - BTS ) - Ryker used Nina's mind -- linked to the Omni-Computer, allowing a synergy between computer programming and the human mind -- to send a tank after Deathlok.
(Astonishing Tales#28 - BTS) - Ryker's Terminal Eye monitored the imprisoned Travers.
(Astonishing Tales#28) - Ryker resolved that either his men, armed with laser rifles, or his Super-Tank would destroy Deathlok.
(Astonishing Tales#28 - BTS) - Ryker's men pushed Deathlok's helicopter off the top of a building.
(Astonishing Tales#28 - BTS) - The Super-Tank pinned
down Deathlok and his new ally Linc Shane.
(Astonishing Tales#30) - Ryker enjoyed watching
Deathlok fleeing from the Super-Tank, considering him to be "running
scared," and feeling assured that his supreme Death-Machine (as he now
referred to the Super-Tank) would overtake and expunge Deathlok in
"less than minutes." He further considered that even a brilliant
military strategist like Luther Manning was no more than a petty
annoyance to his superior intellect. He was surprised when Deathlok
vaulted another wall to escape his tank, but pleased to see that
Deathlok had landed on his head, with the injury giving his tank time
to breach the second wall and catch up with him.
Ryker instructed his Omni-Computer to give him an audio readout narrative, and the Terminal Eye noted that Deathlok was suffering synaptic disorientation but that the chemo-solution simulating organic adrenalin was rushing to his brain, restoring full function; additionally, anomalous emotional impetus to survive was driving him.
(Astonishing Tales#30 - BTS) - As the Death-Machine
had to back up build up speed to break down the second wall, the
Trouble-Shooters went after Deathlok on foot.
(Astonishing Tales#30) - After
Deathlok had taken down two of the Trouble-Shooters, the Terminal Eye reported that the
remaining three had a 53.24% chance of stopping Deathlok. Considering
that if they failed, he would string them up, Ryker instructed the
Omni-Computer to decrease psychic extraction from Nina by 75%.
Appreciating that she could now hear him, Ryker taunted her with how
her mind was being forced to direct the Death-Machine against Deathlok.
(Astonishing Tales#30 - BTS) - Ryker ignored the Terminal Eye report on Mike Travers' escaping.
(Astonishing Tales#30) - After explaining that Nina's
mind would be what guided the Death-Machine to slay Deathlok, Ryker
departed to take the next step to become the "Savior Machine." Although
one of his doctors asked him if he wished to review the Terminal Eye's
report on Mike Travers, Ryker declined, feeling that "Travers will
keep" and that he would review the tapes later at his leisure.
The two men then told Ryker that the surgery room was ready, but when one of the doctors questioned Ryker on whether he was sure that he wanted to go through with this as he was already a cyborg, Ryker warned him that if he ever presumed to question him again, he may find his own brain locked up in some cold, gray machine. Ryker continued, angrily telling the doctor that he was paid to operate, not to think, and that he would indeed operate immediately. The doctor meekly replied, "Yes, sir."
(Astonishing Tales#34 (fb) - BTS) - At some point, Simon Ryker had the mind of Dr. Wilcox, the last doctor who had built Deathlok, transferred into the body of Ryker's Luther Manning clone.
(Astonishing Tales#30 - BTS) - Ultimately, Deathlok slew the remaining Trouble-Shooters and then destroyed the Death-Machine.
(Astonishing Tales#32) - Ryker reviewed the Terminal
Eye report on Deathlok and Mike Travers' encounter but then stopped
monitoring, noting that he did not have time for the rest and that the
Omni-Computer could keep an "eye" on Deathlok and Travers as well as
deal with any emergencies; he further stated that he did not believe
either of them to be representing any sort of threat at the present
time (despite Travers having returned to the Pan Am building and to be
in the process of liberating Nina Ferry (see notes under the Ryker's tower base sub-profile). 
Ryker further instructed his aide to get the computer to assemble a readout out on a man name Victor Quartuccio (who had recently been referenced as sending a man to locate one of the doctors who had worked on Deathlok). Ryker considered that while he could deal with Luther Manning later, after his own (Ryker's) operation, Manning might never be a problem again.
(Astonishing Tales#33) - A trio of surgeons -- Drs.
Blaine, Lemner and Wilcox (the latter of whose mind had been placed
into a clone of Luther Manning) -- prepared to operate on an
anesthetized Simon Ryker.
Dr. Lemner suggested
that they could adjust the computer to ensure that it miscalculated
slightly in order to kill Ryker. However, another doctor (Wilcox?)
then advised
him that Ryker had been in total mindlock for hours and that everything
they said was being recorded and retained. This doctor further
explained that the Omni-Computer had imprinted Lemner's treacherous
words on circuitry that now encompassed part of Ryker's memory
patterns. Per this doctor's advice, Lemner fled rather than risk being
there when Ryker assuredly would awaken. 
The remaining doctors began
their work, and the Omni-Computer noted that all linkages were
established and functioning: Subject Ryker was primed and ready for
stage four. One of the doctors (presumably the one who had been
speaking with authority throughout, apparently Wilcox) told the other
doctor(s) (there
had only been three originally, but after Lemner's departure, there was
another person gowned up in the room, and this may have been another
doctor or a nurse, etc.) that the three preparatory operations
were child's-play compared to the next one and that one slip-up now
could kill Major Ryker, or them, if the computer, of which Ryker was
now a part, so decided.
The Omni-Computer subsequently noted that subject designate Ryker was in neuro-sedation with cardiovascular activity stilled (see comments). After the main doctor reiterated this, Dr. Blaine noted that Dr. Lemner had left, but Wilcox (presumably) advised that Lemner was not needed, and he suggested they proceed.
The Omni-Computer finally reported that the operation was complete and that it was initiating programming for post-operative care. One of the men, who was not wearing a surgeon's cap and who was standing in front of a computer, stated enthusiastically that the computer was taking over and that the operation was done. One of the gowned-in doctors replied, "Yes. We've done what we were forced to do!" As the other gowned-in doctor stammered a query, the first doctor replied, "Yes...he'll live doctor." One of the doctors instructed the other to check the electrodes once more, as "nothing must disturb the linkage now, gentleman."
A doctor then noted that from there on in, Major Ryker was in the hands of the Omni-Computer, and that he and it were one and the same..."possibly the first human equivalent to a god." One of the doctors queried whether Ryker had achieved his objective, selling his chance at humanity for the soul of a machine. Another doctor confirmed that he had indeed achieved his objective: "Major Ryker is now the Savior Machine -- and may God help us all."
(Astonishing Tales#34 (fb) - BTS) <01/01/1991>- After Deathlok's right arm was blown off by Hellinger's bomb, Deathlok was brought to the CIA headquarters, where he was rebuilt to 100% systems function and stabilizing his decay factor) over the course of two days. The CIA also implemented their own programming allowing them to control Deathlok's mobility, as well as some other functions to some degree. The CIA programming ensured that Deathlok would do anything to stop Simon Ryker.
(Astonishing Tales#34 - BTS) - <1/3/1999> - Travers explained to Deathlok that the CIA was fighting Simon Ryker and that - as they thought Deathlok was their best chance of stopping Ryker -- they had rebuilt him and reprogrammed him to serve them. Deathlok could still function as an individual, but only while serving the CIA against Ryker. After detailing how Simon Ryker was on his way to becoming omnipotent, Devereaux sent Deathlok to confront Ryker.
(Astonishing Tales#34) - Deathlok then traveled to Ryker's base, and he sent his helicopter -- presumably under his computer's control -- directly at the base while he scaled the building. After Ryker's men had blown up the helicopter, Deathlok ambushed and overpowered Ryker's men and then entered the base to confront Ryker himself. However, Ryker's body was inert due to his mind being transferred into the city-wide Omni-Computer, and Deathlok was introduced to Simon Ryker's Luther Manning clone, containing the mind of Dr. Wilcox.
After attempting to assaulting
Ryker's form and being nearly destroyed by defense mechanisms, Deathlok
coerced Wilcox to hook him (Deathlok) up to the Omni-Computer, too.
There he was confronted by the virtually all-powerful Simon Ryker, now
the Savior Machine.
Although Deathlok threatened him, Ryker welcomed Deathlok as a son, telling him that they were now linked as one, "linked to infinity...intelligence supreme...mind without end!" Deathlok considered Ryker to be mad and wondered how he was going to stop him.
(Astonishing Tales#35) - Deathlok confronted
the image of "Ryker," which was actually photons arranged in a sense pattern for the benefit of
recognition. Ryker warned Deathlok that he (Ryker) was the over-riding
impulse signal within the "brain" of the omni-computer and could
destroy him (Deathlok) as easily as he negated the illusion of
Deathlok's laser pistol.
Assembling a photonic image of
Earth, Ryker then showed Deathlok
what had happened to the world in the years since Luther Manning's
death and discussed his plans to "save it" in an attempt to convince
Deathlok to join his
mission. Considering Ryker to be power mad and intent on controlling
the world, Deathlok attacked him.
Their opposing
ionic charges generated progressively greater amounts of destructive force, ultimately threatening their existences, but
Deathlok maintained his grip on Ryker, willling to sacrifice his
own life to stop the madman. Dr. Wilcox, however, managed to pull
them both back into the real world, although initially Deathlok's
mind was in Ryker's body and vice-versa.
At Wilcox's direction, one of the other men reversed the molecular flow and returned Ryker and Deathlok's minds to their bodies. Unhinged by the various transfers and still believing himself to be Deathlok, Ryker cried out in denial and ultimately collapsed to the ground, insensate.
Deathlok prepared to execute Simon
Ryker to permanently eliminate his threat, but CIA agents led by Teresa Devereaux then rushed in and took custody of Ryker.
(Marvel Spotlight I#33 (fb) - BTS) - Hellinger considered that Nina Ferry's mindlock with the omni-computer had provided the information that led to Simon Ryker's downfall.
(Astonishing Tales#35 - BTS) - Ryker was transferred by helicopter to the CIA base in Fort Dix.
(Marvel Spotlight I#33) - The mad and seemingly harmless Simon
Ryker was held within a padded cell. For reasons unexplained, he was either naked or perhaps just wearing a pair of briefs.
Comments: Created by Rich Buckler and Doug Moench.
On Earth-616, Simon Ryker
struggled against Dr.
Doom and the Sub-Mariner, in Super-Villain Team-Up#4 and Marvel
Spotlight I#27. These events are detailed in the profile for Simon Ryker of Earth-616.
Presumably, some similar events took place on
Earth-7484, resulting in Ryker's injuries and transformation
into a cyborg, as noted in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe
I#3: Deathlok entry.
Deathlok's timeline diverged from Earth-616 in
Captain America I#289, in which Captain America, armed with the
knowledge of the future, led the disruption of Nth Command's
power and prevented the mass banishments.
While
the Captain America stories were published in 1983, the date is topical
for Reality-616. However, for Deathlok and Simon Ryker's timeline, it
was not a topical date.
The Official Handbook of the
Marvel Universe Deluxe Edition#3: Deathlok entry correctly specifies Luther Manning as having been
a Colonel (which is the rank to which he was referred in the flashbacks /references in Astonishing
Tales#25-27), and then a sentence later names MAJOR Simon Ryker as his
superior.
In fact, in the original story, Ryker was a captain trying to become a major at the
time they were at the training camp together. Ryker must have had some
unspecified clout to be Manning's superior.
If the Captain was Navy then his rank is the same level as
an Army's Colonel; then who was giving the orders would come down to seniority.
http://www.ecsu.ctstateu.edu/personal/faculty/pocock/ranks.htm
--Loki
Maybe that's it, but Ryker has traditionally
been described as affiliated with the US Army. Perhaps Ryker was just
commanding officer of the base. My understanding is that a superior
officer is a superior officer, regardless of who is commanding officer,
but maybe that was not the case in this time of war, or perhaps Manning
did not force control over Ryker.
The third voice that showed up early on in the
Deathlok saga (Astonishing Tales#25), rambling semi-incoherent data, was
later revealed to be a bug implanted by Simon Ryker.
I think the
real deal was that it was exhausting for the writers to do the
main character with three dialogs, so they opted to bag the
cuckoo-crazy one.
Hellinger told Deathlok a number of lies and half-truths, so I'm not sure that Simon Ryker had Harlan/Hellinger imprisoned in his estate; however, Deathlok's computer did note the estate to belong to Simon Ryker.
I don't know why they had to stop Simon Ryker's heart to perform the procedure or to consider him fully anesthetized. Stopping the heart is generally the last thing you want to do in anesthesia unless you are performing specific cardiac procedure. But, perhaps it was necessary for whatever needed to take place to link Ryker's mind/brain with the Omni-Computer, and perhaps he was on some sort of bypass apparatus?
Simon Ryker is also pictured in the image for his associates.
I believe Simon Ryker (the
Savior Machine) was named after David Bowie's song "Savior Machine"
off The Man Who Sold the World album. It's a tune about a computer that
created a Utopian society and later decided humanity had to be destroyed, or at
least stop bugging it to solve the world's problems.
--future
This seems very likely given the Astonishing
Tales#34 reference to Ryker as the "The Man Who Controlled the World"
as well as references to other songs in the titles of a number of the
issues.
--Snood
Astonishing Tales#29 did not feature Deathlok or his saga, but instead reprinted Marvel Super-Heroes II#18 (Guardians of the Galaxy). Dreaded Deadline Doom, I guess.
When I first wrote this profile in
2002, I had a note for a Behind-The-Scenes reference/mention that Simon Ryker served in the army's boot
camp alongside Luther Manning.
While re-re-re-reviwing these stories ad nauseum to
updage these and other profiles, and I could not find any evidence of
this.
Then, after I posted the update, Donald Campbell found it for me...it's in the top image for the Ryker's base sub-profile (from Astonishing Tales I#25).
Thanks, Donald!
On a similar note, in the notes I compiled on
Hellinger and Simon Ryker's profiles, I stated that Hellinger was
secretly commanding Julian Biggs without Simon's knowledge. I've
re-re-re-re-reviewed the issues and associated Official Handbook of the
Marvel Universe profiles, and I don't know where that information came
from. I suspect that I added the information to my notes in the late
1990s or even early 2000s based on internet research, not realizing at
the time that profiles on characters posted on the internet were not
official confirmed.
But, if you know the source of information that
Hellinger was secretly behind Julian Biggs, please let me know.
Profile by Snood. Profile edited/updated by Kyle Sims, and then again by Snood
CLARIFICATIONS:
Simon Ryker, the Savior Machine, should be distinguished from:
Ryker's base
(apparently within one of the World Trade Center towers)
It would seem less likely that Manning's brain was harvested and
preserved in Ryker's base, but who knows. Or, perhaps that was done in the "Flesh Factory"?It is unclear -- but it also seems likely -- whether Deathlok was created and tested within Ryker's base. Or, perhaps that was done in the "Flesh Factory"? Mike Travers worked in and was subsequently imprisoned in (and again escaped from) Ryker's base. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
  ...(Astonishing Tales#25 (fb) / Astonishing Tales#26 (fb) / ??Marvel Fanfare I#4/2??) - Deathlok was held in a siphon device and tested before breaking free, taking Mike Travers with him, and escaping in a helicopter. (Astonishing Tales#25) - As Ryker communicated remotely with Deathlok, Nina Ferry saw the open panel on the back of his head and realized that he was a cyborg. |
  (Astonishing Tales#27 (fb) - BTS) - Nina was kept in a stupor via electronic sleep.(Astonishing Tales#28) - Nina was linked into the Omni-Computer, via which her mind unconsciously operated the Super-Tank. (Astonishing Tales#30) - As Ryker monitored the Super-Tank's pursuit of Deathlok, he ignored the Terminal Eye's reports of Mike Travers' escaping (see comments). --(interior) Astonishing Tales#25; (exterior) Astonishing Tales#28 Note: Astonishing Tales#31 has Ryker’s Terminal Eye reporting on Mike Travers “returning to the Pan Am building where he had been held captive.” However,
Ryker was pretty much in charge of the city with his Omni-Computer controlling
most things and his Terminal Eye reporting/recording almost everything. Therefore, it does
makes sense to me that Ryker controlled the Pan-Am building, too, and while
Travers had previously worked at Ryker’s base in one of the towers, after
apparently betraying Ryker by departing with Deathlok, Travers was recovered
and imprisoned in the Pan Am building. What I can’t figure out, though, is that when Travers returned to the Pan Am building, he freed and fled with Nina Ferry.
|
|
Mike Fichera and Anthony
Cotiletta, both native New Yorkers associated with the Official Handbook of the
Universe supported this assessment. “Spider-Mike” Fichera had this to say:
|
  Circa
1985, after Luther Manning had died on the operating table, but his
brain had been preserved, Ryker arrived alongside a pair of
unidentified aides/associates.Both men remained silent as Ryker was informed of the successful preservation of Manning's brain, etc. --Astonishing Tales#25 |
images: (without ads)
Astonishing Tales#25, pg. 5, panel 2-3 (approaching
doctors and corpse of Luther Manning, alongside pair of unidentified
aides/associates);
panel 5 (face close-up);
pg. 12-13, bottom panel (Deathlok restrained on wall);
pg. 14, panel 2 (Deathlok on roof; holding man over head);
panel 3 (roof; Deathlok escaping in hospital);
#26, pg. 4, panel 4 (floor level view of Deathlok restrained in siphon);
#28, pg. 6, panel 3 (base exterior);
#34 cover (Deathlok being blasted away from Ryker on the table);
pg. 8, panel 5 (Ryker's base and surrounding city);
pg. 17, panel 1 (symbolic; city behind image of Ryker's face merged with Deathlok's);
#35, pg. 6, panel 2 (cyber-image grappling with Deathlok);
Marvel Spotlight I#33, pg. 12, panel 3 (in padded cell);
Other appearances:
Astonishing Tales#25 (August, 1974) - Rich Buckler & Doug Moench
(writers), Rich Buckler (pencils), Rich Buckler, Klaus Janson, Al
Milgrom & Mike Esposito (inks), Roy Thomas (editor)
Astonishing Tales#26-27
(October-December, 1974) - Rich Buckler & Doug Moench (writers),
Rich Buckler (pencils), Pablo Marcos (inks), Roy Thomas (editor)
Astonishing Tales#28 (February, 1975) - Rich Buckler (writer/artist), Roy Thomas (editor)
Astonishing Tales#30 (June, 1975) - Rich Buckler & Doug Moench
(writers), Rich Buckler, Keith Pollard & Arvell Jones (pencils), Al
McWilliams (inks), Len Wein (editor)
Astonishing Tales#31 (August, 1975) - Doug Moench (writer), Rich
Buckler & Keith Pollard (pencils), Klaus Janson (inks), Len Wein
(editor)
Astonishing Tales#32 (November, 1975) - Rich Buckler & Bill Mantlo
(writers), Rich Buckler, Keith Pollard & Bob McLeod (artists), Len
Wein (editor)
Astonishing Tales#33-35 (January-May, 1976) - Rich Buckler & Bill
Mantlo (writers), Rich Buckler (pencils), Klaus Janson (inks), Marv
Wolfman (editor)
Marvel Spotlight I#33 (April, 1977) - David Anthony Kraft (writer),
Rich Buckler, Mike Nassar & Arvell Jones (pencils), Klaus Janson
(inks), Archie Goodwin (editor)
First Posted: 08/29/2002
Last updated: 08/11/2024
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
All characters mentioned or pictured are
™ and © 1941-2099 Marvel Characters, Inc. All Rights
Reserved. If you like this stuff, you should check out the real
thing!
Please visit The Marvel Official Site at: http://www.marvel.com
Special Thanks to www.g-mart.com for hosting the Appendix, Master List, etc.!
World Trade Center towers?