SAMURAI DESTROYER
Real Name: William McLaughlin
Identity/Class: Human using giant robot
Occupation: Criminal
Group Membership: None
Affiliations: Utilized technology derived (stolen) from the Followers of the Light
Enemies: Fantastic Four and the Shogun Warriors;
Known Relatives: None
Aliases: None
Base of Operations: The Sanctuary of the Followers of Light, near Mount Fujimoto, Japan
First Appearance: Fantastic Four I#226 (January, 1981)
Powers: The giant robot possesses vast Class 100 strength and durability. It was approximately 100 feet tall and immune to conventional weaponry. It could fly using its boot rockets, fire destructive blasts from its fingers, and had an energy sword of great destructive potential. It also was packed full of explosives able to be discharged via remote control.
Height: 6'3" Weight: 195 lbs.
History:
(Fantastic Four I#226 (fb)) - William McLaughlin came across the ruins of the former Sanctuary
of the Followers of Light, who had created the Shogun Warriors.
McLaughlin took two months to excavate the ruins, at which point he
discovered the advanced technology contained within. After
reviewing computer tapes on the three Shogun Warriors and their
operators, McLaughlin discovered the "skeleton" of a
partially completed fourth giant robot. Using the spare parts for
the three Shogun Warriors, he completed the robot, naming it the
Samurai Destroyer. McLaughlin realized that the other three robots
could prove a threat to him. Using the inter-robot electronic
links, he destroyed the other three robots before any of their
pilots even expected his or its existence.
Drunk with power, he soon began to use the robot to do whatever he wanted, crushing anyone and anything that tried to stop him. He accumulated large amounts of valuable equipment and gold, planning at minimum for a wealthy life of luxury.
(Fantastic Four I#226) - His actions soon made news, and the Fantastic Four learned about the incidents just before they were contacted by the former pilots, Richard Carson, Genji Odashu, and Ilongo Savage. The seven flew to Japan, where the Fantastic Four were easily overpowered in their first encounter with the giant robot. The former Shoguns investigated Sanctuary, where they met and learned the origin of the robot. However, on their next encounter with the robot, the Fantastic Four used a more coordinated attack that enabled them to catch the robot off guard and knock it off its feet. The three former pilots boarded the robot through its head, and its pilot panicked, setting off explosive charges that destroyed the robot and the remains of Sanctuary. The Fantastic Four helped pull all four of them out of the robot before it exploded. Its pilot was presumably sent to prison.
Comments: Created by Doug Moench and Bill Sienkiewicz.
The Fantastic Four's coordinated attack was conceived by Reed based on a fight his son Franklin had made up using his toys.
Clarifications: The Samurai Destroyer has no connection to:
Last updated: 10/28/04
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
Non-Marvel Copyright info
All other 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