IMAGE PROJECTOR

Classification: Terrestrial technology

Creator: Tony Stark

User/Possessors: Hulk (Bruce Banner), Iron Man (Tony Stark), Rick Jones, Wasp (Janet Van Dyne)

First Appearance: Avengers I#3 (January, 1964)

Powers/Abilities/Functions: The Image Projector was a transistor-powered device which could transmit a three-dimensional image (holographic?) of anyone standing on its platform to any location the user desired, even psychically seeking out its intended target. The semitransparent image of the user could move around, and even see, hear, and interactively communicate with people at the location it was projected to.

A later model of the device included a thought-reading helmet which could generate images conjured from the user's mind, rendering them into 'solid light' forms; these holographic images could not be destroyed as long as the user was in control of the machine.

History:
(Avengers I#3) - After the Hulk quit the Avengers, Iron Man used the Image Projector to send an image of himself around to other super-heroes, asking them to inform the Avengers if they had any sightings of the Hulk. He contacted the Fantastic Four at the Baxter Building, Spider-Man on a rooftop, and the X-Men at Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters.

(Avengers I#12) - When Giant-Man went missing after an investigation into Subterranea, the Wasp used the Image Projector to locate him, and found that he was in the kingdom of the Mole Man, being held prisoner. The Mole Man saw the Wasp's image, and determined where it had come from, then dispatched an army of Moloids to attack Avengers Mansion.

(Marvel I#1/3) - Iron Man brought an upgraded version of the Image Projector, including the thought-reading helmet, to Avengers Mansion; as a test, he had Rick Jones put on the helmet and project the first image which came to his mind--Iron Man was expecting to see actress Tuesday Weld or one of the Beatles, but instead Rick generated an image of the Hulk.

   Soon after, the actual Hulk broke into the Mansion and attacked the Avengers. After a short scuffle, the Hulk fell into the Image Projector and caused it to generate versions of the Avengers from his mind, which he used to attack the team--his "Hulk-Vengers" became gradually more monstrous as he continued to control them. Rick Jones finally convinced the Hulk to end the fight, and deactivated the machine when he agreed to leave the Mansion with the Hulk.

Comments: Created by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby and Paul Reinman.

This profile originally had the events of Marvel I#1/3 occurring before Avengers I#12, however I've changed the sequence; my reasoning is that in #12, Captain America seemed to be completely unfamiliar with the Image Projector, which is why the Wasp explained its function to him (see third image). The only chronological continuity problem this could cause is that the Wasp was wearing an earlier costume in #1/3, but since she was known to frequently change costumes, she could just be wearing an earlier costume in the story.

Also, Marvel I#1/3 probably takes place after Avengers I#12, but before the Wasp was injured during a confrontation with Count Nefaria in #13, and before #15, wherein Giant-Man was wearing a new costume.--Ron Fredricks

New and additional images by Ron Fredricks.

Profile by Prime Eternal.

CLARIFICATIONS:
The Image Projector should not be confused with: