STIMULATOR

Classification: Terrestrial technology

Creator: Mr. Fantastic (Reed Richards)

Users/Possessors: Mass Master (Alex Power), Mr. Fantastic, Warlord Morrat, Nova (Frankie Raye)

Aliases: Power-Ray Machine

First Appearance: Fantastic Four I#37 (April, 1965)

Powers/Abilities/Functions: The Stimulator drew energy from another galaxy, and could increase or restore the superhuman powers of mutates.

History: (Fantastic Four I#37) - After completing his Power-Ray Machine, Reed accidentally exposed the Human Torch (Johnny Storm) to it, causing him to burst into flame. Later, they used the device to power a spaceship on a trip to the Skrull homeworld, where they went to confront the Skrulls for having murdered Dr. Franklin Storm. When Skrulls led by Warlord Morrat defeated the foursome, Reed bargained for their lives by offering him the Power-Ray Machine, claiming it was a weapon of destruction. After seeing how to operate it, Morrat turned the ray on the Fantastic Four, thinking it would kill them, but instead it restored their strength, enabling them to resume their battle with the Skrulls.

(Fantastic Four I#40) - After having lost their powers because of the Wizard's Q-Bomb, the Fantastic Four had to battle Dr. Doom, who used their own devices in the Baxter Building against them. Reed managed to locate the Stimulator and used it to restore their powers, and they were able to defeat Doom, although Ben Grimm was despondent at being turned back into the Thing.

(Power Pack I#57) - After losing some of her cosmic power, Nova (Frankie Raye) borrowed the Stimulator from Four Freedoms Plaza, then had Alex Power fire the Stimulator at her in order to restore her full power, enabling her to face the threat of the Star Stalker.

(Power Pack I#57 - BTS) - After absorbing the Stalker's powers, Nova went temporarily insane and became a threat equal to that of the Star-Stalker.

(Power Pack I#58) - Seeing the Stimulator on the ground as Nova rampaged, Reed Richards realized the role it had played in making her a rampaging creature. As he considered aloud that perhaps with a few adjustments he might be able to draw off the excess energy from the dark creature Nova had become, Jack Power noted that he could drain energy, too, and he suggested that if they both tried at the same time, it might work. Agreeing that it was worth a try, Reed combined the adjusted Stimulator's energy-draining ray with Jack Power's. Although Nova briefly reverted to her normal mental condition, she reverted long enough to fire a blast, the backlash of which incapacitated Richards. Unable to contain Nova's energies alone, Jack was forced to release them.

(Power Pack I#58 - BTS) - Via the Elemental Obliterator, and with aid from Power Pack, the Elan/Infant Terrible restored Nova's mind and normal power levels.

Comments: Created by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby and Chic Stone.

Improved main by Ron Fredricks.

Profile by Prime Eternal.

CLARIFICATIONS:
The Stimulator should not be confused with:


images:
Fantastic Four I#40, p10, pan5 (Reed Richards holding Stimulator)


Fantastic Four I#37 (April, 1965) - Stan Lee (writer/editor), Jack Kirby (writer/penciler), Chic Stone (inker)
Fantastic Four I#40 (July, 1965) - Stan Lee (writer/editor), Jack Kirby (writer/penciler), Vince Colletta (inker)
Power Pack I#57 (July, 1990) - Michael Higgins (writer), Tom Morgan (penciler/inker), Andy Mushynsky (inker), Mike Rockwitz (editor)
Power Pack I#58 (September, 1990) - Michael Higgins (writer), Tom Morgan (artist), Mike Rockwitz (editor); with a plot assist by Seth Kruchkow

First posted: 02/12/2006
Last updated: 02/11/2021

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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