GAMMATRON BOMBARDER

Classification: Terrestrial technology

Creator: Unrevealed engineers working for the U.S. Air Force

User/Possessors: Black Panther (T'Challa), Iron Man (Tony Stark), General Thaddeus Ross, Leonard Samson, Raoul Stoddard, Major Glenn Talbot

First Appearance: Incredible Hulk II#128 (June, 1970)

Powers/Abilities/Functions: The Gammatron has the ability to isolate gamma energy inside of human bodies. The Gammatron Bombarder has two massive electrodes which temporarily render a gamma-powered being such as the Hulk immobile then strike their target with additional gamma radiation, with the intended side effect of forcing the target back into their human form. A side effect of the Gammatron built by Dr. Stoddard was that, by isolating the gamma radiation in Banner's body, it separated that energy into a separate physical form, splitting Banner and the Hulk into two beings.

History:
(Incredible Hulk II#128) - When the Hulk was in danger of setting off an earthquake at the San Andreas Fault, General Thaddeus Ross had the Gammatron Bombarder transported into the field aboard a special helicopter in case there was an opportunity to wield it against the Hulk. The Avengers helped the Air Force set up the equipment in the Rocky Mountains as they awaited the Hulk's arrival. The Avengers flushed the Hulk from Subterranea to the surface then drove him towards the Gammatron, which the Black Panther activated when the Hulk stepped between its twin electrodes. The Gammatron Bombarder immobilized the Hulk and bathed him with gamma rays. The Hulk started to fall to his knees and appeared on the verge of transforming into Bruce Banner but when the Scarlet Witch mentioned Banner's name, she reminded the Hulk of how much he hated Banner. The Hulk then shrugged off the Gammatron Bombarder's effects and reflected the rays from the electrodes, destroying them both. The Hulk fled, although he soon transformed back into Banner, having been sufficiently weakened by the Gammatron Bombarder.

(Incredible Hulk II#130) - Another Gammatron was built by Dr. Raoul Stoddard, a former classmate of Banner's. In an attempt to cure him of being the Hulk, Stoddard exposed Banner to his Gammatron but, unexpectedly, the Gammatron caused Banner and the Hulk to separate in two different physical beings. As the Hulk went on a rampage, Stoddard studied the Gammatron to determine what had gone wrong. Banner agreed to strap himself in to the Gammatron again so they could attempt to lure the Hulk to him and, with another use of the Gammatron, force the Hulk and Banner to merge again but when Stoddard attempted to betray and murder Banner, the attempt was thwarted.


(Incredible Hulk II#131) - The Gammatron was moved to Desert Base as Banner helped General Ross and Iron Man find a means to repair what he and Stoddard had done. The Gammatron was modified into a large gun which the Air Force transported on the back of a truck and Iron Man operated. However, because Jim Wilson was standing close by the Hulk, Iron Man hesitated to wield the Gammatron until Wilson left the area. After Iron Man fought and weakened the Hulk, a soldier fired a blast from the Gammatron at the Hulk which further weakened him. Banner then stepped forward and took the Hulk's hand. The soldier fired again and the gamma rays caused the Hulk and Banner to again become a single person.

(Incredible Hulk II#193) - Yet another Gammatron was built by Dr. Leonard Samson at Hulkbuster Base in another attempt to depower the Hulk. While Samson was completing work on the device, it suddenly malfunctioned. Samson ordered the others from the room as he attempted to contain the radiation. However, the device exploded before Samson was ready; bathed in gamma radiation from the Gammatron, Samson reverted to his Doc Samson identity, regaining the superhuman powers he had previously lost.

Comments: Created by Roy Thomas and Herb Trimpe.

Profile by Prime Eternal.

CLARIFICATIONS:
The Gammatron Bombarder should not be confused with:

images: (without ads)
Incredible Hulk II#128, page 7, panel 3 (main)
Incredible Hulk II#128, page 17, panel 4 (electrodes)
Incredible Hulk II#131, page 12, panel 4 (gun form)

Appearances:
Incredible Hulk II#128 (June, 1970) - Roy Thomas (writer), Herb Trimpe (artist), Stan Lee (editor)
Incredible Hulk II#130 (August, 1970) - Roy Thomas (writer), Herb Trimpe (artist), Stan Lee (editor)
Incredible Hulk II#131 (September, 1970) - Roy Thomas (writer), Herb Trimpe (pencils), John Severin (inks), Stan Lee (editor)
Incredible Hulk II#193 (November, 1975) - Len Wein (writer, editor), Herb Trimpe (pencils), Joe Staton (inks)

First posted: 04/03/2023
Last updated: 04/03/2023

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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