Thunderbolts: Who is Sentry's "Bob"?

Marvel's upcoming Thunderbolts movie remains largely mysterious, but a recent Big Game trailer offered a glimpse into the film. While plot details remain scarce, the trailer provides a closer look at Lewis Pullman as Bob, aka The Sentry. This Superman-esque hero's MCU debut promises significant implications for the universe.

Who is The Sentry, and why is he considered both the Marvel Universe's greatest hero and its worst nightmare? Let's explore the history of this mentally unstable hero and his potential role in Thunderbolts:

Who Is Lewis Pullman’s Thunderbolts Character, The Sentry?

The Sentry is arguably the Marvel Universe's most powerful, yet also most dangerous, superhero. Once an ordinary man named Bob Reynolds, he consumed a serum granting him "the power of a million exploding suns." This immense power, however, comes at a terrible cost: a dark alter ego known as The Void. For every good deed The Sentry performs, The Void commits an evil act. Bob Reynolds's struggle against his inner darkness and for his sanity is a constant, losing battle. Yet, when a powerful hero is needed, none are better suited than The Sentry.

The Sentry’s Powers and Abilities

The Sentry's powers originate from an experimental serum, a post-World War II attempt to create a Super Soldier Serum alternative. The serum supposedly accelerates his molecules forward in time, resulting in nearly limitless abilities. As The Sentry, Bob possesses strength rivaling the Hulk and Thor, flight, superhuman speed, enhanced senses, and near invulnerability. He can also absorb and project energy, enabling feats like energy blasts, teleportation, and even subduing the Hulk. In essence, The Sentry is Marvel's answer to Superman.

As The Void, Bob becomes arguably even more powerful and dangerous. The Void is a shapeshifting, demonic entity capable of manipulating weather and invading minds. He's withstood the combined might of the Avengers, X-Men, and Fantastic Four, and even being thrown into the sun proved only a temporary setback.

The Sentry Cheat Sheet

First Appearance: The Sentry #1 (2000)
Creators: Paul Jenkins, Rick Veitch, & Jae Lee
Aliases: The Void, Golden Man, The Golden Guardian of Good
Current Team: None (formerly New Avengers, Mighty Avengers, Dark Avengers)
Recommended Reading: The Sentry Vol. 1, Age of the Sentry, Dark Avengers, Siege

The Sentry’s Secret Origin

Created by Paul Jenkins, Rick Veitch, and Jae Lee, The Sentry debuted in the 2000 miniseries. Initially presented as a forgotten hero from the Marvel Universe's past, even Bob Reynolds—a middle-aged, overweight man—had no memory of his past life as "The Golden Guardian of Good." Upon regaining his memories, Bob becomes The Sentry once more, only to discover The Void's return. The Sentry's history with characters like the Hulk and Fantastic Four is retroactively established within Marvel continuity.

The Sentry and The Void are revealed to be two sides of the same coin. The world forgot The Sentry to protect itself from The Void. Bob eventually repeats this act to control his dark side, erasing the world's memory of The Sentry, leaving ambiguous whether Bob himself truly forgets his superhuman identities.

The Sentry As an Avenger

While the original The Sentry miniseries was self-contained, the character later became a recurring figure in the Marvel Universe. In 2004's New Avengers, he joined a revamped team alongside Spider-Man, Wolverine, and Luke Cage. Despite being a powerful asset, The Sentry constantly battled to maintain his sanity and control The Void.

During Civil War (2006), The Sentry sided with Iron Man's pro-registration faction, understanding the dangers of unchecked power. He played a crucial role in protecting the world from the Hulk in World War Hulk (2007). However, his downfall began in Dark Reign (2009), joining Norman Osborn's "Dark Avengers," ultimately leading to The Void's unleashing in Siege (2010).

The Sentry has since been resurrected and killed multiple times, with ongoing stories exploring his powers and the nature of his duality. His most recent death occurred in 2020's King in Black. Marvel's 2023 The Sentry series explores a new host for The Sentry's power, raising questions about the new Sentry and their burden of The Void.

How The Sentry Fits Into the Thunderbolts Movie

The Sentry has had limited appearances outside of Marvel comics, primarily in mobile games. However, Lewis Pullman's casting marks his MCU debut. While not starring in a solo film or series (yet), he appears in 2025's Thunderbolts alongside Bucky Barnes, Yelena Belova, and Red Guardian.

The Sentry's precise role in Thunderbolts remains unclear, but his comic book history suggests a portrayal as both powerful hero and terrifying villain. He might initially be a member of the Thunderbolts, only to become their worst nightmare upon losing control. Given the Thunderbolts' relatively limited powers, confronting The Sentry would be a monumental challenge.

Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine might play a role similar to Norman Osborn's in the Dark Avengers comics, exploiting Bob Reynolds's power before losing control. If Thunderbolts is a Marvel version of Suicide Squad, The Sentry could be the film's equivalent of Enchantress.

The MCU's handling of The Sentry's forgotten past and his connection to other heroes, as well as its interpretation of his Superman-esque nature, remains to be seen. Further details will emerge closer to Thunderbolts' May 2025 release.

*Note: this article was originally published on November 17, 2023 and updated on September 23, 2024 with the latest information about Thunderbolts.*