His Power Is His Problem

Spoilers for Thunderbolts*

The Thunderbolts*, or The New Avengers, has stood out as one of the most distinctive additions to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, winning praise from both critics and viewers. The movie not only provided a platform for underutilized MCU characters to step into the limelight, but it also brought in a character who could potentially play a pivotal role in future films. This character is Bob, alternatively known as Sentry or Void, who assumes both heroic and villainous roles in the film.

Initially appearing as a Marvel Comics character through a 2000 miniseries penned by Paul Jenkins and illustrated by Jae Lee, Sentry became known for his box office success with Thunderbolts. What sets him apart from other superheroes isn’t just his impressive powers, but rather the internal struggles he faces. As such, stories like Thunderbolts that revolve around Sentry tend to focus on complex themes of mental health and self-image, offering a refreshing perspective in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

In a chat with Joe Deckelmeier from ScreenRant, Sentry co-creator Paul Jenkins discussed his thoughts on how the Thunderbolts movie portrays Sentry effectively. He talked about the personal significance of the character to him, the role of Sentry’s imperfections in the film, and why ScreenRant’s review of Thunderbolts praised it as a perfect fit for the MCU. Furthermore, Jenkins revealed some behind-the-scenes discussions he had with actor Lewis Pullman concerning the accurate portrayal of Bob in the latest installment of the MCU.

Paul Jenkins Explains How Sentry Fits Into Storytelling Tradition

“His Power Is His Problem”

As I delved into the captivating world of Marvel’s Sentry, I couldn’t help but notice the intricate layers that make this character stand out, yet bear striking similarities to the timeless tales of complex heroes and antiheroes. Paul Jenkins, the mastermind behind his creation, acknowledged this duality and stated, “Isn’t it a tale as old as Jekyll and Hyde? It’s all about the internal struggle that defines the human condition, a battle we all face.”

In Jenkins’ perspective, the most compelling superheroes are those whose powers, rather than being their strengths, are their burdens. “I had penned the Hulk before,” he reminisced, “and I always believed his power was his curse.

In essence, Sentry, who resembles Superman in many ways, was described by Jenkins as having a unique challenge: his powers are also his burden. This theme, he added, is something that resonates with everyone.

Jenkins believed that the mental health struggles portrayed in Sentry’s story could connect with many people. He expressed this by saying “‘I believe we can all understand the experience of having good days and tough days.’” Furthermore, he suggested that even if viewers and readers themselves aren’t on a mental health journey, they probably know someone who is dealing with it. He continued by saying, “‘I don’t think there’s a single person who will watch the Sentry and not feel a connection, like ‘I see myself or my empathy in that character.”

How Sentry Is Secretly A Commentary On Comics

“It Was A Very Specific Thing That We Did”

In a unique approach, Sentry was designed to delve into aspects of mental health and power’s pitfalls, while simultaneously reflecting the evolution of the comic book industry. As Jenkins explained, “When I developed this character, I took a close look at the trajectory of comic book history. If you consider it, during the forties and fifties, it was more like trying random ideas to see what would work.

In the late 60s and early 70s, comics took on a more experimental approach, with hippies and flower power movements being prevalent. Fast forward to the 80s, the genre shifted towards realism, featuring writers like Alan Moore. The 90s brought a darker tone, as portrayed by Frank Miller’s work. After that, there was a period of grittiness, often marked by chromium covers and other elements that led to the genre’s decline. However, in the 2000s, comics entered a phase of recovery.

Jenkins Reflects On Sentry’s MCU Debut

“I Don’t See That I Could Be Anything But Happy”

As a film enthusiast, I’ve been eagerly waiting for 25 years to see Sentry step into the Marvel Cinematic Universe – a wait that seems surprisingly brief when you consider some of his peers made their debut decades earlier, like the Guardians of the Galaxy who first appeared in 1969. Yet, I was fortunate enough to witness this adaptation unfold, and even more so, played a part in making sure it was executed flawlessly. I had the privilege of collaborating with Jake Schreier and a few other creative producers. It was incredibly rewarding to me that Jake took our discussions and contributions seriously, showing genuine care for what I brought to the table.

During a conversation after the completion of Thunderbolts*, the creator expressed that they had the pleasure of meeting Lewis Pullman, who portrayed Bob/Sentry/Void. “He was such a great individual,” Jenkins commented, adding that their interaction led to some discussion about maintaining contact and furthering discussions on the significance of Sentry and its potential actions. Jenkins disclosed that Pullman shared his enthusiasm for the character, stating, “I absolutely adore being this person. This character resonates with me so deeply,” and expressed a desire to delve deeper into understanding Sentry.

In summary, Jenkins expressed his satisfaction by stating, “I found it amazing how they portrayed it. Lewis’ work on it impresses me greatly. I thought the character’s vulnerability was intriguing. I believe audiences appreciate the relationship between this character and Florence Pugh’s. To put it simply, I can’t think of anything but happiness about it.”

Moreover, he mentioned that he maintains contact with the film crew, expressing his hope to collaborate again in future projects related to Sentry.

Bob’s Internal Struggle, Explained

“He Can’t Forgive Himself”

Bob is a captivating figure, for he embodies not only the heroic Sentry, but also the malevolent, nihilistic entity known as the Void – a reflection of his internal turmoil. As Paul Jenkins explains, “What we created was never simply a battle between good and evil. It was always more complex than that. When Bob was the Sentry, there was an underlying sense of danger, and when he was the Void, there was an implied hint of something deeper lurking beneath.

Despite Lewis Pullman potentially being more knowledgeable about the inner workings of Bob in the movie Thunderbolts, Jenkins himself discussed what he perceived as the character’s internal conflict: “In my view, when the Void is tormenting him and when he becomes the Void, that symbolizes a lack of self-forgiveness. He cannot forgive himself for his survivor’s guilt, for standing up to his father, and for his mother scolding him.

Jenkins explained, “He’s unable to find forgiveness since going back in time to absolve his younger self is impossible when there was no chance for him to do so earlier. This void, which he can’t forgive himself for, represents the source of his trauma, regardless of whether it stemmed from family issues, a chemical imbalance, or another mental health concern. His self-contempt and inability to forgive himself are what give rise to this emptiness.

Sentry’s MCU Future Should Be About More Than His Power

“How Can You Overcome The Challenges That Are Inside You?”

Regarding what lies ahead for the story he might pen, Jenkins didn’t reveal specific details (he playfully hinted, “I’ll share the ending of my tale”), but he did touch upon the Thunderbolts post-credits and his ideas on portraying the character effectively in future installments. He mentioned that there was a charming aspect about the post-credit scene, as Bob is seen reading a self-help book, which happens to be “The Creative Act” by Rick Rubin in reality.

The depicted scene offers a strong hint of Schreier’s grasp of Bob’s character, and it’s this understanding that Jenkins intends to continue in future MCU films. In his words, “If you merely perceive him as being too powerful, then there’s an issue because power isn’t what the character is about. It’s about how he confronts and surmounts the internal challenges to accomplish something meaningful. What defines his self-worth? These are the true aspects of Bob, and they remain constant regardless of whether he seems powerful or not.

I prefer the focus of our exchange to revolve around the human narrative, similar to what you’d find in Thunderbolts comics, rather than debating who can deliver a stronger punch between him and Dr. Doom. Nevertheless, it would be fascinating to witness the unfolding events. After all, he possesses the power equivalent to a million exploding suns, doesn’t he?

In my admiration for the creative process behind Bob’s character, I found myself intrigued by Jenkins’ initial concept for a trilogy. He envisioned three layers: “The first layer was about the emotional journey of discovering one is a superhero. The second delved into the human experience of dealing with this revelation. And the third questioned what it means to rise above humanity.” Although we didn’t quite reach the third part, the subtext always hinted at questions such as ‘How does he awaken? How does he maintain consciousness?’

In my perspective, the intriguing aspect of the narrative I’m eager to explore revolves around the question, “How do you navigate life when you’re treated as an object rather than a person?” For me, the compelling tale to be told about Sentry at this moment is, “You are not defined by your mental illness.” If you struggle with one, remember that it doesn’t define your identity.

Check out our other Thunderbolts* interviews:

• Composers Son Lux
• Thunderbolts* red carpet
• Florence Pugh
• Jake Schreier
• Julia Louis-Dreyfus & Geraldine Viswanathan
• Wyatt Russell & David Harbour
• Lewis Pullman & Hannah John-Kamen

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2025-05-21 04:30