Prototype (comics)

Prototype

Publication information
Publisher|

* Malibu Comics
* Marvel Comics

First appearance| Prototype # 1 (August, 1993)
Created by|

* Tom Mason
* Len Strazewski

In-story information
Alter ego| Jimmy Ruiz
Team affiliations|

* Ultratech
* Ultraforce

Abilities|

* Energy generation
* Use of advanced body armor
* Jet impulsors

Prototype is the name of two fictitious characters of Malibu Comics that existed in the Ultraverse line of comics. Both characters used advanced exo armor developed by Ultratech corporation, and were employees of the company. The original Prototype was Bob Campbell, who was replaced after an accident by Jimmy Ruiz.[1][2][3]

## Contents

* 1 Publication history
* 2 Fictional biography
* 2.1 Break-Thru
* 2.2 Fight with Ultratech
* 3 Reception
* 4 Appearances in other media
* 5 Sources
* 6 References

## Publication history[edit]

Both Prototypes were depicted in their ongoing series Prototype published by Malibu Comics and written by Len Strazewski and Tom Mason. The series lasted 18 issues from August 1993 to February 1995 and had a special Giant Size Prototype. Also Malibu published the exploits of Bob Campbell before his accident in Prototype #0 (Aug. 1994). Both Prototypes were members of the Ultraforce and were depicted in the team's books.

## Fictional biography[edit]

Bob Campbell served as the first spokesperson for Ultratech corporation. He used the Prototype armor developed by the company but he was injured in a demonstration and lost an arm.[4]

After the accident, the young video-game player Jimmy Ruiz was contracted by Ultratech to serve as a new spokesperson. He was given steroids and was surgically implanted with special cybernetics to allow him to control the Prototype Armor. In his first apparition to the shareholders meeting, Jimmy was attacked by a supervillain. The fight ended with the killing of the villain.[5] In the middle of the filament of a commercial Prototype was attacked by the Ultra Prime (comics), and Jimmy develops a dislike for him.[6] Meanwhile, Bob Campbell was developing his own armor and was attacked by an Ultratech hitman called The cat.[7][8]

### Break-Thru[edit]

On a strange night, it begins a strange phenomenon in the sky of San Francisco: the moon was colored blue, the common people were driven into a madness and various Ultras had strange visions. Prototype joined Hardcase and other ultraheroes in a fight against the minions of the villain Rex Mundi's, who tried to capture Amber Hunt, who was acting like a herald for an alien entity.[9]

In an attempt to discover the source of their powers, the Strangers steal a shuttlecraft from the villain J.D. Hunt. The shuttle was being stored on a military base and was being protected by ultratech. I.D.Hunt. demanded that Ultratech recovered his shuttle. Stanley Leland, the CEO of Ultratech ordered Prototype to pursue the Strangers in a new spaceship. He also threatened Jimmy to replaced him if he failed[10] This brings him into conflict with the Strangers. however they decided to go to the Moon and discover the origins of the ultras. On the way to the moon encounter, Prototype and the Strangers destroy a monstrous infestation of a Russian space station.[11]

In the moon Prototype meets the ultras Hard Case, Choice, Prime (comics) , Mantra (comics), and The Solution. All the Ultraheroes discovered the source of the "Jumpstart Effect" which has been granting people powers all across Earth. Alongside other ultraheroes, Jimmy protects the Entity, a crashed alien starship that was causing the Jumpstart Effect, from attack fom Mundi's minions. He secretly downloaded the information of the entity to the armor databases.[12]

### Fight with Ultratech[edit]

Jimmy with Bob, after uncovering Ultra-Tech's corruption, opted to overthrow the company and become independent heroes. Jimmy later joined UltraForce and participated in the defeat of the subterrain warlord Attalon.[13]

## Reception[edit]

Prototype is generally considered as a rip-off of Iron Man.[14] [15][16] [17]

## Appearances in other media[edit]

Prototype-Jimmy Ruiz was a recurring character in the short-lived Ultraforce cartoon show, , and he constantly bickers with Prime, usually insulting Prime for his lack of intelligence. Prototype's team faces off with other Ultraverse villains such as Rune and Lord Pumpkin. In the series, Jimmy Ruiz was voiced by Rino Romano.

Prototype was one of the action figures produced for Galoob's Ultraforce line.

## Sources[edit]

* Misiroglu, Gina (2012). "Ultraverse Heroes". The Superhero Book: The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Comic-Book Icons and Hollywood Heroes. Visible Ink Press. pp. 377–379. ISBN 9781578593972. `{{cite book}}`: Invalid `|ref=harv` (help); Unknown parameter `|chapterurl=` ignored (help)

* Keith Dallas, Jason Sacks (2018). "1991". American Comic Book Chronicles: The 1990s. TwoMorrows Publishing. pp. 99–100. ISBN 9781605490847. `{{cite book}}`: Invalid `|ref=harv` (help); Unknown parameter `|chapterurl=` ignored (help)

## References[edit]

1. ↑ The Superhero Book: The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Comic-Book Icons and Hollywood Heroes, Gina Misiroglu (2012), p. 377.
2. ↑ Cronin, Bryan (December 4, 2016). "The Malibu Ultraverse: 15 Things We Still Miss". CBR. CBR. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
3. ↑ Davison, Joshua (July 23, 2018). "Celebrating the Ultraverse: 25th Anniversary Panel at SDCC". CBR.com.
4. ↑ Prototype #0 (1994) Malibu Comics
5. ↑ Prototype #1 (1993) Malibu Comics
6. ↑ Prime' #4 (1993) Malibu Comics
7. ↑ Prototype #2 (1993) Malibu Comics
8. ↑ "Ultraverse Revisited: Prototype #2". Retrieved 23 August 2020.
9. ↑ Break-Thru#1 (1993)
10. ↑ "Prototype" #5 (Dec. 1993)
11. ↑ "The Strangers" #7 (Dec. 1993)
12. ↑ Break-Thru#1-2 (1993)
13. ↑ Ultraforce' #0-6 (1994) Malibu Comics
14. ↑ Hopkins, Evans (February 18, 2018). "15 Rip-Off Superheroes From The '90s". CBR.com.
15. ↑ Webber, Tim(October 7, 2017). "16 Cartoons From The 90s Way Too X-TREME For Kids Today". CBR.com.
16. ↑ Joseph, Dooley(November 4, 2018). "Avengers: 10 Rip-Off Teams More Powerful Than Them (And 10 That Are Weaker)". CBR.com.
17. ↑ "L'Ultraverse : l'univers partagé de Marvel et Malibu Comics que tout le monde (ou presque) a oublié !". Retrieved 23 August 2020.

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