THE RED SKULL'S ROBOT
Classification: Terrestrial technology
Creator: Unidentified Nazi engineers
User/Possessors: Red Skull (Johann Shmidt)
First Appearance: Tales of Suspense I#89/2 (May, 1967)
Powers/Abilities/Functions: The Red Skull's robot was remote-controlled from a control panel which the Red Skull operated. The robot could fire an electrical beam from the center of its head; from the control panel, the Red Skull could increase the intensity of the beam's power.
The robot could also spin its upper torso, whirling its arms like a airplane propeller. It could also extend its arms like a battering ram to attack its opponents, although this appeared to expose a weaker area in the robot's upper arm.
History:
(Tales of Suspense I#89/2 (fb) - BTS) - This robot was evidently built during World War II for eventual use for the Red Skull. It was kept on Sea Gull Isle inside the Red Skull's mountain base on the isle and remained there until the Red Skull was ready to employ it.
(Tales of Suspense I#89/2) - When the Red Skull lured Captain America to his Sea Gull Isle base, he unleashed the robot against him. The robot fired its electrical beam at the Captain, but he raised his shield to block the attack. Captain America threw his mighty shield at the robot, but it deftly switched to its propeller mode, spinning its arms in order to harmlessly deflect the shield.
With Captain America unarmed, the robot launched its left arm at him with its battering ram attack, but Captain America dodged the blow, recovered his shield, then sliced his shield through the robot's arm. The Red Skull angrily chastised Captain America for damaging "something that took me years to create!!" The damaged robot withdrew from the room as the Red Skull prepared his next attack on Captain America.
Comments: Created by Stan Lee and Gil Kane.
I'm of the opinion that every robot Jack Kirby designed was an instant classic; he had nothing to do with this one, but it demonstrates Gil Kane could also design a mighty fine-lookin' robot!
Profile by Prime Eternal.
CLARIFICATIONS:
The Red Skull's Robot should not be confused with:
Tales of Suspense I#89/2, page 4, panel 3 (main)
Tales of Suspense I#89/2, page 4, panel 5 (propeller defense)
Tales of Suspense I#89/2, page 5, panel 1 (battering ram arm)
Appearances:
Tales of Suspense I#89/2 (May, 1967) - Stan Lee (writer, editor), Gil Kane (artist)
First posted: 07/03/2026
Last updated:07/01/2026
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
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