Viviscan Probe (Rigellian technology)

VIVISCAN PROBE viviscan_probe-rigellian

Classification: Extraterrestrial (Rigellian) technology

Creator: (Presumably) unidentified Rigellian(s)

Possessors: Rigellians, notably Arcturus and his staff/crew

First Appearance: Iron Man I#110 (May, 1978)

Powers/Abilities/Functions: The Viviscan Probe can analyze lifeforms and technology, rapidly providing a detailed readout on composition, abilities, and features.
This information is projected onto a screen nearby the analyzed subjects.

The scanners can also read the subjects' memories and project them as images onto a screen nearby the analyzed subjects.

Restrainer rays are available to immobilize unwilling subjects.

History: viviscan_probe-interpretation

(Iron Man I#110) - After Arcturus incapacitated Iron Man (Tony Stark) and Jack of Hearts (Jonathan Hart) via mind-thrust, the two -- while immobilized by restrainer rays -- were subjected to a Viviscan Probe under the direction of Observer XJ-17 and other members of his crew. All data was to be logged for future analysis.

One of the other Rigellians noted that the armored one was a standard Terran life-form...but it is another Rigellian who replies to that comment, telling him to scan the armor as it must be the source of his power.

Iron Man advised Jack of Hearts that it was just a bio-scan and not to panic, but Jack could feel the probe inside his mind, and he could not help but panic.

The study detailed Iron Man's armor's various features and Jack of Hearts powers and memories/origins.

One of the Rigellians (the Rigellians in this story are all virtually identical, except for the goatee-wearing Arcturus) involved in the scan subsequently reported to Arcturus on how Iron Man's power was derived from his life-sustaining encasement while Jack of Hearts was essentially pure energy in human form.

Another Rigellian then pronounced the scan complete and all data recorded, and so he ordered the probe's systems to be shut down but to maintain the restrainer rays on the captives.

The Rigellian reporting to Arcturus further noted that while the Terrains were very powerful, they meant no harm but had merely traced them to their observation base via the Growing Man, who had been prematurely activated.

Arcturus considered that, given time, they could duplicate Iron Man's armor, but that they had neither the time nor the need, as the Wundagorians were too primitive to resist them for long.

However, the ship was then rocked by an assault from the Knights of Wundagore, incapacitating the restrainer ray, freeing Iron Man and Jack of Hearts.

Comments: Created by Bill Mantlo and Keith Pollard.

You can see a full-sized version of the main image here.

Profile by Snood.

CLARIFICATIONS:
The Visi-Rod should be distinguished from:

VIVISECTOR (Myles Lee Alfred) - mutant, X-Force/X-Statix, father was an esteemed academic and his mother a renowned ethnomusicologist, went to Harvard, powers surfaced. Transform into feral form, teeth + claws able to rend through steel walls--X-Force I#117
VIVISECTOR (Alex Finlay) - former researcher under Professor X, quit and removed powers of Vivisector (Alfred), only to reproduce them in himself, acted out Alfred's own inner frustrations until killed by Alfred when he attacked his father--(Finlay)--X-Statix#19, (Vivisector) X-Statix#20
VISI-ROD - Rigellian technology used to render objects invisible or visible--Thor I#131
VISIPHONE of Reality-5391- 2075, Space Sentinels communication device --Speed Carter#4/4
VISI-SCREEN - communications device, used by Fantastic Four--Fantastic Four I#
VISO-SCANNERS - Rigellian technology; used to detect and report images from distant locations in space--Thor I#216
Other "Vivi" or "Scan" items, events, beings, groups, races or places...
other Rigellian technology

restrainer rays

(Iron Man I#110) - After Arcturus incapacitated Iron Man and Jack of Hearts via mind-thrust, he sent them for a Viviscan Probe, during which they were immobilized with restrainer rays.

The ship was not long after rocked by an assault from the Knights of Wundagore, incapacitating the restrainer rays, freeing Iron Man and Jack of Hearts.

--Iron Man I#110

images: (without ads):
Iron Man I#110, pg. 11, panel 4 (Viviscan, Restrainer Rays, Observer XJ-17);
pg. 12-13 (Viviscan readout);

Appearances:
Iron Man I#110 (May, 1978) - Bill Mantlo (writer), Keith Pollard (penciler), Fred Kida (inker), Archie Goodwin (editor)

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

First posted: 07/07/2025
Last updated: 07/07/2025

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