MOLECULAR REARRANGER

Classification: Terrestrial device

Creator: Unrevealed

User/Possessors: Dr. Myron MacLain, Ultron-6, Vision ("Victor Shade")

First Appearance: Avengers I#66 (July, 1969)

Powers/Abilities/Functions: The Molecular Rearranger was capable of altering the molecular structure of any substance, notable the indestructible metal Adamantium. Once installed into the body of Ultron-6, Ultron was able to use the internal Molecular Rearranger to transform himself into pure ionic energy and back to Adamantium at will, as well as use the Molecular Rearranger to bend and move the Adamantium that made up his body to match the movements he took.

History: (Avengers I#66) - After the Avengers tested and proved unable to dent the newly-available metal Adamantium, Dr. Myron MacLain held up the Molecular Rearranger device and announced that only the Molecular Rearranger proved able to alter the shape or form of Adamantium.

(Avengers I#68 (fb) - BTS) - Under pre-programmed commands, the Avengers' Vision stole the Molecular Rearranger and the Adamantium cylinder that the Avengers were testing on and used the Molecular Rearranger to shape the Adamantium into a new body for Ultron, dubbed Ultron-6. The Molecular Rearranger was then installed into Ultron's new, Adamantium body, allowing him to alter his molecular structure at will.

(Avengers I#68) - In an effort to find a weakness for Ultron-6, whose body was composed of Adamantium, Yellowjacket used a mind-probe device on the injured Vision and an image of the Molecular Rearranger device appeared. Recalling Dr. Myron MacLain discussing the Molecular Rearranger, Yellowjacket had Wasp contact Dr. MacLain aboard S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Helicarrier to inform him of the situation. Dr. MacLain immediately responded back, stating that the Molecular Rearranger (M-R) had been stolen along with the Adamantium cylinder he had earlier been showing the Avengers. Dr. MacLain then deduced the Vision's earlier theft and installation of the Molecular Rearranger into Ultron-6's body.

Comments: Created by Roy Thomas, Barry Smith and Syd Shores.

Avengers I#68 was a strange ending to the Ultron-6 saga. They may a key point in showing the Molecular Rearranger is needed to destroy the newly-Adamantium Ultron-6 but then when the Avengers contacted Dr. MacLain about the M-R, they learn that the M-R was stolen and installed into Ultron's new body. The Avengers then go on to defeat Ultron without the M-R at all, using a Dr. MacLain-disguised Yellowjacket to drive Ultron insane with conflicting programming then shielding everyone from Ultron's subsequent self-destruct using a Vibranium shield. Seemed odd to me that Roy Thomas would play up the need for the M-R, only to go in a totally different direction, especially a direction that depended on Ultron-6 probing the mind of "Dr. MacLain." What if Ultron-6 hadn't attempted to probe "Dr. MacLain"'s mind?

Profile by Proto-Man.

CLARIFICATIONS:
The Molecular Rearranger should be distinguished from:

• Molecular Compactor, device design by Mr. Fantastic, used to shrink the monstrous Fin Fang Foom, Elektro, Googam and Gorgilla to human size @ Fin Fang Four I#1
• Molecular Condensor, developed at Empire State University, used by Molecule Man to increase his power @ Marvel Team-Up I#90
• Molecular Disrupter, Deviant technology used on captive Eternals to break their bodies down to base components @ Iron Man I Annual#6
• Molecular Disruption Gun, Aakon weapon used to kill Nova 0:0 @ Nova II#16
• Molecular Disunifier, Deviant technology used to transform Margo Damian into a Deviant, killing her @ Eternals II#10
• Molecular Recording Tablet, technology containing all knowledge on the Dreaming Celestial @ Eternals II#3
• Molecular Transposer, creation of Dr. Owen Wallach, able to transfer brains from one being to another @ Monsters Unleashed I#5
• or any other "Molecular" or "Rearranger" devices
  

images: (without ads)
Avengers I#68, p5, pan5 (The Molecular Rearranger, main image)
Avengers I#66, p4, pan4 (Dr. Myron MacLain holding the Molecular Rearranger)

Appearances:
Avengers I#66 (July, 1969) - Roy Thomas (writer), Barry Smith (pencils), Syd Shores (inks), Stan Lee (editor)
Avengers I#68 (September, 1969) - Roy Thomas (writer), Sal Buscema (pencils), Sam Grainger (inks), Stan Lee (editor)

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

Last Updated: 01/11/18

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