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MOLE MAN'S DIAMOND ANDROID

Real Name: Inapplicable

Identity/Class: Terrestrial android

Occupation: Weapon of war, servant of Mole Man

Group Membership: None

Affiliations: Mole Man's armies;
formerly X-Men (Angel/Warren Worthington III, Iceman/Bobby Drake, Marvel Girl/Jean Grey)

Enemies: Tyrannus

Known Relatives: Mole Man (Harvey Rupert Elder, creator)

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: Unrevealed;
                                  formerly Mole Man's Subterranean kingdom

First Appearance: X-Men I#34 (July, 1967)

Powers/Abilities: A giant, diamond-coated automaton with an oversized, equally coated broadsword and shield, the Mole Man's android possessed great physical strength (class 10, possibly higher). The robot's actions could be controlled by a human operator who was also able to somehow impart his emotional status on the lifeless creature. Controlled by the Mole Man, it felt hatred and possessed rudimentary combat skills and swordsmanship.

Height: 30' (by approximation)
Weight: 1600 lbs. (by approximation)
Eyes: Silver
Hair: Bald

History:

(X-Men I#34 (fb) - BTS) - To increase the security of his underground kingdom, especially with the looming threat of Tyrannus, Mole Man had a 30 foot, remote controlled combat android built and coated with diamond skin. He felt nothing could be able to defeat his giant, theoretically impervious creation. When it was finished, the emboldened Mole Man sent it against Tyrannus' forces, scoring several easy victories.

(X-Men I#34 - BTS) - In response, Tyrannus captured human scientist Dr. Roberts to build him a similar giant robot, though this one was to receive super cobalt enhanced skin. At the same time, the X-Men (looking for their missing mentor Charles Xavier) entered Subterranea in Mole Man's realm. The diminutive dictator wore an oxygen mask to confront them, because the mutants were near the underground river Lethe which releases amnesia inducing vapors. Protected from its effects, Mole Man was able to take three very disoriented X-Men to his base.

(X-Men I#34) - Once Angel, Iceman and Marvel Girl spotted the Diamond Android they were immediately impressed by its stature. However, the Lethe's amnesiac effect soon began to wear off, forcing Mole Man to give a display of the android's might. This served to keep the X-Men under his thrall as they accompanied Mole Man and the Diamond Android for a final charge against Tyrannus' stronghold. The Android was already in the castle's mote, slicing off one of the watchtowers, when Tyrannus had Professor Roberts' super cobalt contraption sent against him. The cobalt powered powerhouse easily beat the diamond android, first allowing it to smash its sword on its shield, then by breaking the diamond shield with its own cobalt blade. That left Mole Man's creation exposed to a final, decisive blow. The trio of amnesiac X-Men then decided to finish the fight.

Comments: Created by Roy Thomas (writer), Dan Adkins (pencils & inks)

I'm not sure Roy Thomas holds a degree in metallurgy, or if he's just real good at guessing... but back in 1967 it would have taken some studying to come up with the knowledge that cobalt is stronger than diamond (and Tyrannus even used super cobalt, so you know, hey... Fuggedaboutit). Speaking of forgetting things? An underground river with amnesia causing water vapors? Really Roy, that's pushing it even for the mid 60s...

Still, having the android coated in diamond skin makes sense because Mole Man owns the valley of diamonds. Some, if not all, of the android's internal mechanisms may have been based on Deviant technology just like most of the Subterranean high tech weaponry. Its basic designs also somewhat resemble that of M-11, built in 1954 for the Atlas Foundation by "an unknown professor". Who's to say that wasn't a Deviant as well?

Profile by Norvo.

CLARIFICATIONS:
Mole Man's Android should not be confused with:

images: (without ads)
X-Men I#34, p13, pan1 (main image)
X-Men I#34, p13, pan3 (attacks)
X-Men I#34, p16, pans3-4 (fighting and losing)

Appearances:
X-Men I#34 (July, 1967) - Roy Thomas (writer), Dan Adkins (pencils & inks), Stan Lee (editor)

Last updated: 04/06/16

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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