Visi-Rod (Rigellian technology; Thor story)

visi-rod-rigellian-shown VISI-ROD

Classification: Extraterrestrial (Rigellian) technology

Creator: Unidentified Rigellian(s)

Possessors: Rigellian Inspectors, at least

First Appearance: Thor I#131 (August, 1966)

Powers/Abilities/Functions: The Visi-Rod is a hand-held rod that can render a relatively large object, such as Rigellian starship, invisible. Objects rendered invisible apparently stay that way until the Visi-Rod is used to make them visible again.

History:
(Thor I#131 (fb) - BTS) - Traveling to Earth to evaluate Tana Nile's claim to Earth, a pair of Rigellian inspectors parked their ship on top of the Town Tower, Jane Foster's visi-rod-rigellian-ship apartment building, rendering it invisible (presumably with their Visi-Rod), after which they convened with Tana Nile.

(Thor I#131) - When Thor arrived, Tana used a Mind-Thrust to force him to his knees, but when he resisted that, one of the inspectors used a Proton Coagulation Ray at maximum intensity, sealing Thor in a proton cage.

The inspectors then prepared to take Thor back to Rigel-3, hoping that by studying him, they could find a way to defeat the one within the Black Galaxy (Ego), the only other being to have resisted a mind-thrust. The inspectors used their Gravity Nullifier to transport the Proton Cage down the hallway. After they reached the roof top, one of the inspectors used the Visi-Rod to make their craft visible, while the other guided the proton cage into their ship via the gravity nullifier, and they departed for Rigel-3.

Comments: Created by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and Vince Colletta.

It is possible that there are actually two devices, an Invisi-Rod and a Visi-Rod, but as the former was never mentioned, I'm just going with the Visi-Rod being used for both purposes.

I don't have listings of appearances for all of the Rigellian technology, so I'll profile what I know, and as I go through all of the Rigellian appearances in the process of building a Rigellian profile, I'll add additional appearances as I find them. If you know of more, let me know...

Profile by Snood.

CLARIFICATIONS:
The Visi-Rod should be distinguished from:

VISI-BOX - Inhumans holographic communication device, presented to Black Bolt by Medusa--Thor I#149/2
VISI-GOG - extradimensional creature, came to Earth via dimensional rift caused by one of Reed Richard's damaged devices, driven off by Fantastic Four with aid of Human Torch of Earth-6716. Fire energy blasts able to penetrate Invisible Woman's fields--Fantastic Four: A Death in the Family
VISIGON - Savage Land monster, blinded an entire tribe in Savage Land, slain by Cyclops. Blinds any who look at it--Cyclops#3 (3d)
VISIGOTH of Earth-1191 ( ) – Fanatix--Bishop: Xavier Security Enforcers#1
VISIPHONE of Reality-5391- 2075 A.D., Space Sentinels communication device--Speed Carter#4/4
VISIS - K'ai, would be conqueror, sought to usurp Jarella’s rule, possibly killed when the Hulk shattered his castle--Incredible Hulk II#140
VISI-SCREEN - communications device, used by Fantastic Four --Fantastic Four I#
other "Visi" or "Rod" items, beings, groups, races, places, etc.

images: (without ads):
Thor I#131, pg. 12, panel 4-5 (activating Visi-Rod and space ship materializing)

Appearances:
Thor I#131 (August, 1966) - Smilin' Stan Lee (writer/editor), Jolly Jack Kirby (penciler), Vivacious Vince Colletta (inker)

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

First posted: 08/28/2022
Last updated: 08/28/2022

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