
Sequence
This is the second third of a series of small profiles. Which should be read in order.
- The “most powerful android” form. Start there.
- The Negative Zone scavenger form. This here writeup.
- The Monster Android form.
Advertisement
History
As it drifted in the Negative Zone, the MPA shut itself down.
It was eventually found by Annihilus, who experimented on it. Somehow, the MPA was turned into an elite form of Scavenger.
Now, the captions in Fantastic Four Vol. 1 #183 don’t make a lick of sense. This specific era was rocky due to writers turn-over. But we can observe that :
- Annihilus has a retinue of aliens called Scavengers. He created this species using Tyannan bio-engineering tech.
- Annihilus is convinced that all living beings seek to steal his Rod.
- It thus stands to reason that the Scavengers aren’t quite living beings. They may be synthesoidsAn artificial being built using organic-like tissues, rather than robot-like hardware.
- As previously discussed, the MPA likely is a synthesoid as well.
And No-Prizes for all
Given these hypotheses, it is possible that Annihilus used his bio-engineering machines to overwrite the MPA with a Scavenger’s programming and appearance. Whilst attempting to preserve parts of the Thinker’s construction, so this hybrid would be more powerful than a normal Scavenger.
This No-Prize HypothesisA made-up explanation to plug a plot hole matches everything in the story. Except the self-contradictory captions quoting Annihilus.
It is also possible that the MPA was used as the basis to create the Scavenger synthesoids. Or at least a new kind of those. That’s not the impression I derive from Fantastic Four Unlimited Vol. 1 #3, but it’s hard to say.
Scavengers gonna scavenge
In 1968, the FF invaded the Negative Zone. A Scavenger promptly snatched Reed Richards, flew to Annihilus, and dropped Reed into an immobilising magnetic trap.
This creature is thought to have been the modified MPA.
Later on, Doctor Doom invaded the Negative Zone. Captain Mar-Vell and the Fantastic Four struck an alliance with Annihilus to stop him. However, Annihilus summoned his Scavenger to take Rick Jones hostage, as he didn’t trust his partners.
(That this Scavenger was the former MPA isn’t stated. But if it weren’t, we’d all be sad.)
You say you want an evolution
In 1973, Annihilus kidnapped Franklin Richards to repower himself.
Franklin’s family left Annihilus defeated and pinned under debris as they rushed back to Earth. The Scavenger came in, and took Annihilus’ Cosmic Control Rod.
(Annihilus thought that the rogue Scavenger did so to become fully alive. But Annihilus is an obsessive, raving paranoid on the subject. A simpler hypothesis is that some level of programming from the Mad Thinker remained.)
Using the control rod, the Scavenger synthesoid turned itself into a far mightier creature.
Powers & Abilities
Scavengers can fly using their wings. They are noticeably faster than the Human Torch (Johnny Storm).
Their prehensile feet seem to have a superhumanly strong grip. They are thus great at swooping to snatch a person. Even though swooping is bad.
Two creatures who seemed to be Scavengers were seen piloting and crewing one of Annihilus’ spaceships. They may all have these vehicular skills.
It is *possible* that Scavengers have some sort of homing instinct and/or special senses. But I’m reaching, there.
Adνеrtisеmеnt
Personality
The Scavenger is entirely silent. All it seems to ever do is follow Annihilus’ orders to snatch somebody and bring them back.
DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
“Charlie” in Scavenger form
Dex: 05 | Str: 06 | Bod: 12 |
Int: 02 | Wil: 02 | Min: /// |
Inf: /// | Aur: /// | Spi: /// |
Init: 011 | HP: 025 |
Powers:
Cold immunity: 03, Energy absorption: 05, Flame immunity: 04, Flight (Winged): 08, Radar sense: 04, Self-Link (Gadgetry): 12
Skills:
Martial Artist: 07, Thief (Stealth): 04, Vehicles (Space): 03
Advantages:
Life Support (Full), Lightning Reflexes.
Drawbacks:
Creepy Appearance.
Motivation:
N.A..
Occupation:
Full-time robot.
Wealth:
N.A..
Design notes
These stats are arbitrary.
We have a sense of what a Scavenger does, and a vague notion the MPA retains some of its characteristics even in Scavenger form. And that’s about it.
Little is quantifiable from the scene where it appears.
Damnit Rick trust the artist.

Source of Character: Fantastic Four Vol. 1.
Writeup completed on the 31st of December, 2019.