Defendroids
The Defendroids are robots that feature in Superman.
Contents |
History
The Defendroids were created by Lex Luthors company in an attempt to make Supermans job redundant. Their creation stemmed from an earlier scheme where Luthor through drones had attempted to steal information on Operation: Nugget. Though he gained the information, his drones were destroyed by Superman. This infuriated Luthor who engaged in a longer plan to remove the Man of Steel. To that end, he built the Defendroids to serve as robotic replacements and enacted a scheme to turn the people against Superman. Immediately, the Defendroids were set about Metropolis to target criminal activities some of which were actually staged by Luthor. They were tasked with protecting the city of Metropolis from crime and disasters before Superman himself arrived on the scene. Multiple units along with mock disasters with actors being used to make it seem that the public had come to reject the Man of Steel. They were used to create this effect to the point whereupon Superman announced his retirement.
Seeing that Superman was no longer continuing his duties, Luthor tasked the Defendroids with more criminal tasks such as robbing a train detailed in Operation: Nugget that was carrying gold. At this time, Daily Planet reporters Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen came to suspect that the Defendroids were simply a cover for Luthors criminal activities. Whilst following the machines in their helicopter, they were attacked and taken hostage. The two were placed in a giant Defendroid that was powered by Kryptonite which was used to fight Superman. The giant machine then went into orbit to distract the Man of Steel whilst the regular Defendroids were sent to rob the armored train. They had successfully managed to capture their target but by this point Superman had rescued Lane and Olsen where he confronted the machines. Whilst in flight, he re-programmed the Defendroids to turn against each other were they destroyed themselves. In the aftermath, Luthor claimed that the droids went out of control and escaped punishment.
Overview
In appearance, the Defendroids were tall humanoid robots built in uniform metallic forms, standing as imposing figures with smooth armored plating and angular features that emphasized their mechanical precision. They were somewhat larger then a Human and possessed a yellow armored skin with two red optical sensors. Their design lacked any expressive detail, reflecting their nature as unfeeling enforcers, with glowing optics serving as their primary facial markers. Their bodies were bulky yet streamlined enough for rapid movement, featuring powerful limbs built for both combat and restraint. Each Defendroid shared the exact same model and structure, giving them an identical appearance that underscored their function as a collective unit rather than individual beings. They could fold their arms and legs when engaging in flight mode or they could extend them when they were moving through their environment.
The Defendroids’ abilities were tied directly to their advanced technological construction, granting them superhuman strength that allowed them to lift heavy vehicles and overpower human adversaries with ease. They possessed limited flight capability, enabling them to pursue criminals and even maneuver during confrontations with Superman. Their hands were extendable allowing them to stretch out to grab individuals. Their abdomen contained an opening that allowed them to fire a net to capture fleeing criminals. They also possessed an energy weapon which they fired on their enemies. Energy weapons were built into their systems, allowing them to fire powerful blasts during engagements, giving them a ranged offensive edge. Their armored exteriors provided significant durability, allowing them to withstand conventional weapons and physical impacts that would disable ordinary machines. However, their programming left them rigid and predictable, unable to improvise or adapt when confronted with challenges outside their directives. These abilities made them formidable in raw power but ultimately flawed in practical effectiveness against Superman
A giant Defendroid was also created and it made use of Kryptonite beams to harm Superman. This version captured two of Supermans friends and was heading into orbit where the vacuum would have killed them had Superman not saved them.
Notes
- The Defendroids were created by Marv Wolfman where they featured in the Ruby-Spears Superman continuity.
Appearances
- Superman: "Destroy the Defendroids" (1988)
External Links
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