Prototype (comics)
Encyclopedia
Prototype was the name of two characters from Malibu Comics
' Ultraverse
. The original Prototype was Bob Campbell, who was replaced by the second Prototype, Jimmy Ruiz. These events happened before the first issue of Prototype and Ruiz was then the first Prototype revealed to the readers.
Bob Campbell went on to get another armored suit and become the hero Ranger.
As Prototype, Jimmy Ruiz became a member of Ultraforce
, helping defeat Atalon
.
, Ruiz was written out of continuity and Bob Campbell was retcon
ned as the "only" Prototype to have ever existed. The revision went so far as to remove the accident that cost him his arm as he had originally, yet seemed to maintain other events which led to his joining Aladdin
as he had originally. In an ironic twist near the end of Ultraforce's comic, Bob's Prototype armor was totalled. He would end up building a suit that was nearly identical to the armor he wore as Ranger (the only difference being that the helmet he wore with his 'new' armor was the last surviving remnant of his Prototype 2.0 armor). He also became the leader of Ultraforce as the series came to an end.
Malibu Comics
Malibu Comics was an American comic book publisher active in the late 1980s and early 1990s, best known for its Ultraverse line of superhero titles. The company's headquarters was in Calabasas, California. Malibu imprints included Aircel Comics and Eternity Comics...
' Ultraverse
Ultraverse
The Ultraverse was the name given to a comic book imprint published by the American company Malibu Comics. The Ultraverse was a shared universe in which a variety of characters — known within the comics as "Ultras" — acquired super-human abilities.-History:...
. The original Prototype was Bob Campbell, who was replaced by the second Prototype, Jimmy Ruiz. These events happened before the first issue of Prototype and Ruiz was then the first Prototype revealed to the readers.
History
Ruiz was hired by a company called Ultra-Tech as a corporate spokesman/mascot named Prototype. He had devices surgically implanted in his body that enabled him to cybernetically control a suit of powered armor which enabled him to fly, fire blasts of concussive energy, and which greatly amplified his strength. Ultra-Tech had discovered that Jimmy was an Ultra that could supply his own energy, reducing the size of the powered suit. This is the reason Ultra-Tech replaced Bob Campbell, whom they had arranged an "accident" for, to legitimize the replacement.Bob Campbell went on to get another armored suit and become the hero Ranger.
As Prototype, Jimmy Ruiz became a member of Ultraforce
Ultraforce (comics)
The Ultraforce is a fictional superhero group that appears in comic books published by Malibu, and later Marvel, as well as an animated series produced by DIC. Their purpose was to protect the public and keep other Ultras from getting out of line...
, helping defeat Atalon
Atalon
Atalon is a fictional character, a supervillain from Malibu Comics' Ultraverse. He was primarily a foe of Ultraforce. Atalon first appeared in Ultraforce #0 and was created by Gerard Jones and George Pérez....
.
Black September
After the events of Black September, in which the Ultraverse was given a drastic overhaul by new owner Marvel ComicsMarvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
, Ruiz was written out of continuity and Bob Campbell was retcon
Retcon
Retroactive continuity is the alteration of previously established facts in a fictional work. Retcons are done for many reasons, including the accommodation of sequels or further derivative works in a series, wherein newer authors or creators want to revise the in-story history to allow a course...
ned as the "only" Prototype to have ever existed. The revision went so far as to remove the accident that cost him his arm as he had originally, yet seemed to maintain other events which led to his joining Aladdin
Aladdin (comics)
Aladdin was a fictional government organization from Malibu Comics' Ultraverse imprint.- Overview :Aladdin was a U.S. government agency apparently founded sometime in the 1960s to deal with the growing number of Ultras in their world. 1n 1970, their scientific division, using a synthesis of...
as he had originally. In an ironic twist near the end of Ultraforce's comic, Bob's Prototype armor was totalled. He would end up building a suit that was nearly identical to the armor he wore as Ranger (the only difference being that the helmet he wore with his 'new' armor was the last surviving remnant of his Prototype 2.0 armor). He also became the leader of Ultraforce as the series came to an end.
Appearances in other media
- Prototype (Jimmy Ruiz) also appeared in the UltraforceUltraforce (comics)The Ultraforce is a fictional superhero group that appears in comic books published by Malibu, and later Marvel, as well as an animated series produced by DIC. Their purpose was to protect the public and keep other Ultras from getting out of line...
animated cartoon, often bickering with PrimePrime (comics)Prime is a superhero created by Bob Jacob, Gerard Jones, Len Strazewski, and Norm Breyfogle. He debuted in Prime #1 under Malibu Comics' Ultraverse imprint, and was one of its flagship characters along with Mantra and Hardcase . The character design was credited to Bret Blevins...
, and usually landing in trouble due to his own arrogance. He is voiced by Rino RomanoRino RomanoRino Romano is a Canadian voice actor who has portrayed Batman in the animated series The Batman, Spider-Man in Spider-Man Unlimited, and Tuxedo Mask in the English dub of the anime Sailor Moon... - Prototype (Jimmy Ruiz) was one of the action figures produced for Galoob'sGaloobLewis Galoob Toys, Inc. was a toy company headquartered on Forbes Blvd. in South San Francisco, California. Best known for distributing the Game Genie, a videogame cheat device, for Codemasters in the US, Galoob was founded by Barbara Frankel and Lewis Galoob in 1954 as an import business. Before...
Ultraforce line.