The Sentry stands out as one of Marvel’s most formidable heroes, boasting reality-warping abilities that allow him to transform into an unparalleled superhero. With strength comparable to the Hulk, astonishing speed, and near invincibility, Sentry embodies ultimate power in the Marvel Universe. Despite his might, even he occasionally seeks assistance, especially when facing off against formidable foes, including his dark counterpart, the Void.
This article delves into the eight most powerful allies of the Sentry within Marvel Comics. Notably, the list focuses on heroes who share a significant bond with Bob Reynolds, as all Marvel heroes have crossed paths at some point. It’s crucial to acknowledge that Sentry was initially presented as a ‘forgotten’ figure erased from memory, leading to many of his relationships being retroactively established. Nevertheless, certain friendships have developed genuinely through various escapades, including…
8
Mister Fantastic, aka Reed Richards
Sentry’s Most Frequent Ally Is Essentially Family
Despite being the weakest character on this list in terms of raw power, Mister Fantastic, or Reed Richards, compensates with his genius intellect. Known as the smartest person in the Marvel Universe, Reed is the mind behind groundbreaking inventions. Critically, Reed also played a role in erasing Sentry from collective memory to shield humanity from the Void, a request made by Bob himself.
The trust between Sentry and Reed is evident; they share a bond akin to brotherhood, as Reed was even the best man at Bob’s wedding. Following the retconned timeline, Sentry is seen as the first modern hero, closely followed by the Fantastic Four, solidifying their positions as one of the oldest superhero friendships across franchises. Their camaraderie continues to shine through numerous collaborations, despite occasional misgivings from other members of the Fantastic Four, particularly the Thing.
It’s revealed in “Sentry Volume 1″(created by Paul Jenkins and Jae Lee) that Bob sometimes recalls his superhero identity as Sentry, necessitating Reed’s regular erasure of these memories to prevent the resurgence of the Void—an unsettling aspect of their enduring friendship.
7
Spider-Man, aka Peter Parker
Sentry Shared a Landmark Moment in Peter’s Career
In the 2001 comic “Sentry/Spider-Man #1″(crafted by Paul Jenkins and Rick Leonardi), readers discover Peter Parker’s flickering memories of Bob Reynolds. To bolster public trust in superheroes, Sentry enlisted Peter to capture the first official photograph of him in full costume. This iconic image became pivotal to Peter’s career in photography and was implied to be the catalyst for a Pulitzer Prize-winning moment.
Unfortunately, when Sentry was erased from memory, Peter’s own acclaim faded along with it. Those who wondered how Peter secured his position at the Daily Bugle with what seemed like blurred shots of Spider-Man can now appreciate the significance of that Sentry photo, which solidified his standing. Spider-Man continued to respect and assist Sentry against the Void, showcasing a rich partnership that culminated in deep sorrow on Peter’s part when he couldn’t attend Sentry’s funeral in “Sentry: Fallen Sun.”
6
Crystal Amaquelin
Sentry Had a Romantic Connection with This Inhuman Powerhouse
Crystal Amaquelin, a member of the Inhuman Royal Family and a lesser-known figure within the Fantastic Four, wields control over the classical elements of air, fire, water, and earth. While her notable romantic involvements include the Human Torch and Quicksilver (with whom she had a daughter), she also shared a brief but meaningful relationship with Sentry.
In “New Avengers #24″(by Brian Michael Bendis and Pasqual Ferry), Sentry takes a moment on the Moon to reflect and encounters Crystal, who is unaware of her past with him due to memory erasure. Their relationship adds depth to Sentry’s character and reveals the interconnectedness of their superhero lives.
5
Rogue, aka Anna Marie
X-Men’s Power Absorber Shared a Secret Romance with Sentry
Rogue, a powerhouse and essential member of the X-Men, possesses the ability to absorb the powers and memories of others through touch. Notably, her strength has been enhanced through various adventures, including a significant collaboration with Sentry in “Uncanny Avengers #21″(penned by Rick Remender). Together, they faced the daunting Celestial Exitar the Executioner, albeit during a turbulent time for Sentry, who was influenced by the Death Seed.
While their romantic past is less discussed, the hidden relationship was unveiled in “Sentry: Fallen Sun #1.”Rogue found comfort in Sentry during a period when her powers made physical touch dangerous. Although some fans feel this detail is a retcon, it has gained a canonical status nonetheless.
4
Silver Surfer, aka Norrin Radd
Sentry Joined Forces with Galactus’ Former Herald
The Silver Surfer is among Marvel’s most powerful characters, harnessing the Power Cosmic, enabling him to manipulate energy, transform matter, and achieve incredible velocities. In the face of the Cancerverse’s threats, Surfer allied with Sentry, merging into a single entity known as the Silver Sentry in “Annihilation – Scourge: Silver Surfer #1″(by Dan Abnett and Paul Davidson). Silver Surfer remains one of the few heroes to lend his strength to Sentry in both his heroic and Bob Reynolds identities.
3
The Sentry Family: Scout, Sentress, CLOC, and Watchdog
Sentry Does Have His Own Superhero ‘Family’
Much like other iconic superheroes such as Spider-Man and Batman, Sentry also has a supporting cast that enriches his story. A pivotal figure in this ensemble is CLOC, the Centrally Located Organic Computer, designed by Reed Richards. With a unique ability to emulate emotions, CLOC serves as an indispensable assistant within Sentry’s Watchtower, alerting him to emergencies and optimizing his response strategies.
Additionally, Sentry’s family includes Scout (Billy Turner) and Watchdog (aka Normie), each imbued with powers reflecting Sentry’s own capabilities. However, the precarious nature of powers is highlighted when Scout, in a bid for strength, betrayed Bob, leading to tragic consequences.
In his adventures, Sentry also created new allies within the pocket dimension known as Sentry World, including another iteration of Watchdog and a new hero, Sentress, who was based on his friend Jenny but faced her demise at the hands of his adversary, Cranio.
2
The Incredible Hulk, aka Bruce Banner
Sentry Holds a Unique Bond with the Hulk
While the Hulk often struggles to connect with Marvel’s roster of heroes, his relationship with Sentry is a delightful exception, marked by genuine affection. Sentry’s intrinsic powers have a calming effect on the Hulk, granting him clearer thoughts in Bob’s presence. It’s suggested that Hulk views Bob and his wife Lindy as parental figures, showcasing a deep-rooted loyalty between them.
The villain Void exploited this bond by inflicting suffering on Hulk, knowing it would cause Sentry immense pain. Their camaraderie extends through multiple comic arcs, including “Sentry/Hulk”and “Sentry Volume 2,”serving as testament to their enduring friendship.
Remarkably, Hulk was among the few to retain memories of Sentry even when his existence was wiped from collective consciousness—raising questions about his immunity to memory wipes or his presence during those events.
1
X-Man, aka Nate Grey
X-Men’s Most Powerful Hero Was Sentry’s Superhero Partner
Regarded as one of Marvel’s supreme heroes, Nate Grey is a hyper-powerful mutant, a synthetic offspring of Cyclops and Jean Grey. With an array of abilities including reality manipulation, telekinesis, and a connection to the Phoenix Force, X-Man serves as a formidable ally to Sentry, matching his overwhelming strength.
While their partnership remains largely implied—rarely depicted overtly in comics—X-Man emphasized their teamwork in “Dark X-Men #3,”where he reminisces about their adventurous battles against foes like Galactus and the Void, as well as “the Rogue Thor.”This meaningful connection emphasizes the strength of their alliance, especially given X-Man’s potential to remember Bob Reynolds longer than others due to his unique origins within the Marvel Universe.
These are the eight strongest allies of the Sentry within the vast Marvel landscape, from the brilliant Reed Richards to the extraordinary X-Man. We invite readers to share their thoughts on this ranking and suggest any notable figures they believe belong on this list.