There have been many versions of Ultron over the years in Marvel Comics, and almost every single one of them has been a bloodthirsty and murderous machine hellbent on destroying the Avengers. But there is one version that was different from the rest. Ultron Mark-12 debuted in Vision and Scarlet Witch #1 in 1985 as a villain, but over time came to reconsider his actions, and decided to become a good guy. Created by Steve Englehart and Richard Howell, his heroic career did not last long, and this version has been all but forgotten.
Built by Hank Pym, the first Ultron appeared in Avengers #54 in 1968. Part of Pym’s research into robotics and artificial intelligence, Ultron quickly turned evil and fought the Avengers. The team was able to subdue him, but he has returned numerous times, rebuilding and upgrading himself each time. He has proven to be one of the Avengers’ most feared adversaries, partially because he continually returns, with each version better, and deadlier, than the one before it. One notable exception however is Ultron Mark-12, or “Mark” as he liked to call himself.
Like all the other Ultrons, this version started evil, and even fought alongside the Lethal Legion against the Avengers. After more skirmishes, this Ultron began to change and attempted to reconcile with Pym, who he views as his “father.” Mark-12 explains that his previous versions were like “adolescents” who hate their father; he goes on to explain that as he has progressed through versions, his self-awareness continues to evolve, and he now grown to maturity. He wishes a relationship with Pym, who is at a low point in his life. Pym is understandably confused and suspicious but comes to accept Mark-12. Meanwhile, Ultron-11 had reasserted itself, and came looking for Mark-12 and Pym; Mark-12 sacrificed himself to save Pym from Ultron-11.
At this point, fans were used to evil Ultrons, who dreamed of world conquest and killing the Avengers, so a good and noble Ultron must have been jarring. Yet this version represents everything Pym intended for him and he got there by developing empathy—which indicates a degree of awareness his predecessors (and successors) did not have. It is truly sad any heroic career he would have had was cut short—imagine what a good Ultron could accomplish.
Ultron is one of Marvel’s most popular villains and for good reason. He represents advanced technology and artificial intelligence run amok, concerns that are becoming more and more common in the modern world. The fact that a good version of him even existed in the first place means the capacity for him to evolve mentally as well as physically exists, which gives him a tragic air as well.
