Mendel Stromm


Professor Mendel Stromm is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character has also been known as the Robot Master and Gaunt.

Publication history

Stromm first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #37, and was created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko.

Fictional character biography

Professor Mendel Stromm is Norman Osborn's college professor at Empire State University and later becomes a partner in Oscorp Industries. His early research is on a chemical that would provide enhanced strength in its test subjects and would eventually turn Osborn into the Green Goblin. Osborn, wanting the formula for himself, discovers that Stromm had been embezzling funds from Oscorp. Stromm explains that he is merely borrowing the funds, but Osborn turns him over to the police. After several years in prison, Stromm is released and tried to kill Osborn for revenge using deadly robots. He is stopped by Spider-Man and seemingly dies of a heart attack when he is nearly shot.
Stromm survives by transferring his consciousness into a robotic double. Now calling himself "the Robot Master", Stromm returns in Spectacular Spider-Man #68. Spider-Man defeats and destroys the robot double.
In Spectacular Spider-Man #233, Stromm returns again, this time as a cyborg called Gaunt. It is revealed that he survived through a cybernetic suit fused to his body by Osborn. Osborn had discovered that Stromm had survived his heart attack thanks to the Goblin Formula, but on a level of consciousness supported only by his suit. Eventually, via Seward Trainer, Stromm is cured of his need for the suit and returns in a large suit of robotic armor, only for it to be destroyed by Ben Reilly and Peter Parker.
In Peter Parker: Spider-Man #27, Stromm tries to create a sentient robot to kill Osborn, but it turns on him and destroys his body, keeping his severed head alive. This artificial intelligence attempts to take over New York City's electrical grid, but is stopped when Spider-Man fights his way into the robot's core processor and uploaded a virus into it, rendering the A.I. and Mendel comatose.
In Penance: Relentless, it is revealed that Spider-Man tipped S.H.I.E.L.D. off to Stromm's whereabouts, allowing them to rescue him. Penance goes AWOL on the Thunderbolts and attacks Stromm's home, threatening to kill him unless Stromm tells him how to activate nuclear launch codes Penance has stolen in a bid to get Nitro deported from Latveria.
In Civil War II, Mendel Stromm meets Clash at the henchman bar Moynihan's Social Club during its happy hour. He gives Clash an offer to work for him in his plan to get revenge on Harry Osborn. However, they are both defeated by Spider-Man.
Mendel Stromm later obtains a Tri-Sentinel from the bunker of the bankrupt Life Foundation, which proceeds to battle an Isotope Genome Accelerator duplicate of Spider-Man. After the Tri-Sentinel is defeated, Stromm breaks down in tears. Stromm is then approached by Kindred, who gives him a Master Mold that specializes in creating Tri-Sentinels. After Spider-Man defeats the Tri-Sentinels, Stromm is confronted by Kindred, who states that his usefulness has ended and kills him.

Powers, abilities, and equipment

Mendel Stromm possesses extensive knowledge of chemistry and robotics, as well as cybernetic enhancements that give him the ability to fly, generate energy blasts, and manipulate technology.

Other versions

An alternate universe version of Mendel Stromm from the Battleworld domain of Arachnia appears in Secret Wars as one of several scientists attempting to decipher the Web of Life and Destiny.

In other media

Television

Wardell Stromm appears in the Spider-Man: The Animated Series episode "Enter the Green Goblin", voiced by Philip Abbott. He is Norman Osborn's assistant and one of the few who knows of Oscorp's connections to the Kingpin.

Film

  • Mendel Stromm appears in Spider-Man, portrayed by Ron Perkins. This version is a scientist employed by Oscorp to develop human performance enhancers, though he expresses doubts in their effectiveness due to their test mice demonstrating violent insanity. After being driven insane by the serum, Norman Osborn kills Stromm.
  • Mendel Stromm appears in Superhero Movie, portrayed by Brent Spiner.

    Video games

  • Mendel Stromm appears in the Spider-Man tie-in game, voiced by Peter Lurie.
  • Mendel Stromm appears in The Amazing Spider-Man, voiced by Fred Tatasciore. This version is an Oscorp scientist who helped create experimental hybrid creatures.