Warning! This article contains major SPOILERS for Thunderbolts*

The Sentry was finally introduced in Thunderbolts*, but I think Marvel Studios has decided to downgrade his power levels compared to the comics based on one line. As was expected, Lewis Pullman’s Bob became a central figure in Thunderbolts* as the victim of Valentina Allegra de Fontaine’s attempts to replace the absent Avengers with a single enтιтy under her sway. Thunderbolts* took a few creative liberties with Bob’s backstory compared to the comics, overall turning the lovable misfit into an even more sympathetic character.

The effects of de Fontaine’s experiments (carried out by the clandestine OXE group) led to Bob transforming into the main villain of Thunderbolts*, the Void. This manifestation of Bob’s darker side was responsible for bathing New York in a shadow, as was depicted in the Thunderbolts* trailers. Still, despite the potential ramifications if the Thunderbolts hadn’t successfully intervened, I think the movie might have downgraded Sentry and the Void, which was indicated by one key line early in the movie.

The Phrase Used To Denote Sentry’s Power Level Received A Downgrade In Thunderbolts*

Thunderbolts* Sentry Has The Power Of 1000 Exploding Suns

Sentry is one of the most powerful characters in Marvel Comics. When completely stable, Sentry’s powers are immense enough to warp reality and tussle with Hulk until a standstill. This is all thanks to the serum that Robert Reynolds consumed in Marvel Comics, which is a thousand times more potent than the super soldier serum given to Steve Rogers. This gives rise to the most common phrase used to describe Sentry’s powers, which are on the same level as “one million exploding suns.“

In Thunderbolts*, however, the power is described as equal to a thousand exploding suns – just 0.1% of the power typically ᴀssociated with Sentry. This is, of course, still immensely powerful, and the one-sided fight between Sentry and the Thunderbolts was entertainingly indicative of what he is capable of in the MCU. Nevertheless, I think the downgrade in power was most evident when the Void finally manifested and let loose on New York.

The Void’s Power Downgrade Was Evident In Thunderbolts*

The Void Didn’t Kill Anyone

The Void finally emerged as a powerful manifestation of Bob’s negative emotions, powered by the OXE group’s clandestine Sentry program in the third act of Thunderbolts*. He appeared to be completely unstoppable, sinisterly hovering above the streets of New York before extending a hand to turn its inhabitants into shadows. It later transpired that the Void had simply banished New York’s citizens to a realm filled with “shame rooms,” where they would be condemned to living out their most shameful experiences in perpetuity.

The Void works differently in Marvel Comics. During his first transformation, the Void outright killed millions of people in New York City, and is capable of killing millions more. In contrast, the MCU’s version of the void is responsible for precisely zero deaths (short of those potentially caused by consequences like crashing helicopters), even foregoing the opportunity to kill Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. Ultimately, I think this is for the best.

The MCU Is Right To Give Sentry & The Void A Power Downgrade

A Comic-Accurate Version Would Upset The Power Balance Of The MCU Too Much

I’m aware that the number of suns used to describe Sentry’s powers is liable to change in Marvel Comics, and is instead purposefully hyperbolic rather than an accurate one-to-one indication of his power levels. Nevertheless, with the million exploding suns being the go-to descriptor, I think Marvel Studios made a conscious decision to opt for the smaller number. Given the implications of having a character as powerful as a comic-accurate Sentry or Void in the MCU, I think that this was a wise move from Marvel.

A comic-accurate Sentry would have considerably upset the power balance in the MCU. Sentry alone would be capable of at least providing Doctor Doom, the arch-villain of the Multiverse Saga, a decent fight, and Kevin Feige has already confirmed that Doom will be facing multiple superhero teams in Avengers: Doomsday. It would be difficult to imagine a situation in which a Sentry with comic-accurate power level wouldn’t wipe the floor with these superhero teams at his back. Instead, I think Thunderbolts* has successfully introduced a version that can feasibly be beaten by Doom.