The best robots and AI in comics: the tier list — article illustration

The best robots and artificial intelligences in comics are, at the top,Vision , Ultron , Brainiac and Cyborg. This tier list classifies the synthetic beings of the comic book universe according to their importance, their power and their stories. Facts (publisher, creation) verified, no invented ratings; each character refers to its file when it exists.

Robots and AI haunt comics: they question humanity, consciousness and the technological threat. This tier list classifies these synthetic beings according to their narrative importance, from melancholic hero to digital genocidal. Criterion: the weight of the character in his universe.

Editorial Ranks, Facts verified. Each character refers to its file when it exists.

Tier list — robots & AI
A
Red TornadoDC, 1968 AmazoDC, 1960 Machine ManMarvel, 1977 MetalloD.C., 1959
B
NimrodMarvel, 1985 The SentinelsMarvel, 1965 DoombotMarvel, 1963 Awesome AndroidMarvel, 1963
C
WarlockMarvel, 1984 JocastaMarvel, 1977 HazardMarvel, 2005 RobotmanDC, 1963
D
H.E.R.B.I.E.Marvel, 1978 Victor ManchaMarvel, 2005 SkeetsDC, 1985

Tier S: the major synthetics

Visionis Marvel's most human android, searching for a family — the subject of one of Tom King's best runs.Ultronis its genocidal creator, AI obsessed with human extinction.Brainiacthreatens Krypton and Earth with its cold intelligence, and Cyborg embodies the man-machine fusion at DC.

Tier A: classic machines

Red Tornado(android from the Justice League),Amazo(which copies the powers),Machine Man(creation by Jack Kirby) and Metallo(the robot with the heart of kryptonite) are major figures.

Tier B: mechanical threats

Nimrod , the Sentinels (mutant hunters), Doombots and the Awesome Android embody the recurring technological threat of comics.

Tier C: the notable AIs

Warlock (New Mutants), Jocasta , Hazard(the Danger Room became conscious) and Robotman(Doom Patrol) complete the selection.

Tier D: the curiosities

H.E.R.B.I.E.(the robot from Fantastic Four),Victor Mancha (Runaways) and Skeets(the Booster Gold robot) closes this tier list: more discreet but very real AIs.

To remember

Frequently asked questions

Vision is most appreciated for its emotional depth.Ultron is the most striking on the antagonist side, and Brainiac DC side.

Vision is an android (“synthezoid”) created by Ultron. His quest for humanity and emotions is precisely what distinguishes him from a simple robot.

In Avengers #57 (1968), a key issue sought after by collectors, especially since the television series dedicated to it.

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