S.P.I.N. (Super-Power-Inhibiting Nanobots) Technology
Encyclopedia
S.P.I.N. Technology or S.P.I.N. Tech is a fictional type of nanotechnology found in Marvel Comics
.
#3, when War Machine
described it to cadet Komodo
in a mission briefing. During the earlier Civil War
, the pro-registration side had created special technology to inhibit and/or remove the super powers of those who opposed registration. This was widely known and publicized. However, what wasn't known to the public was that they had managed to miniaturize the technology into nanobots. It could be fired in special adamantium-tipped ammunition which could pierce the skin of any known individual, and thus render them unable to use their powers, causing them to no longer be a threat. Iron Man
successfully used S.P.I.N. Tech to strip She-Hulk
of her powers when she learned of her cousin Bruce Banner
's fate at the hands of the Illuminati
and vowed to punish those responsible. In the first known field mission where S.P.I.N. Tech is used, the villains Shocker
, Boomerang
and Hydro-Man
were all successfully hit with it, though as it was not targeted to their DNA, they were not affected. Spider-Man
(who was the target of the mission) managed to clog one of War Machine's guns with his webbing, and the nanomachines entered his suit's systems and shut them down, which would seem to indicate that this technology can be used against other technological devices as well. However, their effects seem to be temporary; War Machine recovered soon afterwards.
Iron Man later used S.P.I.N. Tech against Hulk when he returned to Earth to seek revenge on the Illuminati, but at Stark's own admission there was no telling how long the technology would keep the Hulk weakened, which would seem to further indicate that S.P.I.N. Tech is not permanent, or at least not against individuals whose power levels can increase, such as Hulk. It was, however, later revealed that the container that Stark had with him to infect the Hulk was actually empty, having previously been stolen by Initiative recruit Hardball
. Amadeus Cho
also managed to help She-Hulk regain her powers after they had been stripped, which implies that S.P.I.N. Tech may be able to be deactivated even after initial exposure; this is confirmed when She-Hulk reveals that Stark temporarily disabled the nanobots in her body to allow her to aid in the defense against the Hulk's return.
It is also mentioned that all the nanomachines used in S.P.I.N. Tech can be targeted to specific individuals, negating any chances of friendly fire
. Though in use by S.H.I.E.L.D., the S.P.I.N. Tech has gotten into the hands of several villains and terrorist groups when it was revealed that the man who hired Hardball to steal the S.P.I.N. Tech, Congressman Woodman, is in fact a high-ranking member of HYDRA. During an encounter in Madripoor
between HYDRA agents and members of the Shadow Initiative, HYDRA employs modified S.P.I.N. Tech that their agents claim is effective against any superhuman target, and uses it to negate Komodo's abilities. However, when the Shadow Initiative infiltrated their headquarters, Hardball had destroyed all the S.P.I.N. Tech, except for his own, which was stolen by Carmilla Black.
When a group of super villains used the technology to inhibit one of Hank Pym's drug-created superheroes, Mulholland, the removal of this former mutant's
drug-made powers somehow allowed her true mutant powers to resurface.
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
.
History
S.P.I.N. Tech was first mentioned in Avengers: The InitiativeAvengers: The Initiative
Avengers: The Initiative was a comic book series from Marvel Comics. Written by Dan Slott and Christos Gage with artwork initially by Stefano Caselli, Steve Uy and Harvey Tolibao, the series dealt with the aftermath of Marvel's Civil War crossover Avengers: The Initiative was a comic book series...
#3, when War Machine
War Machine
War Machine is a fictional character, a comic book superhero appearing in comic books set in the Marvel Comics universe. The character of James Rhodes first appeared in Iron Man #118 by David Michelinie, John Byrne and Bob Layton...
described it to cadet Komodo
Komodo (comics)
Komodo is the name of two fictional characters in the Marvel Comics Universe.-New Men:The first Komodo is one of the New Men, creatures evolved by the High Evolutionary from a lizard. He accompanied the Ani-Men on their clean-up mission at the Jackal's laboratory and fought the Scarlet Spider...
in a mission briefing. During the earlier Civil War
Civil War (comics)
Civil War is a 2006-2007 Marvel Comics crossover storyline built around a self-titled seven-issue limited series written by Mark Millar and penciled by Steve McNiven, which ran through various other titles published by Marvel at the time...
, the pro-registration side had created special technology to inhibit and/or remove the super powers of those who opposed registration. This was widely known and publicized. However, what wasn't known to the public was that they had managed to miniaturize the technology into nanobots. It could be fired in special adamantium-tipped ammunition which could pierce the skin of any known individual, and thus render them unable to use their powers, causing them to no longer be a threat. Iron Man
Iron Man
Iron Man is a fictional character, a superhero in the . The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee, developed by scripter Larry Lieber, and designed by artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby, first appearing in Tales of Suspense #39 .A billionaire playboy, industrialist and ingenious engineer,...
successfully used S.P.I.N. Tech to strip She-Hulk
She-Hulk
She-Hulk is a Marvel Comics superheroine. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist John Buscema, she first appeared in Savage She-Hulk #1 ....
of her powers when she learned of her cousin Bruce Banner
Hulk (comics)
The Hulk is a fictional character, a superhero in the . Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #1 ....
's fate at the hands of the Illuminati
Illuminati (Marvel Comics)
The Illuminati are a group of comic book superheroes who joined forces and secretly work behind the scenes in Marvel Comics' main shared universe. The group was formed very shortly after the Kree-Skrull War...
and vowed to punish those responsible. In the first known field mission where S.P.I.N. Tech is used, the villains Shocker
Shocker (comics)
The Shocker or just Shocker is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #46 and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist John Romita, Sr.-Fictional character biography:Herman Schultz was born in New York...
, Boomerang
Boomerang (comics)
Boomerang is a fictional character, a supervillain appearing in the Marvel Comics universe and first appeared in Tales to Astonish #81....
and Hydro-Man
Hydro-Man
Hydro-Man, also spelled Hydro Man , is a fictional character that appears in the comic books published by Marvel Comics...
were all successfully hit with it, though as it was not targeted to their DNA, they were not affected. Spider-Man
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15...
(who was the target of the mission) managed to clog one of War Machine's guns with his webbing, and the nanomachines entered his suit's systems and shut them down, which would seem to indicate that this technology can be used against other technological devices as well. However, their effects seem to be temporary; War Machine recovered soon afterwards.
Iron Man later used S.P.I.N. Tech against Hulk when he returned to Earth to seek revenge on the Illuminati, but at Stark's own admission there was no telling how long the technology would keep the Hulk weakened, which would seem to further indicate that S.P.I.N. Tech is not permanent, or at least not against individuals whose power levels can increase, such as Hulk. It was, however, later revealed that the container that Stark had with him to infect the Hulk was actually empty, having previously been stolen by Initiative recruit Hardball
Hardball (comics)
Hardball is a fictional comic book superhero in the Marvel Comics universe. He was created by writer Dan Slott and artist Stefano Caselli, and first appeared in Avengers: The Initiative #1 ....
. Amadeus Cho
Amadeus Cho
Amadeus Cho, also known as Mastermind Excello, is a fictional comic book character appearing in books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Greg Pak and artist Takeshi Miyazawa, the character first appeared in Amazing Fantasy vol. 2 #15...
also managed to help She-Hulk regain her powers after they had been stripped, which implies that S.P.I.N. Tech may be able to be deactivated even after initial exposure; this is confirmed when She-Hulk reveals that Stark temporarily disabled the nanobots in her body to allow her to aid in the defense against the Hulk's return.
It is also mentioned that all the nanomachines used in S.P.I.N. Tech can be targeted to specific individuals, negating any chances of friendly fire
Friendly fire
Friendly fire is inadvertent firing towards one's own or otherwise friendly forces while attempting to engage enemy forces, particularly where this results in injury or death. A death resulting from a negligent discharge is not considered friendly fire...
. Though in use by S.H.I.E.L.D., the S.P.I.N. Tech has gotten into the hands of several villains and terrorist groups when it was revealed that the man who hired Hardball to steal the S.P.I.N. Tech, Congressman Woodman, is in fact a high-ranking member of HYDRA. During an encounter in Madripoor
Madripoor
The Principality of Madripoor is a fictional island located in Southeast Asia in the Marvel Comics universe. Based on illustrations, it is in the southern portion of the Strait of Malacca, southwest of Singapore.-Publication history:...
between HYDRA agents and members of the Shadow Initiative, HYDRA employs modified S.P.I.N. Tech that their agents claim is effective against any superhuman target, and uses it to negate Komodo's abilities. However, when the Shadow Initiative infiltrated their headquarters, Hardball had destroyed all the S.P.I.N. Tech, except for his own, which was stolen by Carmilla Black.
When a group of super villains used the technology to inhibit one of Hank Pym's drug-created superheroes, Mulholland, the removal of this former mutant's
Decimation (comics)
Decimation is the late 2005 Marvel Comics storyline spinning off from the House of M limited series. It focuses on the ramifications of the Scarlet Witch stripping nearly all of the mutant population of their powers, thereby reducing a society of millions to one of scant hundreds.This event, which...
drug-made powers somehow allowed her true mutant powers to resurface.