Marvel introduces Mallory Gibbs, the man responsible for assuming the mantle of Sentry under the name Solaris.
In a turn of events worthy of the best superhero narratives, Marvel surprises us with a dramatic change in the universe: the emergence of Solarus, destined to fill the void of the Sentry, but with a brilliance all its own. The new Sentry series immerses us in a plot where six random individuals embrace the incredible powers of the Sentry, marking the birth of Solaris, which uncovers secrets and chains of death that only Mallory Gibbs, a crippled journalist, can survive and teach.
New sunrise
Mallory’s odyssey, from her struggle against the odds to her crown as the sole authority of the Sentry powers, redefines what it means to be a hero in the wider Marvel cosmos. After confronting Ryan Topper, who uses his newfound powers to hunt down and destroy his peers, Mallory is able to stop the killing with the help of the fallen sentries. This act of heroism not only ended Ryan’s reign of terror, but also brought Mallory out of Sentry’s shadow and earned him the name Solarus.
Deciding to turn herself in and take responsibility for the mishaps, Mallory encounters Misty Knight and the Aberran Crimes Unit. Their special relationship as disabled heroes creates a special bond, with Misty playing the role of mentor to help Mallory master and realize her new abilities. In this process of self-discovery, Mallory chooses the name Solarus, symbolizing the beginning of a new era of heroism in which she aspires to shine in her own light, freed from the Sentry’s legacy and complications.
Among heroes and legends
Mallory’s addition to the pantheon of heroes not only fills the void left by Bob Reynolds, but also introduces a heroine free of Sentry’s imprisonment and past. Speculation is building on this new character, especially with Louis Pullman taking on the role of Sentry in the MCU’s Thunderbolts. However, with Mallory’s journey just beginning, and the Blood Hunt crossover event on the horizon, many are wondering what the next chapter of this young heroine’s story will be.
Jason Lu, the writer behind the new Sentry series, shares his vision and inspiration for bringing this new character and his friends to life. Inspired by the legends of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, he set out to tell stories that reflected the struggles and aspirations of everyday people, ensuring that characters like Mallory resonated with realism and depth. A collaboration with disability rights activist Cara Leibovitz ensures Mallory’s representation is honest and respectful, opening new horizons for inclusion in the superhero genre.
From color to eternity
Mallory, journalist turned superhero, isn’t just an addition to Marvel’s star constellation. It represents the light of hope and perseverance. His transition from a life of suffering to the mantle of a sentry underscores the importance of comic representation and authenticity. Like other iconic Marvel characters, Mallory carries not only her incredible powers, but also a human story full of struggles, conquests, and ultimately triumphs.
Not only does Mallory’s decision to change her name reflect her desire for independence and self-determination, it also conveys an important message from superhero history: the power of identity and the importance of forging our own path. By standing alongside famous heroes, Mallory not only perpetuates the tradition of heroism and justice, but also expands the horizons of what it means to be a hero in the 21st century.
Mallory is among us, and her story is just beginning to unfold. What adventures and challenges await this new defender? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: Sentry’s legacy will live on through Solaris, which promises a more inclusive, vibrant, and exciting era of superheroes than ever before.