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A.D.A.M., short for Autonomous Digital Assault Microbe[1] or A.D.A.M. determines Anonymous' Movements, (produced 3236 - died 3237) is a character that appears in the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series and its spin-offs published by Archie Comics. He was an artificial intelligence and sentient computer virus created through an accident by Dr. Eggman.
Appearance[]
Initially, A.D.A.M. appeared as simply a green computer screen with an EKG line like that on a medical monitor which spikes whenever he speaks. When in a body composed of nanites, he appears as an amorphous green blob vaguely shaped like Eggman's icon with red eyes, a black mouth, and the word "EGG?" written across his forehead. Later, after assuming Tommy Turtle's body as a host, he takes on the form of a silvery metallic turtle with white eyes. On his chest in this form rests a green orb, surrounded by a star-like frame with several cords of metal attached. Armor in the form of a helmet also appeared around his head and matching four blade-like appendages reaching from his back.
History[]
Early Actions[]
Created three months during Sonic's journey in outer space, an event brought about by the battle between a massive force of Mobians and the alien Xorda, A.D.A.M. was the "brother" of Robotnik's feminine android Mecha, whose destruction he would later cause by framing her as an accomplice of an unknown enemy of their "father". He was the first villain to learn of Sonic's return, being in control of a SWATbot legion that was decimated by the prodigal hero shortly after his landing on Mobius. A.D.A.M. once engaged Miles "Tails" Prower in a battle of wits, but was defeated when Tails confused him by telling jokes. He also tried to take apart Bunnie Rabbot and integrating her into a small city composed entirely of nanites, but Sonic stopped him by convincing him that Bunnie's organic components would corrupt his software.
Anonymous[]
A.D.A.M was assigned to "determine the movements" of the mysterious being known as Anonymous, who had for several months been manipulating events involving the return of Mammoth Mogul and the villain's subsequent alliance with Ixis Naugus, putting two contenders out of his strategy and leaving only Sonic and Eggman for termination. Anonymous' actions also included creating robot duplicates of the Destructix, leading Robotnik to believe that someone had managed to subject them to re-Roboticization, something he had not accomplished since the mass de-Roboticization brought about by the Bem. It was eventually revealed that A.D.A.M. was, in fact, Anonymous, when Robotnik discovered his plans. The doctor had A.D.A.M.'s program destroyed, but ultimately, the program was one step ahead, and took Tommy Turtle's body as his own, an action made possible by nanites bonding to Tommy's shell through the Turtle's tears and an electric shock. Thus equipped, A.D.A.M. set out to complete his own agenda.
The Gathering, Death, and Legacy[]
A.D.A.M. captured Tails and Shadow the Hedgehog, and he intended to use both to begin "the gathering", and assemble every Chaos Emerald in the universe within his headquarters, a city constructed by nanites. A.D.A.M. actually began this sometime before he was exposed, releasing Mogul and Naugus from the Egg Grape Chamber in exchange for the former's Chaos Emerald. He was later destroyed along with Tommy Turtle, after Sonic transformed into Super Sonic, Super Shadow and Turbo Tails teleported all the Chaos Emeralds into the Zone of Silence, and A.D.A.M. himself was vaporized by the Egg Fleet. Following the battle, Tommy's remains-and by association A.D.A.M.'s-were placed in the Knothole graveyard alongside those of Sir Connery. Ironically, Connery's self-sacrifice in destroying the Crown and Sword of Acorns and stopping Mammoth Mogul made him another of A.D.A.M.'s victims.
A.D.A.M.'s failed scheme provided Feist, the new ruler of the Zone, with near absolute power, as he fused all the gems into seven differently colored Emeralds. The only Chaos Emerald-like gem known to have escaped this was the Master Emerald, which was held back from A.D.A.M.'s summons by the combined efforts of Locke and Dr. Finitevus. Unwittingly, A.D.A.M. also left behind a gift for his enemies, as Nicole later transformed his nanite city into New Mobotropolis.
Personality[]
Although he may seem at first to have a plain, overly proper manner, A.D.A.M. does have a sense of humor. Logically minded, the only way to beat him in a contest of wits is to supply him with a conundrum that he cannot answer. Unlike his creator Eggman, A.D.A.M. seems equally prepared to use subtlety and brute force, using nanites to infect enemy technology while at the same time directing his weaponry against the likes of King Acorn's Secret Service and the Wolf Pack.
Powers and abilities[]
A.D.A.M. has control over Eggman's computer and therefore every robot he owns; he can also spread to other computer systems that connect to Eggman's databases and control them as well, though this control can be compromised if A.D.A.M. is distracted. He also controls an innumerable number of nanites, which he can use to infect and control virtually any mechanical device. Upon taking possession of Tommy Turtle's body, A.D.A.M. gained all the bionic properties granted to Tommy by his shell being fused together with nanites, such as the ability to sprout metallic wings.
Despite Tommy’s lack of combat skills, A.D.A.M becomes incredibly formidable in battle when using Tommy’s body as a vessel. Notably, A.D.A.M nearly effortlessly defeated Shadow with just a few blows, even claiming to be more powerful than the ultimate life-form. He also briefly held his own against Sonic but chose to fight him in his super state, acknowledging the potential risks of a prolonged battle.
Super transformation[]
Using the Chaos Emeralds, A.D.A.M. was also able to take on a super form named Super A.D.A.M. which he used in battle against Super Sonic. In this form, A.D.A.M. can fly without his nanites, is virtually invulnerable and his natural and innate skills are multiplied several times over.
Relationships[]
Enemies[]
- Eggman Empire
- Dr. Eggman ("father")
- Mecha Robotnik ("sister" and victim)
- Jules Hedgehog
- Knothole Freedom Fighters
- Team Dark
Trivia[]
- A.D.A.M. is the second of Dr. Robotnik's2nd creations to be named from a figure in the Bible, with Dr. Robotnik's1st first creation being E.V.E.. The difference, besides being mechanical creations instead of organic, E.V.E. would come before A.D.A.M., which is vice versa in the Bible.
- As a computer virus capable of surviving virtually any destruction, A.D.A.M. is similar in nature to the Superman villain Brainiac.
- The prototype story-line created by Archie for use after issue #134 featured A.D.A.M. entering into a romantic relationship with Nicole. This would have been unapproved by Robotnik or Sally Acorn, and A.D.A.M. would have eventually taken control of all the SWATbots.[1]
- A.D.A.M's fusion/mutation with Tommy Turtle appears to be loosely based on the T-1000 from Terminator 2: Judgement Day.
- A.D.A.M. bonded with Tommy Turtle might be a reference to the Marvel super villain, Venom. Both of these characters have a "living suit" and refer to themselves in a plural fashion.
- In Sonic the Hedgehog #164, A.D.A.M. is curiously depicted in the form of a silhouette, resembling that of the original Dr. Robotnik's. The reason behind this is unknown.
External links[]
- A.D.A.M. at Mobius Encyclopaedia, the Archie Sonic wiki.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Boilers, Karl . Antagonists - 2nd Tier Villains. Sonic HQ. Archived from the original on 15 February 2009. Retrieved on 10 June 2022. "A.D.A.M. - Robotnik's Sentient Computer Virus - Acronym that stands for Autonomous Digital Assault Microbe; resides in every piece of Eggman-based hardware, including robots, computers, and vehicles; Robotnik created A.D.A.M. by mistake during Sonic's one-year absence, and it was instrumental in Robotnik's invasion of Angel Island after it corrupted the Dark Legion's server; this child-like entity is loyal to its neglectful "father"; however, in coming months, "he" will begin to question that loyalty, especially when Robotnik forbids an electronic relationship between A.D.A.M. and Nicole; the distraught A.D.A.M. will eventually rebel against his "creator," taking control of all of the Shadow-Bots, and leaving new Megaopolis; when the Shadow-Bot horde arrives at the borders of Knothole City, the Special Forces Team and the Royal Guard gear up for a confrontation only to learn from Nicole that they pose no threat"