Bob, Agent of Hydra (Robert Dobalina), is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character is depicted as an antihero and a sidekick of Deadpool. A former member of the terrorist agency Hydra, he defected to help Wade Wilson, but has kept his Hydra uniform.
Bob is an agent of Hydra who joined to maintain a steady job, but later defects to Deadpool during his attack on Hydra.[1] After the two and Agent X return to the United States, they discover that Outlaw and Sandi have disappeared. Bob accompanies Deadpool in rescuing them and becomes an honorary member of Agency X.[2] Following this, Bob accompanies Deadpool in helping Doctor Strange save reality after T-Ray threatens it with his novice magic.[3]
Bob also traveled with Deadpool and Weasel to the Savage Land, where they encounter an assortment of dinosaurs. Deadpool attempts to teleport the dinos to Genosha as a prank on Magneto, but instead transports them to the Genoshan embassy in downtown Manhattan, where they are possessed by Symbiotes.[4]
Bob is later seen assisting Deadpool defeat Tiger Shark. He explains that both he and Tiger Shark were hired by Norman Osborn. Deadpool soon realizes Green Goblin stole from him during the Secret Invasion.[5]
Later, Bob is called upon by Deadpool to join him in becoming a pirate. They become lost at sea, during which Bob develops scurvy. Deadpool brings him to Kalani, an information clerk, to treat him, and the two ultimately decide to live together.[6][7][8]
During the World War Hulks storyline, Bob transports Hulkpool (a gamma-powered Deadpool) back in time to kill Deadpool. However, he inadvertently alters the timeline, leading him to be revered as a god.[9]
Bob gets on the wrong side of a gang war between Tombstone and the Kingpin. Desperate to save his friend's life, Deadpool battles X-Force, who were trying to take him down. They agree to leave Deadpool alone when they realize he is simply trying to save Bob.[10]
Bob assists Deadpool when an old enemy threatens all of reality. Disposing of 'T-Ray' had caused magical breakage through multiple realms, so Doctor Strange sends Deadpool and Bob through said realms; their mission requires a monster slain in each one. Deadpool usually ends up saving Bob's life in each realm as well.[11]
After two years of absence, Deadpool again calls upon Bob to help secure an escape route for him and Shiklah. Despite initially being offended by Deadpool's long absence, he agrees to help,[12] somehow getting a HYDRA Carrier to rescue them. However, the trio gets kidnapped by MODOK, interested in Shiklah's succubus powers.[13]
They manage to escape, but in the process Bob gets his legs badly crushed and, as Shiklah pleads for his safety, Deadpool agrees to dump him to a veterinary clinic at first, then a real hospital.[14] He recovers enough to help Deadpool fend off Dracula's forces, using a stolen MODOK's chair to move around in his broken legs.[15] He eventually manages to make a full recovery, attending Wade and Shiklah's wedding.[16]
Much later, a mysterious conspiracy draws in those Deadpool cares for. This garners Bob a severe beating.[17]
Later, Bob is a host for a returned Madcap, partially regenerated after vaporizing himself. He imbedded himself inside Bob, and forced Bob to assist him in his revenge against Deadpool. Madcap then tore himself from Bob to attach to Deadpool.[18]
Bob is again working for Deadpool. Wade Wilson had erased several years of his own memory, due to highly unpleasant incidents. Bob assists Negasonic Teenage Warhead in taking Deadpool to Weirdworld. Bob was able to rig a communication system that mostly ignored the weirdness of Weirdworld.[19]
Powers and abilities
Bob has no superpowers and does not have training in any combat or tactical skills. The training Hydra gives its minions seems primarily focused on running away and hiding when confronted with danger, making Bob a parody of the cannon-fodder henchmen frequently seen working for evil organizations in comic books.[citation needed] Even this training seems useless, as Bob has cited such Hydra lessons as "Hiding behind each other" and "If I can't see them they can't see me." Deadpool has said that Bob is better at running away than anyone he has seen.[volume&issueneeded]
Bob has a pathological fear ingrained in him of certain characters who are particularly devastating enemies of Hydra. Among these are Captain America, Wolverine, and Elektra. Notably, Bob has mentioned Hydra specifically trains their minions to flee as quickly as possible upon hearing the distinctive "snikt" sound of Wolverine's claws. When stressed he has a tendency to shout "Hail Hydra!" and other propaganda of the organization such as "Cut off one head and two more will take its place!"
Despite his incompetence, Bob sometimes gets lucky. He was able to fly a plane a long distance despite having no knowledge of how to do so,[20] and killed a Symbiote-possessed dinosaur by accident while fleeing from it.[21] He was also able to save Deadpool's life during a battle with Wolverine by staying put to reattach his head despite his cowardice.[22] Even though he is useless in a fight, Deadpool seems to delight in taking him on dangerous missions, seemingly for his own amusement. Bob goes along with him, although it is unclear whether this is because he is afraid of Wade or genuinely considers him a friend - or because he's a committed minion and does not know what else to do.
Despite his shortcomings and his cowardice, Bob's strength lies in him being a dedicated friend, challenging his own fears to help his friends.[15]
Reception
Accolades
In 2021, Comic Book Resources (CBR) ranked Bob, Agent of Hydra 10th in their "10 Smartest Marvel Sidekicks" list.[23]
In 2022, Newsarama ranked Bob, Agent of Hydra 6th in their "Best superhero sidekicks of all time" list.[24]
Other versions
Identity Wars
In an alternate universe visited by Deadpool, Hulk and Spider-Man, Bob is a red-suited lackey of that version of Wade Wilson, a powered crime lord of New York City. Feeling the need to eliminate his rival's murderous empire, Deadpool kills his way through his counterpart's men; Bob gets flattened under an I-beam.[25]
Marvel Max
In Deadpool Max, Bob is a CIA agent and the reluctant handler of the deranged Deadpool, charged with keeping up the facade that the missions Deadpool is assigned all somehow involve taking down the entirely fictional terrorist organization Hydra. In this continuity, Bob is extremely competent at his job. His biggest weakness is any woman who shows a romantic or sexual interest in him, even if they are paid to.[26]
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