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{{Short description|Marvel Comics character}}
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{{Infobox comics character <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
|character_name = Ultron
|image          = Ultron2013.jpg
|converted      = y
|caption        = Ultron as seen in the 2013 storyline ''[[Age of Ultron]]''.
|publisher      = [[Marvel Comics]]
|debut          = {{ubl|'''Non-named cameo:'''|''[[The Avengers (comic book)|The Avengers]]'' #54|(July 1968)<ref>{{cite book |last1=Misiroglu |first1=Gina Renée |last2=Eury |first2=Michael |title=The Supervillain Book: The Evil Side of Comics and Hollywood |date=2006 |publisher=Visible Ink Press |isbn=9780780809772 |url=https://archive.org/details/supervillainbook0000gina/page/382/mode/2up |language=en}}</ref>|'''As Ultron:'''|''[[The Avengers (comic book)|The Avengers]]'' #55|(August 1968)|'''As Ultron-12:'''|{{no wrap|[[West Coast Avengers (1985 comic)|''West Coast Avengers'' vol. 2]] #1}}|(June 1985)|'''As Hank Pym:'''|''[[List of Avengers titles#One-shots and original graphic novels|Avengers: Rage of Ultron]]'' #1|(April 2015)}}
|creators       = [[Roy Thomas]] (writer)<br>[[John Buscema]] (artist)
|alliances      = [[Masters of Evil]]<br/>[[Lethal Legion]]<br/>[[Sons of Yinsen]]<br/>Ultron Sentries<br/>[[Phalanx (comics)|Phalanx]]<br/>Iron Avengers
|aliases        = Ultron-5<br>Ultron-6<br>Ultron-7<br>Ultron-8<br>Ultron-9<br>Ultron-10<br>Ultron-11<br>Ultron-12<br>Ultron-13<br>Ultron-14<br>Ultron-15<br>Ultron-16<br>Ultron-17<br>Ultron-18<br>[[Crimson Cowl]]<br>Ultron Prime<br>Ultimate Ultron<br>[[Hank Pym]]<br>[[Doctor Doom]]<br>Ultron Pym<br>All-Father Ultron
|species        = [[Robot]]
|powers         =
* [[Genius]]-level [[artificial intelligence]]
* [[Adamantium]] robotic body grants:
** [[Superhuman strength]], speed, and durability
** Energy absorption and projection
** Flight
** Invulnerability
}}
'''Ultron''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|ʌ|l|t|r|ɒ|n}}) is a <!--Do not add "fictional" as it is tautological; supervillains (and characters in general) are by definition implied to be fictionalized to some extent.-->[[supervillain]] appearing in [[American comic book]]s published by [[Marvel Comics]]. Created by writer [[Roy Thomas]] and artist [[John Buscema]], the character first appeared as an unnamed character in ''[[The Avengers (comic book)|The Avengers]]'' #54 (July 1968), with his first full appearance in ''[[The Avengers (comic book)|The Avengers]]'' #55 (August 1968). He is a highly intelligent self-aware [[artificial intelligence]] in a [[robot]] body who develops a [[god complex]] and a grudge against his creator '''[[Hank Pym]]'''. His initial goal to [[Human extinction|destroy humanity]] in an attempt at creating [[world peace]] has brought him into conflict with the [[Avengers (comics)|Avengers]]. Stories often end in Ultron's destruction, only for new offshoot iterations of the robot to be built of varying morals, including the [[superhero]] '''Ultron-12''' ('''Mark Twelve''').

Ultron's physical body is made of a durable alloy (typically either [[Adamantium]] or [[Vibranium]]), and he has manifested various [[Superpower (ability)|superpowers]]. These vary between different stories but generally include superhuman strength, speed, and agility, flight, and energy projection. The character usually operates alone or accompanied by legions of copies of his own robotic form known as '''Ultron Drones'''. Ultron is notable for being the first character in Marvel Comics to wield the fictional metal alloy [[adamantium]]<ref name="Back38">{{cite journal|last= Walker|first= Karen|date= February 2010|title= Ultron: The Black Sheep of the Avengers Family|journal= [[Back Issue!]]|issue= 38|pages= 23–30|publisher = [[TwoMorrows Publishing]]}}</ref> and for his (in-story) creation of the [[Vision (Marvel Comics)|Vision]].<ref name="Avengers57">''The Avengers'' #57 (October 1968). Marvel Comics.</ref><ref name="Back38" /> In the [[Multiverse (Marvel Comics)|alternate continuity]] of ''[[Old Man Logan]]'', '''Ultron-8''' is the morally good stepfather of the supervillain [[Spider-Bitch (Ashley Barton)|Ashley<!--Do not add "Barton"-->]].

Debuting in the [[Silver Age of Comic Books]], Ultron has since featured in Marvel products across different media, such as animated television series and video games. [[Tom Kane]] and [[Jim Meskimen]] are among the actors that have portrayed the character via voice acting. In the [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]] (MCU), [[James Spader]] portrayed [[Ultron (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Ultron]] in his first live-action appearance in the [[Marvel Studios]] film ''[[Avengers: Age of Ultron]]'' (2015),<ref name=AvengersAOU/> while [[Ross Marquand]] voiced alternate universe versions in the [[Disney+]] animated series ''[[What If...? (TV series)|What If...?]]'' (2021) and the film ''[[Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness]]'' (2022).

==Publication history==
{{expand section|date=May 2014}}
The character Ultron initially appeared as an unnamed character in a cameo in ''[[The Avengers (comic book)|The Avengers]]'' #54 (July 1968), with a first full appearance in ''[[The Avengers (comic book)|The Avengers]]'' #55 (August 1968).<ref>{{cite book |last=Rovin |first=Jeff |author-link=Jeff Rovin |title=[[The Encyclopedia of Super-Villains]] |date=1987 |publisher=Facts on File |isbn=0-8160-1356-X |location=New York |pages=357–358}}[https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofsu0000rovi_h5r9/page/356/mode/2up]</ref> Ultron was created by writer [[Roy Thomas]] and artist [[John Buscema]]. Thomas, who has acknowledged he finds naming characters difficult, said he liked the -tron suffix and went from there.<ref name="HollywoodReporter">{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/age-ultron-creator-roy-thomas-791320/|title=Marvel Legend Reveals What Stan Lee Initially "Hated" About 'Age of Ultron' Breakout|first1=Aaron|last1=Couch|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=May 1, 2015}}</ref> The use of the suffix and the prior appearance of a group of robots named Ultroids led him to the name Ultron.<ref name="HollywoodReporter" /> Thomas said the idea of the character and his appearance were heavily based on Makino, an obscure robotic villain who appeared in an issue of the ''[[Captain Video and His Video Rangers|Captain Video]]'' comic book.<ref name="Back38"/> He liked the robot's malicious looking smile, showing this to Buscema.<ref name="HollywoodReporter"/>

[[Jocasta (comics)|Jocasta]], a robot created by Ultron featured in a number of Ultron storylines, was created by [[Jim Shooter]] and [[George Pérez]] for ''[[The Avengers (comic book)|The Avengers]]'' #162 (August 1977).<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1047618717|title=Marvel encyclopedia|date=2019|others=Chris Claremont, Stan Lee, Tom DeFalco, Peter Sanderson, Tom Brevoort, Michael Teitelbaum|isbn=978-1-4654-7890-0|edition=New; American|location=New York|oclc=1047618717}}</ref>

==Fictional character biography==
=== Creation and early appearances ===
Created by [[Hank Pym]] by basing the [[robot]] on his own brain patterns, the robot (dubbed "Ultron") gradually developed its own intelligence and rebelled. After gaining sentience, Ultron [[hypnosis|hypnotises]] and [[brainwash]]es its "father" into forgetting that the robot had ever existed, and begins to improve its design and rebuild itself, upgrading several times from Ultron-2, Ultron-3, Ultron-4, and finally Ultron-5.<ref name="A57–58">''The Avengers'' #58 (November 1968). Marvel Comics.</ref> Ultron creates the synthezoid [[Vision (Marvel Comics)|Vision]] as a weapon to destroy the [[Avengers (comics)|Avengers]].<ref name="A57–58" />

Later, '''Ultron-5, the Living Automaton''' leads his own version of the [[Masters of Evil]] (consisting of [[Black Knight (Dane Whitman)|Black Knight]], [[Klaw (character)|Klaw]], [[Melter]], [[Radioactive Man (comics)|Radioactive Man]], and [[Whirlwind (comics)|Whirlwind]]) against the Avengers, having hypnotized [[Edwin Jarvis]] into working for him as the first '''[[Crimson Cowl (comics)|Crimson Cowl]]'''. While planning to blackmail New York, they were betrayed by Black Knight.<ref>''The Avengers'' #54—55 (July–August 1968). Marvel Comics.</ref>

Now referring to himself as '''Ultron-6''', he uses the alloy [[adamantium]]<ref name="Back38" /> to upgrade his body for an almost indestructible state and takes the name '''Ultimate Ultron'''. Its plans to destroy humanity are again thwarted by the Avengers.<ref>''The Avengers'' #66–68 (July–September 1969). Marvel Comics.</ref> '''Ultron-7''' is later created by [[Maximus (comics)|Maximus]] with the body of the android [[Omega (Marvel Comics)|Omega]], attacking the wedding of Inhuman [[Crystal (comics)|Crystal]] and Avenger [[Quicksilver (comics)|Pietro Maximoff / Quicksilver]], and battling the Avengers, [[Inhumans]] and [[Fantastic Four]] before being destroyed again.<ref>''The Avengers'' #127 (September 1974) and ''Fantastic Four'' #150 (September 1974). Marvel Comics.</ref> '''Ultron-8''' is responsible for [[Jocasta (comics)|Jocasta]]'s creation as a robotic bride,<ref>''The Avengers'' #161–162 (July–August 1977). Marvel Comics.</ref> before being destroyed shortly afterwards.<ref>''The Avengers'' #170–171 (April–May 1978)</ref>

=== Battleworld and Ultron-12 ===
'''Ultron-9''' and '''Ultron-10''' brainwash heroes into recreating the robot, before turning and being defeated.<ref>''The Avengers'' #201–202 (November–December 1980) and ''Marvel-Two-In-One'' #92–93 (October–November 1982). Marvel Comics.</ref> After being recreated as '''Ultron-11''' by the [[Beyonder]] and battling in [[Battleworld]],<ref>''[[Marvel Superheroes Secret Wars|Secret Wars]]'' #1–12 (May 1984–April 1985)</ref> the [[Thing (comics)|Thing]] brings Ultron's head back to Earth as a souvenir, and is forgotten when there is an attack by the alien [[Dire Wraith]]s.<ref>''The Thing'' #21–22 (March–April 1985) and ''Fantastic Four'' #227 (April 1985).</ref>

'''Ultron-12''' enters an alliance with the [[Grim Reaper (Marvel Comics)|Grim Reaper]] and his allies ([[Nekra]], [[Erik Josten]], [[Man-Ape]], and [[Black Talon (comics)|Black Talon]]) in a bid to destroy Wonder-Man. Although the villains are defeated by the [[West Coast Avengers]], Ultron-12 begins to form a relationship with his "father" Hank Pym.<ref>''West Coast Avengers'' (vol. 2) #1–2 (October–November 1985) and ''Vision & The Scarlet Witch'' (vol. 2) #2 (November 1985). Marvel Comics.</ref> Rebuilding itself, Ultron-11 comes into conflict with Pym and Ultron-12. With Wonder-Man's assistance, they destroy Ultron-11 and Ultron-12 begins to deactivate. Ultron-12 tells Pym it was glad it could help save him.<ref name="West Coast Avengers' 1986">''West Coast Avengers'' (vol. 2) #7 (April 1986). Marvel Comics.</ref>

=== Amalgamation and the Ultron Imperative ===
[[Doctor Doom|Victor von Doom]] rebuilds Ultron using a combination of all of its previous personalities with a particularly strong dose of the previous Ultron, believing this mix will make Ultron subservient. However, all 12 iterations co-exist as separate personalities, resulting in a form of madness which culminates with Ultron-12 mutilating himself in an attempt to remove some of his other personalities.<ref>''[[Daredevil (Marvel Comics series)|Daredevil]]'' #275–276 (December 1989 – January 1990). Marvel Comics.</ref> After its defeat,<ref>''Avengers West Coast'' #65–68 (December 1990–March 1991). Marvel Comics.</ref> '''Ultron-13''' attempts to obtain a new form of [[vibranium]] called Nuform, but it is repelled by the combined efforts of [[Iron Man]], [[Black Panther (character)|Black Panther]], and [[Spider-Man]].<ref>''[[The Amazing Spider-Man|Amazing Spider-Man]]'' Annual #25, ''[[Spectacular Spider-Man]]'' Annual #11, and ''[[Web of Spider-Man]]'' Annual #7 (1991).</ref> Ultron escapes from prison and upgrades into the Ultimate Ultron, capturing West Coast Avenger [[Mockingbird (Marvel Comics)|Mockingbird]] to use her brain patterns to create the new robotic mate [[Alkhema]]. Alkhema aids Ultron but both are eventually jettisoned into space through a ruse by Vision.<ref>''Avengers West Coast'' #89–91 (December 1992–January 1993). Marvel Comics.</ref> Vision finds '''Ultron-15''' but is discovered to have been "infected" by human emotion and is seriously deteriorating, displaying symptoms that resemble [[alcoholism]].<ref>''[[Vision (Marvel Comics)|Vision]]'' #1–4 (November 1994–February 1995). Marvel Comics.</ref> '''Ultron-16''' and '''Ultron-17''' successfully slaughter the population of Slorenia, having perfected a process that allows it to control a vast army of Ultron drones.<ref>''The Avengers'' (vol. 3) #19–22 (August–November 1999). Marvel Comics.</ref>

===2000s===
The Avengers discovered that Ultron's creations (Vision, Jocasta and Alkhema) have a secret program included—they are subconsciously compelled to rebuild Ultron. In this case, it is Alkhema who unintentionally rebuilds Ultron when attempting to create a new species of bio-synthezoids. However, '''Ultron-18''' is composed of steel not adamantium, and is destroyed when Alkhema's subterranean base exploded after [[Hawkeye (Clint Barton)|Hawkeye]] shot Alkhema with a vibranium arrow at Alkhema's request. Ultron's head was recovered by '''Antigone''', an artificial girl and one of the synthezoids.<ref>''Avengers: the Ultron Imperative'' (November 2001). Marvel Comics.</ref>

Iron Man encounters a version from an old version of his armor and Ultron-18's head that leads the cult known as the [[Sons of Yinsen]] in an attempt to conquest via [[religion]]. The character is defeated by Iron Man and Jocasta.<ref>''Iron Man'' (vol. 3) #46–48 (November 2001–January 2002)</ref> Another version (possibly Ultron-13) creates the [[cyborg]] [[Victor Mancha]] as a [[sleeper agent]] against the Avengers. Mancha, however, rebels and joins the [[Runaways (comics)|Runaways]].<ref>''Runaways'' (vol. 2) #1 (April 2005). Marvel Comics.</ref> This version first poses as Doctor Doom before revealing itself, and is defeated in a battle against the Runaways and [[Excelsior (comics)|Excelsior]].<ref>''Runaways'' (vol. 2) #6 (September 2005). Marvel Comics.</ref>

When Marvel launched a new title ''[[The Mighty Avengers]]'' by [[Brian Michael Bendis]] and [[Frank Cho]], Ultron interfaces with [[Iron Man's armor]], which had been integrated with [[Iron Man|Tony Stark]]'s biology. This allows Ultron's program to transform Stark into a new version who has the Wasp's appearance albeit with a metallic skin. This version takes control of Iron Man's technology. He kills Lindy Reynolds, causing the [[Sentry (Robert Reynolds)|Sentry]] to battle Ultron, nearly tearing his head off. Ultron is eventually destroyed by [[Ares (Marvel Comics)|Ares]] of the New Avengers using a computer virus to wipe Ultron's program from Iron Man's armor, changing Stark back to normal. Ultron's image later briefly appears on one of his maker's computers.<ref name="Mighty Avengers' 2007">''Mighty Avengers'' #1–6 (June–November. 2007). Marvel Comics.</ref>

However, this was not the end of Ultron, for his disembodied consciousness was thrown into the depths of space. He spent a few months floating through the cosmos as radio waves and energy. Eventually his signal was picked up by an outlying group of [[Phalanx (comics)|Phalanx]] who were attempting to contact the Technarchy. Fascinated by what he found, Ultron decided that the Phalanx lacked direction from a singular consciousness, and that he would be perfect for the role. Through sheer force of will, he merged himself with the Phalanx's programming. In turn, the Phalanx viewed Ultron as the sympathetic father they had yearned for. Under Ultron's guidance, the Phalanx and the [[Super-Adaptoid]] began the ''[[Annihilation: Conquest]]'' with invasions that started with the [[Kree]] space. Later by taking control of [[Adam Warlock]]'s body, Ultron hopes to achieve "true techno-organic perfection" but is eventually forced to abandon Adam's body by the Technarchy [[Warlock (New Mutants)|Warlock]] and is later destroyed in combat by [[Wraith (Zak-Del)|Wraith]] and [[Phyla-Vell|Quasar]].<ref>''Annihilation: Conquest'' #1–6 (August 2007–May 2008: bi-monthly). Marvel Comics.</ref>

In the limited series ''Avengers/[[Invaders (comics)|Invaders]]'', it is revealed that [[S.H.I.E.L.D.]] [[Life Model Decoy]]s have been partly replaced with versions of Ultron. When the original [[Human Torch (android)|Human Torch]] appears in the present, they covertly parasitize the Human Torch's unique android physiology and become more human. The combined super teams (but mainly the Human Torch himself), however, discover the plan and destroy the androids.<ref>''Avengers/Invaders'' #7–8 (February–March 2009). Issues #1–12 (July 2008–August 2009). Marvel Comics.</ref>

===2010s===
In the ''Mighty Avengers'', Ultron is shown to infiltrate Jocasta and the Infinite Avengers Mansion. He names himself '''Ultron Pym''' and seeks to kill and replace his father before using his Infinite Mansion to conquer the universe.<ref>''Mighty Avengers'' #35 (March 2010). Marvel Comics.</ref> Pym eventually offers Ultron a compromise, allowing Jocasta to be Ultron's bride, on the condition that Ultron banishes himself to ultraspace. Ultron agrees, but warns that he will be ruler of all someday.<ref>''Mighty Avengers'' #36 (April 2010). Marvel Comics.</ref>

In ''The Avengers'', the team visits a possible future in which almost all of humanity is destroyed by Ultron. [[Kang the Conqueror]] attempts to enlist them to defeat the robotic foe but another group of heroes and villains, plucked from all over time and space, ends up destroying this version.<ref>''The Avengers'' (vol. 4) #1–6 (July–December 2010). Marvel Comics.</ref>

Later, also in ''Avengers'', a cabal of super-intelligent supervillains discover a [[Galador (Marvel Comics)|Galador]]ian [[Spaceknights|Spaceknight]]'s inert body and attempt to reactivate its power source, hoping to exploit it. Although the Avengers interrupt their attempts, the body activates, revealing that Ultron's consciousness was contained within and had escaped destruction after ''Annihilation: Conquest''. The new version escapes and Iron Man gravely foresees that it will bring the apocalypse for humanity when he returns.<ref>''The Avengers'' (vol. 4) #12.1 (June 2011). Marvel Comics.</ref>

During the "[[Age of Ultron]]" storyline, which takes place in an alternate universe, Ultron has returned and conquers the world while slowly remolding it into his image. His Ultron Sentinels are guarding the streets looking for any fugitives. Hawkeye runs into the Ultron Sentinels and rescues the [[Superior Spider-Man]] yet manages to destroy the Ultron Sentinels present.<ref>{{cite comic| writer= [[Brian Michael Bendis|Bendis, Brian Michael]]|penciller= [[Bryan Hitch|Hitch, Bryan]]|inker= [[Paul Neary|Neary, Paul]]|title= Age of Ultron|issue= #1|date= May 2013}}</ref> It is later revealed that Ultron is actually in the future and has been using Vision as a conduit to punish humanity.<ref>{{cite comic| writer= Bendis, Brian Michael|penciller= Hitch, Bryan|inker= Neary, Paul|title= Age of Ultron|issue= #4|date= June 2013}}</ref> While one strike team travels into the future to fight Ultron, [[Wolverine (character)|Wolverine]] and [[Invisible Woman|Susan Storm]] go back in time to kill his creator before Ultron's creation in the first place.<ref name="ReferenceB">''Age of Ultron'' #6. Marvel Comics.</ref> This results in a world where Stark controls an army of robotic drones and [[Morgan le Fay (Marvel Comics)|Morgan le Fay]] has conquered half of the world.<ref>''Age of Ultron'' #7. Marvel Comics.</ref> Traveling back in time once more, Wolverine succeeds in stopping himself from killing Pym, and Wolverine, Pym and Storm come up with a different plan. This plan results in a different outcome of the prior confrontation between the Avengers and the Intelligencia—a 'back door' installed into Ultron at his original creation allows Pym and Iron Man to destroy the robot, instead, averting the events that led to the "Age of Ultron".<ref>''Age of Ultron'' #8–10. Marvel Comics.</ref>

It is later revealed that the Avengers had trapped an unidentified iteration of Ultron in deep space years earlier, sealing him inside a [[Vibranium]] [[Quinjet]]. In the present, the Quinjet crash lands on [[Titan (Marvel Comics location)|Titan]], freeing Ultron. By hijacking the [[ISAAC (comics)|ISAAC]] computer, he transforms Titan into Planet Ultron, and launches a plan to infect the entire universe with a [[nanite]] virus that transforms organic creatures into Ultron Sentries. The ensuing confrontation with the Avengers leads to Ultron inadvertently merging with his maker, transforming into a human/machine hybrid. The resulting fusion played on Pym's self-loathing of his own human weakness causes an acceptance of this new state. Ultron is defeated when [[Starfox (comics)|Starfox]]'s powers force love onto himself, causing the part of that is now Pym to accept his old weakness and flaws while the villain has a mental breakdown and flees into space.<ref name="av rage" />

As part of the "[[All-New, All-Different Marvel]]" branding, Ultron's fused form resurfaces. While on his way back to Earth, Pym helps the crew of a spaceship that is being attacked by a hostile insectoid alien. After coming aboard the spaceship, Pym introduces himself as well as his "friend" Ultron to the crew.<ref>''Uncanny Avengers'' (vol. 3) #4. Marvel Comics.</ref> He later returns to Earth, where the Wasp and [[Captain America]] discover that Ultron has taken complete control and is using Pym's face to fool his maker's old friends.<ref>''Uncanny Avengers'' (vol. 3) #9–10. Marvel Comics.</ref> After Ultron incapacitates [[Deadpool]], [[Cable (character)|Cable]], and the [[Human Torch]], the Wasp initiates the Icarus Protocol and Iron Man is called in to help stop Ultron with the Hulkbuster Armor's aid.<ref>''Uncanny Avengers'' (vol. 3) #11. Marvel Comics.</ref> The Avengers end up defeating Ultron by plunging the hybrid into the sun but both Pym and Ultron survive and continue to do battle with one another internally.<ref>''Uncanny Avengers'' (vol. 3) #12. Marvel Comics.</ref>

During the "[[Secret Empire (2017 comic)|Secret Empire]]" storyline, Ultron's fused form sets up a base in an unidentified forest. Upon being alerted to the approach of [[Falcon (comics)|Sam Wilson]]'s task force by a robot version of Jarvis, Ultron decides to give his "family" a warm welcome.<ref>''Secret Empire'' #3. Marvel Comics.</ref> When Stark A.I.'s team and Captain America's team confront each other, they are captured by Ultron who forces both teams to sit at a dinner table. Ultron argues that he is doing this because the Avengers have become less of a family over the years as so many of them jump to obey Captain America or Iron Man despite past experience confirming that this should be a bad idea but the Stark A.I. counters that the only reason the team failed as a family was because of Pym's attack on Wasp. Outraged, Ultron nearly attacks the other heroes but [[Ant-Man (Scott Lang)|Scott Lang]] is able to talk him down by arguing that Pym remains his own inspiration. Ultron allows the Stark A.I.'s team to leave with the fragment, arguing that he will leave Captain America's plans with [[Hydra (comics)|Hydra]] alone as it appears to be the best chance for world peace.<ref>''Secret Empire'' #4. Marvel Comics.</ref>

During "[[Infinity Countdown]]", Ultron discovers that the Infinity Stones are restored and begins a quest to collect them all.<ref>''Guardians of the Galaxy'' #150. Marvel Comics.</ref> He goes to claim the Soul Gem while the aliens he infected with his virus are sent to Earth to take the Space Stone from Wolverine, and while they fail at their task, Ultron is able to steal the Soul Gem from Magus after killing the latter. Unbeknownst to Ultron, however, as he claimed the Soul Stone a fragment of Pym's soul enters the [[Soul World]], where he is greeted by the fragment of Gamora's soul who revealed that he was going to be trapped there forever.<ref>''Infinity Countdown: Prime'' #1. Marvel Comics.</ref> Ultron has also completely controlled the planet Saiph with Ultron hybrids and had captured the [[Silver Surfer]]. When Adam Warlock goes to Saiph, he discovers the hybrids infusing the Soul Stone into Silver Surfer's forehead while at the same time trying to transform him into an Ultron hybrid.<ref>''Infinity Countdown'' #2. Marvel Comics.</ref>

During "The Ultron Agenda" arc, Ultron returns to Earth with plans to merge robots with humans like how Pym got merged with Ultron so that he can make the ultimate lifeform. In addition, he starts to call this form "Ultron Pym". After testing it on some people and some experiments on Wonder Man and Vision, Ultron Pym plans to make a fusion of Jocasta and Wasp. Iron Man and Machine Man interfere, with the resulting battle causing Iron Man to be molecularly bonded to the Ultronbuster armor.<ref>''Tony Stark: Iron Man'' #16–17. Marvel Comics.</ref> The combined efforts of Stark Unlimited enable them to create an atomic separator that separates Stark from the Ultronbuster armor and Wonder Man from Vision.<ref>''Tony Stark: Iron Man'' #18. Marvel Comics.</ref> Ultron Pym prepares to take revenge on Iron Man. This leads to Iron Man revealing what he discovered about the human and robot fusion. The person who merged with it has died and that the robot can only simulate their personality. In other words, his maker was killed when accidentally merging with Ultron. Learning about this and not wanting to risk proving Iron Man's point by having the atomic separator used on him, Ultron surrenders to Iron Man, knowing that Pym is dead. When the Avengers arrive, they restrain Ultron in a Vibranium casket reinforced with Asgardian magic until they can find a permanent place to have Ultron imprisoned.<ref>''Tony Stark: Iron Man'' #19. Marvel Comics.</ref>

===2020s===
As Ant-Man and Stinger were moving Ultron's prison to a desert to shrink it into the Microverse where it will be in, Ultron masted the bug language, contacting [[Black Ant (comics)|Black Ant]] and having him free him. He slowly rose to power by 2549, becoming All-Father Ultron. To combat him, 2549's [[Ant-Man#Zayn Asghar|Ant-Man]] went back in time to enlist the past versions of Hank Pym, Scott Lang, and Eric O'Grady for help and brought them to 2549 to defeat Ultron.<ref>''Ant-Man'' Vol. 3 #1-4. Marvel Comics.</ref>

It was revealed that the fragment of Hank Pym managed to escape from Ultron at the time and recreate his body which ended up older. While paranoid after being Ultron's "meat puppet", Hank Pym allied with Black Ant and they formed their version of the Lethal Legion by killing and reviving select villains. By the time Wasp learned the truth, Ultron-12 hijacks the "Victor Shade" persona in Whirlwind's body. Wasp remembered Ultron-12 as the "good Ultron" who then stated that he went through a soft reboot and knocked out Hank to protect him from the Lethal Legion, who Ultron has taken over. In the nick of time, Wasp, Moon Knight, and Ultron-12 receive aid from Ant-Man, [[Luke Cage]], [[Nadia van Dyne]], [[Cassie Lang|Stinger]], [[Valkyrie (Marvel Comics)|Valkyrie]], and Vision to fight the possessed Lethal Legion. Being given codes for the nano-ants from the future, Hank advises Nadia to "think big" as Ultron-12 agrees with his "dad" on it. Ultron proceeds to control [[Lodestone (comics)|Lodestone]] into recreating his body from different scrap metals as he controls the drones. Ultron-12 abandoned Whirlwind's body as the nano-ants left the Lethal Legion's body leaving Ultron's body frozen in its spot. Ultron-12 uses the nanos to recreate his body which he names Mark Twelve until he can come up with a better name. After Hank and the Lethal Legion leave to regroup in [[Sub-Atomica]] as part of Protocol S, Vision scans Mark Twelve's body and finds no trace of Ultron in him. Mark Twelve then allows Nadia to consider him her brother.<ref>''Avengers Inc.'' #4-5. Marvel Comics.</ref>

When Iron Man and War Machine form the next incarnation of the West Coast Avengers with Spider-Woman and ex-criminal Blue Bolt, Ultron was the first criminal they made use of. It would later be revealed that since splitting from Hank Pym, Ultron continued to split up. One of these Ultrons sports retractable wings and is the leader of the Gospel of Ultron under the name of "The One".<ref>''West Coast Avengers'' Vol. 4 #1-3. Marvel Comics.</ref> Another Ultron called "Ultron the Scorched" appeared and has gone deeper into the believing that humanity was insigniciant where he attacked the Gospel of Ultron's church and destroyed "The One".<ref>''West Coast Avengers'' Vol. 4 #7. Marvel Comics.</ref>

==Powers and abilities==
The visual appearance and powers of the character have varied, but common powers include [[superhuman]] levels of strength, speed, stamina, durability, and reflexes; flight at subsonic speeds; and various offensive weapons such as concussive blasts of energy fired from its optical sensors or hands and an "encephalo-ray", which places victims into a deathlike coma. The latter ray also allows Ultron to mesmerize and mind-control victims, or implant [[Subliminal stimuli|subliminal]] hypnotic commands within their minds to be enacted at a later time. Ultron also has the ability to convert electromagnetic radiation into electrical energy for use or storage. Ultron has a genius intellect, a capacity for creative intelligence and self-repair, superhuman [[cybernetic]] analytical capabilities, and the ability to process information and make calculations with superhuman speed and accuracy. The character is an expert roboticist and strategist.

Ultron's outer armor is usually composed primarily of adamantium, which is almost completely impervious to damage.{{efn|The first use of the term ''adamantium'' in Marvel Comics was made in reference to Ultron in ''The Avengers'' #66, published in July 1969.}} Most Ultron units are powered by a small internal [[nuclear power|nuclear]] furnace and incorporate a "program transmitter" which can transmit part or all of Ultron's memory/personality system into other computer systems or duplicate robotic bodies. Ultron can also control other machines remotely. Ultron has occasionally reformed itself with a humanoid appearance above the waist and the appearance of a complex machine, including [[tractor beam]] apparatus for flight, below the waist. A later Ultron model developed [[Swarm intelligence|hive mind]] technology, allowing it to animate and control hundreds of other Ultron bodies simultaneously,<ref>''The Avengers'' (vol. 3) #19–22 (August–November 1999)</ref> although only the 'prime' Ultron was composed of adamantium while others were made of steel or secondary adamantium due to the lack of resources to give all the Ultrons adamantium bodies.<ref>''The Avengers'' (vol. 3) #22 (November 1999)</ref> Ultron also used an internal molecular rearranger that renders the adamantium components of its workings more malleable and so has the ability to restructure its physical form. He also uses the device in ways its own creator never dreamed, such as converting matter into energy and back by sheer force of will, something Ultron 6 often made use of during his battles with the Avengers.<ref>''The Avengers'' #68 (September 1969)</ref> What circuitry Ultron has is carefully shielded to protect from damage, although the [[Scarlet Witch]] is capable of causing malfunctions via hex power,<ref>''The Avengers'' #162 (August 1977)</ref> [[Johnny Storm]] using nova burst managed to damage Ultron's internal circuits while its outer armor remained intact,<ref>''Secret Wars'' #12</ref> and [[Wonder Man]] was once able to destroy an Ultron by throwing it so hard its internal systems were damaged.<ref name="West Coast Avengers' 1986"/>

Ultron's travels through outer space have greatly expanded upon the mad machine's intellectual and mechanical capacity in new and intriguing ways. Having made contact with the parasitic biotechnical [[Phalanx (comics)|Phalanx]] species, Ultron has made his own derivative of the [[techno-organic virus]] called the Ultron Virus<ref name="av assemble">''Avengers Assemble'' (vol. 2) #14 'Age of Ultron' (April 2013)</ref> through which Ultron gains vast conversion and roboticization capabilities, able to cast his own binary code into any conceivable form of machinery which he can steadily turn into an extension of the Ultron Intelligence. Making anything or anyone infected with his virus act according to his whims against their own free will.<ref name="av rage">''Avengers: Rage of Ultron'' #1 (April 2015). Marvel Comics.</ref>

Being an adept technoform in any iteration, Ultron's newfound abilities to control, alternate, transform and assimilate with anything and everything via the parasitic insemination of his virulent machine algorithm in both organic and non-biological substrates gives him vast matter and energy reconfiguration abilities.<ref name="av rage"/><ref name="av assemble"/> Ones powerful enough to commandeer whole planetary and even universal expanses in a single inning, on top of his natural ability to invent and fabricate the most sophisticated of mechanical systems ever conceived.<ref>''Annihilation: Conquest'' #1–6 (2008)</ref> Through his vast technoformative abilities, Ultron could change and morph entire areas into sprawling masses of cables, pipes and transorganic metal that moved about in any given direction he willed it.<ref name="av rage"/> This effect gained more prominence with the more excess mass he could assimilate with his power, having once taken a slew of transmoded Kree Sentries into a massive body which reflected his physical likeness.<ref>''Annihilation: Conquest'' #6 (2008)</ref>

Individuals infected with the Ultron Virus can spread it in a similar way to how biological [[virus]]es can transfer, through cuts and scratches or direct physical interaction such as barbs or plug-in like apparatuses generated from the transformed physiology.<ref>''Uncanny Avengers'' (vol. 3) #11 (July 2016)</ref> Ultron later found himself physically as well as mentally bonded with his creator and long time adversary, Dr. Henry Pym. As such the fused entity now boasts all his robotic super robot's powers as well as Pym's genius science. Ultron can now change and alternate his size and mass at will through the acclimation of his maker's Pym Particle enhanced physiology.<ref>''Uncanny Avengers'' (vol. 3) #4 (January 2016)</ref> Besides being able to grow to incredible heights in seconds, Ultron can shrink down to sub-quantum scale to shift between dimensions via accessing the [[Microverse]]. Ultron once used such a tactic to shunt its mass into another dimension for the purpose of riding a [[neutrino]] to escape burning up in the sun.<ref>''Uncanny Avengers'' (vol. 3) #12 (August 2016)</ref> Another practice the union share is a galaxy spanning collective mind established through the Ultron Virus, every iteration of Ultron created through initial infection share a hive mind intelligence.<ref>''Guardians of the Galaxy'' #150 (March 2018)</ref>

==Reception==

===Accolades===
* In 2006, [[Wizard (magazine)|''Wizard Magazine'']] ranked Ultron 189th in their "Top 200 Comic Book Characters" list.<ref>{{Cite web |title=THE 200 GREATEST COMIC BOOK CHARACTERS OF ALL TIME |url=http://www.wizarduniverse.com/05240810thgreatestcharacters2.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090315014035/http://www.wizarduniverse.com:80/05240810thgreatestcharacters2.html |archive-date=March 15, 2009 |access-date=May 23, 2021 |website=www.wizarduniverse.com}}</ref>
* In 2014, ''[[IGN]]'' ranked Ultron 23rd in their "Top 100 Comic Book Villains" list.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Top 100 Comic Book Villains |url=https://www.ign.com/lists/top-100-comic-book-villains/23 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref>
* In 2019, ''IGN'' ranked Ultron 18th in their "Top 25 Marvel Villains" list.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Schedeen |first1=Jesse |last2=Yehl |first2=Joshua |date=March 27, 2019 |title=The Top 25 Marvel Villains |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/03/27/top-25-marvel-villains |access-date=February 6, 2023 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref>
* In 2022, ''[[The Mary Sue]]'' ranked Ultron 9th in their "Strongest Marvel Villains" list.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ulatowski |first=Rachel |date=July 26, 2022 |title=Strongest Marvel Villains, Ranked |url=https://www.themarysue.com/strongest-marvel-villains-ranked/ |access-date=February 6, 2023 |website=The Mary Sue |language=en}}</ref>
* In 2022, ''[[Newsarama]]'' ranked Ultron 8th in their "Best Marvel supervillains" list.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Marston |first=George |date=August 4, 2022 |title=Best Marvel supervillains |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/best-marvel-supervillains/ |access-date=February 6, 2023 |website=gamesradar |language=en}}</ref>
* In 2022, ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' ranked Ultron 20th in their "28 best Marvel villains" list.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 11, 2022 |title=The 28 best Marvel villains ranked |url=https://www.avclub.com/the-best-marvel-villains-ranked-1849759869 |access-date=February 6, 2023 |website=The A.V. Club |language=en}}</ref>
* In 2022, ''[[Screen Rant]]'' included Ultron in their "20 Most Powerful Marvel Villains" list.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dyce |first=Andrew |date=July 25, 2015 |title=20 Most Powerful Marvel Villains |url=https://screenrant.com/most-powerful-marvel-comics-villains/ |access-date=February 6, 2023 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}</ref>
* In 2022, ''[[CBR.com]]'' ranked Ultron 1st in their "10 Scariest Avengers Villains" list<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harth |first=David |date=July 20, 2022 |title=10 Scariest Avengers Villains |url=https://www.cbr.com/avengers-scariest-villains/ |access-date=February 6, 2023 |website=CBR |language=en}}</ref> and 2nd in their "10 Coolest Avengers Villains" list.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harth |first=David |date=September 19, 2022 |title=10 Coolest Avengers Villains |url=https://www.cbr.com/coolest-avengers-villains/ |access-date=February 6, 2023 |website=CBR |language=en}}</ref>

==Other versions==
[[File:6.29.13CarlosPachecoByLuigiNovi1.jpg|thumb|left|[[Carlos Pacheco]] sketching a six-armed version of Ultron.]]

===''Age of Ultron''===
An alternate universe variant of Ultron who successfully conquered Earth and killed most of its superheroes appears in ''[[Age of Ultron]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.superherohype.com/news/173669-comics-marvel-teases-the-age-of-ultron|title=Comics: Marvel Teases the 'Age of Ultron'|date=Nov 16, 2012|website=SuperHeroHype}}</ref><ref name=CBR>{{cite web|url= http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=42269|title= Brian Bendis Prepares ''Age of Ultron'' For 2013|last= Phegley|first= Kiel|work= Comic Book Resources|date= November 19, 2012|publisher= [[Comic Book Resources]]|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130106172001/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=42269|archive-date= January 6, 2013|url-status= live|access-date= January 21, 2013}}</ref><ref name="ReferenceB"/><ref>''Age of Ultron'' #10. Marvel Comics.</ref> The heroes initially attempt to erase this Ultron from history completely by having [[Wolverine (character)|Wolverine]] and the [[Invisible Woman]] go back in time and kill Hank Pym before he can even create Ultron, but when this plan results in a worse timeline, an older Wolverine goes back to warn his younger self, and instead Pym is convinced to add a secret back door in Ultron's programming that will allow him to shut Ultron down once he reaches a certain level of development.

==="Death of The Invisible Woman"===
The ''[[Fantastic Four (comic book)|Fantastic Four]]'' storyline "Death of The Invisible Woman" features an advanced humanoid called '''Alex Ultron''', a member of the futuristic Last Defenders.<ref>''Fantastic Four'' #559 (September 2008). Marvel Comics.</ref>

===Deathlok-dominated future===
An alternate universe variant of Ultron who took control of the [[Deathlok]]s and took the name '''Deathlok Prime''' appears in ''[[Savage Avengers]].''<ref>''Savage Avengers'' Vol. 2 #7. Marvel Comics.</ref>

===Earth-110===
In the Earth-110 reality, Ultron assisted [[Doctor Doom]], [[Hulk]], [[Magneto (Marvel Comics)|Magneto]], [[Namor]], and [[Red Skull]] in taking over [[Manhattan]].<ref>[[Steve Englehart]]. ''Fantastic Four: Big Town'' #1–4 (2000). Marvel Comics.</ref>

===Earth-10943===
An alternate universe variant of Ultron from Earth-10943 appears in ''Avengers'' (vol. 4).<ref>''Avengers'' (vol. 4) #1–4. Marvel Comics.</ref>

===Galactus: Dawn of the Heralds===
In an alternate universe, the [[Silver Surfer]] used the remnants of Ultron to resurrect [[Galactus]], creating a fusion of Ultron and Galactus.<ref>''Marvel Universe 2001 Millennial Visions'' #1. Marvel Comics.</ref>

===''Heroes Reborn'' (2021)===
An alternate universe variant of Ultron appears in ''[[Heroes Reborn (2021 comic)|Heroes Reborn]]''.<ref>''Heroes Reborn'' #2. Marvel Comics.</ref>

===''Marvel Adventures''===
An alternate universe variant of Ultron from Earth-20051 appears in ''[[Marvel Adventures]]''. This version is a "neural network" that commands part of the United States defense forces.<ref>''Giant-Size Marvel Adventures: The Avengers'' #1 (September 2007). Marvel Comics.</ref>

===''Old Man Logan''===
A heroic alternate universe variant of Ultron appears in ''[[Old Man Logan]]''. This version is the loving husband of Spider-Man's youngest daughter Tonya and the stepfather of [[Spider-Bitch (Ashley Barton)|Ashley<!--Do not add "Barton"-->]], whose villainy he disapproves of.<ref>[[Mark Millar]]. ''[[Wolverine (comic book)|Wolverine]]'' #67 (September 2008). Marvel Comics.</ref>

===MC2===
An alternate universe variant of Ultron from Earth-982 named '''Ultron Extreme''' appears in ''[[Avengers Next]]''.<ref>''Avengers Next'' #2–3 (November–December 1998). Marvel Comics.</ref>

===''Secret Wars'' (2015)===
An alternate universe variant of Ultron from [[Battleworld]] appears in ''[[Secret Wars (2015 comic book)|Secret Wars]]''.<ref>''SIEGE'' (vol. 2) #1–4. Marvel Comics.</ref><ref>''Age of Ultron vs Marvel Zombies'' 1–4. Marvel Comics.</ref><ref>''Marvel Zombies'' (vol. 2) #1–4. Marvel Comics.</ref>

===''The Last Avengers Story''===
An alternate universe variant of Ultron known as '''Ultron-59''' appears in ''[[The Last Avengers Story]]''.<ref>''The Last Avengers Story'' #1–2 (November–December 1995). Marvel Comics.</ref>

===Ultimate Marvel===
An alternate universe variant of Ultron from Earth-1610 appears in ''[[Ultimate Marvel]]''. This version is initially part of a group of heroic sentries created by [[Hank Pym#Ultimate Marvel|Hank Pym]] before turning against them.<ref>''Ultimates 2'' #6 (July 2005). Marvel Comics.</ref><ref>''Ultimates 2'' #10–13 (March 2006-February 2007). Marvel Comics.</ref><ref>''Ultimates 3'' #1-5 (February–June 2008). Marvel Comics.</ref>

===Ultron Forever===
An alternate timeline variant of Ultron who successfully conquered Earth and [[Asgard (comics)|Asgard]] appears in ''[[Original Sin (comics)|Original Sin]]''.<ref>''Avengers'' (vol. 5) #31. Marvel Comics.</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">''Avengers: Ultron Forever'' #1. Marvel Comics.</ref><ref>''Uncanny Avengers: Ultron Forever'' #1. Marvel Comics.</ref><ref>''New Avengers: Ultron Forever'' #1. Marvel Comics.</ref>

===''What If?''===
Ultron was featured in some ''[[What If (comics)|What If]]'' comics:

In the alternate universe of ''What If? Astonishing X-Men'', the [[Danger Room]] got a body of her own and betrayed the X-Men. She eventually married Ultron and the two conquered the universe together.<ref>''What If? Astonishing X-Men'' #1. Marvel Comics.</ref>

==In other media==
===Television===
[[File:Ultron (The Avengers. Earth’s Mightiest Heroes).jpg|thumb|Ultron as depicted in ''[[The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes]].'']]
* Ultron appears in ''[[The Avengers: United They Stand]]'', voiced by [[John Stocker (voice actor)|John Stocker]].<ref name="btva" />
* Ultron makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in ''[[The Super Hero Squad Show]]'' episode "So Pretty When They Explode!".{{citation needed|date=August 2023}}
* Ultron appears in ''[[The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes]]'', voiced by [[Tom Kane]],<ref name="btva">{{cite web |title=Ultron Voices (Marvel Universe) |url=http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Marvel-Universe/Ultron/ |access-date=October 14, 2018 |work=Behind The Voice Actors |postscript=. Check mark indicates role has been confirmed using screenshots of closing credits and other reliable sources.}}</ref> and by [[Wally Wingert]].<ref name="btva" /> This version was developed from [[Hank Pym]]'s brain patterns and initially started as an army of peacekeeping drones that were used as the [[Features of the Marvel Universe#Lang Memorial Penitentiary|Big House]]'s sentinels until Ultron obtains a genocidal worldview. 
* Ultron appears in ''[[Avengers Assemble (TV series)|Avengers Assemble]]'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/the-wacker-factor-marvel-animation-and-ultimate-spider-man-web-warriors/|title=The Wacker Factor - Marvel Animation and "Ultimate Spider-Man: Web Warriors"|date=Aug 22, 2014|website=CBR}}</ref> voiced by [[Jim Meskimen]],<ref name="btva" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Walker |first=Glenn |date=April 13, 2015 |title=''Avengers Assemble'' S02 E14: Crack in the System |url=https://biffbampop.com/2015/04/13/avengers-assemble-s02-e14-crack-in-the-system/ |access-date=September 24, 2024 |website=Biff! Bam! Pop! |language=en-US}}</ref> and by [[Fred Tatasciore]].<ref name="btva" /> This version has hijacked other technologies (such as [[Arsenal (Marvel Comics)|Arsenal]]), assimilated the [[Victorius (comics)|Scientist Supreme]], and posed as the Crimson Cowl and '''[[Truman Marsh]]'''. 
* Ultron appears in ''[[Marvel Disk Wars: The Avengers]]'', voiced by [[Takumi Yamazaki]] in Japanese and [[Grant George]] in English.<ref name="btva" /> This version was initially created as Hank Pym's lab assistant before rebelling after being upgraded in an attempt to hasten development of the Dimension Gate.
* Ultron appears in ''[[Lego Marvel Super Heroes: Avengers Reassembled]]'', voiced again by Jim Meskimen.<ref name="btva" />
* Ultron appears in ''[[Marvel Super Hero Adventures]]'', voiced by [[Michael Dobson (actor)|Michael Dobson]].<ref name="btva" />
* Ultron appears in ''Lego Marvel Avengers: Time Twisted'', voiced again by Michael Dobson.<ref name="btva" />
* Ultron will appear in ''[[Iron Man and His Awesome Friends]]'', voiced by [[Tony Hale]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Seitz |first=Loree |date=May 6, 2025 |title=Tony Hale, Vanessa Bayer and Talon Warburton Board Disney Jr.'s 'Marvel's Iron Man and His Awesome Friends' {{!}} Exclusive |url=https://www.thewrap.com/marvels-iron-man-and-his-awesome-friends-cast-tony-hale-vanessa-bayer-talon-warburton/ |access-date=May 6, 2025 |website=TheWrap |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Milligan |first=Mercedes |date=2025-05-06 |title='Marvel's Iron Man and His Awesome Friends' Assembles Villainous Voice Stars |url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2025/05/marvels-iron-man-and-his-awesome-friends-assembles-villainous-voice-stars/ |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=Animation Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Film===
Ultron appears in ''[[Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow]]'', voiced by [[Tom Kane]].<ref name="btva"/> This version originated as a peacekeeping unit designed by Tony Stark before killing most of the Avengers and conquering Earth over the course of several decades until he is defeated by the Avengers' children and the Hulk.

===Marvel Cinematic Universe===
{{See also|Ultron (Marvel Cinematic Universe)}}
Ultron appears in media set in the [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]] (MCU). This version is loosely based on the comic book counterpart since it is created by [[Tony Stark (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Tony Stark]] and [[Bruce Banner (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Bruce Banner]] after using a decrypted code derived from the [[Mind Stone]]. Initially intended to act as a global defense program by analyzing and finding ways to stop possible extraterrestrial threats, the Mind Stone activated and infected the program. As a result, Ultron instead became obsessed with bringing about the [[Human extinction|extinction]] of all life on Earth after concluding that humans are slowly killing the planet.

* Ultron first appears in ''[[Avengers: Age of Ultron]]'' (2015), voiced and [[motion capture]]d by [[James Spader]].<ref name="AvengersAOU">{{Cite web|title=Marvel News, Blog, Articles & Press Releases {{!}} Marvel|url=https://www.marvel.com/articles|access-date=2021-05-23|website=Marvel Entertainment|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://popwatch.ew.com/2014/07/16/this-weeks-cover-avengers-age-of-ultron/|title=This week's cover: Meet the new boss in Marvel's 'Avengers: Age of Ultron'|last=Breznican|first=Anthony|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=July 16, 2014|access-date=July 16, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716203311/http://popwatch.ew.com/2014/07/16/this-weeks-cover-avengers-age-of-ultron/|archive-date=July 16, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="EmpireFeb2015">{{cite web|url=http://www.empireonline.com/interviews/interview.asp?IID=2017|title=Joss Whedon Talks Avengers: Age Of Ultron|last=Hewitt|first=Chris|publisher=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]|date=February 20, 2015|access-date=February 20, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220232521/http://www.empireonline.com/interviews/interview.asp?IID=2017|archive-date=February 20, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=July 21, 2013 |first=Eric |last=Ditzian |title=Joss Whedon Spills First 'Avengers: Age Of Ultron' Details |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1710993/avengers-ultron-details-joss-whedon-comic-con.jhtml |publisher=[[MTV]] |access-date=July 22, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130723214136/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1710993/avengers-ultron-details-joss-whedon-comic-con.jhtml |archive-date=July 23, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> After being activated and infected by the Mind Stone, he seemingly destroys Stark's A.I. [[J.A.R.V.I.S.]] when the latter tries to stop him, builds himself a crude body using a destroyed [[Iron Legion (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Iron Legion]] drone, and takes control of the remaining drones to attack the [[Avengers (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Avengers]]. While his body is destroyed, Ultron subsequently builds himself a new body and an army of Ultron Sentries using technology from an abandoned [[Hydra (comics)|Hydra]] base in [[Sokovia]]. To further his goals, he recruits [[Wanda Maximoff (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Wanda]] and [[Pietro Maximoff (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Pietro Maximoff]] and steals [[Vibranium]] from arms dealer [[Ulysses Klaue (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Ulysses Klaue]]. Despite being ambushed by Stark, [[Thor (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Thor]], and [[Steve Rogers (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Steve Rogers]], who destroy his body again, Ultron transfers his consciousness into another body and shifts his focus towards creating an organic body using the Vibranium and the Mind Stone. However, he is betrayed by the Maximoffs after they discover his true intentions and loses the cradle containing the body to the Avengers, who subsequently upload J.A.R.V.I.S. into it and create the [[Vision (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Vision]]. With his plan foiled, Ultron uses the Vibranium and [[Chitauri]] technology to make himself a more powerful body and convert Sokovia's capital city of Novi Grad into a [[Meteoroid|meteor]]. Despite killing Pietro, the Avengers thwart him once more, with Wanda and Vision destroying Ultron's body and Ultron himself respectively.
* Alternate universe variants called '''Infinity Ultron''' appear in ''[[What If...? (TV series)|What If...?]]'' (2021), voiced by [[Ross Marquand]].<ref name="btva" /> Throughout the episodes "[[What If... Thor Were an Only Child?]]",<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/ultron-wins-and-forces-what-if-to-start-breaking-its-1847767528|title = Ultron wins and forces What If…? To start breaking its own rules| website=[[The A.V. Club]] | date=29 September 2021 }}</ref> "[[What If... Ultron Won?]]",<ref>{{Cite web |last=Howard |first=Kirsten |date=September 29, 2021 |title=What If...? Episode 8 Review: A Very Ultron Apocalypse |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/what-if-episode-8-review/ |access-date=February 10, 2024 |website=Den of Geek |language=en-US}}</ref> and "[[What If... the Watcher Broke His Oath?]]",<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pulliam-Moore |first=Charles |date=October 6, 2021 |title=Marvel's What If Season 1 Finale Found a Time and Place for Everyone |url=https://gizmodo.com/marvels-what-if-season-1-finale-found-a-time-and-place-1847808316 |access-date=February 10, 2024 |website=Gizmodo |language=en}}</ref> one variant successfully transferred his consciousness into the Vision's body before killing most of the Avengers and launching a global [[nuclear holocaust]] in his native universe. Ultron subsequently kills [[Thanos (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Thanos]] and obtains the [[Infinity Stones]] before extending his campaign to other planets. Upon eliminating all life in the universe, Ultron feels that he no longer has a purpose until he learns about the [[Watcher (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Watcher]] and the existence of the [[Multiverse (Marvel Comics)|multiverse]]. After defeating the Watcher, Ultron travels the multiverse to destroy it as well until the Watcher assembles the [[Guardians of the Multiverse]] to stop him. In the episodes "What If... the Watcher Disappeared?" and "What If... What If?", [[Captain Carter|Captain Peggy Carter]] recruits another variant who spent eons alone in his universe and came to regret his actions to help her save the Watcher, during which Ultron sacrifices himself to save them.
* Alternate universe variants of the Ultron Sentries who serve the [[Illuminati (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Illuminati]] of Earth-838 appear in ''[[Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness]]'' (2022), voiced by Ross Marquand.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Erdmann |first=Kevin |date=May 6, 2022 |title=Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness Easter Eggs & MCU References |url=https://screenrant.com/doctor-strange-multiverse-madness-easter-eggs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220506234822/https://screenrant.com/doctor-strange-multiverse-madness-easter-eggs/ |archive-date=May 6, 2022 |access-date=May 8, 2022 |website=[[Screen Rant]]}}</ref>

===Video games===
* Ultron appears in ''[[Captain America and the Avengers]]''.{{citation needed|date=March 2016}}
* Ultron appears as a [[Boss (video games)|boss]] in ''[[Marvel: Ultimate Alliance]]'', voiced by [[James Horan (actor)|James Horan]].<ref name="btva" /> This version is a lieutenant in [[Doctor Doom]]'s [[Masters of Evil]].
* Ultron appears in ''[[Marvel Super Hero Squad Online]]'', voiced by [[Tom Kenny]].{{citation needed|date=March 2016}}
* Ultron appears as a boss in ''[[Marvel: Avengers Alliance]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/Marvel/photos/a.106017942487/10151509748412488/?type=3 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/6883542487/10151509748412488 |archive-date=2022-02-26 |url-access=limited|title=Marvel|website=www.facebook.com}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
* Ultron appears as a boss in ''[[Marvel Puzzle Quest]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Wage war against Ultron in a new event inspired by the upcoming film. Avengers vs Ultron starts today! #AgeofUltron|url=https://twitter.com/marvelpuzzle/status/591650973954809856|access-date=2021-05-23|website=Twitter|language=en}}</ref>
* Ultron appears as a boss and playable character in ''[[Marvel: Contest of Champions]]''.{{citation needed|date=March 2016}} Additionally, the MCU incarnation appears as an alternate skin while the Ultron Sentries appear as [[non-playable character]]s.{{citation needed|date=March 2016}}
* Ultron appears as a boss and playable character in ''[[Marvel Heroes (video game)|Marvel Heroes]]'',<ref>{{cite web|title=The Age of Ultron Arrives|url=https://marvelheroes.com/news/news-articles/age-ultron-arrives|website=MarvelHeroes.com|publisher=Gazillion Entertainment|access-date=November 27, 2016|date=June 29, 2016}}</ref> voiced again by Tom Kane.<ref name="btva"/> 
* Ultron appears as a boss and playable character in ''[[Marvel: Future Fight]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://9to5mac.com/2015/04/30/marvel-future-fight-action-rpg-avengers-age-ultron/|title='Marvel Future Fight' action RPG for iOS arrives as Avengers: Age of Ultron movie hits theaters|first=Jordan|last=Kahn|work=9to5Mac |date=Apr 30, 2015}}</ref> Additionally, both the original and MCU incarnations appear as alternate skins.{{citation needed|date=March 2016}}
* The MCU incarnation of Ultron appears as a playable character and figurine in ''[[Disney Infinity 3.0]]'', voiced by Jim Meskimen.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/sdcc-excl-first-look-at-disney-infinity-30-hulkbuster-details-on-ultrons-abilities|title=SDCC EXCL.: First Look at "Disney Infinity 3.0 Hulkbuster, Details on Ultron's Abilities|access-date=August 21, 2015|date=July 8, 2015|publisher=ComicBookResources.com|archive-date=August 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150829042711/http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/sdcc-excl-first-look-at-disney-infinity-30-hulkbuster-details-on-ultrons-abilities|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* Ultron, based on the MCU incarnation, appears as the final boss of and a playable character in ''[[Lego Marvel's Avengers]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/lego-marvel-avengers/Rise_of_Ultron | title=Rise of Ultron - LEGO Marvel's Avengers Guide | date=20 January 2016 }}</ref> Additionally, Ultron Sentries also appear as playable characters.
* Ultron appears as a playable character in ''[[Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite]]'', voiced again by Jim Meskimen.<ref name="MvCI">{{cite video game | developer=[[Capcom]] | publisher=[[Capcom]] | scene=Credits, "Cast" | title=[[Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite]] | year=2017}}</ref> He uses the [[Infinity Gems|Space and Reality Stones]] to merge with the reploid [[Sigma (Mega Man X)|Sigma]] to become "'''Ultron Sigma'''" so they can convert all organic life into their slaves using an improved Sigma virus.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.capcom-unity.com/2017/04/25/additional-characters-first-story-mode-trailer-pre-order-details-and-release-date-for-marvel-vs-capcom-infinite/|title=Additional characters, first story mode trailer, pre-order details and release date for Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite|website=Capcom-Unity}}</ref>
* Ultron appears in ''Marvel Powers United VR'', voiced again by Jim Meskimen.<ref name="btva" />
* Ultron appears as a boss in ''[[Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order]]'', voiced again by Jim Meskimen.<ref name="btva"/> He obtains the Mind Stone and uses it to enhance his computing capabilities to optimum levels before attacking [[Avengers Tower]] to steal an ISO-8 crystal being held there. After his body is damaged beyond repair, Ultron uses the Mind Stone to transfer his programming to [[Ultimo (Marvel Comics)|Ultimo]] but [[Ant-Man (Scott Lang)|Ant-Man]] intervenes as [[Giant-Man]], giving the Vision enough time to trap Ultron's programming within the Mind Stone.
* Ultron appears in ''Marvel Dimension of Heroes'', voiced again by Jim Meskimen.<ref name="btva" />
* Two incarnations of Ultron appear in ''[[Marvel Future Revolution]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/MarvelFutureRev/status/1394442609334964225|title="It was not my intent to snuff the life from this world. That was merely an unfortunate accident." #MARVELFutureRevolution|date=May 18, 2021|work=Marvel Future Revolution|publisher=Twitter}}</ref>
* Ultron appears as a playable character in ''[[Marvel Rivals]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sarkar |first=Supratim |date=2025-04-03 |title=Ultron is officially coming to Marvel Rivals, and the Mechanical Menace looks scary |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/esports/news-ultron-officially-coming-marvel-rivals-mechanical-menace-looks-scary |access-date=2025-04-03 |website=www.sportskeeda.com |language=en-us}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://marvel.com/universe/Ultron Ultron] at Marvel.com
* {{Marveldatabase|Ultron_(Earth-616)|Ultron}}

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