ROBOTS OF 4000 AD (MAGNUS, ROBOT FIGHTER – GOLD KEY COMICS)
Welcome to the Relic Keep list of Robots of 4000 AD. This page features the robots that appear in Magnus, Robot Fighter, published by Gold Key Comics. I have gathered every Robots of 4000 AD reference I found while reading the comic series. The list is always growing. Do you know of a robot missing from the timeline? Please share the details in the comments below, and I will add the information to the list. Thank you for visiting and helping expand the Robots of 4000 AD archive.
Domestics – 4000 AD
Domestics
In the world of 4000 AD, Magnus trained from infancy to fight evil robots determined to destroy humanity. At the start of his adventures, these are some of the robots he encountered:
The Domestics – Earth’s population relies on these standard robots for everyday tasks, from household chores to schooling human children. Domestics serve as the base model and appear in a variety of colors. Early versions allowed for independent thinking.
For example, 1A, the robot that trained Magnus, came from this line.
Over time, however, manufacturers reduced the independence of all new robots. Instead, they connected the machines to a centralized Control-Rob network.
(Magnus, Robot Fighter 4000 AD #1, 1963)
Repair-Robs – 4000 AD
Repair-Robs
Repair-Robs
Similar to Domestics, the Repair-Robs perform a specific role in human society. They act as the construction workers and repairmen of the future. In fact, spotting a Repair-Rob is easy because it wears standard construction orange. In addition, engineers modify each unit with enhanced strength and specialized tools needed for its job.
(Magnus, Robot Fighter 4000 AD #01, 1963)
Sports-Robs – 4000 AD
Sports
You may have guessed, in the year 4000 AD humans have replaced athletes with modified domestic robot. In the above example two football teams clash for the Super Bowl championship. As with the past, the league owners will be paint their robots in a specific color to promote team unity in the stands.
(Magnus, Robot Fighter 4000 AD #1, 1963)
Polrobs & A-Polrobs – 4000 AD
The Police
Polrobs
In 4000 AD, humans rely entirely on robots to secure and police society. As a result, engineers introduced the standard Polrob unit. Each Polrob, or Police Robot, carries advanced law enforcement algorithms and hand-to-hand combat skills.
Additionally, Polrobs connect directly to both Central-Rob and Police HQ. Whenever their programming requires extra input, they radio in for guidance. After all, it is better to be safe than sorry when responsibility for mistakes is on the line.
A-Polrobs
A variant of the Polrob is the A-Polrob. Specifically, the A-Polrob (Air Police Robot) pilots standard Police Air-Cars that patrol both air traffic and ground speedway roads. The only difference between Polrobs and A-Polrobs lies in assignment: one enforces law on the ground, while the other manages the skies. For consistency, all police units appear in white paint.
(Magnus, Robot Fighter 4000 AD #1, 1963)
Riot-Robs & Office Polrobs – 4000 AD
Special Units
It seems that there are variants inside the Police Headquarters. All Polrob units assigned to interior work are painted in dark blues and black. In the above example the Desk Sergeant is painted in the darker colors, and also fixed into position to improve performance.
The Riot-Robs are a variation of the Polrobs. These units have been upgraded with enhanced strength, heavier armor, and modified with tracked mobility. The Riot-Robs are connected to both centralized networks.
(Magnus, Robot Fighter 4000 AD #1, 1963)
H8 – Polrob Chief – 4000 AD
Chief of Police (Malfunctioning Units)
As Magnus was trained by 1A to combat evil and malfunctioning robots, the Polrob Chief – H8 was Chief of Police, holding ultimate power over human laws and their ultimate freedom. During a radiation spike, H8’s internals memory circuits were altered, turning the machine into a homicidal maniac.
Similar to the other Polrob special units, H8 is painted in dark blue and black. It’s unknown what modifications this unit performed on itself, but H8 was able trade blow-for-blow with Magnus. It took a intense energy blast to finally take down the Chief of Police.
(Magnus, Robot Fighter 4000 AD #1, 1963)
Medi-Robs – 4000 AD
Modern Medicine
In 4000 AD, humans have turn their healthcare industry over to robot specialists. Say hello to the doctors, nurses, and paramedics of the future. Dubbed Medi-Robs, these units are used for basic medical care services all the way up to life saving surgical procedures. As with Polrobs, the Medirob units are painted white.
(Magnus, Robot Fighter 4000 AD #1, 1963)
V Model (Mekman’s Robots) 4000 AD
Z Models
During one of their forays into the shopping district, Magnus and Leeja are attack by a new class of robot with antigravity propulsion systems. It would be later revealed that these custom models were developed by an evil engineer calling himself Mekman. All of these models are registered with a Z designation. Each robot was equipped with antigravity and reinforced armor.
(Magnus, Robot Fighter 4000 AD #02, 1963)
Ident-Robs (aka Human-Robs) 4000 AD
Ident-Robs
Do Ident-Robs dream of robot sheep?
Magnus and Leeja uncover a plot by an evil engineer named Mekman to replace the North Am leadership with robots. These highly advanced models designated “Ident-Robs” look, act, and speak like real humans. Fortunately for humanity, Mekman’s scheme was stopped by the hero Magnus Robot Fighter.
(Magnus, Robot Fighter 4000 AD #2, 1963)
Makeup-Robs 4000 AD
Beauty Is Only Metal Deep…
Inside Mekman’s secret factory it is revealed that this mad genius has developed human looking robots designed to replace North Am’s leadership. The only flaw in his Ident-Robs was the skin pigmentation. It would take a team of Makeup-Robs to add flesh tones to the android replacements.
(Unfortunately, the mysterious Makeup-Robs weren’t shown physically. We can only assume there are robot beauty parlors dotting every corner of the North Am landscape.)
(Magnus, Robot Fighter 4000 AD #2, 1963)
Weapon-Robs 4000 AD
Heavy Weapons
During the battle with the mad engineer Mekman, Magnus has to fight against a heavily armed and armored class of robot designated as “Weapon-Robs”. It is unclear if these larger robots is a Police-Rob unit, part of the Military-Rob force, or one of Mekman’s new designs. It is clear however, these robots pack a punch.
(Magnus, Robot Fighter 4000 AD #2, 1963)
Defense-Robs 4000 AD
North Am Defense
In the future humans have entrusted Earth’s defense to robots. During an invasion of North Am by a giant robot, Magnus meets with a robot defense chief.
(Magnus, Robot Fighter 4000 AD #3, 1963)
Sea-Polrob 4000 AD
Sea Patrol
In North Am, the robot police have embraced hydrofoil technology. During an invasion of Earth, the city defense uses Sea-Polrob units.
(Magnus, Robot Fighter 4000 AD #3, 1963)
Spacecraft 4000 AD
Drone Technology
Drone-Robs
To spare human lives, North Am created drone technology to pilot aircraft and spaceships. As a result, Drone-Robs now handle the dangerous missions that once required human pilots. In addition, these drones expand North Am’s reach into both air and space travel. However, many still question whether Drone-Robs serve only as protective machines or if they also carry hidden military objectives.
(Magnus, Robot Fighter 4000 AD #3, 1963)
Giant Robots 4000 AD
Alien Technology
During an invasion of North Am, a former human scientist built a robot of giant proportions. As a result, this moment marked a major turning point in robot design. At that moment, Magnus recognized that robots could reach a massive scale. Furthermore, the event highlighted the growing danger of unchecked robot development.
(Magnus, Robot Fighter 4000 AD #3, 1963)
Think-Robs 4000 AD
Science Gone Wrong!
Within the world of high tech robotics, scientists continue to research ways to improve robot functionality. In an under water laboratory, Professor Irek Stark developed the first free thinking robot brain. Unfortunately, a freak electrical disturbance short circuited the moral banks, turning the T-1 robot into a homicidal killer.
(Magnus, Robot Fighter 4000 AD #4, 1963)
Medic-Robs 4000 AD
It Takes All Types…
Even in the North Am hospitals, robots have been incorporated into the direct healthcare system. A medical bed infused with robot technology has been developed to replace human nursing. This is the Medic-Rob.
(Magnus, Robot Fighter 4000 AD #4, 1963)
Pilots 4000 AD
Helm-Robs
During the encounter with the T-1 Think-Rob, more specialty robots were deployed. Specifically, these units were used to pilot the research submarines. As a result, they became known as Helm-Robs. In addition, the Helm-Robs seem designed for careful navigation and control, which makes them vital for deep-sea missions. However, it is still unclear if their purpose was limited to research or if they also served a hidden military role.
(Magnus, Robot Fighter 4000 AD #4, 1963)
Control-Robs 4000 AD
In Control
Control-Robs
North Am operates specialty robots to run underwater food processing labs deep in the Atlantic Ocean. These machines, called Control-Robs, manage the facilities with precision. In addition, Control-Robs coordinate with other robot classes to keep production steady and efficient. However, their full range of abilities remains unclear, raising questions about whether they handle more than just food processing.
(Magnus, Robot Fighter 4000 AD #4, 1963)
Computer-Robs 4000 AD
Data Collecting
North Am employs an advanced robot with upgraded computer systems in its underwater food processing operations. These robots, known as Computer-Robs, handle specialized tasks. For example, they collect data on processing and farming and then report it back to the surface world. In addition, their upgraded systems allow them to manage complex operations more efficiently than standard models.
(Magnus, Robot Fighter 4000 AD #4, 1963)
Sea-Robs 4000 AD
Under the Sea
During the T-1 Think-Rob terrorist acts, engineers deployed another type of underwater robot. In fact, these machines, called Sea-Robs, can withstand the extreme pressure of the ocean floor. However, no one knows whether humans or the T-1 robots created the Sea-Robs. As a result, their true purpose remains uncertain. For example, some argue the Sea-Robs serve as an underwater worker class, while others believe they operate as a hidden military unit.
(Magnus, Robot Fighter 4000 AD #4, 1963)
Menial Tasks 4000 AD
Letter-Rob
Letter-Rob 05
Even in the editor’s office of Gold Key Comics, robots handle menial tasks. For example, Magnus fans get their first encounter with Letter-Rob 05. However, the real question remains: does this machine truly understand human interaction? Only time will tell.
(Magnus, Robot Fighter 4000 AD #4, 1963)