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Steven Lang (sometimes spelled Stephen Lang) is a fictional character, a supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe. He is best known as a manufacturer of the mutant-hunting robots called Sentinels. He first appeared in full in X-Men volume 1 #98, although his hand was seen and his voice heard in X-Men volume 1 #96.
Character biography
Dr. Steven Lang was a pioneer in the field of robotics and genetic mutation who hated mutants. An employee of the U.S. government, he was placed in charge of a federal investigation into the origin of genetic mutation. He would later use his talents to create an army of mutant hunting robots to kill all mutants. To this end he sought political affiliation so that he could get the government to endorse and financially support his operations. With anti-mutant paranoia at a rise during the time, he was nearly successful. Lang began by targeting minor mutant criminals such as Mesmero. He was assisted in this by the backing of Ned Buckman and the "Council of the Chosen", the secret group in control of the New York Branch of the Hellfire Club prior to Sebastian Shaw's takeover. To defeat his main targets, the X-Men, Lang initially used the massive mutant-hunting robot Sentinels. He also created the "X-Sentinels", android doubles of Beast, Iceman, Angel, Marvel Girl, Havok, Lorna Dane, and Professor X who possessed the appearances of, and could simulate the mannerisms and powers of, the original X-Men. These androids were created to fight against the real X-Men (Cyclops, Colossus, Wolverine, Storm, Banshee, and Nightcrawler). These events led to an epic battle between the original X-Men and the "All-New, All-Different" X-Men where it seemed that Professor X betrayed the X-Men. In the climax of the battle, Lang apparently perished when the mini-fighter which he was employing against Cyclops and Jean Grey was telekinetically crashed into a wall-screen, but he was later revealed to have survived, albeit in a coma with severe brain damage. Returning to Earth from Lang's satellite base, Jean Grey apparently sacrificed her life to save her teammates, only to seemingly return as the Phoenix. Years later, Lang returned as a member of the Phalanx, a group of humans who had been transformed into techno-organic human-alien hybrids. The transformation process restored Lang's mind, and he became their leader. Lang was the only one of the Phalanx to retain his individual human identity, possibly due to the brain damage; when his true nature was revealed, he was dragged to his apparent death by his lieutenant, Cameron Hodge.
Powers and abilities
As a normal human being Steven Lang had no superhuman powers. However, he was a genius and pioneer in the field of robotics, with adequate finnancial resources to fund his operations. As a member of the Phalanx he had all of the characteristics of a techno-organic life form: enhanced strength, durability, and agility, ability to re-shape corporeal form at will, and to infect other beings with the techno-organic virus and control infected beings.
