Plastoid drone

Plastoid drone refers to a specific kind of synthetic robot featured in comic books published by Marvel Comics. They are part of the mainstream Marvel Universe and first appeared in Fantastic Four, Volume 1 #221 in August, 1980. The plastoid drones were the synthetic creations of an alien race known as the Flb'Dbi. 500,000 years ago, the Flb'Dbi came to Earth on an expedition of exploration in the Arctic. An unclear stellar phenomena occurred, reversing the polarity of the planet, rendering the Flb'Dbi's vessel incapable of travel. They created the drones to effect repairs on the ship which they knew could take several years. They placed themselves into suspended animation and let the drones do their work.

Over the course of the next half a million years, the drones erected a giant crystalline tower - the purpose of which was to reverse the Earth's polarity once again so they could leave. Their efforts were discovered by the Fantastic Four, who traveled to the frozen north to investigate.

The plastoids were efficient robotic tools, who possessed the ability of bio-fission. Though they stood less than a foot tall in their natural state, they could merge their individual bodies together to form a composite being. This being could manipulate it's form into a wide array of shapes. This proved ideal for fighting the Fantastic Four, as they could alter their shape, size and structure in such a way as to suit their needs.