Gleeman Vox

"For the love of Blarg, cut out all the sappy melodrama before you lose my entire audience!"

- Gleeman Vox

Gleeman Vox, also known as Mr. Vox or simply Vox, was the founder and owner of Vox Industries and DreadZone, the latter which he created because of his belief that he'd acquire stupendous ratings with a show that pitted the galaxy's heroes against each other. He showed affection to little else than his pet Slugha and to a high bolt revenue from selling Exterminator products. He had a cybernetic arm that allowed him to play holograms. Gleeman Vox also owned Vox Airlines, among many other Vox Industry subsidiaries, which he used to transport DreadZone contestants.

Early life and history
"Interesting fact folks, DreadZone started out with two guys fighting over a Breakfast Burrito, and the rest is history!"

- Dallas Wanamaker on DreadZone's creation.

Years ago, Gleeman Vox had made his fortune in several business ventures he found in the Shadow Sector, such as Vox Industries, the Vox Network, Vox Pharmaceuticals and Vox Airways.

At one point in time, he got the idea to create a new holovision show known as DreadZone, a sick twisted illegal combat sport that pitted heroes against heroes; he got the idea for the show after seeing heroes on holovision and once witnessing two guys fighting over a Breakfast Burrito. By the year 5351, DreadZone was up and running with DreadZone Battlecourses set up across the Shadow Sector, the DreadZone Station completed and Vox's personal army spacenapping superheroes across the universe. Gleeman Vox later appointed Ace Hardlight (its not known whether Hardlight had entered into DreadZone under his own free will or not) as leader of the Exterminators as he became the number one contestant on DreadZone, as well as breeding, training, and grooming the Eviscerator for stardom as an Exterminator as well. As the years went by, DreadZone earned 6,000,000,000,000 fans across four galaxies, including the Solana Galaxy, the Bogon Galaxy and the Polaris Galaxy, which funneled in billions of bolts to Vox as well as high ratings.

Throughout his rise to power, he was accompanied by his loyal pet Slugha, who was the only living thing he truly cared for.

Gleeman Vox was also known to have a family.

Courtney Gears
"Ever the altruistic philanthropist, Mr. Vox personally oversaw the careful reconstruction and rehabilitation of Ms. Gears by his own team of specialist robotic surgeons. In exchange, Mr. Vox has merely asked that Courtney Gears sign over all past and future rights to her music, her image, her name, her likeness, and her personal collection of Secret Agent Clank memorabilia. Quite a deal if you ask me."

- Dallas Wanamaker Following Courtney Gear's confrontation with Ratchet on Obani Draco during Dr. Nefarious reign of terror throughout the Solana Galaxy, the badly damaged Courtney Gears nearly perished had Gleeman Vox not have intervened on her behalf. Under his close supervision, Mr. Vox monitored her reconstruction closely while his specialized robotic surgeon team rebuilt her. Thanks to Mr. Vox's support, Courtney Gears made a remarkable recovery, which both The 'Zone and Vox News covered. In return funding her recovery, Mr. Vox asked for Courtney Gears to merely "sign over all past and future rights to her music, her image, her name, her likeness, and her personal collection of Secret Agent Clank memorabilia" to him, which Dallas Wanamaker thought was quite a bargain.

Kidnapping of Subject 209 (a.k.a. Ratchet)
"We've captured Subject 209, Mr. Vox."

- Executioner.

"Excellant, bring him in."

- Gleeman Vox

Seeing yet another hero to add to his long list of DreadZone contestants, Gleeman Vox ordered his troops to set up a distress beacon in Quadrant J0713 to capture Ratchet. Naturally, Ratchet took the bait when the Starship Phoenix entered the system, where it was promptly ambushed by an Interplanetary Transport carrying Vox's forces.

Meanwhile at the DreadZone Station, in a tower overlooking the Battledome, Gleeman Vox watched the action occurring in the Battledome with his pet, Slugha. Vox's viewing of DreadZone was interrupted by an Executioner in charge, who informed Vox they had successfully captured Ratchet. Gleeman Vox was greatly pleased by the news while he rubbed his pet's chin affectionally. The Executioner informed Vox that they had also captured to strays in the process of the spacenapping Ratchet, as asked Vox whether they should be executed, causing Slugha to shake her head up and down in approval of the Executioner's suggestion. Vox however disagreed, instructing the Executioner to put Deadlock Collars on the strays and see if they could "...get some work out of them first."

Meeting Ratchet
"Greetings hero, and welcome to DreadZone!"

- Gleeman Vox to Ratchet.

While Ratchet was completing the Qualification Course, Gleeman Vox appeared to "welcome" him to DreadZone. He assured Ratchet no one would come to rescue or that he himself wouldn't be able to escape. Vox then informed Ratchet that he was now a celebrity gladiator on the greatest holovision show the galaxy had ever known, battling for screaming fans across the Shadow Sector and beyond. Vox claimed Ratchet would likely be dead by tomorrow, but if he fought well and managed to survive, he would earn his freedom. Vox sarcastically wished Ratchet luck at the task that lie ahead, claiming they'd be watching him, laughing manically before his screen vanished.

Deadlocked Collars
"Well, there you have it. Nothing to lose your head over, right?"

- Gleeman Vox discussing the functions of the Deadlock Collars.

After completing the Qualification Course, Vox returned via a floating screen to go over the the Deadlock Collar's function. With much fanfare, Vox warned Ratchet against going into any restricted area or he would be shocked, which he demonstrated by shocking a nearby Test-Bot who was wearing a Deadlocked Collar. Vox also warned Ratchet that if he ever failed to cooperate or worse "boring," his Deadlocked Collar would be detonated, which he demonstrated by blowing the head another Test-Bot. Vox claimed "it was nothing to lose your head over, right?" before his floating screen vanished yet again.

Battledome
"Alright fresh meat, enough chit chat. You're next up in the Battledome, after "Mobius Man." And from the way he's fighting it won't be much longer. Now move it!"

- Gleeman Vox informing Ratchet that he's up next in the Battledome. Gleeman Vox later reappeared via a screen in the Containment Suite (at a particular bad time, since Ratchet was calling Vox a cheapskate while he was talking to Clank). Vox told Ratchet to knock off the chit chat, as it was his turn next in the Battledome, just after the current contestant Mobius Man, though Vox revealed it wouldn't be long, since the way he was fighting against the Eviscerator didn't seem to keep him alive much longer. Vox then told him to get moving and then vanished from the screen. Mere seconds later, Vox informed Ratchet via loudspeaker that a Vox Airways' Battledome Shuttle had arrived to take Ratchet to the Battledome, and warned Ratchet to either get in at once or be terminated.

Vox Has a Hissy
"Ace Hardlight is the perfectly manufactored celebrity, straight from the presses of the Gleeman Vox Media Empire. So tell me, why is it that I can't GIVE THIS STUFF AWAY!?!?"

- Gleeman Vox "Well, uh..."

- Ace Hardlight

"Don't answer that, let me take a wild quess. It's because my fans CAN'T STAND ACE HARDLIGHT! He's a pompous  with the charisma of Blargian Gnat cheese!"

- Gleeman Vox

As Ratchet completed the Qualification Round, Ace Hardlight was called to meet Vox in his personal quarters. Ace told him to make it quick, causing Vox to apologize for disrupting Ace's busy social life, and insisted he had only one question to ask. Vox asked Hardlight if he would like to buy an Ace Hardlight Video Game, Ace Hardlight Lunchbox, Ace Hardlight Action Figure, Ace Hardlight movie rights, Ace Hardlight Card etc, with Hardlight nodding his head in agreement. Vox proclaimed that Hardlight was the perfectly manufactored celebrity of the Gleeman Vox Media Empire. Vox then asked Hardlight, why he couldn't give this Ace Hardlight memorabillia away, much less sell it for a profit. A stunned Hardlight attempted to answer the question, but Vox told Ace not to reply anyway, as Vox wanted to take a "wild" guess. Vox then violently exclaimed it was because DreadZone fans couldn't stand Hardlight. Vox claimed Hardlight was a pompous ***** and had the charisma like that of a Blargian Gnat cheese. Hardlight attempted to understand what Vox was saying, but Vox told him to shut up, exclaiming the little Billys and Susies of the world were spending a trillion bolts a day on worthless garbage, and Vox was cut out of the market. Vox then grabbed Ace by his hair and warned him to start selling this junk soon, or he would fine someone who will. Vox then released Hardlight, and told him to get out of Vox' sight.

Shellshock Defeated
"It seems like we underestimated our Lombax friend."

- Gleeman Vox

"He got lucky. Shellshock was too old and too stupid to be an Exterminator, he should've been retired years ago."

- Ace Hardlight

"Well he's "retired" now."

- Gleeman Vox

Gleeman Vox, Slugha and Ace Hardlight watched Ratchet's progress battling Shellshock in Dark City, planet Kronos. Much to everyone's surprise, Ratchet managed to slay Shellshock within the walls of the Dark Cathedral of Kronos. DreadZone fans across the universe began to cheer for DreadZone's newest contestant. Vox however wasn't pleased, as he had lost six billion bolts of hardware (i.e. Shellshock), yet fans were celebrating like they "...won the freak'n lottery!" Vox then rhetorically asked why he put up with such idiots, with Ace replying who else would watch Vox News, Temptation Asteroid, Galaxy's Funniest Decapitations and Queer Eye for the Tyhrranoid. Vox managed to calm down, stating they underestimated Ratchet, causing Slugha to shake her head in agreement. Hardlight however claimed Ratchet was merely lucky, as Shellshock should have been retired from the Exterminators years ago because of his age and overall stupidity. Vox insisted it made no difference, because Shellshock was "retired" now. Vox also suggested that Ratchet "...might be useful." claiming Ratchet was more popular then Ace during his heroic youth, in fact, Ratchet kinda reminded Vox of Hardlight. Hardlight flipped out, slamming his fists into Vox's table and insisting Ratchet got lucky, and his luck wouldn't last forever, which ended Vox's and Hardlight's conversation.

Falling Sales
"Umm, sir? We have the latest sales figures"

- Test-Bot

"Yeah, whats the bottom line?"

- Gleeman Vox

"Umm...nobody is buying the new Ace Hardlight merchandise. In fact, sales are down across the board except for, Fuzzy Lombax ears."

- Test-Bot

"We sell those?!"

- Gleeman Vox

"Uh yes, sir. They are an accessory of the Tiny Tots Assault Weapons Kit."

- Test-Bot

Later on, Vox was watching a DreadZone commercial in which three children showed off their "superpowers" by wearing pajamas. Vox was laughing really hard at one child attempt at flying, resulting in said child slamming into the ground instead. Vox enjoyment was interrupted by a call from a Test-Bot at the Ghost Station, who wanted to inform Vox about the latest sales figures. Vox asked what the bottom line was, and the Test-Bot informed Vox that no one was buying the new Ace Hardlight merchandise.In fact, all sales across the board were down except for Fuzzy Lombax Ears, the Test-Bot insisted. Vox was greatly surprised, since he wasn't aware that Vox Industries even sold such products, but the Test-Bot insisted they were an accessory for the Tiny Tots Assault Weapons Kit. Vox grew very angry, and insisting that the the Test-Bot had made an "..idiotic mistake!", and ordered the Test-Bot to report to B Level for disintegration. The Test-Bot glumly was about carry out his task when Vox changed his mind, much to the surprise of the Test-Bot. Vox ordered the Test-Bot to go to the Lab before he reported to B Level and tell those working there to set up a focus test to find out why Ace Hardlight merchandise wasn't selling. With great sadness, the Test-Bot replied he would complete Vox's task as soon as possible, and the robot ended the transmission.

Defeat of Ace Hardlight and DreadZone's destruction
As Ratchet rose through the ranks, slowly defeating Ace's team of Exterminators, Hardlight became progressively more frustrated. However, he later discovered that Clank and Al had been trying to find a way to remove Gleeman Vox's special Deadlock collars, which was strongly prohibited. This prompted Ace to shoot the former roboshack owner (although he did not kill Al). Nevertheless, Ace ultimately fought Ratchet in the Battledome and was defeated. Although having spat out many arrogant comments during the fight, Ace Hardlight used what seemed to be his last breath to warn Ratchet not to let Vox do to the Lombax what he had done to him. Now defeated, Ace Hardlight seemed to have redeemed himself and also said Ratchet was the hero now.

Vox then made an offer to Ratchet, allowing him to replace Ace. Ratchet refused and Vox retaliated by using Vox News to slander Ratchet further by falsely claiming he had killed Ace in combat. This was merely propaganda so that Vox could sell a memorial Ace Hardlight action figure for a large sum of bolts and also make the Lombax look like a villain. This did not work, however, and Ace simply retired and was put in Zordoom Prison. Vox then offered Ratchet the "opportunity of a thousand lifetimes" as he put it, making the Lombax the captain of the Exterminators and the new star of Dreadzone, claiming that the two of them would make billions. He also tried to make the Lombax sign a contract to promote toys, clothes, foods, and personal hygiene tools. He claimed Ratchet would get record deals, movie rights, reality shows, video games and appear on commercials. Ratchet, however, did not want to be Vox's pet and said to the thunderstruck Vox, "You honestly think I'd kill other heroes to get rich? You're not just corrupt. You're stupid." Furious, Vox sent Ratchet on a death mission at the Ghost Station (also known as the Gauntlet of Doom, which was supposedly "mathematically proven to be unbeatable").

Ratchet survived and when the Lombax returned, Vox then placed detonators all around DreadZone Station, forcing Ratchet to complete one last mission at the Battledome by threatening to blow up the station if he did not succeed. Vox did this because he believed it would help him achieve the highest ratings possible.

Death of a Salesman
Ultimately, however, Ratchet defeated Gleeman Vox in the Dome, who allowed the station to explode anyway. The Lombax escaped with Clank and Al on the station's last hovership, along with Vox News anchormen Dallas Wanamaker and Juanita Alvaro, other DreadZone contestants that managed to get on the ship, his team-mates Merc and Green, the three children who supported Ratchet and even Vox's pet, Slugha, leaving Vox to be blown apart in the very explosion he set off.

Vox was killed when DreadZone Station exploded just as Ratchet and his allies escaped. His severed robotic arm was later seen floating among the station debris.

Legacy
In A Crack in Time, Vox Holo-films is mentioned by the announcer of My Blaster Runs Hot.

Behind the scenes

 * Early in development, he would emit copies of the Exterminators in combat.

Appearances

 * Ratchet: Deadlocked
 * Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time

Non-canon

 * Ratchet & Clank Manga: Volume 2
 * PlayStation Home