His brother equipped the still sharp-minded Sandhurst with an automated lab, where he then invented his "slave discs" which, when attached to a victim, transmit that person's "latent psionic energies" to a "mental wave absorbatron." These energies powered Basil's exoskeleton, which enabled him to move and endowed him with superhuman strength!

Over the years, The Controller has tussled with Iron Man many times, including once where Sandhurst controlled the alien-spawned Blood Brothers (IM #88-89). Also, Sandhurst attempted to control Stark himself, but Tony's artificial nervous system made it very difficult (IM #292-293). Later, Basil used a powerful psionic being to try to nab Stark; this too, failed, leaving the Controller incredibly weakened and crippled once more (IM Annual #15). Most recently, Sandhurst ran the Basel Stress Clinic which was visited by Stark after he discovered his armor was killing him (IM vol. 3 #13). Sandhurst could now manifest the ability to "mutate" into the Controller's form at will; however, despite many flashbacks, no explanation was given as to how he overcame his last crushing defeat at IM's hands!

First ever & IM appearance: Iron Man #12.