Saturday Showcase: the Scorpion (Mac Gargan)

    I've noticed a lot of Spidey Villains variant comic book covers in the past few weeks.  Seeing these covers has made me reflect on some of my favorite villains that exist in the Spider-Verse and I decided to spotlight the Scorpion.  I know there have been many versions of the Scorpion throughout the years, but I want to concentrate on the one that I was first introduced to as a child.  That man's name is Mac Gargan.

    The character of Mac Gargan aka the Scorpion was created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. Gargan first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #19, December 1964.  The Scorpion then made his debut in The Amazing Spider-Man #20, January 1965.

The Scorpion STINGS but Once!

    Mac Gargan was a private investigator initially hired by J. Jonah Jameson to find out how Peter Parker is able to obtain incredible pictures of Spider-Man.  When Peter avoids capture, Jonah decided to use Mac in an experimental procedure developed by Dr. Stillwell that would genetically enhance his body with the characteristics of a Scorpion, a natural enemy of the Spider.  To add to his altered DNA, he is also given a suit with a mechanical tail that would serve as a powerful weapon against any foes.  The procedure was a success but it cost Gargan his sanity and he would go one to be one of Spider-Man's greatest villains.

Remember when comics had pin-up gallery pages?

    The Scorpion kept himself busy in the Marvel Universe.  I say this because he didn't stay in NY to be a pest to Spidey, but he also fought such heroes as Ms. Marvel and Captain America.  He was not a joke and that is a fact.  Many years down the road, he even became the 3rd host of Venom and portrayed himself as Spider-Man during his tenure in the Dark Avengers.

   Mac eventually returned as the Scorpion with a better suit with a mission to kill.  Unfortunately, no matter how big and bad or how powerful he becomes, Spidey as well as other heroes eventually find a way to take him down.

As seen in the video game, Spider-Man (2018)

Abilities:

• Superhuman strength, speed, agility, stamina, durability and reflexes
• Precognitive Scorpion-Sense
• Wears scorpion-like armor with a cybernetic tail that has projectile weapons
• Ability to cling to most surfaces

Team Affiliations:

Dark Avengers

Thunderbolts

Sinister Six

Sinister Twelve

Masters of Evil

Alchemax

Savage Six

Notable Aliases:

Scorpion, Venom, Spider-Man, "Kilgore Trout"

First Appearances:

As Mac Gargan:

The Amazing Spider-Man #19 (December 1964)

As Scorpion:

Amazing Spider-Man #20 (January 1965)

As Venom:

Marvel Knights Spider-Man #10 (March 2005)

As Spider-Man:

Dark Avengers #1 (March 2009)

 

Ms. Marvel #2

Until next time, get your READ on!