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!

Saturday Showcase: Kraven the Hunter

Kraven the Hunter

    Kraven the Hunter has been my favorite Spider-Man villain from the very beginning.  In fact, it was a Marvel Tales issue with Kraven and the Vulture attacking Spider-Man that got me interested in Spider-Man comics, well the Punisher had something to do with that as well.  Anyway, Kraven was always my go to villain.  If an issue had Kraven in it, I was buying it.

Marvel Tales #189 (Story taken from Amazing Spider-Man #49)

    Kraven was created in 1964 by Stan Lee and the late, great Steve Dikto.  His first appearance was in the Amazing Spider-Man #15 back in August of '64.  So you could say that in August, Kraven will be 54  years old.  Wow, just think of all that history!  

    Kraven's birth name is Sergei Nikolaevich Kravinoff.  He is a member of the Sinister Six, Kravinoff Family, the Army of Evil,  as well as a Black Ops team that worked with Nick Fury in the '50's.  He has fought Avengers, fellow villains, Daredevil, Kazar, besides his nemesis Spider-Man.  Spider-Man is his main target, because Kraven loves the Hunt so why not try to kill a Spider-Man?  

the Hunter becomes the Hunted

    Kraven's obsession with Spidey led to a moment in history that many will never forget.  Why you ask?  Kraven committed suicide we he failed to capture the spider that haunted his dreams.  Of course, this is the world of comics and he would later be brought back to life to fight another day.  After his resurrection, he was brought to the Savage Land.  There he had some classic battles with Kazar.  Kraven went on to fight the Scarlet Spider and Venom thinking they were Spider-Man.  Even after death he was on a quest to kill a spider.

Kraven attacks Venom while at the Savage Land

    I know Kraven is a well known character and may not need me to do a Spotlight Post on him, but he is one of my faves and has not made it to film yet.  Sure he is a popular character in games and cartoons as well as toys, but he has not been on the big screen yet.  Since he has fought Avengers, Daredevil, and Spider-Man, there is no excuse for him not to be in the movies. 

Kraven as seen in the Marvel Universe cartoons on Disney XD.

    That's my 2 cents on the issue.  If you would like to know more about Kraven, feel free to comment on this post and I will see what I can do.  

Until next time, get your READ on!

Kraven's First Appearance:

the Amazing Spider-Man #15

MARVEL

August 1964

Classic Cover of the Day - MARVELous Monday Edition

Classic Cover of the Day - MARVELous Monday Edition

the Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 1, #5

Art by Steve Dikto

Marvel Comics

R.I.P. Steve Ditko

One of my favorite Steve Ditko illustrations.  His creation of Kraven the Hunter is what made me fall in love with the Spider-Man comics to begin with.  R.I.P.  Steve Ditko