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    Scorpion

    Character » Scorpion appears in 1122 issues.

    MacDonald "Mac" Gargan was a failing private investigator that was turned into the Scorpion with financial help from J. Jonah Jameson. He became a host of the Venom symbiote and was part of Norman Osborn's Dark Avengers. After the US Government took the symbiote, he became The Scorpion once again.

    Short summary describing this character.

    Scorpion last edited by SlamAdams on 02/14/24 02:00PM View full history

    Origin

    The Scorpion!
    The Scorpion!

    Mac Gargan was a private investigator that J. Jonah Jameson hired to keep tabs on Peter Parker and Spider-Man to see if the two had any connection. But Peter's spider-sense alerts him and allows him to repeatedly evade Gargan. Eventually, J. Jonah Jameson paid Mac Gargan to undergo a procedure by Dr. Farley Stillwell to defeat Spider-Man. The procedure was designed to endow his human subjects with the powers of a particular animal. J. Jonah Jameson chose for Mac to gain the proportionate abilities of a scorpion, as it would be the perfect arachnid predator to Spider-Man. Following genetic modifications, Stillwell outfitted Gargan with a mechanical power-suit, granting him a durable exoskeleton with a cybernetic stinger. The Scorpion emerges!

    Creation

    Scorpion was created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko and first appeared in a cameo in The Amazing Spider-Man #19 (1964). He appeared full-on as the Scorpion in Amazing Spider-man 20 (1964).

    Major Story Arcs

    A Supervillain is Born

    But the experiment later came to affect Mac Gargan's mind, forcing insanity. He blamed J. Jonah Jameson for his destroyed mind and tried to kill him, forcing Spider-Man to intervene. Gargan has attempted numerous times to get Spider-Man and Jameson, but Spider-Man always gets to save both their lives.

    Wedding Crasher

    When Mac learned of the fact that Jonah Jameson was about to marry a woman named Marla, Scorpion became increasingly angry and decided to kidnap Marla, in hopes of holding her for ransom. Jonah could not do anything about the abduction. Luckily, Spider-Man intervened and managed to defeat the Scorpion and save Marla in the process. Mac was then again sentenced to jail and put behind bars.

    Redemption

    Enter Scorpion
    Enter Scorpion

    Some time later Mac escaped prison and had a fight with Ms. Marvel, whom defeated him as well. Scorpion began to believe that his Scorpion suit was stuck to his body, and he started to see himself as a monster in his reflections. Spider-Man later proved this to be a delusion. After experiencing many defeats from Spider-Man, Mac became depressed and decided that he want to redeem himself of his past villainous act. When he met Spider-Man, also experiencing depression, he pleaded to him that he has changed his ways, but Spider-Man beat him bloody. This drove Scorpion's insanity back. Jameson later confessed to the public that he was the one who created the Scorpion when the Hobgoblin blackmailed for his secret.

    Roxxon Oil and a New Costume

    A New Costume
    A New Costume

    Scorpion later worked with Roxxon Oil being told that they could help him, but in reality all that he was getting were upgrades on his costume with the promise that he could now defeat his enemies. Spider-Man later convinced him that he was being used by Roxxon just as Jameson did in the past. Scorpion turned on Roxxon defeating them but was then defeated by Spider-Man.

    Secret War

    Mac Gargan was present in the Secret War in Latveria, where he was recruited by the Prime Minister Lucia von Bardas of Latveria, who had taken over from Doctor Doom. At this time, Mac was given an upgraded version of his Scorpion armor, leaving behind his more recent costume-change. Although the heroes Mac fought against where outnumbered, they still did not manage to defeat the heroes. Mac escaped and returned to America once more.

    Venom

     Becoming the new Venom
    Becoming the new Venom

    After abandoning its previous host the Venom symbiote approached Mac Gargan and offered him additional powers. He agreed and became the next host of the Venom symbiote, which he hoped would give him the advantage he needed in defeating Spider-Man as well as securing a place as a part of the Sinister Twelve. However, with the help of other heroes, he was still defeated by Spider-Man. Even though he was incarcerated, it didn't hinder him as with his new powers he would be respected more as a powerful villain. He was later abducted by Stranger, disguised as the Beyonder, to participate yet again in another Secret War. During the events of the war he had killed Space Phantom believing him to be Spider-Man. All the participants were able to escape from the crumbling planet thanks to Gravity's sacrifice, later he is seen mourning his death.

    Thunderbolts

    Venom Attacking Steel Spider
    Venom Attacking Steel Spider

    Gargan later becomes a member of a sub-group of the Thunderbolts, which has been drafted by the Avengers to hunt down the members of the fugitive Secret Avengers and is currently run by the Commission for Superhuman Activities. It is then revealed that he has been outfitted with electrical implants by the government to keep the Symbiote in check. As a Thunderbolt, he is seen as a hero by the general public and has his own action figures. Gargan displays his new raw power as Venom in a battle with Jack Flag, after pummeling Flag for a bit, the hero manages to stab Gargan, who is protected by his Symbiote. Gargan becomes enraged and ferociously manhandles Flag, and is about to feast upon his flesh, when his electrical implants kick in and temporarily subdue him, allowing Flag to live. Gargan expresses fear of the control the Symbiote possesses over him, yet he has become addicted to the raw unearthly power it brings to him, and cannot begin to imagine life without it, similarly to a drug addict. Later, during an attack from Steel Spider, American Eagle and Sepulchre, Gargan loses control again, briefly becoming a huge monster once more, while Moonstone is incapacitated and thus cannot co-ordinate control of his electrical implants. Afterwards, however, he returns to a normal form with no ill effects. Then, he bites off, and devours, Steel Spider's arm during a fight.

    After, the Thunderbolts goes after Spider-Man for being an unregistered hero and like everyone else, he has no memory of Spider-Man's true identity, because of One More Day. When Venom and Spider-Man fought, Eddie Brock got into the skirmish and the Symbiote suddenly left Gargan to bond again to Brock, but his skin acted like a corrosive when the Symbiote tried to attached itself. White substance began to appear from Brock's pores and became Anti-Venom. Anti-Venom battled Venom and seemingly cleansed Gargan of the Symbiote but also inadvertently cleansing Spider-Man remaining Symbiote within his body along with his spider powers.

    New Ways to Die

    Back in the Suit
    Back in the Suit

    During a mission to capture Spider-Man, in this Venom was attacked by Anti-Venom and his symbiote was almost destroyed. Later, Norman Osborn injected the symbiote with a toxin that healed the suit and had the capabilities of hopefully killing him Anti-Venom. However, while the suit was still healing Mac donned his old Scorpion armor as a way to protect himself and to administer the toxin to Anti-Venom. Later on, while Gargan and Brock were battling he injected Anti-Venom with the toxin, almost destroying the Anti-Venom suit. With this the Venom symbiote fully healed, smashing his Scorpion armor to bits, becoming Venom once more. Anti-Venom was able to regrow his own symbiote costume and fled.

    Secret Invasion

    Later returning from another mission the Thunderbolts were attacked by Captain Marvel. When Venom tried to stop him he was sent flying through a window and below Thunderbolts Mountain. It was later on discovered that Captain Marvel was a Skrull. Nobody knew what was happening except Osborn. Earth was at war. The Thunderbolts had been sent to protect Washington. When they arrived, Venom thrived in battle, eating as many Skrulls as he could. Later on he was attacked by a super Skrull, and they were both sent flying off they ship that they were on. They both landed among a crowd, and the Skrull quickly changed its shape. Venom, knowing it was hiding then began suffocating people in the crowd with tendrils, trying to find it. When Osborne saw this he reminded the symbiote that while he was all for letting it fulfill its urges, there did have to be guidelines. Venom then continued to do what he was doing before. The Skrull saw all of this and, while changing back into its battle form, called Venom a monster saying that humans would liberate the Skrulls after seeing this. Venom then revealed that it was an act, and that the people had been able to breath the entire time. He said he did this to make the Skrull come out of hiding. Venom then proceeded to attack the Skrull. He badly wounded it with his claws and then started eating it. After Washington, the Thunderbolts continued on to New York, where Thor had summoned all the heroes and Skrulls for a final battle in Central Park. When they arrived, Osborne reminded the Thunderbolts that Skrulls were the target. Venom began to complain, saying that Spider-Man was nearby. He was quickly made quiet. Throughout the battle, Venom continued to kill and eat Skrulls, and was only seen harmed once when he was punched by a Skrull taking on the persona of Giant Man. Venom and the rest of the Thunderbolts made it through the Secret Invasion unharmed, excluding the death of Swordsman's sister.

    Dark Reign: Sinister Spider-Man

    Sinister Spider-Man
    Sinister Spider-Man

    When Norman Osborn became head of the superhero community, he formed a new team of Avengers called the Dark Avengers, where he recruits Gargan and Venom to be on the team. He first fed Venom with a Skrull impersonating Spider-Man and fed him a medication that turns his monstrous form in to more humane look and named him the Spider-Man of the group. As a member of the Dark Avengers, their first mission was to rescue Doctor Doom who was being attacked by Morgan Le Fey. When Sentry decapitated her, he suddenly disappeared and Morgan seemingly came back from the dead. In her return, Morgan took control of Venom and started attacking his own teammates. After Morgana is defeated Sinister Spider-man returns to normal. Later on Gargan is ambushed by the real Spider-man and captured with the help of Sue Richards. He is then sent is sent to the Negative Zone, but later escapes.

    Eventually, Venom begins a lone war on crime in the city. During one of his exploits he defeats a bank robber named General Wolfram. After the battle he takes Wolfram to an abandoned building and bites off his arm. Stealing the money from the robbery he leaves for a strip club. Taking one of the strippers home he kills her and places the body in J.J. Jameson’s bed in an attempt to frame him. In another attempt to destabilize Jameson, Venom begins turf war between two rival gangs.

    Under guise of a bomb threat Venom is lured into a trap by the Redeemers, a group of villains who had each had limbs bitten off by Gargan, including Wolfram. He easily kills three of them, but the survivors escape and send some incriminating pictures of ''Spider-Man'' to Jameson. J.J. turns to Osborn for help and he sends in Bullseye and Daken to cleanup. In the end Gargan faces off against his teammates, the remaining Redeemers, and the two gangs. Venom is able to defeat all of them with J.J. stopping the brawl. Upon returning to Avengers Tower Osborn states that next time Mac crosses the line, he will personally stop him.

    Venom vs Colossus: Round 2
    Venom vs Colossus: Round 2

    During the Utopia storyline, when the Dark Avengers are sent to quell the mutant riots, Venom faces off against Colossus. With the help of Iceman the Russian escapes. Later, during the final battle Venom laughs off the combined attacks of Trance and Cannonball and after defeating them continues his battle Colossus. However, with the Dark Avengers outnumbered, and the only way to win via killing all the mutant they are forced to retreat.

    During the Molecule Man arc, it is shown that the medication he had been taking has affected Mac, making him unstable, and has caused the Venom symbiote to be soft. However, it is revealed that teammate Daken was using his pheromone powers to screw around with Mac's emotions, contributing to his unusual state of mind.

    Siege

    After the Soldier Field incident in Chicago, Osborn assembles his Avengers and tells him of the plan to invade Asgard. Many of them don't like the idea and when Bullseye voices his concerns Venom asks if he is scared to which he replies yes, stating that all of them should be. Osborn tells them that this is an order and if they succeed they are free, to which they agree. During the invasion of Asgard, Venom is seen facing the frontline of immortals, but when Thor appears he joins his teammates in ambushing the God of Thunder. He is also present for Ares’ death at the hands of Sentry.

    Venom at the front line
    Venom at the front line

    Later when the real Avengers join the battle Venom faces off against Spider-Man. During the fight Venom is able to gain the upper hand and Spider-Man almost wins, until Ms. Marvel suddenly arrives ripping Mac Gargan out of the symbiote. Separated from its host the Venom symbiote bonds with Ms. Marvel; taking full control of her body. Spider-Man tries to use a bell from a near-by church but finds out the bell had been removed. Ms. Marvel tried to separate herself from the black suit to no avail. Needing more power Spider-Man knocks her onto electric wires allowing Carol to break free from the symbiote. Returning to Mac Gargan, Venom tries to once again attack the heroes, but Spider-Man webs Venom's legs throwing him in the air where Ms. Marvel beats him with car bumper incapacitating him. After the Void is defeated, Mac is captured along with the rest of the Dark Avengers.

    Return as Scorpion

    Return of the Scorpion
    Return of the Scorpion

    During Big Time Mac returns, now separated from the symbiote, in a new scorpion outfit created by Alistair Smythe and is now working with his Insect Army. To get revenge on Mayor J. Jonah Jameson and his astronaut son John once again. They attack the launch site where John is flying the Vertex shuttle into orbit which will meet up with a Horizon Labs space station. Spider-Man appears and weblines to a shuttle that just took off but Smythe has locked down the controls and rigged its booster rockets to explode before it leaves the atmosphere and to make matters worse, the evolved Scorpion appears to kill Spider-Man. With the help of the New Avengers, Spider-Man saves John but Smythe sends his Insect Army after Jonah's loved ones. Spider-Man uses a device that jams all of Smythe's minions' enhanced senses but disables his own Spider-Sense in the process. After Spider-Man defeats the Scorpion, he goes to check on the others but Smythe appears and kills Marla Jameson. Spider-Man then defeats Smythe and for the first time, Jonah refuses to blame Spider-Man and blames himself instead.

    After Doctor Octopus and Spider-Man switch bodies, Parker has Scorpion, Hydro-Man and Trapster free himself from the The Raft. They then go after Octavius and in the ensuing battle the phony Spider-Man punches his jaw off.

    Hunting Down Jameson
    Hunting Down Jameson

    While in the Raft's infirmary Alistair Smythe's mini Spider-Slayers heal and enhance Gargan along with Boomerang, and Vulture. Smythe offers them the chance to get back at Spider-Man. After a brief battle with Spider-Man, during which Boomerang is taken out, Smythe sends Scorpion after J. Jonah Jameson, who was there to over see Smyhte's execution, and Vulture after civilians that had been trapped in the Raft. Spider-Man ignores this and continues his assault on Alistair. Scorpion is able to locate Jameson, but is prevented from taking his revenge by Lizard, who had escaped during the commotion. When Otto fatefully stabs Smythe; Boomerang, Scorpion, and Vulture's upgrades are disabled.

    Freed from jail and repaired by Alchemax, Gargan is hired to run their Spider-Slayer program. During a trip to sell Spider-Slayers to a foreign country Tiberius Stone is taken by the local rebels. Donning his Spider-Man costume Miguel O’Hara, who had accompanied Stone, goes to rescue him. Unfortunately, Scorpion mistakes him for the present Spider-Man in a new costume and attacks with the aid of the Spider-Slayers. However, with the help his holographic assistant Miguel manages to defeat Gargan by projecting the image of the present Spider-Man's costume over him, causing the Spider-Slayers to attack. Gargan eventually manages to turn them off.

    Black Cat’s Gang

    Mac vs Price
    Mac vs Price

    Mac, without his Scorpion armor, would join Black Cat’s Gang. He reluctantly hired a new guy, Lee Price, who he had sent to meet with goons working for Tombstone. The deal went south, and Mac became immediately suspicious of Price. Mac didn’t know it right away, but the eerie familiarity he was sensing was the Venom symbiote. Price had become its’ new host when the symbiote interrupted the Tombstone deal.

    When Price’s apartment building is firebombed, Mac dusts off his scorpion armor and shows up to Price’s next assignment. His plan was to kill Price and blame it on the journalist Price was sent to silence. In the middle of being attacked, Price revealed himself as Venom. Being a previous host of the symbiote, Mac had upgraded his Scorpion armor with anti-symbiote sonics and fire weapons.

    Their fight would get the attention of Spider-Man. Thinking that Price was Flash Thompson, Spidey would concentrate on Mac. When Venom gets away, Mac blames Spider-Man. Afterward, Mac would lay low for a while until the Venom symbiote would reconnect with Eddie Brock. Mac was able to get the best of Eddie until Eddie forced Venom tendrils into Mac’s armor, ripping the additional armor pieces and anti-symbiote weapons from his suit.

    More Symbiote Nonsense

    Monster Scor-biote
    Monster Scor-biote

    Mac would get forced into a symbiote host yet again when Price returned bonded to the Mania symbiote. He would share pieces of Mania with Black Cat and her goons, turning them into his goons. The piece of Mania given to Mac would react to the leftover traces of Venom in his body. This would turn him into a much more monstrous version than the rest of the gang. He would be saved though by Flash Thompson and his new Anti-Venom abilities.

    Mac would then get recruited out of prison for a government symbiote task force, led by Claire Dixon. They needed someone experienced with being a symbiote host like Mac, because Venom was about to spawn. They want Mac to volunteer to become the new host and let them run tests. When Brock is saved by Spider-Woman, Mac lashes out. This convinces Dixon to shock him and send him back to prison.

    Virus

    Virus Armor
    Virus Armor

    A vengeful Mac would go to the Tinkerer to get himself some symbiote killing weapons. Outfitted with an old War Machine armor that he rigged with Shocker gauntlets and Goblin gear, calling himself Virus, he would hunt Venom, eventually following him and his son, Dylan Brock, to a warehouse being used by The Maker. In their fight, Mac would accidentally activate The Maker's dimensional gateway, sending the three of them to an Earth overrun with symbiotes.

    While Eddie and Dylan were brought in by a resistance, Mac was arrested by symbiote-clad Avengers and brought to their leader, Codex, an adult Dylan who embraced the symbiote hive mind. Codex would force a symbiote on to Mac and send him after the resistance as Scorpion.

    Using Dylan's ability to disintegrate symbiotes, they easily freed Mac, who continued to lash out at Eddie in anger for ruining his life. Eddie would spare his life if he would lead the resistance to Codex so they could stop the symbiote takeover once and for all. Mac made good on that request, but when he reclaimed his Virus armor, he attacked Venom again. This time, he was taken out by this Earth's Reed Richards with an EMP, disabling his armor. They promised to keep Mac locked up on their Earth while the Brock boys went back to Earth-616. It is unclear how, but Mac would ultimately make it back, as well.

    The Savage Six

    The Savage Six
    The Savage Six

    Mac was captured by Taskmaster and Black Ant for a big trophy hunt set up by Kraven the Hunter. Kraven chose villains that were animal themed to punish them for disgracing the animal kingdom. Mac was one of six main animal villains that Kraven used to sell rich patrons on the hunt. Arcade, Kraven's partner, referred to them as The Savage Six.

    Once freed after Spider-Man's interfering with Kraven's plan, Vulture liked the sound of the Savage Six and pitched to his other advertised big game baddies (Rhino, King Cobra, Tarantula, and Stegron, in addition to Scorpion) that they should stick together.

    Once together, they made their way to Hollywood to shut down a production of a biographical movie produced by Mysterio that painted them in a less than ideal light. They were unsuccessful though thanks to lead actress, Mary Jane, and the superhumans working on the crew.

    Sinister War

    Mac and his new team weren't ready to give up on getting back at Mysterio just yet though. They made a second attempt to ruin the movie at the premiere. While fighting off Spider-Man, in attendance as Mary Jane's date, the Savage Six were attacked by a new Sinister Six, looking to add Mysterio to their ranks. The Sinister Six was able to get Mysterio and regroup with Kindred.

    When they were sent to a graveyard where Spider-Man was facing off against a number of other villains, The Savage Six followed and joined the rumble. Eventually, Doc Ock uses a piece of Black Ant's helmet to knock everyone, including Mac, out through the ear centipedes Kindred was using to control them.

    Carnage Reigns

    After being arrested after a run in with Miles Morales, Scorpion is deputized by Agent Gao to the her Anti-Vigilante Task Force, The Cape Killers, to take Spider-Man down. However, he ended up teaming up with Miles when Cletus Kasady, possessing Stark's Extrembiote, started killing some people and mind-controlling others.. He even suggested to Gao that they deputize Miles as well.

    Unfortunately, their combined might was still not enough to take on Cletus. Most of Scorpion's team was taken out, leaving him as Miles' only back up until Iron Man arrived to help them. Reunited with Hightail and joined by the new Red Goblin, Scorpion and the others kept a bunch of Carnage zombies busy while Iron Man rigged an EMP to take out the Extrembiote Cletus was possessing.

    Gang War

    Mac's new recruits
    Mac's new recruits

    When Hammerhead incited a gang war hoping the gangs would take each other out and the Maggia could swoop in and take over the city, Agent Gao sent the Cape Killers into the field to keep the peace in Brooklyn. Frost Pharaoh and The Bumbler were leading gangs against each other, and they have already gotten the attention of Miles Morales. Because Miles was deputized by the mayor, the Cape Killers couldn't arrest him, so they reluctantly worked with him. After defeating Frost Pharaoh and Bumbler, they turned to the Enforcers and their new leader, The Prowler, who were all upgraded with mysterious new tech.

    The Prowler had led the Enforcers into a trap, hoping that Miles and his allies would be able to stop them. He then recruited them all to help him take down Hobgoblin, who was trafficking Beyond Corporation tech to the street gangs of Brooklyn. Hobgoblin also hired a number of goons to secure the perimeter. Starling, Shift, and Scorpion are on goon duty, but Scorpion is able to reach some of them, convincing them that goblins never follow through on their promises. Shocker, Ricadonna, Mister Fish, Man-Bull, and Goldbug all join the Cape Killers to help Miles take down Hobgoblin.

    In the ensuing fight, Hobgoblin's cache of explosives are triggered causing a massive explosion. Hobgoblin is assumed dead, and with Brooklyn safe again, Agent Gao reminds Miles that his truce with the Cape Killers is over.

    Powers

    As Scorpion

    Mac Gargan was mutated to possess the proportionate abilities of a Scorpion and outfitted with a power-suit to further his new Scorpion persona. Without the suit, Gargan possesses superhuman strength enabling him to lift 15 tons, as well as superhuman speed, endurance, and reflexes that exceeded Spider-Man's. His suit provided him with increased durability, pincers on each hand that could tear through Spider-Man's webbing, and an extremely powerful cybernetic tail. Scorpion used his prehensile tail as for both practical purposes and as a deadly weapon. At times, his tail has been given certain additional weapons, such as acidic sprays, electric blasts, or a poison-tipped blade.

    After his return as Scorpion, Gargan was fitted with a new much larger suit which is cybernetically wired into him. It is equipped with a more powerful tail, mechanical pincers, and is bulletproof. Gargan's biology was also altered, giving him a "scorpion sense" to match Spider-Man's "spider-sense".

    For a time, Norman outfitted Mac with a Scorpion suit while the Venom Symbiote was recovering from injuries sustained in a battle with Anti-Venom. This Scorpion Suit provided added protection from Anti-Venom, allowed Venom to regenerate, and possessed a cybernetic tail/stinger loaded with a super-venom capable of killing Anti-Venom.

    As Venom

    Gargan's powers have been enhanced after bonding with the Venom symbiote. He also has a few new abilities, such as a shapeshifting, webbing generation, enhanced durability, regeneration, genetic memory (recalling information from previous hosts), and an immunity to Spider-Man's spider-sense. The natural super strength of Gargan combined with the strength of the symbiote allows him to lift (press) 40 tons. Norman provided Gargan a chemical that allows Gargan to more actively control the symbiote and enables him to alter his appearance with more precision so that Gargan could pose as Spider-Man. The medicine must be taken in between periods of times, or else the symbiote would take over Gargan.

    As Virus

    To get revenge on the Venom symbiote, Mac retrofitted an old War Machine suit with anti-symbiote weaponry. This included pumpkin bombs, goblin glider, sonic cannons, and Shocker gauntlets.

    Characteristics

    • Height: 6'2" (Gargan); 6'11" (Variable)
    • Weight: 220 lbs (Gargan); 895 lbs (Variable)
    • Eye Color: Brown (Gargan); Variable as Venom
    • Hair Color: Brown; Variable as Venom
    • Citizenship: American
    • Occupation: Criminal; formerly private investigator

    Variants

    Second 616 Scorpion

    An unnamed individual found the suit in a landfill and teamed up with villains Grey Gargoyle, Razorback, Whirlwind, Bonebreaker, and Sauron. The team was easily stopped by Rocket & Groot.

    Ultimate Clone(Earth-1610)

    The clone Scorpion
    The clone Scorpion

    In this alternate universe, Scorpion is a clone of Spider-Man. He first appears during the Ultimate Clone Saga arc, and attacks a Mall. After seeing his face, Spider-Man takes him to the Fantastic Four. They reveal that the Scorpion is a clone of Peter Parker, and it's later revealed that he is part of a group of clones created by Otto Octavius.

    The Scorpion was last heard of when it was mentioned he was taken into SHIELD custody, and has not been seen since.

    Maximus Gargan

    Maximus Gargan
    Maximus Gargan

    An alternate, unrelated version of Scorpion later appears after the death of Peter Parker. This version of the character is a burly, tattooed Latino criminal named Maximus Gargan, who seeks to become the new Kingpin of New York (following Wilson Fisk's death at the hands of Mysterio). He is nicknamed "The Scorpion," and uses a chained hook as his trademark weapon (mirroring the classic Scorpion's stinger).

    He is defeated by his former partner, Aaron Davis, who coerces his nephew Miles into helping him take down Gargan.

    Earth-70237

    In the last days of Peter Parker being Spider-Man, Scorpion is a member of the Sinner Six, the latest version of the Sinister Six. He was killed by Spider-Man by being kicked out of the window and falling to his death.

    Earth-721

    In Earth-A, Gargan is a tourist that has gone through Earth-616, to impersonate the Scorpion in that reality. He was later returned back to his home reality.

    Earth-2149

    In the Marvel Zombieverse, Scorpion is one of the infected by the zombie plague. He is seen collecting food along with Diablo for their leader, Kingpin.

    Earth-8545

    In this reality, Scorpion is one of the superhumans that have been infected by a mutated Legacy Virus combined with Warlock's technarch.

    Exiles

    In one reality, Scorpion is one of the founding members of the Heroes For Hire and the Avengers with Black Widow and Black Knight. He was killed by an alternate version of Illyana Rasputin.

    El Escorpion

    On Earth-31913, Garganza is a Mexican bandit known as El Escorpion. He is armed with a long chain with a poison tipped hook at the end of it. He has feuded with the cowboy themed spider-hero, Web-Slinger.

    In Other Media

    Video Games

    Spider-Man

    Scorpion in Spider-Man: The Movie
    Scorpion in Spider-Man: The Movie

    The Scorpion was first seen in the Spider-Man game for the Playstation console voiced by Daran Norris. He was the boss of the third level of the game. He reappeared in the first Spider-Man movie game, voiced by Mike McColl. In the game, Mac Gargan is a test subject who was given an infusion of arachnid DNA and a high tech suit of armor by Oscorp as part of Norman Osborn's attempts at creating super soldiers. After escaping, he is encountered by Spider-Man beneath the streets of New York, where he reveals that he has an intense pathological fear of spiders. After Spider-Man helps Scorpion defeat a group of robotic spiders sent by Mendel Stromm, Scorpion turns on the hero and has an intense battle before he is defeated and forced to flee. In the game, he wears the short-lived purple armor he wore in the comics during the 90's.

    Spider-Man: Friend or Foe

    Scorpion in Spider-Man 3
    Scorpion in Spider-Man 3

    He later appeared in Spider-Man: Friend or Foe, where he was voiced by Fred Tatasciore. He is the third boss and one of the most powerful friends to use. In the loose video game adaptation of the film Spider-Man 3, Scorpion is voiced by Dee Bradley Baker. Here he is not a villain. Instead, he is a victim of experimentation caused by MechaBioCon. He is at most times brainwashed and was used to free Rhino from police custody. He later tried to kill Doctor Stillwell, one of the scientists who was controlling him, but was defeated and forced to escape while Stillwell was taken into cutody. He sports a more subdued, realistic variation of his armor, which Chris Archer claims is more or less what Scorpion would have looked like had he appeared in the films.

    Marvel: Ultimate Alliance

    Scorpion would also appear in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, voiced by Beau Weaver.

    Venom in Ultimate Alliance 2
    Venom in Ultimate Alliance 2

    Gargan also appears in the game Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 as a boss and playable character, sporting the Venom suit. He is a member of the Thunderbolts as well as one of the characters later taken over by the nanites in their bodies. He participates in the attack on Wakanda, where he invades Black Panther's royal palace. The Scorpion appears as a separate boss character in the PS2, Wii, and PSP versions of the game, where he is fought at Prison 42. He is voiced by Walter Bernet as Venom and by Jim Cummings as Scorpion.

    The Amazing Spider-Man

    Scorpion in Amazing Spider-Man
    Scorpion in Amazing Spider-Man

    In The Amazing Spider-Man video game epilogue, he is a Cross Species like all other bosses who is infecting Manhattan. He has a green and scaly look mixed with black lines and grey dominating color. He also has acidic abilities. You will fight him on your return to OsCorp Tower. Upon hearing a security guard's announcement, Norman Osborn has ordered to use tranquilizer darts and must apprehend both characters. It was not confirmed why he wants to capture them. Also there are clues pointing out he is creating a nest on the tower. After your escape from Alistair Smythe's sentries and OsCorp's security officers, and a few infected scientist, you will fight him on a foggy glassed area. Defeating him will knock him unconscious. You will again fight him on a dock, where he is attacking dock workers. In the end of the fight, he is under police custody. Reading his character bio will reveal that Doctor Octopus created him with the use of a "black goo", which is a possible reference to Venom. Also he is named MAC (My Astonishing Creation) and his original name may be Mac Gargan. His entire profile has been a mystery.

    Spider-Man (Insomniac)

    Scorpion in the PS4 game
    Scorpion in the PS4 game

    Scorpion appears as a boss character in the PS4 Spider-Man game from Insomniac Games, with Jason Spisak reprising his role from the Marvel's Spider-Man cartoon. The character's origin is mentioned in his profile and on J. Jonah Jameson's podcast, indicating that much like in the comics, Scorpion is a former private investigator named Mac Gargan who was transformed into the Scorpion after undergoing dangerous medical experiments and becoming trapped inside a high-tech suit of armor. Scorpion is recruited by Doc Ock as part of the Sinister Six, with Octavius promising to help settle Gargan's immense gambling debts in exchange for his services. He poisons Spider-Man with his tail, causing vivid hallucinations. Scorpion and Rhino eventually face Spider-Man together, but are defeated when he traps both of them inside a large shipping container.

    Spider-Man 2 (Insomniac)

    Scorpion appears as one of the many villains the Kraven the Hunter is hunting. He is the first that Spider-Men, Peter and Miles, witness being abducted by Kraven, when they are supervising his transfer from The Raft to Ravenscroft.

    Television

    Spider-Man (1967)

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    Scorpion appears in the 1967 Spider-Man series in an episode called "Never Step on a Scorpion" and was voiced by Carl Beans. He later appears in the episode "Sting of the Scorpion".

    Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends

    Scorpion appears in the 1981 Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends episode "Attack of the Arachnoid."

    Spider-Man: The Animated Series

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    Scorpion appears as a recurring villain in Spider-Man: The Animated Series, voiced by Martin Landau and later Richard Moll (after Landau left the series due to winning an Oscar for Tim Burton's film Ed Wood). In the episode "Sting of the Scorpion", Mac Gargan first appears as a meek, spineless private investigator hired by J. Jonah Jameson to find out Spider-Man's secret identity. After failing in this task, Gargan is convinced by Jameson to undergo an experiment involving neogenic rays, which transforms him him into the Scorpion. The Scorpion is defeated by Spider-Man after nearly causing a nuclear meltdown, but goes on to appear several more times, eventually joining the show's version of the Sinister Six (dubbed "The Insidious Six" due to censorship issues).

    Spectacular Spider-Man

    Scorpion never appears in The Spectacular Spider-Man though we hear Norman Osborn thanking him over the phone. Creator Greg Weisman has said that had the show been renewed for a third season, Scorpion would have appeared.

    Ultimate Spider-Man

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    The Scorpion first appears in Season 2 of Ultimate Spider-Man, voiced by Dante Basco (best known for voicing Prince Zuko in Avatar: The Last Airbender). He debuts in the episode "Journey Of The Iron Fist," sporting a vastly different origin. This version of the Scorpion is an Asian teenager from the hidden city of K'un-L'un, who uses Scorpion as a warrior name in much the same way Danny Rand is referred to as Iron Fist. His backstory and personality are largely taken from Davos, an enemy of Iron Fist in the comics. It is revealed that Scorpion and Danny once trained together, and that Scorpion resents him for being chosen to bare the Iron Fist mantle as one of the city's Immortal Weapons. After being revealed to be a villain who has been sabotaging Danny's efforts, Scorpion is defeated and exiled from the city. He does not sport his tail or armor, and instead sports a design similar to the Mortal Kombat character Scorpion.

    Scorpion's armored form
    Scorpion's armored form

    Scorpion later appears in the episode "Return of the Sinister Six" as a replacement for Beetle, who had quit the group after their disastrous first battle. He now sports his iconic tail and armor, both of which were designed for him by Doctor Octopus. He returns in the Season 3 episode "Agent Venom," where he briefly becomes possessed by the Venom symbiote as a nod to the comics. He returns in "New Warriors," where he escapes from the Tri-Carrier's detention level and battles Ka-Zar and Zabu before being defeated. He returns alongside the Sinister Six in the two-part series finale, "Graduation Day," (now voiced by Eric Bauza) where he is defeated by Spider-Man.

    Marvel's Spider-Man

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    Scorpion appears in the 2017 Spider-Man animated series, serving as one of Spidey's first villains. He has a much larger suit of armor in this version, making him look similar to his modern comic counterpart. He is voiced by Jason Spisak.

    Film

    Spider-Man: Homecoming

    Michael Mando as Mac Gargan
    Michael Mando as Mac Gargan

    Mac Gargan appears in the 2017 film Spider-Man: Homecoming, portrayed by Michael Mando, most identifiable by his scorpion neck tattoo. This version of the character is a criminal and an associate of the Vulture. He is also of Latino descent in this continuity, similar to his Ultimate counterpart.

    He first appears during an arms deal gone bad, where he is injured during the ensuing battle between Spider-Man and Vulture. In the mid-credits scene, Gargan is seen in prison, where he tells the Vulture that he and some friends "on the outside" are planning to take down Spider-Man.

    Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

    Scorpion in Spider-Verse
    Scorpion in Spider-Verse

    The Scorpion appears in the 2018 animated film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, voiced by Mexican actor Joaquín Cosío. This version of the character is one of the Kingpin's enforcers, and like his Ultimate counterpart, is of Latino descent. In a departure from the comics, Scorpion seemingly possesses cybernetic limbs, making him a cyborg. During the final battle, he is defeated by Spider-Ham.

    Merchandise

    Scorpion

    Marvel Legends
    Marvel Legends
    • ToyBiz released multiple Scorpion figures, including for their line based on Spider-Man: The Animated Series.
    • Scorpion was featured in ToyBiz's Spider-Man Classics line, the sister line to the 6" Marvel Legends line.
    • Hasbro also released a figure of Scorpion as he appeared in the Spider-Man 3 game.
    • Bowen Designs released a statue of Scorpion, as well as a bust.
    • XM Studios produced a Scorpion statue.
    • Scorpion was featured in the "Web Warriors Ultimate Bridge" Lego kit, and in the "Spider-Man vs. Scorpion" Mighty Micros kit.
    • Scorpion was featured in the HeroClix figure game.
    • The Ultimate (clone) Scorpion was featured in Hasbro's Spider-Man line and as part of a box set released for the Amazing Spider-Man movie line, even though he does not appear in the film.
    • Scorpion was featured in Hasbro's toyline for Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
    • Scorpion was featured as a Black Pawn in the Marvel Chess Collection from Eaglemoss Publications.
    • Scorpion was also featured in The Classic Marvel Figurine Collection from Eaglemoss Publications.
    • The movie version of Scorpion was featured in Funko's Mystery Minis line for Into the Spider-Verse.
    • Scorpion was featured in Hasbro's Marvel Legends line as part of the wave for Spider-Man: Far From Home. An updated version would later be released as part of the Retro line.

    Venom

    Marvel Universe and Marvel Legends
    Marvel Universe and Marvel Legends
    • When Hasbro took over the Spider-Man Classics line, they released "Jaw Slash Venom," a repaint of ToyBiz's "Symbiote Blast Venom" figure (which ironically, had been based on the Eddie Brock version of Venom). The figure proved very popular, and Chinese knockoffs are very common on online stores and auction sites.
    • A Mac Gargan Venom figure was featured in Hasbro's 3.75" Spider-Man line under the title "Stretch Strike Venom."
    • Gargan's Dark Spider-Man persona was featured in a Marvel Universe two-pack with Daken from Hasbro.
    • Hasbro later released "Scorpion Stinger Venom," which came with an attachable tail meant as a nod to Gargan's former Scorpion identity.
    • Venom was featured in the HeroClix figure game. Another figure, this time based on his Sinister Spider-Man identity from the Dark Avengers team, was also released.
    • The Marvel Legends Monster Venom Build-a-Figure is seemingly based on the Mac Gargan version of the character, sporting a similar spider symbol.
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