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Black Scorpion (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Black Scorpion is an action-crime TV series that aired on the Sci-Fi Channel
in 2001. The series is based on two Roger Corman
movies, Black Scorpion
, and the sequel Black Scorpion II: Aftershock
. The show focuses on a female police officer, who, by night, takes to the streets and fights crime as the superhero
ine, the Black Scorpion. The show contains many references to the old Batman
TV series, including guest appearances by Adam West
and Frank Gorshin
.
Episode 1.1, 1.3 and 1.8 were combined into a 2002 straight to video movie called Sting of the Black Scorpion.
The complete series was briefly available on DVD
in North America, but the set is now out of production.
. She lives in Angel City (a fictionalized version of Los Angeles
), where she works as a police detective. Darcy's father was shot by the city's crooked district attorney. The D.A. was arrested, but the charges were suspiciously dropped. That was when Darcy decided to take to the streets as the vigilante, Black Scorpion. In the original Corman films, the role of Darcy was played by Joan Severance
. In the series, she is a red-headed enforcer with a badge who enforces the law more efficiently without the badge as her crime-fighting alter-ego, Black Scorpion. She appears to be a big fan of the color black, a fact she made clear during an interview after being asked with such a trivial question which would explain the color of her costume. However, as shown in the first episode, her choice of the scorpion relates to an old fable about a scorpion trying to cross a river, which her father told her.
: Apart from being an excellent hand-to-hand fighter and an expert with computers, Black Scorpion has no superpowers. She does, however, have access to a large assortment of weapons and gadgets, her best known weapon being her "Scorpionmobile," a high-tech car that is decked out like the Batmobile
, with unique features activated via voice command and with a disguise capability similar to the "Defender" from Viper
. She also wears a ring that shoots powerful blasts of energy and allows her to change into the Black Scorpion costume by converting "to an atomic level" whatever clothes she's wearing into the said attire.
As far as personality goes, Black Scorpion is rather cocky, almost to the point of overconfidence, which often leads to her opponents catching her off-guard and getting the best of her, usually by knocking her out. In fact, there is hardly an episode where the antagonist(s) doesn't knock her out as part of the climax. She apparently dislikes the way she looks on camera, which contradicts her choice of attire when garbed as a crimefighter. She also has a tendency to avoid hitting people if they happen to be wearing glasses; unless she really thinks they deserve it, as with the character Clockwise.
Angel of Death
Aftershock
Breathtaker
Clockwise
FireArm
Flashpoint
Gangster Prankster
Greenthumb
Hurricane
Inferno
Medusa
Mindbender
Polutia
Professor Prophet
Slapshot
Stunner
Vox Populi
A guest appearance was made by Dave Mustaine
, who portrayed the pyromaniac Torchy Thompson. During his fight scenes, sound clips of Hangar 18
were played.
Sci Fi Channel (United States)
Syfy , formerly known as the Sci-Fi Channel and SCI FI, is an American cable television channel featuring science fiction, supernatural, fantasy, reality, paranormal, wrestling, and horror programming. Launched on September 24, 1992, it is part of the entertainment conglomerate NBCUniversal, a...
in 2001. The series is based on two Roger Corman
Roger Corman
Roger William Corman is an American film producer, director and actor. He has mostly worked on low-budget B movies. Some of Corman's work has an established critical reputation, such as his cycle of films adapted from the tales of Edgar Allan Poe, and in 2009 he won an Honorary Academy Award for...
movies, Black Scorpion
Black Scorpion (film)
Black Scorpion is a 1995 comedy-action film starring Joan Severance as the eponymous costumed crime fighter. Roger Corman was the executive producer, and it was originally released on the Showtime cable network as part of the Roger Corman Presents series.The film concerns the comic book style...
, and the sequel Black Scorpion II: Aftershock
Black Scorpion II: Aftershock
Black Scorpion II: Aftershock, also known as Black Scorpion II: Ground Zero, is a 1997 comedy-action film starring Joan Severance as a crime fighting superhero. Roger Corman was the executive producer....
. The show focuses on a female police officer, who, by night, takes to the streets and fights crime as the superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
ine, the Black Scorpion. The show contains many references to the old Batman
Batman (TV series)
Batman is an American television series, based on the DC comic book character of the same name. It stars Adam West as Batman and Burt Ward as Robin — two crime-fighting heroes who defend Gotham City. It aired on the American Broadcasting Company network for three seasons from January 12, 1966 to...
TV series, including guest appearances by Adam West
Adam West
William West Anderson , better known by the stage name Adam West, is an American actor best known for his lead role in the Batman TV series and the film of the same name...
and Frank Gorshin
Frank Gorshin
Frank John Gorshin, Jr. was an American actor and comedian. He was perhaps best known as an impressionist, with many guest appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show and The Tonight Show...
.
Episode 1.1, 1.3 and 1.8 were combined into a 2002 straight to video movie called Sting of the Black Scorpion.
The complete series was briefly available on DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
in North America, but the set is now out of production.
Darcy Walker
The Black Scorpion's real name is Darcy Walker, played by Michelle LintelMichelle Lintel
Michelle Lintel is an American actress best known for playing the lead role in the television series Black Scorpion. She has studied martial arts. She is a former Miss Kansas and a two-time Bronze medal-winner in the Junior Olympics.-Filmography:...
. She lives in Angel City (a fictionalized version of Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
), where she works as a police detective. Darcy's father was shot by the city's crooked district attorney. The D.A. was arrested, but the charges were suspiciously dropped. That was when Darcy decided to take to the streets as the vigilante, Black Scorpion. In the original Corman films, the role of Darcy was played by Joan Severance
Joan Severance
-Early life:Severance was born in Houston, Texas to John and Martha Severance. Her father was an IBM Systems Manager that had to move frequently around the world. According to Severance "by the time I was 11, we'd lived in 12 different places". Severance and her family also lived in Libya, but in...
. In the series, she is a red-headed enforcer with a badge who enforces the law more efficiently without the badge as her crime-fighting alter-ego, Black Scorpion. She appears to be a big fan of the color black, a fact she made clear during an interview after being asked with such a trivial question which would explain the color of her costume. However, as shown in the first episode, her choice of the scorpion relates to an old fable about a scorpion trying to cross a river, which her father told her.
Black Scorpion
The Black Scorpion is a clear reference to BatmanBatman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
: Apart from being an excellent hand-to-hand fighter and an expert with computers, Black Scorpion has no superpowers. She does, however, have access to a large assortment of weapons and gadgets, her best known weapon being her "Scorpionmobile," a high-tech car that is decked out like the Batmobile
Batmobile
The Batmobile is the automobile of DC Comics superhero Batman. The car has evolved along with the character from comic books to television and films. Kept in the Batcave, which it accesses through a hidden entrance, the Batmobile is a gadget-laden vehicle used by Batman in his crime-fighting...
, with unique features activated via voice command and with a disguise capability similar to the "Defender" from Viper
Viper (TV series)
Viper is an action-adventure TV series about a special task force set up by the federal government to fight crime in the fictional city of Metro City, California that is perpetually under siege from one crime wave after another. The weapon used by this task force is an assault vehicle that...
. She also wears a ring that shoots powerful blasts of energy and allows her to change into the Black Scorpion costume by converting "to an atomic level" whatever clothes she's wearing into the said attire.
As far as personality goes, Black Scorpion is rather cocky, almost to the point of overconfidence, which often leads to her opponents catching her off-guard and getting the best of her, usually by knocking her out. In fact, there is hardly an episode where the antagonist(s) doesn't knock her out as part of the climax. She apparently dislikes the way she looks on camera, which contradicts her choice of attire when garbed as a crimefighter. She also has a tendency to avoid hitting people if they happen to be wearing glasses; unless she really thinks they deserve it, as with the character Clockwise.
Other Major Characters
- Detective Steve Rafferty: Darcy's partner and love interest. Apart from Darcy, Steve is the best cop on the force. At present, he is on a mission to unmask the Black Scorpion. Darcy wants to tell Steve that she's the Black Scorpion, but whenever she tries, the opportunity slips away. Steve may also have a crush on the Black Scorpion, which visibly upsets Darcy, forming a bizarre love triangle between Steve, herself, and her costumed alter-ego. He is played by Scott ValentineScott ValentineScott Eugene Valentine is an American actor.-Life and career:Valentine was born in Saratoga Springs, New York, the son of Beverly Ann and Edward Eugene Valentine. He began to pursue acting one year into his college education, attending the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York...
. Of special note, Scott Valentine played a cameo in the second Black Scorpion film as minor thug.
- Specs and Slugger: A pair of incompetent Cops that work with Darcy and Steve. Often the pair get into Car crashes while chasing Black Scorpion. They are played by Shane PowersShane PowersShane Powers is an American film and television actor and reality television personality. After finishing high school, Powers moved to Los Angeles. He appeared in a number of television series and videos. He also worked as a club promoter and restaurant manager...
and Steven Kravitz respectively. Of note they are the only characters, save Gangster Prankster and Aftershock, to return for the series with their original actors.
- Argyle Sims: Darcy's personal mechanic, he is the only person whom Darcy allowed to know her identity unconditionally, since he freely gave her most of her more hi-tech equipment. He is somewhat a mentor figure to her at times, but his role is watered down somewhat in the series, only seeming to appear when a new gadget is needed. In one episode, he garbed himself as the "Argyle Avenger", after tipping off Detective Steve Rafferty who couldn't make it in time, in order to aid Darcy (Black Scorpion) foil the antagonist's plot. He is played by Brandon Terrell (listed as BT in the credits).
- Tender Lovin' (Veronica): Argyle's girlfriend and a former hooker. She and Argyle are constantly arguing about relationship issues. She is played by Enya Flack.
- Arthur "Artie" Worth: Angel City's extremely corrupt Mayor. Often involved in various shady deals either to fund his campaign for reelection or his extravagant lifestyle. Many criminals in the city are created because of this, including his own Deputy mayorDeputy MayorDeputy mayor is an elective or appointive office of the second-ranking official in many local governments. Many elected deputy mayors are members of the city council who are given the title and serve as acting mayor in the mayor's absence...
. He is played by Robert PineRobert PineRobert Pine is an American actor who has starred on television and in film. He is probably best known for his role as Sgt. Joseph Getraer on the hit NBC television series CHiPs from 1977 to 1983.-Personal life:...
.
- Dr. Phineas Phoenix: A scientist who deals in reanimating the dead, and creating clones. His goal is to take a criminal and reform him into a productive member of society. As a result several of Black Scorpion's enemies return from fatal defeats at her hand. He is played by Raye BirkRaye BirkRaye Birk is an American film and television actor famous for playing the role of Papshmir in the first and last of the Naked Gun movies. He was the main villain in Naked Gun 33: The Final Insult...
.
Major Enemies
Aerobicide- Real Name: Susie Payne
- Powers: Cybernetic implants give her superstrength and agility; exercise-based weaponry
- First appearance: No Sweat Episode 1.9
- Portrayed by: Renee GriffinRenee GriffinRenee Griffin, aka Renee Ammann, , is an American actress.Renee Griffin is married to actor James Marshall, who is the father of one of her sons...
- Notes: Her sidekicks are Bend and Stretch
Angel of Death
- Real Name: Detective Angela Archer
- Powers: None; uses her poison lipstick to bring death to all criminals
- First Appearance Kiss of Death Episode 1.16
- Portrayed by: Nancy ValenNancy ValenNancy Valen is an American actress and television producer. She is best known for portraying Captain Samantha Thomas on Baywatch.-Early life:...
- Notes: A PunisherPunisherThe Punisher is a fictional character, an anti-hero appearing in comic books based in the . Created by writer Gerry Conway and artists John Romita, Sr., and Ross Andru, the character made its first appearance in The Amazing Spider-Man #129 .The Punisher is a vigilante who employs murder,...
-like vigilante who like Darcy was a cop.
Aftershock
- Real Name: Professor Ursula Undershaft
- Powers: None; uses gauntlets that shoot out shock waves through the city.
- First appearance: Home Sweet Homeless Episode 1.4
- Portrayed By Sherrie RoseSherrie RoseSherrie Rose is an American actress, producer, director, and screenwriter.Sherrie Rose appeared in Killer Crocodile and on Married... with Children as Mandi in the episode Do Ya Think I'm Sexy , along with 60 other TV and film appearances....
- Notes: Was Darcy's main enemy in Black Scorpion IIBlack Scorpion II: AftershockBlack Scorpion II: Aftershock, also known as Black Scorpion II: Ground Zero, is a 1997 comedy-action film starring Joan Severance as a crime fighting superhero. Roger Corman was the executive producer....
. Footage from the movie was edited into the episode.
Breathtaker
- Real Name: Dr. Noah Goddard
- Powers: None; hallucinogenic gas dispensers
- First appearance: Out of Thin Air Episode 1.6
- Portrayed by: Adam WestAdam WestWilliam West Anderson , better known by the stage name Adam West, is an American actor best known for his lead role in the Batman TV series and the film of the same name...
- Notes: Breathtaker is handicappedDisabilityA disability may be physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional, developmental or some combination of these.Many people would rather be referred to as a person with a disability instead of handicapped...
. He has to breathe through a respiratorRespiratorA respirator is a device designed to protect the wearer from inhaling harmful dusts, fumes, vapors, or gases. Respirators come in a wide range of types and sizes used by the military, private industry, and the public...
. He was also the original enemy of the film version.
Clockwise
- Real Name: Benjamin Tickerman
- Powers: None, but physically strong enough to KO a time-frozen Black Scorpion; time-related weaponry that can freeze the time localized around Black Scorpion, leaving her defenseless
- First appearance: Crime Time Episode 1.8
- Portrayed by: Frank GorshinFrank GorshinFrank John Gorshin, Jr. was an American actor and comedian. He was perhaps best known as an impressionist, with many guest appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show and The Tonight Show...
- Notes: His henchmen are the sexy Hourglass, the tall Big Hand, and the dwarfish Little Hand.
FireArm
- Real Name: Jack Aimes
- Powers: None; prosthetic arm is a powerful energy blaster and artificial eye is sophisticated targeting apparatus.
- First appearance: Armed and Dangerous Episode 1.1
- Portrayed by: Martin KoveMartin KoveMartin Kove is an American actor who has appeared in feature films and television series.-Film appearances:His best-known roles may have been on the 1980s hit CBS television series Cagney & Lacey as Detective Victor Isbecki and in the 1984 hit film The Karate Kid as Cobra Kai Sensei John Kreese...
Flashpoint
- Real Name: Cameron Albright
- Powers: None; light-based weaponry
- First appearance: Blinded by the Light Episode 1.3
- Portrayed by: Allen Scotti
- Notes: Flashpoint was blinded by Black Scorpion's energy ring, but his eyesight was restored by advanced laser surgery. Became one of the heroine's most persistent archenemies, and even managed to unmask her in one episode. He has a sexy sidekick named Vision.
Gangster Prankster
- Real Name: Luther Sims
- Powers: None, just terrorizes citizens with his maniacal laughter and his gang of fools. That, and a few novelty weapons, such as an acid-squirting squirt gun
- First appearance: An officer and a Prankster Episode 1.10
- Portrayed by Stoney JacksonStoney JacksonStonewall W. "Stoney" Jackson is an American character actor. Jackson was born in Richmond, Virginia.-Career:He was featured in numerous teen magazines in the 1970s and 1980s, including Right On, Teen Beat, and Tiger Beat.He portrayed high school basketball player Jesse Mitchell on the ensemble...
- Notes: Was an enemy in Black Scorpion II. He's Argyle's brother, and dies in Episode 17.
Greenthumb
- Real Name: Eugene Gardner
- Powers: Specializes in breeding plant with special and unique properties
- First appearance: Roses Are Red, You're Dead Episode 1.12
- Portrayed by: David LanderDavid LanderDavid L. Lander is an American actor, comedian, composer, musician, and baseball scout. David is also the Goodwill Ambassador for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.- Biography :...
- Notes: He has two sexy sidekicks named Tiger Lily and African Violet.
Hurricane
- Real Name: Dr. Gail Waters
- Powers: Weather manipulation
- First appearance: Wave Goodbye Episode 1.2
- Portrayed by: Athena MasseyAthena MasseyAthena Massey is an American actress. She made her screen debut as a murder victim in Steven Seagal's 1991 action film Out for Justice....
- Notes: A marine biologist who gains her powers after being mutated by toxic waste. She has two sidekicks who are referred to as "the Squids", they are also marine biologist who are mutated to become half-human, half octopus (with "tentacles in embarrassing places").
Inferno
- Real Name: Adam Burns
- Powers: Pyrokinesis
- First appearance: Love Burns Episode 1.5
- Portrayed by: Brent HuffBrent HuffBrent Huff is a former male model and actor, writer and film director.- Career :He studied on University of Missouri.Brent begin his career as a model after signing with Ford Models in New York and Nina Blanchard in Los Angeles...
- Notes: A fireman who, while chasing an arsonist, got blasted by an experimental device and gained his powers.
Medusa
- Real Name: Minerva Stone
- Powers: None; cement gun turns victims to stone
- Portrayed by: Lisa BoyleLisa BoyleLisa Denise Boyle is an American model known for her appearances in Playboy magazine and its various Special Editions, often teamed with Patricia Ford. She is a professional photographer, shooting content for her own website, as well as freelance work for various publications.-Early life:Boyle was...
- First Appearance: No Stone Unturned Episode 1.7
- Notes: Medusa owns her own health and beauty spa. Most of the statues in the spa are her victims. Her sidekicks are Marble and Granite.
Mindbender
- Real Name: Dr. Sarah Bellum
- Powers: None; just uses VR to trap her victims and her technological skills to build bombs.
- First Appearance: Virtual Vice Episode 1.14
- Portrayed By: Lana ClarksonLana ClarksonLana Jean Clarkson was an American actress and fashion model. Clarkson was a native of Los Angeles County. She played roles in science fiction and fantasy movies. She was murdered by songwriter and producer Phil Spector, who was convicted of the crime on April 13, 2009.-Early life:Born in Long...
- Notes: Her henchwomen are Giga and Byte.
Polutia
- Real Name: Dr. Ariel Haze
- Powers: Can turn herself into smog, allowing her to outmaneuver Black Scorpion several times before kicking her into unconsciousness when the superheroine least expects to.
- First Appearance: Life's a Gas Episode 1.11
- Portrayed By: Julie McCulloughJulie McCulloughJulie Michelle McCullough is an American model, actress and stand-up comedian. She was Playboy magazine's Playmate of the Month for February 1986, and played "Julie Costello" on Growing Pains until she was fired on series regular Kirk Cameron's insistence, for having posed nude in Playboy...
- Notes: Dr. Ariel Haze is a former student of the Breathtaker, who is desperate to stop pollution.
Professor Prophet
- Real Name: Sonny Dey
- Powers: None Uses a device to control Inferno, Aftershock, Hurricane, and Breathtaker.
- First Appearance:Zodiak Attack - Part 1 Episode 1.21
- Portrayed by: Soupy Sales.
- Notes: Professor Prophet is a washed up psychic who uses the super villains to carry out his evil deeds so he can make his predictions come true. He appeared earlier as a weatherman in "Wave Goodbye".
Slapshot
- Real Name: Ricky Blade
- Powers: None: uses his super metal armor to go after his victims and kill those who he blames for his accident
- First appearance: Bad Sport Episode 1.15
- Portrayed By: Greg KeanGreg KeanGregory Kean Williams is a Canadian television actor. He is perhaps best known for his role as Clancy Lass in the television series Dead Like Me....
- Notes: Ricky Blade is paralyzed so he must wear a metallic armor to overcome his injuries
Stunner
- Real Name: Edwina Watts
- Powers: Can shoot Electricity Through her hands.
- First Appearance: Power Play Episode 1.18
- Notes: Formerly the Mayor's Deputy, whom he used as a scapegoat for all his mistakes. Was electrocutedElectrocutionElectrocution is a type of electric shock that, as determined by a stopped heart, can end life. Electrocution is frequently used to refer to any electric shock received but is technically incorrect; the choice of definition varies from dictionary to dictionary...
in an attempt to save the mayor and gained her powers.
Vox Populi
- Real Name: Unknown, only referred to by her stage name.
- Powers: None: uses subsonic sounds to turn her lyrics into orders. Also wields an electric guitar that sends out dangerous sonic waves.
- First Appearance: Face the Music Episode 1.20
- Portrayed By: Shannon WhirryShannon WhirryShannon Whirry is an American actress who was raised in Green Lake, Wisconsin.-Career:Shannon Whirry trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in the 1980s, appearing onstage in Butterflies Are Free and Mrs Warren's Profession. However, she began to work primarily in erotic B movies in...
- Notes: With her sidekicks Screech and Shriek they form the band the Bleeding Eardrums. Used by the Mayor in an attempt to ensure his reelection.
A guest appearance was made by Dave Mustaine
Dave Mustaine
David Scott "Dave" Mustaine is the founder, main songwriter, guitarist, and lead vocalist for the American heavy metal band Megadeth. Prior to Megadeth, Mustaine was the first lead guitarist and a co-songwriter of the heavy metal band Metallica until he was fired from the band in 1983. In 2009, he...
, who portrayed the pyromaniac Torchy Thompson. During his fight scenes, sound clips of Hangar 18
Hangar 18 (song)
"Hangar 18" is a song by American heavy metal band Megadeth from the 1990 album Rust in Peace. UFO conspiracy theories, or possibly Hangar 18, the 1980 film based on those theories, inspired drummer Nick Menza to write the lyrics. Shortly thereafter, frontman Dave Mustaine composed the music...
were played.
Episodes
There were 22 episodes of the Black Scorpion TV series.| # | Title | Featured Villain(s) | Original Air Date |
|---|