Scarab (Nedor)
Encyclopedia
The Scarab is a fictional superhero
from the Golden Age of Comics. He first appeared in Startling Comics #34 (July 1945), published by Nedor Comics
. The character was later revived by writer Alan Moore
for America's Best Comics
.
of an ancient Egyptian high priest; by rubbing his magic scarab
ring Ward would instantly transform into the super-powerful Scarab.
The Scarab debuted in Startling Comics #34, and became a regularly backup feature in Exciting Comics. His last Golden Age appearance was in The Black Terror #20 (October 1947).
, for his Tom Strong
series. In Tom Strong #12 (June 2001), the Scarab was revealed to have been one of the members of SMASH
that had been placed in suspended animation after an alien invasion from the moon in 1969. Awakened 30 years later, the Scarab joined his former comrades in the fight against the alien. SMASH disbanded shortly thereafter, but reformed three years later. The Scarab is a member of the reformed group.
In the Terra Obscura spin-off series, the Scarab allows himself to be bonded with the ancient Egyptian god Thoth
in order to control one-time superhero Mystico (who is himself bonded with the god Seth
).
introduced a loosely based update of the Scarab as part of their title Project Superpowers
.
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 —...
from the Golden Age of Comics. He first appeared in Startling Comics #34 (July 1945), published by Nedor Comics
Nedor Comics
Nedor Publishing was a comic book imprint of publisher Ned Pines, who also published pulp magazines under a variety of company names that he also used for the comics...
. The character was later revived by writer Alan Moore
Alan Moore
Alan Oswald Moore is an English writer primarily known for his work in comic books, a medium where he has produced a number of critically acclaimed and popular series, including Watchmen, V for Vendetta, and From Hell...
for America's Best Comics
America's Best Comics (DC)
America's Best Comics is a comic book publishing brand.It was set up by Alan Moore in 1999 as an imprint of WildStorm, an idea proposed to Moore by Wildstorm founder Jim Lee when it was still under Image Comics.-History:...
.
Nedor Comics
The Scarab was the secret identity of Egyptologist Peter Ward. Ward was actually the reincarnationReincarnation
Reincarnation best describes the concept where the soul or spirit, after the death of the body, is believed to return to live in a new human body, or, in some traditions, either as a human being, animal or plant...
of an ancient Egyptian high priest; by rubbing his magic scarab
Scarab
Scarab may refer to:Vehicles* Stout Scarab, limited production automobile* Scammell Scarab - A small, 3-wheeled articulated lorry tractor unit produced 1948-1967* Scarab Other* Scarab of Ancient Egypt...
ring Ward would instantly transform into the super-powerful Scarab.
The Scarab debuted in Startling Comics #34, and became a regularly backup feature in Exciting Comics. His last Golden Age appearance was in The Black Terror #20 (October 1947).
America's Best Comics
Alan Moore revived the Scarab, along with many other Nedor Comics characters that had entered the public domainPublic domain
Works are in the public domain if the intellectual property rights have expired, if the intellectual property rights are forfeited, or if they are not covered by intellectual property rights at all...
, for his Tom Strong
Tom Strong
Tom Strong is a comic book created by writer Alan Moore and artist Chris Sprouse initially published bi-monthly by America's Best Comics, an imprint of DC Comics' Wildstorm division.-Background:Tom Strong, the title character, is a "science hero"...
series. In Tom Strong #12 (June 2001), the Scarab was revealed to have been one of the members of SMASH
SMASH (comics)
The Society of Modern American Science Heroes, or SMASH, is a team of fictional superheroes whose adventures are published by America's Best Comics and take place on the parallel world of Terra Obscura.- History :...
that had been placed in suspended animation after an alien invasion from the moon in 1969. Awakened 30 years later, the Scarab joined his former comrades in the fight against the alien. SMASH disbanded shortly thereafter, but reformed three years later. The Scarab is a member of the reformed group.
In the Terra Obscura spin-off series, the Scarab allows himself to be bonded with the ancient Egyptian god Thoth
Thoth
Thoth was considered one of the more important deities of the Egyptian pantheon. In art, he was often depicted as a man with the head of an ibis or a baboon, animals sacred to him. His feminine counterpart was Seshat...
in order to control one-time superhero Mystico (who is himself bonded with the god Seth
Set (mythology)
Set was in Ancient Egyptian religion, a god of the desert, storms, and foreigners. In later myths he was also the god of darkness, and chaos...
).
Dynamite Entertainment
Dynamite EntertainmentDynamite Entertainment
Dynamite Entertainment is an American comic book company that primarily publishes licensed franchises of adaptations of other media. These include adaptations of film properties such as Army of Darkness, Terminator and RoboCop, literary properties such as Zorro, Dracula, Sherlock Holmes, Alice in...
introduced a loosely based update of the Scarab as part of their title Project Superpowers
Project Superpowers
Project Superpowers is a comic book limited series published by Dynamite Entertainment beginning January 2008. It was co-plotted by Jim Krueger and Alex Ross, with scripts by Jim Krueger, covers by Alex Ross, and interior art by Doug Klauba and Stephen Sadowski for issue #0, and Carlos Paul for the...
.
Other related characters
- The Silver Scarab from DC comics, whose origin was very complex, was created by the same person as the Scarlet ScarabScarlet ScarabScarlet Scarab is the name of two fictional characters in the Marvel Universe.-Publication history:The first Scarlet Scarab first appeared in Invaders #23 , and was created by Roy Thomas, Archie Goodwin, and Frank Robbins...
, Roy ThomasRoy ThomasRoy William Thomas, Jr. is an American comic book writer and editor, and Stan Lee's first successor as editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics. He is possibly best known for introducing the pulp magazine hero Conan the Barbarian to American comics, with a series that added to the storyline of Robert E...
. Both were in homage to the original.