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SCORPIONMACDONALD GARGAN
Created to destroy Spider-Man, Mac Gargan became something far more dangerous. The Scorpion's cybernetic tail and enhanced strength made him one of Spidey's most persistent foes. But Gargan's story took a darker turn when he bonded with the Venom symbiote, becoming an even more terrifying threat. From Sinister Six member to Dark Avenger, Scorpion represents the dangers of weaponizing human beings.
CARD
#042
DEBUT
1964
FIRST
ASM #19
DEMAND
HIGH
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2025 TOPPS MARVEL MINT
This premium trading card is part of the 2025 Topps Marvel Mint collection. Each card showcases Marvel's greatest heroes and villains with exceptional artwork and collectible value.
J. Jonah Jameson's Weapon
The Scorpion first appeared in Amazing Spider-Man #19 (December 1964), created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. Mac Gargan was a private investigator hired by J. Jonah Jameson to discover how Peter Parker got his Spider-Man photos. When that failed, Jameson funded an experiment to create a superhuman capable of defeating Spider-Man.
Dr. Farley Stillwell subjected Gargan to a mutagenic process that gave him powers proportionate to a scorpion—enhanced strength, speed, and a powerful cybernetic tail. However, the process also drove Gargan insane. He blamed both Spider-Man and Jameson for his condition, becoming a threat to both.
Gargan's most significant transformation came when he bonded with the Venom symbiote, becoming one of the most powerful versions of Venom. As part of Norman Osborn's Dark Avengers, he posed as Spider-Man while secretly being a cannibalistic monster. This dark chapter cemented Scorpion as one of Marvel's most dangerous villains.
Powers and Abilities
SCORPION POWERS
- Superhuman strength (15 tons)
- Cybernetic tail with acid spray
- Enhanced speed and agility
SUIT CAPABILITIES
- Armored exoskeleton
- Wall-crawling capability
- Tail projectile weapons
MCU: Homecoming's Setup
Mac Gargan appeared in Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), played by Michael Mando. He was depicted as a criminal arms dealer who encountered Spider-Man on the Staten Island Ferry. The film's post-credits scene showed Gargan in prison, his face scarred, asking Adrian Toomes (Vulture) about Spider-Man's identity.
This setup clearly positioned Gargan for a future Scorpion transformation, potentially as part of a Sinister Six lineup. However, subsequent Spider-Man films haven't followed up on this thread yet. With the MCU's Spider-Man future uncertain after No Way Home's multiverse reset, Scorpion's MCU debut remains anticipated but unconfirmed.
INVESTMENT ALERT: Scorpion cards benefit from MCU setup and Sinister Six speculation. Amazing Spider-Man #19 (first appearance) is a significant Silver Age key. Michael Mando's casting and the Homecoming post-credits tease suggest eventual payoff. Any Sinister Six announcement would spike interest dramatically.
Team Affiliations
SINISTER SIX
Core member
DARK AVENGERS
As Venom/"Spider-Man"
THUNDERBOLTS
Government operative
2025 Marvel Mint Collector Analysis
Card #042 Scorpion offers Bronze tier value with strong MCU speculation potential. Michael Mando's casting and Homecoming setup create anticipation for eventual transformation. His connection to both Spider-Man and Venom franchises adds cross-appeal.
PARALLEL CHASE
Green parallels match his iconic suit color
INVESTMENT RATING
HIGH - MCU setup with Sinister Six potential