| Arclight | |
|---|---|
Arclight. Art by Joe Madureira. |
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| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Uncanny X-Men #210 (October 1986) |
| Created by | Chris Claremont Michael Golden |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Philippa Sontag |
| Species | Human Mutant |
| Team affiliations | The 198 Femizons Marauders |
| Abilities | Superhuman strength, endurance, and durability, Ability to generate seismic energies with hands that cause shock waves and earth tremors |
Arclight (Philippa Sontag) is a mutant supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe.
Contents |
Arclight first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #210-211 (October-November 1986), and was created by Chris Claremont and John Romita Jr.
The character subsequently appears in X-Factor vol. 1 #10 (November 1986), Thor vol. 1 373 (November 1986), Power Pack vol. 1 #27 (December 1986), Uncanny X-Men #213 (January 1987), 215 (March 1987), 219 (July 1987), 221-223 (September-October 1987), 240 (January 1989), Captain America vol. 1 #387-392 (July-September 1991), X-Man #13 (March 1996), 18-19 (August-September 1996), Cable Annual 1999, X-Men: The 198-Files (March 2006), X-Men vol. 1 #183 (April 2006), X-Men: The 198 #2-5 (April-July 2006), Civil War: X-Men #3 (November 2006), X-Men #200-203 (August-November 2007), and New X-Men #46 (March 2008).
Arclight received an entry in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Update '89 #1.
Arclight served with the American ground forces during the Vietnam War, and she is still haunted by memories of that place. She has redirected her rage into bodybuilding, which she uses to augment her mutant powers. Her mutant ability enables her to create shock waves through physical contact, usually combined with her super strength in form of punches and blows. During a few of her appearances she has been shown to project a bright light upon impact of her hands.
As a war veteran, she is well versed in battle, and is known as one of the most bloodthirsty members of the mutant massacring group, the Marauders. Her relationship with teammate Scalphunter has also made her second-in-command. During their first mission, Arclight kills dozens of underground-dwelling mutants known as Morlocks. She also took some time off to answer Superia's invitation to join her female group of villains, the Femizons.
Though the details of her recruitment by Mister Sinister to the Marauders remain unrevealed, she has participated in all of the group's major operations. Due to Sinister cloning the Marauders multiple times, it is hard to determine if the 'original' Arclight has been present in all of them.
Following M-Day, Arclight became one of the so-called 198, one of the few remaining mutants retaining their powers, and a refugee at the X-Mansion. She later returns as a member of the New Marauders, alongside old members like Scalphunter and new ones like Sunfire and Lady Mastermind.[1]
During Messiah CompleX in the final battle on Muir Isle, she is injured by Wolfsbane. Despite having been bitten in the neck, she seemingly survives as she is seen later being defeated by Rockslide.
Arclight possesses the ability to generate seismic energies with her hands that cause shock waves and geo tremors. She also has superhuman strength, stamina, resiliency and durability.
In the Age of Apocalypse, a member of the Brotherhood is named Arclight. However, this Arclight was a male, and it is unknown if he has any relation to the Earth-616 version, or what powers he possesses.
In the House of M reality, Arclight (alongside Mentallo and Wild Child) is a member of the Red Guard that was positioned in Australia to work with Exodus.[2]