Arcade (Marvel Comics)

Arcade is a fictional supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He first appeared in 1978's Marvel Team-Up (vol. 1) #65, created by writer Chris Claremont and writer/artist John Byrne. The character is a combination of evil genius and hitman who carries out his assassinations via various elaborate traps, often referred to as his Murderworld. He was the main villain and driving force behind the 2012-2014 comic book Avengers Arena.

Arcade's first intended victims were Spider-Man and Captain Britain but since Arcade's Murderworld games always leaves the outcome up to chance the duo defeated Arcade and escaped with their lives. Over the years Arcade has targeted a multitude of X-Men and members of X-Factor, X-Force and Excalibur. For a while he used the Crazy Gang as his hired henchmen with limited success. In Avenger Arena Arcade and his associates manage to kidnap 16 super powered teens and force them to fight each other and his latest Murderworld for survival. During the storyline several of the teens were killed but in the end Arcade seemingly dies as S.H.I.E.L.D.. Wolverine, Hank Pym and Captain Britain free the surviving teens. In the follow up series Avengers Undercover it was revealed that Arcade survived and that it was a clone that was killed at the end of the story.

Arcade has appeared in a number of other Marvel properties outside of comic books, in the X-Men: Evolution cartoon, voiced by Gabe Khouth and in an episode of Ultimate Spider-Man, voiced by Eric Bauza. He has also appeared as one of the main villains in a number of video games, including X-Men: Madness in Murderworld, Spider-Man/X-Men: Arcade's Revenge, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, Spider-Man: Edge of Time and Marvel: Avengers Alliance

Publication history

Arcade's first full appearance in Marvel Team-Up #66.

Arcade was created by Chris Claremont and John Byrne. Arcade first appeared in Marvel Team-Up, vol. 1, issue #65 (the same storyline was reprinted shortly thereafter in the black-and-white comic Marvel UK title Super Spider-Man & Captain Britain #248).^[1]

Fictional character biography

A combination of evil genius and hitman, Arcade affects a manner of dress and speech that makes him appear to be a comedic character. This is part of his overall theme, which extends into his preferred method of murder, an underground funhouse of colorful deathtraps, usually decked out in cheery colors and disguised as an amusement park, which he has dubbed "Murderworld."

Arcade's back-story, up to and including his real name, remains largely unknown even to this day. According to the man himself, he was born into an extremely wealthy family and lived for much of his early life in, depending on the telling, a ranch in Texas, or a mansion in Beverly Hills.^[2] At the age of either eighteen or twenty-one, his allowance was cut off by his father, who declared that he did not deserve it. In retaliation, Arcade murders his father, thus inheriting all of the man's vast estate. Given his propensity for deception, this origin story can hardly be taken at face value.

Arcade became a freelance assassin, traveling across the world, killing people in rather mundane fashions, and amassing even more wealth than he already had. Discovering an aptitude for technology, Arcade designed and built his first Murderworld, a subterranean evil lair disguised as a very deadly amusement park. From this base, and with the help of two mysterious assistants named Miss Locke and Mr. Chambers, he reemerged as the world's most expensive hitman. For the price of $1 million, he would tailor Murderworld to exploit the specific weaknesses of his target and then watch as they are killed by the variety of colorful deathtraps strewn throughout the facility.

However, one of his "gimmicks" is that he always deliberately leaves each target a small chance of survival. In one instance, when the girlfriend of one of his captives begged him "If you're going to kill them, at least have the decency to do it quickly, painlessly!" Arcade laughs and replied, "Decency's dull... besides, miss, your way, they're dead and that's that. My way, they've got a chance. Not much of one, but a chance." This sets Arcade notably apart from most other villains who use deathtraps; while most villains believe that their death machines are infallible, Arcade likes to give them a chance on purpose, for the sport of it.

Arcade, from X-Men #122 (June 1979).
Art by John Byrne and Terry Austin.

Since his first attempt to slay the unlikely duo of Spider-Man and Captain Britain,^[3] Arcade has tangled, at one time or another, with a large number of heroes and teams of heroes.

In addition to battling the X-Men, X-Factor, X-Force and Excalibur as groups, he has attempted to kill many individual members, usually in pairs. Examples of this include Gambit and Wolverine,^[4] Colossus and Shadowcat,^[5] Iceman and Angel,^[6] Nightcrawler and Spider-Man,^[7] Colossus and Meggan,^[8] Deadpool and Hercules, and Iron Man and The Thing.

Other would-be victims of Murderworld have included Green Goblin (Phil Urich),^[9] Doctor Doom, Northstar,^[10] Courtney Ross, Johnny Blaze, and the Micronauts.^[11]

Courtney Ross is one of the few non-super-powered civilians to escape Arcade's attention alive. She survives for some time due to outwitting multiple opponents (such as the Crazy Gang) and discovering a talent for improvisational comedy. In the end, she is rescued by the superhero team Excalibur. The entire situation gives her a new outlook and appreciation for life (which doesn't last long, as she is soon killed by an unrelated villain).^[12]

In another confrontation with Excalibur, Arcade trapped the team in a Murderworld programmed as a Looney Tunes parody, called the Loonies. He was revealed to be the "Wizard of Oz" of this world after Excalibur had to go down the yellow brick road.^[13]

At one point Arcade entraps the two otherworldly warriors, Adam X and Shatterstar, who team up to survive his plans. Arcade finds himself astonished as the two (mostly Adam) literally kill several of his employees. This causes him to state that the clients will be receiving a refund and the two are not to be dealt with in the future. Shatterstar attempts to kill Arcade, but he only destroys a robotic double.^[14]

The battle with Ghost Rider came when Arcade, having taken his show on the road, joins up with Blaze's Quentin Carnival; his Murderworld folded out from the back of a semi. Blaze rampages through the fold-out Murderworld, which he discovers is infested with demonic beings, destroying all the obstacles in his sight and killing what he can. He then leaves Arcade trapped in its depths. Arcade's trailer, now more normal-shaped, is driven out into the desert and abandoned.^[15]

Prior to a confrontation with Wolverine and Gambit, he murdered his assistant Miss Locke in a fit of rage. During the struggle, she wounded him with a carving knife and scarred much of his face. Over time, Arcade recovered from the physical trauma (presumably through facial surgery, though that has never been confirmed or even addressed in future stories) and even built a series of Miss Locke androids, virtually identical to her in ever way, to replace his now-dead companion.

He is responsible for the destruction of Mutant Town, as part of a botched plan to kidnap X-Factor's Rictor.^[16] He later surfaced, confronting Deadpool and Hercules,^[17] Dazzler,^[18] Human Torch and the Impossible Man.^[19] and the Young Allies and Avengers Academy.^[20]

In a shift from his usual modus operandi, Arcade is responsible for the "Avengers Arena." He and a new associate named Miss Coriander abduct 16 teenage superheroes (several with ties to the Avengers, including several members of Avengers Academy) and strands them on a deserted island, re-modified as an elaborate Murderworld location, forcing them to fight to the death.^[21][22]

Months later, in the pages of Avengers Undercover, several survivors gather in Bagalia and are convinced by fellow hero Cullen Bloodstone to kill Arcade at the Massacrer Casino in revenge for his actions.^[23] After a chaotic battle, Hazmat finally kills Arcade by blowing him to bits with a concentrated radiation burst (as a way to avenge her boyfriend Mettle and those who died in his "Avengers Arena" Murderworld.^[24] However, it was revealed later that Arcade was actually alive the entire time, imprisoned in a Masters of Evil cell (with assistance from his now former comrade Ms. Coriander) and that Hazmat had in reality killed a clone made by members of the Masters of Evil.^[25]

Arcade's other impacts

One of his old facilities was used as a headquarters by the superhero team X-Force.^[26] They planned to base crimefighting and even attendance in a nearby college out of it. Arcade later destroys the base remotely; X-Force barely escapes with their lives.^[27] Another old Murderworld location was converted into a training room by an incarnation of the New Warriors.^[28]

In Agent X #5, it was revealed that Arcade also has some medical skills which he uses to save Agent X's life.^[29]

Madripoor Island-ruler Viper had bought one of Arcade's Murderworld facilities. She uses it to deceive the X-Men, threatening the city of London with nuclear weapons. Though restricted in the use of their powers, they manage to overcome the challenges and save lives.^[30]

In the three-part miniseries called "Claws", Arcade secretly creates a Kraven the Hunter robot, with the "assistance" of White Rabbit, in an attempt to kill both Wolverine and Black Cat. The two heroes overwhelm Arcade and the White Rabbit and strand them in the dinosaur-filled wilds of the Savage Land.^[31]

Powers and abilities

Arcade has no superhuman powers but is a bona fide genius with knowledge of technology far ahead of conventional science, particularly in the fields of robotics and mechanical and electrical engineering. Usually when he appears to be captured, it turns out to be a robot.

In the "Avengers Arena" series, Arcade easily held back a cadre of 16 high-powered teenage superheroes seemingly without having to resort to mechanical or technological devices of any sort. He displayed the ability to create force fields, proved to be nearly invulnerable to energy blasts without the force field, controlled the motor functions of his 16 captives all at the same time, employed telekinesis, caused nearby matter to form into a throne for him to sit on, and effortlessly blew apart an almost invulnerable mutant with a simple gesture. These abilities though, are the result of technology provided by his henchwoman, Miss Coriander and can only be manifested within the confines of the Antarctica Murderworld.

Associates

• Miss Locke - Arcade's bodyguard and chief enforcer, is an expert in martial arts and gun combat. According to a flashback sequence in "Avengers Arena" #7 (2013), he murdered her in cold blood despite her years of faithful service once she, in Arcade's mind, had tried to get "too close" to him by having an emotional and physical relationship.
• Mr. Chambers - Arcade's henchman who has displayed electronic and mechanical skill and is thus in charge of Murderworld's system operations and maintenance. In several appearances he is the driver of a vehicle (disguised as a garbage truck) that would often capture Arcade's victims for transport back to Murderworld.
• Miss Coriander - Arcade's latest henchman, she claims to be responsible for the vast array of powers that Arcade currently employs in his underground base seen in the "Avengers Arena" storyline. She appears to far surpass even Arcade in terms of knowledge about superhuman powers and how to counter them, and has gifted Arcade with a vastly powerful set of abilities that she has purloined from cutting-edge technology, exotic energy sources, and magical power. She later betrays Arcade after his supposed death and is currently in league with Baron Zemo's Masters of Evil.

Other versions

Age of Apocalypse

In the Age of Apocalypse timeline, Arcade is a member of the Marauders, a heavily armed group of human traitors who work for Apocalypse, alongside Red, Dirigible, and the Owl. He is killed by Gwen Stacy and Clint Barton.^[32]

Age of X

In the Age of X universe, Arcade was the prison governor of the mutant prison. He was responsible for making Basilisk kill his brother Havok. Basilisk later escaped and killed Arcade.^[33]

Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe

It is revealed that Arcade has been captured by Deadpool and forced to build deathtraps used to kill various members of the X-Men. He begs Wolverine to save him, horrified by the things Deadpool wants him to build. Wolverine instead kills Arcade for his involvement.^[34]

Marvel Adventures

In this version, Arcade has an actual amusement park in order to entertain the kids; he is skillful in robots and highly arrogant. After Mister Fantastic ruins his robots, he decides to prove to be superior to Mr. Fantastic and lure him into his Murderworld. There, Mr. Fantastic defeats all the traps and turns all the robots against Arcade. Arcade is taken into custody and Mr. Fantastic learns to be more tactful.^[35]

Later, Arcade traps high school student Flash Thompson in a new arcade machine and uses the young video gamer as a tester to destroy New York City. Eventually, Spider-Man breaks up Arcade's scheme and saves his fellow schoolmate.^[36]

Secret Wars (2015)

In the Marvel Universe recreated by Doctor Doom, Arcade is the master of ceremonies at the Killiseum, an arena on the outskirts of Doomstadt built to entertain the masses of Battleworld. Here he encountered such heroes as Captain America and the Hulk^[37] and Thunderbolt Ross the War Machine.^[38] He also oversees the Ghost Racers event, which pit the various individuals possessed by the Spirit of Vengeance (including Carter Slade, Johnny Blaze, Danny Ketch, Alejandra Blaze, and Robbie Reyes) against one another in violent races around a booby-trapped track. Thanks to the determined leadership of the unbeaten Reyes, the Ghost Racers would eventually break free of their captivity and kill Arcade.^[39]

Ultimate Marvel

In the Ultimate Marvel universe, Arcade is portrayed as a taller, fitter gaming prodigy who invented a literal first-person shooter (which is called Murderworld). His sister was killed by Magneto in the bridge explosion in Ultimate War, giving him a hatred of mutants. He is apparently a skilled hunter and tracker, equipped with various high tech weapons and equipment. When the Ultimate Universe version of Longshot is found guilty of murdering a Genoshan politician, he is sentenced to participate in a reality TV show in which he is stranded on an island and hunted by opponents. As Arcade makes his way through the island jungle, he encounters three X-Men trying to save the prisoner. He subdues them and is about to kill Nightcrawler when Longshot knocks him unconscious. He is last seen being tied to a tree by Colossus with some scraps of iron.^[40]

What If?

In a reality where Wolverine was transformed into the Horseman of War by Apocalypse and then killed his maker and ran rampant on the Marvel Universe, Arcade was one of many X-foes who were slain by the rampaging mutant.^[41]

In other media

Television

• Arcade appeared in X-Men: Evolution, voiced by Gabe Khouth. This television reimagines Arcade as high school gamer Webber Torque (who calls himself Arcade) and is tricked by a disguised Mystique into believing that the X-Men's mansion security console and Danger Room is an elaborate video game. He uses it to attack the X-Men which he believes to be game characters. Despite nearly killing the X-Men, this version of Arcade is not evil and apologizes for having played the "video game" without permission. Oddly, he does not recognize any of the X-Men to be his schoolmates.
• Arcade appears in the Ultimate Spider-Man cartoon series, voiced by Eric Bauza. This version is an Asian mutant who can communicate with any type of technology, while Murderworld is referred to as "Madland". In this version, Arcade is willing to use his abilities to lure superheroes to Madland for his own childish amusement, regardless of possible consequences of his actions. In the episode "Game Over", he plans to crack the codes to nuclear missiles where he plans to cause World War III. He started by sending a Life Model Decoy of Nick Fury which is defeated by Captain America as Arcade speaks through the Life Model Decoy. S.H.I.E.L.D. traces Arcade's transmission to Madripoor as Spider-Man joins up with Captain America to head to Madripoor. Upon the approach to Madripoor, Arcade takes control of Captain America's plane in order to crash it. Spider-Man and Captain America bail out to fight off Arcade's drones. Upon meeting up with Wolverine after some ninja Life Model Decoys are defeated. Arcade then unleashes Life Model Decoys of Spider-Man, Captain America and Wolverine. After the three Life Model Decoys are defeated, Arcade unleashes three Life Model Decoys modeled after the Hulk. Captain America and Wolverine defeat the Life Model Decoys of Hulk while Spider-Man destroys an array of lasers. When escaping to the next level upon evading the Life Model Decoys of Red Hulk, Arcade unleashes a Sentinel and other robots. Spider-Man reprograms the Sentinel to take out the other robots. Afterwards, Arcade is angered that Spider-Man is in his game which he designed for Captain America and Wolverine. Arcade then unleashes a giant robot that resembles Arcade's head to attack until Spider-Man destroys the laser cannon on its head. Spider-Man, Captain America and Wolverine then confront Arcade as Wolverine threatens him to cancel the codes. Arcade is then arrested by S.H.I.E.L.D. agents.

Video games

• Arcade was one of the main villains in the video game X-Men: Madness in Murderworld.
• Arcade appears as the main villain in the 1992 video game Spider-Man/X-Men: Arcade's Revenge for the Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis and Sega Game Gear game systems.
• Arcade appears as one of the enemies in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, voiced by Quinton Flynn. He is a member of Doctor Doom's Masters of Evil. Here, Arcade and Baron Mordo divert the heroes from their attempt to attack Dr. Doom's castle to rescue the X-Men Nightcrawler and Jean Grey. Mordo uses his magic to disrupt Doctor Strange's Orb of Teleportation and send the heroes to Murderworld instead of Castle Doom. Although the first area is a replica of Castle Doom, players can tell something is wrong by a few minor details (such as the carnival-like music playing, treasure chests with mallets that pop out, skeletons with clown noses, broken pillars revealing striped poles, and portraits of Dr. Doom wearing Arcade-like wigs, even though Arcade appears blond instead of redheaded in his in-game portraits). Besides having the normal Murderworld traps, Arcade also has Shocker and Rhino working for him, uses mind control to force Jean Grey to attack the heroes, captures Blade and Senator Kelly, and finally attacks the heroes himself in a giant robot called the Arcade-Bot. After beating Arcade, he tells the player that Dr. Doom has Nightcrawler, and has taken him to Mephisto's Realm. His fate is unknown after that. Arcade was also the villain on Deadpool's simulator disc, where he is irritated greatly by Deadpool's refusal to accept that Murderworld isn't a normal theme park (although this probably is Deadpool's taunting rather than an actual lack of understanding, Deadpool's borderline insanity makes this uncertain), and forcing the mercenary to fight Dark Spider-Man (who Arcade referred to as his creation). He is also the villain in Black Panther's disc, threatening T'Challa to give the secret codes to Wakanda's vibranium facility (which of course he doesn't tell) and forcing Black Panther to fight Dark Captain America. Storm's disc where she fights Hussar and the versus Mysterio simulator take place in Murderworld as does Mr. Fantastic's in his fight against Bulldozer. Arcade has special dialogue with Mister Fantastic (at the Pinball Machine), and Sabretooth (in via Xbox 360 DLC and Gold Edition), Elektra (at the Disco Drop), Luke Cage (before the fight), Captain America (after the fight), and Deadpool (in his simulation disk).
• A Marvel 2099 version of Arcade appears as one of the main villains in the Nintendo DS version of Spider-Man: Edge of Time, voiced by Jim Cummings.^[42] He control a game cyber-arena in the year 2099 to hunt down and destroy heroes in front of a live-audience. He seeks to challenge Spider-Man (who is stranded in the year 2099), but is defeated.
• Arcade appears as one of the main villains in the Facebook game Marvel: Avengers Alliance. He is featured in the 15th Spec-Ops that is loosely based on Avengers Arena.

References

External links

• Arcade at Marvel.com
• Arcade at Marvel Wiki
  • Arcade (Earth-1610) at Marvel Wiki
• Arcade at Comic Vine
• Profile at Spiderfan.org