Scorch (comics)

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
Find sources: "Scorch" comics – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (July 2012) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

Comics character

Scorch

Scorch as seen in JLA #84 (October 2003).

Publication information
Publisher| DC Comics
First appearance| Superman (vol. 2) #160 (September 2000)
Created by| Jeph Loeb (writer)
Ed McGuinness (artist)
In-story information
Alter ego| Aubrey Sparks
Species| Metahuman
Team affiliations| Justice League
Abilities| Pyrokinesis
Heat resistance
Teleportation
Can take on a human appearance

Scorch is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics.

## Publication history

[edit]

Scorch first appeared in Superman (vol. 2) #160 and was created by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness.

## Fictional character biography

[edit]

Originally a normal human from Pisboe, Virginia, Aubrey Sparks was transformed into Scorch during the short "Emperor Joker" storyline.[1] Joker uses power stolen from Mister Mxyzptlk to create an alternate universe in which Superman is a villain and creates his own warped version of the Justice League which includes a psychopathic Scorch, a demonic doppelgänger of the Earth-Angel Supergirl. She attempts to help Bizarro capture Superman. After Joker is defeated, Mister Mxyzptlk decides to keep several of the new characters by adding them to the restored reality. Thus, Scorch continues to exist after the conclusion of the "Emperor Joker" story arc.

Scorch is later seen doing battle with Superman and the Martian Manhunter.[2]

Scorch was also later seen in "The Gift" as a generic villain with no observable goals. She sets a park on fire and fights Superman.[3]

Scorch later enlisted the aid of Martian Manhunter in trying to make sense of her confused memories (later explained as a side effect of the Joker's tampering). Scorch offered to help Martian Manhunter learn to overcome his weakness to fire, and ultimately fell in love with him. In the process, she inadvertently released his hidden Fernus personality. Later, it is revealed that several millennia ago, the Oans had transformed the Martians from the "Burning Martian" form into the current one. That was done to stop them from incinerating entire worlds as part of their reproductive cycle, but J'onn breaking the psychological block that made him vulnerable to fire also broke the block on his genetic memories of the Burning. Now free, Fernus attempted to have Scorch destroy an unnamed village for this purpose but her reluctance saw him changing his plans to setting the earth ablaze with the aid of the entire world's nuclear arsenals. After that plan was foiled by the JLA, he then set a city afire to provide him with the energy needed to reproduce. While the JLA engaged him, Scorch attempted to draw all of the flames from the city into herself. Fernus defeats the JLA and attacks Scorch sending her into a coma, and releasing the flames she had absorbed back into the city. Fernus was ultimately defeated, but despite medical treatment, Scorch was not expected to recover from her coma.[4]

During the "Infinite Crisis" storyline, Scorch reappeared as a member of Alexander Luthor Jr.'s Secret Society of Super Villains. A brushfire had erupted in the western United States, threatening homes. Reporter Jimmy Olsen was on assignment to cover the story when a villain named Effigy emerges from the blaze and causes Olsen's plane to crash. Superman arrives, but is ambushed by Effigy and Scorch, who appears to explain why she had started the fire. She had been roused from her coma (apparently by Despero) and was led to believe that the JLA was a great threat. As her accomplices (Effigy, Plasmus, and Heat Wave) engaged Superman, Scorch realized she had made an error and helped Superman defeat them. Superman rescued Olsen, and left the villains to Scorch.[5]

In the Martian Manhunter mini-series, Scorch was mentioned, as the Martian survivors sought her for help. The way Scorch was mentioned in the story indicates that her origin was not changed significantly by Infinite Crisis. Also, Scorch has been kept under a sort of house arrest by the DEO.[6]

Scorch is one of several people who later fall under the control of Starro. She briefly fought Miss Martian.[7]

## Powers and abilities

[edit]

* Pyrokinesis - Scorch can create heat intense enough to melt various metals. She can easily manipulate flames, even those not of her creation. She has also been seen using this ability to smother flames by absorbing them into her body.
* Heat resistance - The only time Scorch has been shown injured by heat was when she attempted to absorb the flames caused by a nuclear explosion. Presumably, this indicates her body can withstand temperatures well above 3,000 °F.
* Teleportation - Scorch can disappear in a cloud of smoke or burst of flame and reappear elsewhere.
* Scorch can also take on a human appearance. Although she was stated to have this ability, she is never shown using it, as she is unable to maintain this form for long periods.

## In other media

[edit]

Scorch makes non-speaking cameo appearances in DC Super Hero Girls as a student of Super Hero High.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Greenberger, Robert; Pasko, Martin (2010). The Essential Superman Encyclopedia. Del Rey. p. 353\. ISBN 978-0-345-50108-0.
2. ^ Action Comics #774. DC Comics.
3. ^ Action Comics #783. DC Comics.
4. ^ JLA #78-89. DC Comics.
5. ^ Superman (vol. 2) #225. DC Comics.
6. ^ Martian Manhunter: The Others Among Us #5 (February 2007). DC Comics.
7. ^ Teen Titans (vol. 3) #51. DC Comics.

* v
* t
* e

Martian Manhunter

Joseph Samachson

Supporting
characters|

* Cameron Chase
* Jemm, Son of Saturn
* Justice League
* Superman
* Batman
* Wonder Woman
* The Flash/Barry Allen
* Green Lantern/Hal Jordan
* Aquaman
* Miss Martian
* Naomi McDuffie
* Scorch
* Zook

Enemies|

* Department of Extranormal Operations
* Despero
* Human Flame
* Ma'alefa'ak
* Vulture
* White Martians

Publications|

* Detective Comics
* The House of Mystery
* Martian Manhunter: American Secrets
* Absolute Martian Manhunter

Related articles|

* Justice League
* Alien races

* v
* t
* e

Superman characters

Superman family|

| By codename|

* Superman
* Superboy
* Supergirl
* Superwoman
* Nightwing
* Flamebird
* Eradicator
* Steel
* Power Girl

|

By public
identity|

* Clark Kent
* Kal-El
* Kon-El
* Jon Kent
* Sodam Yat
* Mon-El
* Kara Zor-El
* Matrix
* Linda Danvers
* Laurel Gand
* Lois Lane
* Lucy Lane
* Lana Lang
* Luma Lynai
* Donna Troy
* Kristin Wells
* Chris Kent/Lor-Zod
* Thara Ak-Var
* Dr. David Connor
* John Henry Irons
* Natasha Irons
* Kong Kenan
* Kara Zor-L/Karen Starr/Paige Stetler

Pets|

* Krypto the Superdog
* Streaky the Supercat
* Beppo the Super-Monkey
* Comet the Super-Horse

Supporting
characters|

* Lois Lane
* Jimmy Olsen
* Jor-El
* Lara
* Jonathan and Martha Kent
* Perry White
* Lana Lang
* Batman/Bruce Wayne
* Lucy Lane
* Lori Lemaris
* Gangbuster
* Zor-El
* Alura
* Dubbilex
* Kelex
* Sam Lane
* Lyla Lerrol
* Pete Ross
* Professor Potter
* Lena Luthor
* Maxima
* Morgan Edge
* Dan Turpin
* Steve Lombard
* Cat Grant
* Professor Hamilton
* Maggie Sawyer
* Bibbo Bibbowski
* Ron Troupe
* Strange Visitor
* Rampage
* Vartox

Associated
characters|

* The Authority
* Apollo
* Enchantress
* Lightray
* Manchester Black
* Midnighter
* OMAC
* Steel
* Guardian
* Justice League
* Atom
* Aquaman
* Batman
* Black Canary
* Blue Beetle
* Cyborg
* Flash
* Green Arrow
* Green Lantern
* John Stewart
* Martian Manhunter
* Robin/Nightwing
* Orion
* Captain Marvel
* Wonder Woman
* Justice Society of America
* Legion of Substitute Heroes
* Legion of Super-Heroes
* Cosmic Boy
* Saturn Girl
* Lightning Lad
* Chameleon Boy
* Colossal Boy
* Invisible Kid
* Star Boy
* Phantom Girl
* Triplicate Girl
* Shrinking Violet
* Bouncing Boy
* Sun Boy
* Brainiac 5
* Ultra Boy
* Element Lad
* Matter-Eater Lad
* Lightning Lass
* Dream Girl
* Timber Wolf
* Princess Projectra
* Ferro Lad
* Karate Kid
* White Witch
* Shadow Lass
* Chemical King
* Wildfire
* Tyroc
* Dawnstar
* Laurel Gand
* Legion of Super-Pets
* Legion of Super-Villains
* Cosmic King
* Lightning Lord
* Saturn Queen
* Lobo
* Maxima
* Newsboy Legion
* Project Cadmus
* Silent Knight
* Super-Chief
* Supermen of America
* World's Finest Team

Enemies|

| Archenemies|

* Lex Luthor
* Brainiac
* Darkseid
* General Zod
* Ultra-Humanite

|

Other
central rogues|

* Atomic Skull
* Bizarro
* Bloodsport
* Bruno Mannheim
* Cyborg Superman
* Hank Henshaw
* Doomsday
* Livewire
* Manchester Black
* Mercy Graves
* Metallo
* Mister Mxyzptlk
* Mongul
* Parasite
* Silver Banshee
* Toyman

Recurring
adversaries|

* Anti-Monitor
* Atlas
* Blaze and Satanus
* Brainiac 2
* Chemo
* Composite Superman
* Conduit
* Dev-Em
* Draaga
* Equus
* Faora
* Funky Flashman
* Gog
* Hellgramite
* Imperiex
* Jax-Ur
* Joker
* Kalibak
* Kobra
* Kryptonite Man
* Lord Satanis
* Magpie
* Mala
* Mammoth
* Morgan Edge
* Neutron
* Nick O'Teen
* Non
* Ol-Vir
* Prankster
* Professor Hamilton
* Quarmer
* Quex-Ul
* Rampage
* Riot
* Scorch
* Solaris
* Solomon Grundy
* Terra-Man
* Titano
* Ultraman
* Ursa

Organizations|

* Black Zero
* Fearsome Five
* Intergang
* Masters of Disaster
* Royal Flush Gang
* Secret Society of Super Villains
* Suicide Squad
* Superman Revenge Squad

Alternative
versions|

| Superman|

* Earth-One version
* Ultraman
* Earth-Two version
* Superboy-Prime
* Kingdom Come version

|

Supergirl|

* Power Girl

In other media|

| 1978–1987 film series|

* Superman
* Lois Lane
* Lex Luthor
* Eve Teschmacher
* General Zod

|

DC Extended Universe|

* Clark Kent / Superman
* Lois Lane
* Lex Luthor
* Zod

Smallville|

* Clark Kent
* Lois Lane
* Lana Lang
* Justice League
* Lex Luthor
* Lionel Luthor
* Chloe Sullivan

Arrowverse|

* Kara Danvers
* Alex Danvers
* Lex Luthor
* Nia Nal

Superman & Lois|

* Clark Kent
* Lois Lane

Related|

* Superman and Lois Lane
* Daily Planet
* Alien races
* Kryptonians

* Category

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template