Arclight (comics)

Superherobox|

caption=Arclight. Art by Steve Skroce.
comic_color=background:#ff8080
character_name=Arclight
real_name=Philippa Sontag
species=Human Mutant
publisher=Marvel Comics
debut="Uncanny X-Men" #210 (October 1986)
creators=Chris Claremont
Michael Golden
alliance_color=background:#c0c0ff
alliances= Femizons Marauders
aliases=
powers=Superhuman strength, endurance, and durability,
Ability to generate seismic energies with hands that cause shockwaves and earth tremors | "For the DC comics villain, see Arclight (DC comics)."

Arclight (Philippa Sontag) is a mutant supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe. Dominican model and actress Omahyra Mota portrayed Arclight's character in the 2006 film, ".

Publication history

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.

Fictional character biography

Arclight serves 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 shockwaves 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 , 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. ["X-Men" #200]

During Messiah Complex in the final battle on Muir Isle, she is seemingly killed by Wolfsbane.

Powers and abilities

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.

Other versions

Age of Apocalypse

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 other media

Television

X-Men

Arclight made numerous cameo appeareances in the "X-Men Animated Series", most notably in the episode "Sanctuary," where she, alongside Blockbuster, joins Magneto's mutant haven.Fact|date=October 2008

Wolverine and the X-Men

Arclight appears as a member of the Marauders in "Wolverine and the X-Men". Similar to her Age of Apocalypse counterpart, this Arclight is male. He is supposedly the field leader of the group, taking direct orders from Mr. Sinister. He utilizes the same shockwave powers as the comic book character.

Film

* Arclight appeared in the motion picture "", played by Dominican fashion model Omahyra Mota. Arclight had no lines in the film. In the movie, her shockwave-based superpowers are more refined than in the comic book: her shockwaves project in an outward fashion and she can target specific materials. She is a member of the Omegas and was killed along with Quill and Psylocke by Dark Phoenix's disintegration wave.

Notes

*Arclight's codename comes from the B-52 bombings during the Vietnam War, also called Operation Arc Light.
*Arclight was at one point depicted as unusually tall, and with the physique of a bodybuilder, but in recent appearances she has gained a more conventional comic-book female appearance.

References

External links

* [http://www.marvel.com/universe/Arclight Arclight on the Marvel Universe Character Bio Wiki]