Scarlet Scarab

Last updated
Scarlet Scarab
Publication information
Publisher Marvel Comics
First appearance
Created by
In-story information
Alter ego
  • First:
  • Abdul Faoul
  • Second:
  • Mehemet Faoul
SpeciesBoth:
Human (empowered by the Ruby Scarab)
AbilitiesBoth:
  • Superhuman strength and durability
  • Fire concussive bursts of mystical energy
  • Ability to sap the power from others on contact
  • Flight

Scarlet Scarab is the name of three fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Roy Thomas, Archie Goodwin, and Frank Robbins, Abdul Faoul, the first Scarlet Scarab, made his first appearance in The Invaders #23 (December 1977). The second Scarlet Scarab, Mehemet Faoul, was created by Doug Moench and Alan Kupperberg, and made his debut in Thor #326 (December 1982).

Contents

May Calamawy stars as Layla El-Faouly in the Marvel Cinematic Universe television series Moon Knight (2022), with the character becoming the Scarlet Scarab in its final episode while predating her appearance in the comics.

Publication history

According to Roy Thomas, the Scarlet Scarab, like the Silver Scarab in Infinity, Inc. , was an homage to the Dan Garret incarnation of the Blue Beetle "about whom I had written my second professional comics story back in 1965." [1] The creators of the Ruby Scarab were named Garret and Dann.

The first Scarlet Scarab first appeared in The Invaders #23 (December 1977), and was created by Roy Thomas, Archie Goodwin, and Frank Robbins. The character also appeared in The Invaders #25 (February 1978).

The second Scarlet Scarab first appeared in Thor #326 (December 1982), and was created by Doug Moench and Alan Kupperberg. He received an entry in the original The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe #9.

A third Scarlet Scarab, based on the MCU incarnation, debuted in Moon Knight Vol. 9 #25 (September 2023) from writer Jed MacKay and art by Alessandro Cappuccio, Alessandro Vitti, and Partha Pratim. [2]

Fictional character biography

Abdul Faoul

Abdul Faoul was a famous archaeologist during World War II. [3] [4] He unearthed the Ruby Scarab, an artifact that was originally created to battle the Elementals, around 3500 B.C. When Dr. Faoul touched the mystical power-object, he became the Scarlet Scarab and became a champion of Egypt during World War II. [5] [6] [7]

Dr. Faoul worked as a liaison between the Allied Forces and the Egyptian government, and led the Human Torch and Namor to a recently excavated pyramid in search of the fanatic nationalist group, the Sons of the Scarab, which was actually led by Faoul. [8] He tricked the heroes into opening the vault where the fist-sized ruby was kept. As the Scarlet Scarab, he first ousted the British, and then the Nazis, from Egypt. Scarlet Scarab continued to battle criminals after the war until the ruby simply disappeared in the 1950s, .[ citation needed ]

Dr. Faoul had not realized that the gem's crafter, a powerful pre-dynastic Egyptian sorcerer named Garret, had placed an enchantment on it that the ruby returns to Garret's tomb whenever it had used up its stored mystical power. Faoul searches for the ruby for twenty years, not realizing it had returned to where he had found it. Eventually, the Elementals sent N'Kantu, the Living Mummy to fetch the ruby. The ruby changed hands a number of times after N'Kantu recovered it, going from the Living Monolith, a thief named Daniel "the Asp" Aspen, the Elementals, and an extra-dimensional traveler named Hecate. [9] Meanwhile, Dr. Faoul continued searching until his death. As his dying act, he requested his son Mehemet to continue his quest. [10] [11]

Mehemet Faoul

Mehemet received from his father the strongbox he had used to store the Ruby Scarab. Inside was the costume he had worn as the Scarlet Scarab, a journal of his exploits, and a photo of the ruby. Mehemet considered it his duty to continue his father's quest, searching for years as his father had. Finally, Mehemet came to the gem's final resting place. Holding the ruby, he gained the powers of the Scarlet Scarab, and decided to become the new champion of Egypt. One of his goals was to protect the priceless ancient artifacts of Egypt. In one mission to recover some stolen artifacts, the Scarlet Scarab encountered Thor, who mistook his intentions and the two fought to a standstill. [10] [12]

Layla El-Faouly

Layla was the daughter of a famous scholar who grew up and became a mercenary who made numerous criminal connections. She joined the Karnak Cowboys consisting of Marc Spector, Jean-Paul Duchamp, and Dr. Robert Plesko. Layla and Marc would fall in love, gaining a reputation for arguing like a bickering couple. During a mission against Hydra, Layla lost her life, turning Marc down the path that would turn him into Moon Knight. [13] Years later, Marc as Moon Knight would journey into the Duat to the save the life a young boy named Khalil, where he encountered Layla who following her death, was judged by the Goddess Taweret. Finding that her heart evened out on her scales, Taweret turned her into Duat's champion the Scarlet Scarab. Layla and Marc teamed up to rescue Khalil from the Legion of the Unliving and Marc's brother Randall who had been transformed into the Jackal Knight. Following the heroes' victory, Marc returned to the land of the living with Khalil and shared one last kiss with Layla. Unbeknownst to him however, Layla also materialized on Earth, promising to see Marc again soon. [14]

Powers and abilities

Abdul and Mehemet have superhuman strength and durability, the ability to fly at high speeds, the ability to fire concussive bursts of mystical energy, and the ability to drain the power from anyone who touches it. [15] [16] [17] [18] Abdul needed to maintain contact with the Scarab to use its power. [19]

In other media

An original version of Scarlet Scarab, Layla El-Faouly , appears in the Marvel Cinematic Universe series Moon Knight , portrayed by May Calamawy while predating her appearance in the comics. This version is an archaeologist, adventurer, and Marc Spector's wife, as well as the daughter of an archaeologist who was murdered by one of Spector's associates. [20] [21] El-Faouly's backstory is based on Marlene Alraune, Spector's wife in the comics, who was changed from Caucasian to Egyptian at the suggestion of director Mohamed Diab. [22] [23] [24] [25] El-Faouly becomes the Scarlet Scarab in the sixth episode, "Gods and Monsters", after choosing to act as a temporary avatar of the deity Taweret. [26] [27] [28] Diab noted he had not connected her to that character from the comics, explaining, "Sometimes Marvel picks a name and then gives it to the character that is developed." He pointed out that at the moment, she did not receive her powers from the scarab, but ultimately felt what the character represented was more important than her name. [28]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khonsu</span> Ancient Egyptian god of the moon

Khonsu is the ancient Egyptian god of the Moon. His name means 'traveller', and this may relate to the perceived nightly travel of the Moon across the sky. Along with Thoth, he marked the passage of time. Khonsu was instrumental in the creation of new life in all living creatures. At Thebes, he formed part of a family triad with Mut as his mother and Amun his father.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moon Knight</span> Marvel Comics fictional character

Moon Knight is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Doug Moench and artist Don Perlin, the character first appeared in Werewolf by Night #32.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shuma-Gorath</span> Marvel Comics fictional character

Shuma-Gorath is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Steve Englehart and Frank Brunner, the character first appeared in Marvel Premiere #10. Shuma-Gorath belongs to the Great Old Ones, a race of ancient eldritch beings who predate Earth. It is a recurring antagonist of the superhero Doctor Strange.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bushman (character)</span> Marvel Comics fictional character

Raoul Bushman is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He is depicted as the archenemy of Moon Knight. He is interchangeably also known as Roald Bushman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Werewolf by Night</span> Comics character

The Werewolf by Night is the name of two werewolves appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The first incarnation of Werewolf by Night, Jack Russell, first appeared in Marvel Spotlight #2. The second incarnation, Jake Gomez, first appeared in Werewolf by Night #1.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heliopolitans</span> Fictional group of gods from Marvel Comics

Heliopolitans are a fictional group of gods, based on Ancient Egyptian deities, appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khonshu (Marvel Comics)</span> Comics character

Khonshu is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Moon Knight #1, created by Doug Moench and Bill Sienkiewicz, and is based on the Egyptian lunar god Khonsu. He is a member of the Heliopolitan pantheon and the patron of the superhero Moon Knight.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Midnight Man (comics)</span> Marvel Comics fictional character

Midnight Man is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stained Glass Scarlet</span> Comics character

Stained Glass Scarlet is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by Doug Moench, Bill Sienkiewicz, and Jim Shooter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shadow Knight (character)</span> Marvel Comics supervillain

Shadow Knight is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, commonly as an adversary of his brother, the superhero Moon Knight.

<i>Moon Knight</i> (miniseries) 2022 Marvel Studios television miniseries

Moon Knight is an American television miniseries created by Jeremy Slater for the streaming service Disney+, based on the Marvel Comics featuring the character of the same name. It is the sixth television series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) to be produced by Marvel Studios, sharing continuity with the films of the franchise. It follows Marc Spector and Steven Grant, two alters of a man with dissociative identity disorder (DID), as they are drawn into a mystery involving Egyptian gods. Slater serves as head writer with Mohamed Diab leading the directing team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">May Calamawy</span> Egyptian-Palestinian actress

May el-Calamawy is an Egyptian-Palestinian actress who has worked and resided in the United States since 2015. She is known for her roles in the American television series Ramy as Dena Hassan, and Moon Knight as Layla El-Faouly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marc Spector (Marvel Cinematic Universe)</span> Character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

Marc Spector and Steven Grant are fictional characters portrayed by Oscar Isaac in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) media franchise, based on the Marvel Comics character Moon Knight's associated alters. Spector is an American mercenary who becomes the avatar of the Egyptian moon god Khonshu as the vigilante Moon Knight and is also married to Layla El-Faouly. Spector has dissociative identity disorder (DID)–which he developed as a result of child abuse at the hands of his mother Wendy, and survivor's guilt following his younger brother Randall's death–with Grant operating as a gift shop employee in London. Grant later faces the Egyptian goddess Ammit and her avatar Arthur Harrow; throughout Harrow's plans, Grant becomes aware of Spector and Khonshu's existence and uses a Mr. Knight vigilante alias similarly to Spector's Moon Knight persona. Grant and Spector also reunite with Layla and encounter Anton Mogart, the Ennead group of Egyptian gods, and Taweret, and Spector confronts his past.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Goldfish Problem</span> 1st episode of Moon Knight

"The Goldfish Problem" is the first episode of the American television miniseries Moon Knight, based on Marvel Comics featuring the character Moon Knight. It follows Steven Grant as he begins to learn of his dissociative identity disorder (DID) and the deadly mystery involving Egyptian gods his other identity, Marc Spector, is involved in. The episode is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sharing continuity with the films of the franchise. It was written by head writer Jeremy Slater and directed by Mohamed Diab.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Summon the Suit</span> 2nd episode of Moon Knight

"Summon the Suit" is the second episode of the American television miniseries Moon Knight, based on Marvel Comics featuring the character Moon Knight. It follows Steven Grant as he continues to learn of his dissociative identity disorder (DID) and the deadly mystery involving Egyptian gods his other identity, Marc Spector, is involved in. The episode is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sharing continuity with the films of the franchise. It was written by Michael Kastelein and directed by Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Friendly Type</span> 3rd episode of Moon Knight

"The Friendly Type" is the third episode of the American television miniseries Moon Knight, based on Marvel Comics featuring the character Moon Knight. It follows Marc Spector as he returns to Egypt to find Ammit's tomb before Arthur Harrow does. The episode is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sharing continuity with the films of the franchise. It was written by Beau DeMayo and Peter Cameron & Sabir Pirzada and directed by Mohamed Diab.

The Tomb (<i>Moon Knight</i>) 4th episode of Moon Knight

"The Tomb" is the fourth episode of the American television miniseries Moon Knight, based on Marvel Comics featuring the character Moon Knight. It follows Marc Spector and Layla El-Faouly as they continue to search for Ammit's tomb before Arthur Harrow can gain access to it. The episode is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sharing continuity with the films of the franchise. It was written by Alex Meenehan and Peter Cameron & Sabir Pirzada and directed by Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead.

Asylum (<i>Moon Knight</i>) 5th episode of Moon Knight

"Asylum" is the fifth episode of the American television miniseries Moon Knight, based on Marvel Comics featuring the character Moon Knight. It follows Marc Spector and Steven Grant as they try to make sense of their situation in a psychiatric hospital. The episode is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sharing continuity with the films of the franchise. It was written by Rebecca Kirsch and Matthew Orton and directed by Mohamed Diab.

Gods and Monsters (<i>Moon Knight</i>) 6th episode of Moon Knight

"Gods and Monsters" is the sixth episode and series finale of the American television miniseries Moon Knight, based on Marvel Comics featuring the character Moon Knight. It follows Marc Spector, Steven Grant, and Layla El-Faouly as they help Khonshu defeat Ammit and her avatar Arthur Harrow. The episode is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sharing continuity with the films of the franchise. Its teleplay was written by head writer Jeremy Slater, Peter Cameron, and Sabir Pirzada, and the story was written by Danielle Iman and Slater. The episode was directed by Mohamed Diab.

References

  1. ↑ Thomas, Roy; Ordway, Jerry. "The Secret Origin of Infinity Inc". Alter Ego vol. 3 #1. Retrieved March 23, 2011.
  2. ↑ Schedeen, Jesse (April 19, 2023). "Moon Knight: The MCU's Scarlet Scarab to Make Marvel Comics Debut". IGN. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  3. ↑ Grant DeArmitt Contributions from George Marston (2022-05-04). "Scarlet Scarab - the obscure Marvel Comics history of the new Moon Knight superhero". gamesradar. Retrieved 2022-10-12.
  4. ↑ Li, Michael (2022-05-07). "Moon Knight Introduces a New Take on a Classic Marvel Character". CBR. Retrieved 2022-10-12.
  5. ↑ Li, Michael (2022-05-07). "Moon Knight Introduces a New Take on a Classic Marvel Character". CBR. Retrieved 2022-10-12.
  6. ↑ Farley, Lloyd (2022-05-06). "'Moon Knight': Scarlet Scarab, Explained". Collider. Retrieved 2022-10-12.
  7. ↑ Zorrilla, Mónica Marie (5 May 2022). "Scarlet Scarab: 'Moon Knight' finale's biggest twist is a historic MCU first". Inverse. Retrieved 2022-10-12.
  8. ↑ "Who Is Scarlet Scarab? Are There Two Versions Of The Same Superhero?". Fossbytes. 2022-05-05. Retrieved 2022-10-12.
  9. ↑ Supernatural Thrillers Vol 1 8-15
  10. 1 2 Thor vol 1 #326 (Dec, 1982), w. Doug Moench.
  11. ↑ Farley, Lloyd (2022-05-06). "'Moon Knight': Scarlet Scarab, Explained". Collider. Retrieved 2022-10-12.
  12. ↑ Zorrilla, Mónica Marie (5 May 2022). "Scarlet Scarab: 'Moon Knight' finale's biggest twist is a historic MCU first". Inverse. Retrieved 2022-10-12.
  13. ↑ Moon Knight Vol. 9 #25. Marvel Comics.
  14. ↑ Moon Knight: City of the Dead. Marvel Comics.
  15. ↑ Grant DeArmitt Contributions from George Marston (2022-05-04). "Scarlet Scarab - the obscure Marvel Comics history of the new Moon Knight superhero". gamesradar. Retrieved 2022-10-12.
  16. ↑ Farley, Lloyd (2022-05-06). "'Moon Knight': Scarlet Scarab, Explained". Collider. Retrieved 2022-10-12.
  17. ↑ Craig, Jo (2022-05-04). "Who is Moon Knight's Scarlet Scarab? Layla's transformation explained". HITC. Retrieved 2022-10-12.
  18. ↑ Bruce, Amanda (2022-04-26). "Moon Knight: Who Is Layla's Father?". Game Rant. Retrieved 2022-10-12.
  19. ↑ "SCARLET SCARAB". Marvel Comics . Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  20. ↑ Buhlman, Jocelyn (March 23, 2022). "Meet the Chaotic Cast of Characters in Marvel Studios' Moon Knight". D23 . Archived from the original on March 24, 2022.
  21. ↑ Graves, Sabina (April 6, 2022). "Moon Knight Is Starting to Reveal More About Its Mysterious Antagonist". Gizmodo . Archived from the original on April 6, 2022.
  22. ↑ Vary, Adam B. (March 30, 2022). "How 'Moon Knight' Sends Marvel Studios Into the Unknown: 'We're Creating a Whole New Thing'". Variety . Archived from the original on March 31, 2022.
  23. ↑ Flint, Hanna (April 20, 2022). "May Calamawy Is Doing Moon Knight Her Way". Elle . Archived from the original on May 6, 2022.
  24. ↑ Jeremy Slater [@jerslater] (April 22, 2022). "It's a great profile about the amazing May Calamawy, but I do want to clear up one inaccuracy. Marlene was never a part of our show. Diversity was incredibly important to our writers room, and Layla was created our very first week. (Although she was originally named Zayna Faoul.)" (Tweet). Archived from the original on April 22, 2022 – via Twitter.
  25. ↑ Brown, Tracy (April 6, 2022). "The mysterious Layla makes her 'Moon Knight' debut in Episode 2. Here's her backstory". Los Angeles Times . Archived from the original on April 8, 2022.
  26. ↑ Paige, Rachel (May 4, 2022). "'Moon Knight': May Calamawy is The MCU's First Egyptian Super Hero Scarlet Scarab". Marvel.com . Archived from the original on May 6, 2022.
  27. ↑ Paige, Rachel (May 4, 2022). "'Moon Knight': May Calamawy and Sara Goher on the Magic of Bringing Egyptian Super Hero Scarlet Scarab On-Screen". Marvel.com . Archived from the original on May 4, 2022.
  28. 1 2 Vary, Adam B. (May 4, 2022). "'Moon Knight'Director Mohamed Diab on the Season Finale, Oscar Isaac's Return and the MCU's First Egyptian Superhero". Variety . Archived from the original on May 6, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.