View source for Mac Gargan

{{Short description|Marvel Comics supervillain}}
{{overly detailed|date=October 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2024}}
{{Infobox comics character <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
| image     = Scorpion (Mac Gargan).png
| caption   = Mac Gargan / Scorpion<br />Textless variant cover of ''Miles Morales: Spider-Man'' #4.<br />(March 2023).<br />Art by [[Alex Ross]].
| debut     = '''As Mac Gargan''':<br />''[[The Amazing Spider-Man]]'' #19<br />(December 1964)<ref>{{cite book |last1=Misiroglu |first1=Gina Renée |last2=Eury |first2=Michael |title=The Supervillain Book: The Evil Side of Comics and Hollywood |date=2006 |publisher=Visible Ink Press |isbn=9780780809772 |url=https://archive.org/details/supervillainbook0000gina/page/314/mode/2up |language=en}}</ref><br />'''As the Scorpion''':<br />''Amazing Spider-Man'' #20 (January 1965)<br />'''As Venom''':<br />''Marvel Knights: Spider-Man'' #10 (March 2005)<br />'''As Spider-Man''':<br />''[[Dark Avengers]]'' #1<br />(March 2009) <br />'''As Virus''':<br />''[[Venom (comic book)|Venom]]'' (vol. 4) #25<br />(July 2020)
| creators  = [[Stan Lee]] (writer)<br />[[Steve Ditko]] (artist)
| species   = Human mutate
| aliases   = [[Scorpion (Marvel Comics)|Scorpion]]<br />[[Venom (character)|Venom]]<br />[[Spider-Man]]<br />Virus
| alliances = [[Sinister Six]]<br />[[Masters of Evil]]<br />[[Sinister Six|Sinister Twelve]]<br />[[Dark Avengers]]<br />[[Thunderbolts (comics)|Thunderbolts]]<br />[[Savage Six]]<br />[[Superhuman Restraint Unit|Cape-Killers]]
| powers    = '''As Scorpion''':
* Superhuman strength, speed, agility, stamina, durability and reflexes
* Precognitive Scorpion-sense
* Wearing scorpion-like armor with a cybernetic tail that has projectile weapons
* Ability to cling to most surfaces
'''As Venom''':
* [[Symbiote (comics)|Symbiote]] granting:
** Immunity to Spider-Man's spider-sense
** All of Spider-Man's powers
** Limited shapeshifting
| cat       = super
| subcat    = Marvel Comics
| hero      = 
| villain   = y
| sortkey   = Gargan, Mac
| full_name = MacDonald "Mac" Gargan
}}
'''MacDonald''' "'''Mac'''" '''Gargan''' is a <!--Do not add "fictional" as it is tautological; supervillains (and characters in general) are by definition implied to be fictionalized to some extent.-->[[supervillain]] appearing in [[American comic book]]s published by [[Marvel Comics]]. Created by writer [[Stan Lee]] and artist [[Steve Ditko]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Magnett |first=Chase |date=July 14, 2019 |title=The 10 Best Spider-Man Villains Who Still Need a Live-Action Adaptation |url=https://comicbook.com/marvel/news/10-best-spider-man-villains-live-action-adaptation-mcu-sony/ |access-date=October 16, 2023 |website=[[ComicBook.com]] |language=en}}</ref> the character [[First appearance|first appeared]] in ''[[The Amazing Spider-Man]]'' #19 (December 1964).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lealos |first=Shawn S. |date=July 25, 2023 |title=Spider-Man's 20 Strongest Villains, Ranked |url=https://www.cbr.com/spider-man-strongest-villains/ |access-date=October 16, 2023 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |language=en}}</ref> Mac Gargan is a recurring [[List of Spider-Man enemies|antagonist]] of the [[superhero]] [[Spider-Man|Peter Parker / Spider-Man]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Beaty |first=Drew |date=May 27, 2021 |title=10 Most Powerful Hosts Of The Venom Symbiote, Ranked |url=https://screenrant.com/marvel-strongest-hosts-venom-symbiote/ |access-date=October 12, 2022 |website=[[Screen Rant]] |language=en-US}}</ref> He debuted as a [[private investigator]] hired by [[J. Jonah Jameson]] to learn how Peter Parker took pictures of Spider-Man.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Brevoort |first1=Tom |title=Marvel Year By Year: A Visual History |last2=DeFalco |first2=Tom |last3=Manning |first3=Matthew K. |last4=Sanderson |first4=Peter |last5=Wiacek |first5=Win |date=2017 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1465455505 |page=106}}</ref> In the following issue, Jameson decided to turn Gargan into a deadly adversary for Spider-Man through a barely-tested procedure, which left Gargan with a [[scorpion]]-themed armor and the predatory instincts of the arachnid. Driven insane by his mutation, Gargan instead turned to a life of crime as the '''[[Scorpion (Marvel Comics)|Scorpion]]''', and went on to menace both Spider-Man and Jameson, who he held responsible for his transformation. Since then, having finally removed the armor, Gargan has also served as the third host of the '''[[Venom (character)|Venom]]''' [[Symbiote (comics)|symbiote]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lovett |first=Jamie |date=December 4, 2016 |title=Every Venom Host In The Marvel Universe Ranked |url=https://comicbook.com/marvel/news/every-venom-host-in-the-marvel-universe-ranked/ |access-date=October 16, 2023 |website=[[ComicBook.com]] |language=en}}</ref> and a member of the [[Dark Avengers]] as '''Spider-Man''',<ref name="strongest-spider-men-ranked" /> but eventually returned to his Scorpion alias as it kept him alive due to the strain both the neural-armors and symbiote put on his body.

Since his original introduction during the [[Silver Age of Comic Books]], the character has been featured in various other Marvel-licensed products, including [[Spider-Man in film|feature films]], [[Spider-Man in television|television series]], [[video games]], and merchandise. The character made his live-action debut in the [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]] (MCU) film ''[[Spider-Man: Homecoming]]'' (2017), portrayed by [[Michael Mando]]. A version of the character appeared in animated form in ''[[Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man]]''.

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==Publication history==
=== 1960s ===
Mac Gargan debuted in ''[[The Amazing Spider-Man]]'' #19 (December 1964), created by writer [[Stan Lee]] and artist [[Steve Ditko]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fischer |first=Tyler |date=September 9, 2018 |title=Spider-Man PS4: Every Confirmed Villain So Far |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/spider-man-ps4-villains-marvel-confirmed/ |access-date=October 16, 2023 |website=[[ComicBook.com]] |language=en}}</ref> He later appeared under the codename of '''Scorpion''' in ''The Amazing Spider-Man'' #20 (January 1965).<ref>{{cite book|last = Manning|first = Matthew K.|editor-last= Gilbert |editor-first= Laura|chapter= 1960s|title = Spider-Man Chronicle Celebrating 50 Years of Web-Slinging|publisher = [[Dorling Kindersley]]|year = 2012|page = 28|isbn = 978-0756692360|quote= Spider-Man felt the Scorpion's sting for the first time in another Stan Lee and Steve Ditko collaboration.}}</ref> He appeared as an antagonist in the 1977 ''[[Ms. Marvel]]'' series.<ref>Ms. Marvel #1-2 (January 1977). Marvel Comics.</ref>

=== 2000s ===
Mac Gargan appeared as the third [[Venom (character)|'''Venom''']] in ''Marvel Knights: Spider-Man'' #10 (January 12, 2005).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Searcy |first=Malcolm |date=August 4, 2023 |title=10 Most Important Venom Moments That Defined the Symbiote Anti-Hero |url=https://screenrant.com/venom-most-important-moments-marvel-comics-history/ |access-date=October 16, 2023 |website=[[Screen Rant]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Pantozzi |first=Jill |date=January 30, 2014 |title=Agent of S.T.Y.L.E. – Who Else Is Venom? |url=https://www.themarysue.com/agent-of-style-venom-take-2/ |access-date=October 16, 2023 |website=[[The Mary Sue]] |language=en}}</ref> He later appeared as the third '''[[Spider-Man]]''' in ''[[Dark Avengers]]'' #1 (January 21, 2009).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Allan |first=Scoot |date=June 11, 2023 |title=10 Strongest Spider-Men Who Aren't Peter Parker |url=https://www.cbr.com/most-powerful-spiderman-not-peter-parker/ |access-date=October 16, 2023 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |language=en}}</ref> He appeared as a regular character in the series from issue #1 through issue #16 (May 12, 2010). He appeared in the 2009 ''Dark Reign: Sinister Spider-Man'' series, his first solo comic book series, by writer Brian Reed and artist [[Chris Bachalo]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Richards |first=Dave |date=April 24, 2009 |title=THE OSBORN SUPREMACY: Venom |url=https://www.cbr.com/the-osborn-supremacy-venom/ |access-date=October 16, 2023 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |language=en}}</ref> According to [[Diamond Comic Distributors]], ''Dark Reign: Sinister Spider-Man'' #1 was the 45th best selling comic book in June 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 13, 2009 |title=Top 100 Comics: June 2009 |url=http://www.previewsworld.com/Article/84974-Top-100-Comics-June-2009 |access-date=October 16, 2023 |website=[[Previews World]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Comichron: June 2009 Comic Book Sales to Comics Shops |url=https://www.comichron.com/monthlycomicssales/2009/2009-06.html |access-date=October 16, 2023 |website=[[Comichron]]}}</ref> ''Dark Reign: Sinister Spider-Man'' #2 was the 68th best selling comic book in July 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Top 100 Comics: July 2009 |url=http://www.diamondcomics.com/Article/86069-Top-100-Comics-July-2009 |access-date=October 16, 2023 |website=[[Diamond Comic Distributors]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Comichron: July 2009 Comic Book Sales to Comics Shops |url=https://www.comichron.com/monthlycomicssales/2009/2009-07.html |access-date=October 16, 2023 |website=[[Comichron]]}}</ref>

=== 2010s ===
Mac Gargan reappeared under the codename Scorpion in the "[[Spider-Man: Big Time|Big Time]]" story arc from the 2010 ''The Amazing Spider-Man'' series.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=George |first1=Rich |last2=Schedeen |first2=Jesse |date=July 28, 2010 |title=SDCC 10: Big Time for Spider-Man |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/07/28/sdcc-10-big-time-for-spider-man |access-date=October 16, 2023 |website=[[IGN]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Richards |first=Dave |date=July 26, 2010 |title=Comic Book Resources: "CCI: Slott Goes "Big Time" with Spidey" |url=https://www.cbr.com/cci-slott-goes-big-time-with-spidey/ |access-date=July 26, 2010 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]]}}</ref> He appeared in the 2019 ''Absolute Carnage'' series.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnston |first=Rich |date=August 29, 2019 |title=Miles Morales Gets a Doppelganger in Absolute Carnage? (Spoilers) |url=https://bleedingcool.com/comics/miles-morales-doppelganger-absolute-carnage/ |access-date=October 16, 2023 |website=[[Bleeding Cool]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cardona |first=Ian |date=September 2, 2019 |title=A Classic Spider-Man Foe Suffers a Life-Altering Injury |url=https://www.cbr.com/spider-man-absolute-carnage-scorpion-injury/ |access-date=October 16, 2023 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |language=en}}</ref>

=== 2020s ===
Mac Gargan appeared in the 2020 ''Ravencroft'' series.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bacon |first=Thomas |date=July 1, 2020 |title=Marvel's SCORPION Just Got The Coolest New Upgrade |url=https://screenrant.com/marvel-villain-scorpion-new-upgrade/ |access-date=October 16, 2023 |website=[[Screen Rant]] |language=en}}</ref> He appeared in the 2022 ''Miles Morales: Spider-Man'' series.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 28, 2022 |title=Miles Morales Hits His Breaking Point in Action-Packed 'Miles Morales: Spider-Man' #1 Trailer |url=https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/miles-morales-spider-man-1-2022-trailer-devastating-turn |access-date=October 16, 2023 |website=[[Marvel.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bonomolo |first=Cameron |date=December 4, 2022 |title=Miles Morales: Spider-Man #1 Previews Scorpion Rematch |url=https://comicbook.com/comics/news/marvel-miles-morales-spider-man-issue-1-preview-scorpion/ |access-date=October 16, 2023 |website=[[ComicBook.com]] |language=en}}</ref>

==Fictional character biography==

===Scorpion===
Mac Gargan was a [[private investigator]] initially hired by [[J. Jonah Jameson]] to find out how Peter Parker is able to obtain incredible pictures of [[Spider-Man]].<ref>''Amazing Spider-Man'' #19. Marvel Comics.</ref> Gargan's efforts set off Peter's spider-sense and the teen easily evades the detective. Jameson then decides to hire Gargan as the subject of a barely-tested process that would endow him with the useful characteristics of a particular animal with the help of [[Farley Stillwell]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lealos |first=Shawn S. |date=December 25, 2021 |title=10 Things Only Spider-Man Comic Fans Know About His Rivalry With J. Jonah Jameson |url=https://screenrant.com/spiderman-j-jonah-jameson-rivalry-marvel-comics-facts/ |access-date=October 12, 2022 |website=[[Screen Rant]] |language=en-US}}</ref> Stillwell also outfits him with a club-like mechanical tail. In this case, a [[scorpion]] is the base for the purposes of creating a powerful agent capable of defeating Spider-Man as the scorpion is a predator of the spider. The Scorpion proves to be more than a match for Spider-Man, defeating him twice, but the mutagenic treatment seriously affects Gargan's mind, driving him insane as the predatory instincts of the scorpion take over. He promptly turns on his benefactor but Spider-Man intervenes, and finally defeats the Scorpion in their third battle.<ref name="Amazing Spider-Man #20">''Amazing Spider-Man'' #20. Marvel Comics.</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Rovin |first=Jeff |title=[[The Encyclopedia of Super-Villains]] |date=1987 |publisher=Facts on File |isbn=0-8160-1356-X |location=New York |page=311 |authorlink=Jeff Rovin}}[https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofsu0000rovi_h5r9/page/310/mode/2up]</ref> The Scorpion becomes a professional criminal and returns to indulge in a vendetta against Spider-Man and Jameson, only to be defeated again.<ref>''The Amazing Spider-Man'' #29. Marvel Comics.</ref>

He is later hired by a spy ring to follow [[S.H.I.E.L.D.]] agent [[Sharon Carter]], but is defeated by [[Captain America]].<ref>''Captain America'' #122. Marvel Comics.</ref> Scorpion is acquired by Mr. Kline, who creates an android duplicate of him.<ref>''Daredevil'' #82. Marvel Comics.</ref> The real Scorpion and Mr. Hyde launch a campaign of terror against S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, but are defeated by Captain America and [[Falcon (comics)|Falcon]].<ref>''Captain America'' #151–152. Marvel Comics.</ref> After being released from prison for good behavior, the Scorpion hunts down Spider-Man and tries drowning him in a cement vat, hoping to use the boost to his reputation to become an underworld boss. Scorpion learns that Spider-Man survived the encounter, and the [[Jackal (Marvel Comics character)|Jackal]] gives him the hero's location. The Scorpion arrives at a hospital room with Peter Parker and his [[Aunt May]]. Not recognizing Spider-Man in his civilian identity, he threatens May and demands to know where Spider-Man is. After she faints, Scorpion rampages through the hospital. A furious Spider-Man beats the Scorpion and makes him apologize to May.<ref>''The Amazing Spider-Man'' #145–146. Marvel Comics.</ref>

The Scorpion fights [[Carol Danvers|Ms. Marvel]] after a botched revenge attempt against Jameson; the Scorpion becomes more psychotic than usual after this, resulting in his being dumped in acid.<ref>''Ms. Marvel'' #1–2. Marvel Comics.</ref> In the sewers, his sanity deteriorating, Scorpion comes to believe that his costume cannot be taken off. After a quick encounter, Spider-Man proves that his belief of being a monster is only in his mind.<ref>''Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man'' #21. Marvel Comics.</ref> Gargan forms an extortion racket to sabotage the ''[[Daily Bugle]]'', but is thwarted by Spider-Man and Captain America.<ref>''Marvel Team-Up'' #106. Marvel Comics.</ref> He is freed from prison by agents of [[Egghead (Marvel Comics)|Egghead]], who wants him to join the third [[Masters of Evil]] alongside [[Whirlwind (comics)|Whirlwind]] and [[Karla Sofen|Moonstone]]. The team fight the [[Avengers (comics)|Avengers]] but are defeated.<ref>''The Avengers'' #222. Marvel Comics.</ref> Scorpion kidnaps Jameson's bride Marla Madison on their wedding day but she is rescued by Spider-Man.<ref>''The Amazing Spider-Man'' Annual #18. Marvel Comics.</ref> Jonah publicly confesses to his role in creating the Scorpion when the [[Hobgoblin (comics)|Hobgoblin]] tries to use that secret to blackmail him.<ref>''The Amazing Spider-Man'' #251. Marvel Comics.</ref> Despite his encounters with other foes, Scorpion has always had a special hatred for Spider-Man and Jameson, which extends to when he attempts to become a mercenary for [[Justin Hammer]], who has the Scorpion's battlesuit modified. He ruins his prospects on his first mission, to capture a war hero, when he cannot resist creating a [[hostage situation]] simply to bring Jameson to him for revenge. In reaction, while Spider-Man in cooperation with the police are dealing with Gargan, Hammer sends [[Blacklash]] and [[Rhino (character)|Rhino]] to subdue Gargan and confiscate the tail enhancement equipment for abrogating his contract.<ref>''The Amazing Spider-Man'' #318–319. Marvel Comics.</ref>

During the "[[Acts of Vengeance]]," he tries to enter Canada to avoid the Super Power Registration Act. The [[Tinkerer (Marvel Comics)|Tinkerer]] meets him at the airport and provides him with a modified scorpion tail for his costume. He, [[Asp (character)|Asp]], [[Nekra]], and [[Owl (Marvel Comics)|Owl]] are repelled by [[Alpha Flight]] and [[Gamma Flight]].<ref>''Alpha Flight'' #79–80. Marvel Comics.</ref> He is then hired by the [[Chameleon (character)|Chameleon]] to kill a depowered Spider-Man. He is defeated by the [[Black Cat (Marvel Comics)|Black Cat]].<ref>''The Amazing Spider-Man'' #342–343. Marvel Comics.</ref> The Scorpion's constant defeats at the hands of Spider-Man drive him to depression. He wanders the sewers, his mind becoming clearer than it had been since his transformation, and decides to quit being the Scorpion. He encounters a depressed and crisis-ridden Spider-Man. Ignoring Gargan's plea that he is a changed man, Spider-Man beats him savagely.<ref>''Spectacular Spider-Man'' #215–216. Marvel Comics.</ref> In his next appearance, Gargan is back to being psychopathic. He battles and is defeated by Spider-Man's clone [[Ben Reilly]].<ref>''Spider-Man Unlimited'' #13. Marvel Comics.</ref>

Scorpion temporarily works for [[Roxxon Energy Corporation|Roxxon]] and helps them in their phony "rehabilitation therapy". Roxxon updates the Scorpion's powers and costume and promises he will get back at his enemies. Spider-Man convinces Scorpion that he is only being used. Scorpion then turns on Roxxon and is then defeated by Spider-Man.<ref>''Spider-Man Unlimited'' #22. Marvel Comics.</ref> Gargan reappears in the aftermath of the [[Secret War (comics)|Secret War]] that was organized by [[Nick Fury]] against [[Latveria]]. He is among the supervillains who were supplied with enhanced technology by [[Lucia von Bardas]] and sent to attack the heroes involved in Fury's Secret War. The villains' technologies are hijacked by von Bardas, supplying her with power, potentially at the cost of the villains' lives, but the assembled heroes defeat von Bardas and apprehend Scorpion and the others.<ref>''Secret War'' #4. Marvel Comics.</ref>

===Venom===
[[Image:Scorpvenom.jpg|thumb|185px|right|Panel from ''Marvel Knights: Spider-Man'' #10, the first appearance of Mac Gargan as Venom. Art by [[Terry Dodson]].]]
{{Main|Venom (character)}}
Later on, through circumstances yet to be revealed, [[Norman Osborn]] reveals Spider-Man's true identity to Gargan and gives him orders to kidnap Peter's Aunt May should Osborn ever be captured and imprisoned.<ref name="the-greatest-venom-hosts-of-all-time">{{Cite web |author1=Lydon |first=Pierce |date=June 8, 2023 |title=The greatest Venom hosts of all time |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/the-greatest-venom-hosts-of-all-time/ |access-date=October 12, 2022 |website=[[Newsarama]] |language=en}}</ref> When Spider-Man defeats Osborn, he is imprisoned and Gargan carries out Osborn's orders in kidnapping Aunt May. Gargan eventually summons Peter and tells him the only way he can see his aunt again is to break Norman out of jail. Shortly thereafter, the [[Venom (character)|Venom]] symbiote approaches Gargan,<ref>''Marvel Knights: Spider-Man'' #9. Marvel Comics.</ref> offering him new abilities, and Gargan becomes bonded with the creature.<ref name="spider-man-facts-trivia-scorpion">{{Cite web |last=Allan |first=Scoot |date=June 19, 2020 |title=Spider-Man: 10 Things Fans Should Know About Scorpion |url=https://www.cbr.com/spider-man-facts-trivia-scorpion/ |access-date=October 12, 2022 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |language=en-US}}</ref> This would later give him an extra edge as part of Norman Osborn's [[Sinister Six|Sinister Twelve]].<ref>''Marvel Knights: Spider-Man'' #10. Marvel Comics.</ref> Even with these additional powers he is still swiftly defeated by Spider-Man, as [[Captain America]], [[Iron Man]], [[Daredevil (Marvel Comics character)|Daredevil]], [[Hank Pym|Yellowjacket]], and the [[Fantastic Four]] deal with the rest of the Twelve.<ref>''Marvel Knights: Spider-Man'' #11. Marvel Comics.</ref> Though incarcerated, Gargan is unfazed, as with his new powers come the respect of becoming an "A-list" villain at last.<ref>''Marvel Knights: Spider-Man'' #12. Marvel Comics.</ref>

Alongside Spider-Man and other villains and heroes, Venom is [[Beyond!|kidnapped by other-dimensional forces]]. He succeeds in killing Spider-Man, who is really the original [[Space Phantom]] in disguise.<ref>''Beyond!'' #1. Marvel Comics.</ref> For his crimes, [[Medusa (comics)|Medusa]] orders his execution and almost carries it out herself. Later, he tries to kill the other participants for the [[Beyonder]]'s wish fulfillment prize for the winner,<ref>''Beyond!'' #2. Marvel Comics.</ref> but fails and is returned to Earth alongside the rest of the group.<ref>''Beyond!'' #6. Marvel Comics.</ref>

===Thunderbolts===
Gargan later becomes a member of a sub-group of the [[Thunderbolts (comics)|Thunderbolts]],<ref>''[[Civil War (comics)|Civil War]]'' #4. Marvel Comics.</ref> which has been drafted by the Avengers to hunt down the members of the fugitive Secret Avengers and is currently run by the Commission for Superhuman Activities.<ref>''[[Civil War (comics)|Civil War: Choosing Sides]]'' #1. Marvel Comics.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Allan |first=Scoot |date=June 26, 2020 |title=Every Roster of The Thunderbolts, Ranked |url=https://www.cbr.com/thunderbolts-every-roster-ranked/ |access-date=October 12, 2022 |website=CBR |language=en-US}}</ref> It is then revealed that he has been outfitted with electrical implants by the government to keep the Venom symbiote in check.<ref>''Heroes for Hire'' vol. 2 #2. Marvel Comics.</ref> As a Thunderbolt, he is seen as a hero by the general public and has his own action figures.<ref>''Thunderbolts'' #110. Marvel Comics.</ref> Gargan displays his new raw power as Venom in a battle with [[Jack Flag]], after pummeling Flag for a bit, the hero manages to stab Gargan, who is protected by the symbiote. Gargan becomes enraged and ferociously man-handles Flag, and is about to eat him when his electrical implants kick in and temporarily subdue him, allowing Flag to live.<ref name="Thunderbolts #111">''Thunderbolts'' #111. Marvel Comics.</ref> Gargan expresses fear of the control the symbiote possesses over him, yet he has become addicted to the raw unearthly power it brings to him and cannot even begin to imagine life without it, similar to a drug addict.<ref>''Thunderbolts'' #112. Marvel Comics.</ref> An attack from [[Steel Spider]] and [[Shadowoman|Sepulchre]] makes him lose control again, briefly becoming a huge monster once more, while Moonstone is incapacitated and thus cannot coordinate control of his electrical implants.<ref>''Thunderbolts'' #114. Marvel Comics.</ref> Afterwards he returns to a normal form with no ill effects. He also bites off and devours Steel Spider's arm during a fight.<ref>''Thunderbolts'' #115. Marvel Comics.</ref>

Gargan is later ordered by Osborn to hunt down [[Namor]]. After shooting him with a Thunderbolts-supplied weapon, Gargan disables Namor by ripping off his feet-wings. The Sub-Mariner manages to render Gargan unconscious and then rips out the symbiote's tongue,<ref>''[[Sub-Mariner]]'' #3</ref> although the symbiote easily makes a new one. Gargan begins to hallucinate that the symbiote is speaking to him, telling him to "feed (it)". He later attacks and devours a guard and declares that "the only way out of Thunderbolts Mountain is when I decide to let you die".<ref>''Thunderbolts'' #118. Marvel Comics.</ref> It is later revealed that [[Blue Streak (comics)|Bluestreak]] is controlling Gargan's actions, although it is uncertain whether the symbiote was actually speaking to him or not.<ref>''Thunderbolts'' #119. Marvel Comics.</ref> Venom goes up against the [[Fenris (comics)|Swordsman]], who stabs Gargan through the chest, using his powers to force the symbiote away from his sword. Gargan is wounded, but lives.<ref>''Thunderbolts'' #120. Marvel Comics.</ref> After healing, he retains his monstrous form, rarely returning to his usual size.<ref>''Thunderbolts'' #116–121</ref>

==="New Ways to Die"===
Gargan reappears during the "New Ways to Die" story arc of ''The Amazing Spider-Man'', no longer possessing the knowledge of Spider-Man's secret identity.<ref>{{cite web |last=Richards |first=Dave |date=May 1, 2008 |title=CBR News: Enemies at the Gates: Wacker Talks "Amazing Spider-Man" |url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=16246 |access-date=February 8, 2011 |publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]]}}</ref> Gargan and the Thunderbolts are called back to New York to capture Spider-Man. While on a search for the wall-crawler, Gargan's symbiote senses a former host nearby. Gargan suspects that it is Spider-Man but instead finds [[Eddie Brock]] at the F.E.A.S.T center (a soup kitchen). The Venom symbiote attempts to leave Gargan to re-bond with Brock, much to Gargan's (and Brock's) dismay. Upon making contact with Brock, his skin is shown to be caustic to his former symbiote, and as a white substance seeps out of his pores covering his body, Brock uses the [[Anti-Venom (symbiote)|Anti-Venom]] symbiote and battles Gargan. With some help from Spider-Man, Anti-Venom subdues Venom and nearly destroys the symbiote.<ref>{{cite comic| writer=[[Dan Slott]]| penciller=[[John Romita Jr.]]| story="New Ways to Die"|title=[[The Amazing Spider-Man]]| volume=| issue=#569| date=August 2008|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]| page=| panel=}}</ref> Norman Osborn uses a sample of Anti-Venom's DNA from Mac Gargan and creates a poisonous counter to its healing powers by combining the sample with the immune system of [[Freak (Spider-Man villain)|Freak]]. Mac Gargan is injected with the "cure" and is given a new Scorpion battlesuit, which contains the venom, until the symbiote can recover.<ref>''The Amazing Spider-Man'' #572. Marvel Comics.</ref> Anti-Venom tracks down Gargan at Oscorp. After a grueling battle "Ven-orpion" injects the toxin into Anti-Venom and seemly kills the suit. He then attempts to kill Brock but the symbiote tries holding him back, still feeling love for its former host. The symbiote gains its strength and breaks through the Scorpion suit. Gargan gives up but promises that he will get past this problem and will someday finish Brock.<ref>''The Amazing Spider-Man'' #573. Marvel Comics.</ref>

===''Secret Invasion''===
Gargan was seen being thrown from Thunderbolt Mountain by [[Captain Marvel (Khn'nr)|Captain Marvel]].<ref>''[[Secret Invasion]]'' #3</ref> Gargan was later seen with the other Thunderbolts in Washington. The [[Skrull]]s attempt to trick him into killing normal humans to find out which of them are Skrulls.<ref>''Thunderbolts'' #123. Marvel Comics.</ref> Osborn attempted to prevent the symbiote from killing anyone by threatening to kill Mac Gargan and promising to help satisfy his "urges" later, only for Gargan to reveal that the threat he appeared to pose to civilians was a ruse to draw out a disguised Skrull. Venom played a huge part in fighting the Skrulls. He was seen slashing and eating the Skrulls all at once.<ref>''Thunderbolts'' #124. Marvel Comics.</ref> He soon joins the Thunderbolts and the remaining heroes for the final battle against the Skrulls. During the battle, he was a force to be reckoned with.<ref>''Secret Invasion'' #7. Marvel Comics.</ref>

Venom, along with most of the Thunderbolts team, attempts to kill partner [[Songbird (comics)|Songbird]] on the orders of Osborn. Facing Venom, Songbird was defeated and almost eaten by Venom, but escaped with help from the Swordsman.<ref>''Thunderbolts'' #127. Marvel Comics.</ref>

===''Dark Reign''===
Norman Osborn forms the [[Dark Avengers]], providing new identities to some of his former Thunderbolts. After feeding a [[Skrull]] to a hungry Venom that has become more bestial than human, Osborn gives him a medication that resets the symbiote to the size it was when it possessed Spider-Man originally. Gargan can transform into his larger Venom form at will.<ref name="strongest-spider-men-ranked">{{Cite web |last=Allan |first=Scoot |date=November 27, 2021 |title=The 10 Strongest Spider-Men, Ranked |url=https://www.cbr.com/strongest-spider-men-ranked/ |access-date=October 12, 2022 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

Norman introduces Gargan and the symbiote as "[[Alternative versions of Spider-Man#Prime Earth (Earth-616)|Spider-Man]]" of the Dark Avengers.<ref>''Dark Avengers'' #1. Marvel Comics.</ref><ref name="most-iconic-spider-man-villains">{{Cite web |last=Allan |first=Scoot |date=July 5, 2022 |title=10 Most Iconic Spider-Man Villains |url=https://www.cbr.com/most-iconic-spider-man-villains/ |access-date=October 12, 2022 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |language=en-US}}</ref> During their first mission against [[Morgan le Fay (Marvel Comics)|Morgana le Fay]], Morgana transforms "Venom-Spidey" into a giant, demonic monster who then tries to eat [[Ares (Marvel Comics)|Ares]].<ref>''Dark Avengers'' #2. Marvel Comics.</ref> Venom later coughs up Ares; however, Morgana's magic continues to affect Venom, causing him to lose and gain control of himself randomly.<ref>''Dark Avengers'' #3. Marvel Comics.</ref> After Morgana is defeated in the past by Iron Patriot and [[Doctor Doom]], Mac returned to his "Spider-Man" form with only a slight headache. [[Bullseye (comics)|Hawkeye]] promised to kill Mac one day for trying to eat him while he was under Morgana's control.<ref>''Dark Avengers'' #4. Marvel Comics.</ref> Once they arrive home, he is seen arguing with Hawkeye.<ref>''Dark Avengers'' #5. Marvel Comics.</ref>

Later, attempting to find out Norman Osborn's plans for his son [[Harry Osborn|Harry]], the real Spider-Man, with the aid of the [[Invisible Woman]], manages to capture Gargan by using a sonic generator and takes his place to infiltrate the Dark Avengers. Gargan is thrown into the [[Negative Zone]],<ref>''The Amazing Spider-Man'' #596. Marvel Comics.</ref> but is later seen back with the Dark Avengers.

Against Osborn's wishes, Gargan is seen heading out into the city to "fight crime" solo. At one point, he is seen defeating a bank robber called General Wolfram. After making out with two girls at once and getting cheered by a large crowd, he takes the robber to an abandoned rooftop and consumes his arm. He then takes the money Wolfram stole and swings away. Gargan is then seen at a [[strip club]] with the money and discovers his new favorite stripper. After getting reprimanded by Norman Osborn for eating Wolfram's arm, Gargan kills the stripper and places her dead body in J. Jonah Jameson's bed while he is gone in an attempt to frame him for her murder. At the same time, Redeemer visits the injured General Wolfram and recruits him alongside other villains who have had limbs bitten off by Gargan (namely Dementoid, Doctor Everything, Eleven, and [[Hippo (comics)|Hippo]]) in a plan to take down "Spider-Man" (who is believed to be the root of their problem).<ref>''Dark Reign: Sinister Spider-Man'' #1. Marvel Comics.</ref> In another attempt to antagonize Jameson, Gargan instigates a turf war between two rival street gangs, hoping to wear Jameson down through stress and exhaustion from continuously putting out stories to cover the crime wave. At the same time, the Redeemer arms his group with cybernetic limbs to defeat Spider-Man. J. Jonah Jameson goes to Osborn for help and is given Spider-Man to help solve the city's gang problem.<ref>''Dark Reign: Sinister Spider-Man'' #2. Marvel Comics.</ref>

Gargan continues to instigate the gang war and aggravate Jameson in person. A bomb threat is placed by Redeemer to lure Spider-Man into an intervention, though Gargan instead devours Hippo and Eleven, badly injures Dementoid, and beats Doctor Everything into submission before turning him over to the police. He then eats Redeemer's limbs. With Redeemer, Wolfram, and Dementoid the only ones still remaining of the group (albeit hospitalized), Redeemer sends photos of Gargan's actions to Jameson in an attempt to expose him as a cannibalistic psychopath to the world.<ref name="ReferenceA">''Dark Reign: Sinister Spider-Man'' #3. Marvel Comics.</ref> Jameson first goes to Osborn, who decides to cut Gargan loose by sending Bullseye and [[Daken]] (in their old costumes) to kill him. At the Big Apple Festival, the two attack him, with Dementoid, General Wolfram, and both gangs involved in the turf war entering the fray to try to kill Spider-Man. Gargan ends up defeating all of them, and J. Jonah Jameson shoots a gun in the air to stop the fight. As a result, everyone credits Jameson and Spider-Man with successfully working together to stop criminals and save the festival. Gargan later returns to Avengers Tower, where he is visited by Norman Osborn. Osborn informs him that Bullseye and Daken will get over being hurt, but warns Gargan that if he goes out of control again, he will suit up as the Iron Patriot and take care of him personally.<ref>''Dark Reign: Sinister Spider-Man'' #4. Marvel Comics.</ref>

During the opening chapter of "[[Utopia (comics)|Utopia]]," the Dark Avengers are sent into San Francisco to quell the mutant riots and battle any X-Men they can find. Tension is shown to exist between the Avengers and Osborn's own [[Dark X-Men]]. When [[Namor]] and [[Emma Frost]] are revealed to be [[double agent]]s on [[Cyclops (Marvel Comics)|Cyclops']] side and defect with [[Cloak and Dagger (comics)|Cloak and Dagger]], an irate Osborn gathers the Dark Avengers and the remaining Dark X-Men, Gargan included, ordering them to bring him Namor's head and Emma Frost's heart and to make sure that Cyclops sees them do it.<ref>''Dark Avengers'' #8. Marvel Comics.</ref> The Dark Avengers and Dark X-Men attack Utopia and battle the X-Men, with Venom facing off against [[Colossus (character)|Colossus]]. Due to the sheer number of X-Men, Osborn is forced to retreat when informed that the only way to win would be to kill all the mutants on the island, an option which is not politically viable.<ref>''Dark Avengers/Uncanny X-Men: Exodus''. Marvel Comics.</ref>

Gargan later begins to show signs that his medications are making him emotionally unstable. On a mission with the Dark Avengers, Osborn takes Gargan off the case when he notices Gargan's outbursts.<ref name="Dark Avengers #10">''Dark Avengers'' #10. Marvel Comics.</ref> [[Molecule Man]] turns Gargan and his symbiote into an inert pile of goo.<ref>''Dark Avengers'' #11</ref> He is later restored by the [[Sentry (Robert Reynolds)|Sentry]].<ref>''Dark Avengers'' #12</ref>

==="Siege"===
During the "[[Siege (comics)|Siege]]" storyline, Mac Gargan is with the Dark Avengers when Norman Osborn makes plans to invade [[Asgard (comics)|Asgard]]. Mac Gargan and the rest of the Avengers protest. For fighting alongside the Initiative, Osborn promises to give the team their freedom from servitude. As a result, Gargan is among the mass of soldiers to launch an attack on Asgard following [[Loki (Marvel Comics)|Loki]]'s setup. He and the rest of the Avengers manage to overwhelm [[Thor (Marvel Comics)|Thor]].<ref>''Siege'' #1. Marvel Comics.</ref> While fighting Ms. Marvel and Spider-Man after they arrive, Gargan is forcefully removed from the Venom symbiote, which takes over Ms. Marvel until Spider-Man defeats it.<ref>''Siege: Spider-Man'' #1. Marvel Coomics.</ref> He, along with the other Dark Avengers, are arrested after Norman Osborn falls from power.<ref>''Siege'' #4. Marvel Comics.</ref>

===Return as Scorpion===
During the "[[Spider-Man: Big Time|Big Time]]" storyline, Mac Gargan is seen at the Raft superprison, having been separated from Venom: the symbiote's removal was causing medical problems due to the side effects from his original genetic mutation. [[Alistair Smythe]] breaks him out of the Raft.<ref>''The Amazing Spider-Man'' #650. Marvel Comics.</ref> Gargan was then fitted with a new Scorpion suit by Smythe, which included a life-support system to stabilize Gargan's condition. Smythe convinced Gargan to join him in his plan for revenge on J. Jonah Jameson.<ref name="Amazing Spider-Man #651">''The Amazing Spider-Man'' #651. Marvel Comics.</ref> Scorpion joins Alistair Smythe, a new villain named Fly-Girl, and some unnamed cyborg minions (each wanting revenge on Jameson) in attacking the launch site of [[John Jameson (comics)|John Jameson]]'s latest space mission, where they sabotage the launch and hold John Jameson for ransom.<ref>''The Amazing Spider-Man'' #652. Marvel Comics.</ref>

During the "[[Ends of the Earth (Marvel Comics)|Ends of the Earth]]" storyline, Scorpion is seen guarding one of Doctor Octopus' facilities. [[Titanium Man]] enters it and ends up fighting Scorpion. Titanium Man is defeated by Scorpion despite his best efforts.<ref>''The Amazing Spider-Man: Ends of the Earth'' #1. Marvel Comics.</ref>

During the "[[Dying Wish]]" storyline, Scorpion hears the call-to-arms from Peter Parker (while trapped in Doctor Octopus' dying body) to save him and apprehend Doctor Octopus (occupying Spider-Man's body) in order to save his loved ones from Doctor Octopus' final sinister scheme.<ref>''The Amazing Spider-Man'' #699. Marvel Comics.</ref> Scorpion and [[Hydro-Man]] accompany Peter Parker in Doctor Octopus' body to Stark Industries to look for [[Iron Man|Tony Stark]] only to end up in a trap set by Doctor Octopus in Spider-Man's body. When finding a safe area containing Spider-Man's friends and relatives, Scorpion plans to have his final revenge on J. Jonah Jameson. Upon accessing the memories of Spider-Man loving Aunt May – and the times Scorpion threatened her – Doctor Octopus in Spider-Man's body retaliates by punching Scorpion so hard in the jaw (the only unprotected part of his body) that it breaks off from his head.<ref name="ReferenceC">''The Amazing Spider-Man'' #700. Marvel Comics.</ref>

Scorpion was later seen in the Raft's infirmary with Boomerang and Vulture. Scorpion now sported a metal apparatus that replaced his missing jaw. Alistair Smythe's mini-Spider-Slayers heal and enhance them, and Smythe gives them an offer to kill Spider-Man.<ref>''The Superior Spider-Man'' #11. Marvel Comics.</ref> While Boomerang fights Spider-Man, Scorpion is convinced by Smythe to go after Mayor Jameson again.<ref>''The Superior Spider-Man'' #12. Marvel Comics.</ref>

During the "[[Secret Wars (2015 comic book)|Secret Wars]]" storyline, Scorpion is among the villains at [[Kingpin (character)|Kingpin]]'s viewing party of the incursion between Earth-616 and Earth-1610.<ref>''Secret Wars'' #1. Marvel Comics.</ref>

In "[[All-New, All-Different Marvel]]," Scorpion was secretly hired by Tiberius Stone of [[Alchemax]] to further test Alchemax's Spider-Slayers during Tiberius' trip to a foreign country to sell them. During Scorpion's test of Alchemax's Spider-Slayers, Scorpion encountered [[Spider-Man 2099]].<ref name="auto">''Spider-Man 2099'' vol. 2 #3. Marvel Comics.</ref> When Scorpion thought that Spider-Man 2099 was his Spider-Man in a different costume, he attacks him with the aid of the Spider-Slayers; Spider-Man 2099 muses that in his time the Scorpion is considered a low-key opponent for Spider-Man, but personally considers the villain a genuine threat after just a few moments fighting him. Spider-Man 2099 was able to use his holographic assistant to project a hologram of Spider-Man over Scorpion causing the Spider-Slayers to attack Scorpion until he turned them off twice.<ref>''Spider-Man 2099'' vol. 2 #4. Marvel Comics.</ref>

Scorpion later doubles working for Black Cat's gang when he and a man named Lee Price partake in a black market sale that also involved Tombstone's gang.<ref>''Venom'' vol. 3 #1. Marvel Comics.</ref> When at Black Cat's hideout, Scorpion accuses Lee Price of botching up the black market sale which Lee Price denied leading Black Cat to demand an explanation after hearing about some information from her spies at the New York City Police Department telling her what they know. After Lee Price leaves following his explanation, Scorpion becomes suspicious towards Lee.<ref>''Venom'' vol. 3 #2. Marvel Comics.</ref> While confiding his suspicions, Mac Gargan dons a new version of the Scorpion armor.<ref>''Venom'' vol. 3 #3. Marvel Comics.</ref> He then meets Price at the apartment of a Daily Bugle reporter, who had evidence against Black Cat. When Lee reminds him that they should scare the reporter, Scorpion attacks him causing Lee to transform into Venom and the two begin to fight. During the fight, Scorpion is nearly killed until Spider-Man intervenes, who mistook Venom for Flash Thompson.<ref>''Venom'' vol. 3 #4–5. Marvel Comics.</ref>

In a prelude to the "[[Hunted (comics)|Hunted]]" storyline, Scorpion is among the animal-themed characters captured by [[Taskmaster (character)|Taskmaster]] and [[Black Ant (comics)|Black Ant]] on Kraven the Hunter's behalf. He is among those who [[Arcade (Marvel Comics)|Arcade]] publicly reveals as the [[Savage Six]].<ref>''The Amazing Spider-Man'' vol. 5 #16. Marvel Comics.</ref>

During the "[[Sinister War]]" storyline, Scorpion was with the Savage Six when they attacked the world premiere of the movie that Mary Jane Watson and Mysterio were in.<ref>''Sinister War'' #1. Marvel Comics.</ref>

During the "Carnage Reigns" storyline, Scorpion joined Agent Gao's [[Superhuman Restraint Unit|Cape-Killers]].<ref>''Miles Morales: Spider-Man'' Vol. 2 #6. Marvel Comics.</ref>

During the "[[Gang War (comics)|Gang War]]" storyline, Scorpion was with the Cape-Killers when they arrived following [[Miles Morales|Spider-Man (Miles Morales)]], [[Misty Knight]], and [[Colleen Wing]]'s defeat of [[Bumbler (comics)|Bumbler]]'s group and [[Frost Pharaoh]]'s group.<ref>''Miles Morales: Spider-Man'' Vol. 2 #13. Marvel Comics.</ref> After an altercation, a call between She-Hulk and Agent Gao mentions that Miles Morales is among the superheroes deputized by Mayor [[Luke Cage]] into helping to deal with this gang war causing Miles to work with Scorpion and Gust in investigating Hobgoblin's activities in [[Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn]]. While Miles fights Prowler, Scorpion and Gust defeat the [[Enforcers (comics)|Enforcers]].<ref>''Miles Morales: Spider-Man'' Vol. 2 #14. Marvel Comics.</ref> Scorpion and Gust later join Miles' group and Prowler in heading to Hobgoblin's hideout. He is among those that fight Hobgoblin's superhuman muscle outside.<ref>''Miles Morales: Spider-Man'' Vol. 2 #15. Marvel Comics.</ref> While Scorpion fought Shocker, he asked him when was the last time a Goblin fulfilled a promise to somebody. This was enough to cause Hobgoblin's hired muscle to turn against him.<ref>''Miles Morales: Spider-Man'' Vol. 2 #16. Marvel Comics.</ref>

During the "[[Venom War]]" storyline, Scorpion runs into the [[Wild Pack]] and asks them to help him get out of town amidst the Zombiote invasion. When the Zombiotes attack, Scorpion is turned into a Zombiote.<ref>''Venom War: Lethal Protectors'' #2. Marvel Comics.</ref>

==Powers and abilities==
=== As Scorpion ===
As the Scorpion, Mac Gargan was given superhuman powers through chemical and radiological treatments, include splicing his genetics with a scorpion's DNA, which produced mutagenic effects.<ref name="spider-man-villains-ranked-by-fighting-ability">{{Cite web |last=Lealos |first=Shawn S. |date=June 30, 2021 |title=Spider-Man Villains, Ranked By Fighting Ability |url=https://screenrant.com/spider-man-villains-ranked-by-fighting-ability/ |access-date=October 12, 2022 |website=[[Screen Rant]] |language=en-US}}</ref> As the result, he has [[arachnid]]-like powers similar to Spider-Man's such as superhuman strength, stamina, and durability,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gemmill |first=Allie |date=July 12, 2017 |title=Who Is Mac Gargan? The 'Spider-Man: Homecoming' Villain Makes A Frightening Post-Credits Appearance |url=https://www.bustle.com/p/who-is-mac-gargan-the-spider-man-homecoming-villain-makes-a-frightening-post-credits-appearance-69673 |access-date=October 16, 2023 |website=[[Bustle (magazine)|Bustle]] |language=en}}</ref> as well as superhuman speed, agility, and reflexes. He can scale walls and also punches holes in walls as a way to climb.<ref name="most-powerful-animal-themed-spider-man-villains">{{Cite web |last=Rivas |first=David |date=August 11, 2022 |title=10 Most Powerful Animal-Themed Spider-Man Villains |url=https://screenrant.com/most-powerful-animal-themed-spider-man-villains/ |access-date=October 12, 2022 |website=[[Screen Rant]] |language=en-US}}</ref> He possesses an exceptionally strong grip, reminiscent of a real scorpion's pincers. He wears a full-body battlesuit composed of two layers of light steel mesh separated by a thin layer of insulated rubber. In addition to his superhuman physique, he was traditionally armed with a cybernetically-controlled, seven-foot mechanical tail, with a tool steel articulated framework which can whip at 90 miles per hour. The tail has in the past been equipped with projectile weapons, usually an electric generator, although it has also been equipped with a spike at its tip, which can squirt an acidic spray, and a low-density plasma energy projector. The Scorpion can use his tail as an extra leg, or he can coil it behind him to spring himself a distance of at least 30 feet. The Scorpion is substantially stronger and more durable than Spider-Man, though is a much less skilled hand-to-hand combatant, and thus Spider-Man relies on his tactics and wits to defeat him.

=== As Venom ===
With the Venom symbiote, Mac Gargan retains his superhuman abilities, some of which have increased substantially beyond the original levels. The costume can even emulate the tail of Gargan's Scorpion costume. It can also be used as a fifth limb.{{Citation needed|date=August 2010}} As Venom, Gargan has gained the ability to shoot webbing and climb walls like Spider-Man, and can disguise himself as other people or blend in with his background. He is undetectable by Spider-Man's "spider-sense". His skill as a hand-to-hand combatant has increased due to the influence of the alien symbiote, which has superior instincts and fighting experience. The costume can also heal grave injuries suffered by the host with incredible speed. Mac (as Venom) has claws on his fingers which can be used as weapons to slash his foes. He can also create tendrils to incapacitate his enemies.

When injured or enraged, Venom now has the ability to increase its mass and physical strength to meet whatever threat it is facing with equal force, an ability inconsistently hinted in the past, such as when Venom battled the [[Juggernaut (character)|Juggernaut]]. During these times it is not clear that Gargan has any control over the symbiote, for had it not been for the technology restraining Venom, he would have eaten [[Jack Flag]]. Also, during a battle with the [[Steel Spider]], Gargan attacks innocent bystanders.<ref name="Thunderbolts #111"/>

=== As Spider-Man ===
A special "medication" provided by Norman Osborn allowed Venom to assume a smaller, more human-looking form similar to when Spider-Man had control of the symbiote. From this form, he is able to switch back to his larger, more feral form whenever he pleases. As Spider-Man, Mac is even more agile than when he was as Venom. He also still has all of Venom's powers, minus the claws, tongue, and teeth, which he can regrow at will.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> His "medication" has also been shown to decrease his will to fight, making him more sympathetic.<ref name="Dark Avengers #10"/>

=== Return as Scorpion ===
After [[Alistair Smythe|Smythe]] breaks him out of the Raft, Gargan is fitted with a new Scorpion suit. The suit is larger than its predecessor, and cybernetically wired into Gargan, making him a [[cyborg]]. It is equipped with a more powerful tail, mechanical pincers, and is bulletproof. Smythe also altered Gargan's biology, giving him a "scorpion-sense" to match Spider-Man's spider-sense. The suit is also very tough, allowing Gargan to withstand a fall at terminal speed.<ref name="Amazing Spider-Man #651"/> The armor leaves Mac's jaw unprotected, which Doctor Octopus in Spider-Man's body exploited to punch his jaw clean off.<ref name="ReferenceC"/> Following his employment by Alchemax, he has gained a new jaw to replace the one he lost.<ref name="auto"/>

==Characterization==
===Personality===
Before he assumed the identity of the Scorpion, Mac Gargan was a skilled, if somewhat greedy and unscrupulous, private investigator, who admitted that he would go through anything "just so long as the pay is good!"<ref name="Amazing Spider-Man #20"/> His greed still motivated him as a supervillain, albeit in a twisted way: while awaiting an official "offer" from the Thunderbolts, Gargan squeezed his agent for financial details on a proposed deal, demanded certain talent for the writing, and, finally, Gargan killed six "capekiller" [[S.H.I.E.L.D.]] agents sent to bring him in – because while he intended to cooperate, his agent had told him that the rights to his life story would be "worth a little more" if Gargan "goosed up the body count" before joining the Thunderbolts.<ref>''Civil War: Choosing Sides'' #1 (December 2006). Marvel Comics.</ref>

He is emotionally disturbed as a result of the procedure in which he acquired his powers, and retains little of his former rationality. He is typically easily outsmarted by Spider-Man and is not very good at cooperating with other supervillains or following instructions as Justin Hammer learned. His most prominent weakness is his explosive temper and irrational hatred toward J. Jonah Jameson, to the point where he has been known to ignore the orders of whomever he is working for, in order to attack the ''Daily Bugle's'' publisher{{Volume needed|c=y|date=November 2009}}. None of this has changed with his bonding to the Venom symbiote, or with his new career serving under Norman Osborn with the Thunderbolts or the Dark Avengers: in fact, the symbiote seems to have only made him even more irrational, and his new career as a "hero" has done nothing to curtail his lingering hatred of Jameson{{Volume needed|c=y|date=November 2009}}. He nearly blew his cover as Spider-Man when he started a drug war and photographs of him engaging in cannibalism wound up in J. Jonah Jameson's hands, putting his employer [[Norman Osborn]]'s plans and the "heroic" status of his entire [[Dark Avengers]] team in jeopardy, just to pursue vengeance against Jameson (now the Mayor of New York) yet again. His ill-conceived and poorly thought-out plan failed, and he was forced to publicly make peace with Jameson in his Spider-Man guise, greatly embarrassing him, though he secretly fantasized about killing Jameson during the whole time while they were shaking hands{{Volume needed|c=y|date=November 2009}}.

The years of being outsmarted and beaten, despite his physical superiority over Spider-Man, complement the similar hatred possessed by the symbiote, and has allowed it to almost completely control Gargan. Unlike the other Venoms, Mac very seldom refers to himself as "we" instead of "I". Gargan has even engaged in [[Human cannibalism|cannibalism]] as Venom, severing and devouring the arm of the still-living [[Steel Spider]]. After getting "the taste of flesh", he is seen displaying even more signs of cannibalism such as eating Skrulls, consuming the bones of [[Swarm (comics)|Swarm]], devouring Eleven and the limbs of criminals, and trying to eat Ares. When the symbiote is dormant in his body he has expressed nausea and fear of the organism.<ref>''[[Thunderbolts (comics)|Thunderbolts]]'' #112. Marvel Comics.</ref> Unlike [[Eddie Brock]], any inhibitions Gargan had about harming innocent bystanders has been eliminated with his bonding to the symbiote, most likely because he had such little regard for others to begin with. Gargan's [[#Scorpion|previous identity]] has not been completely degraded. His [[Symbiote (comics)|symbiote]] once sprouted a scorpion-like tail, although he has not had it since. Also, when he learned there was a [[Scorpion (Carmilla Black)|new hero]] calling herself the Scorpion, Gargan-Venom attacked her to protect his trademark while it still lasted. Also, for a brief time, Gargan wore a new Scorpion suit while the symbiote regenerated after Anti-Venom's attack, although initially he was hesitant about wearing it alongside the symbiote.

== Reception ==
Marc Buxton of ''[[Den of Geek]]'' called Mac Gargan "one of Spidey's greatest foes."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Buxton |first=Marc |date=December 14, 2018 |title=Spider-Man: The Many Spider-Men of the Spider-Verse |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/comics/spider-man-spider-men-spider-verse/ |access-date=October 16, 2023 |website=[[Den of Geek]] |language=en-US}}</ref> David Caballero of ''[[Digital Trends]]'' described Mac Gargan as one of Spider-Man's "most interesting villain."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Caballero |first=David |date=June 5, 2023 |title=Which Marvel villains should be in Tom Holland's Spider-Man 4? |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/movies/spider-man-4-which-villains-should-be-in-marvel-movie/ |access-date=October 16, 2023 |website=[[Digital Trends]] |language=en}}</ref> Pierce Lydon of ''[[Newsarama]]'' named Mac Gargan one of the "best Venom hosts of all time from comics."<ref name="the-greatest-venom-hosts-of-all-time" /> ''[[Comic Book Resources]]'' referred to Mac Gargan as one of Spider-Man's "coolest villains,"<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harth |first=David |date=August 15, 2022 |title=Spider-Man's 10 Coolest Villains |url=https://www.cbr.com/spiderman-coolest-villains/ |access-date=October 12, 2022 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |language=en-US}}</ref> and one of the "most Iconic Spider-Man villains."<ref name="most-iconic-spider-man-villains" /> Drew Beaty of ''[[Screen Rant]]'' found Mac Gargan to be one of the "best Marvel legacy villains."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Beaty |first=Drew |date=May 7, 2021 |title=10 Best Marvel Legacy Villains Who Lived Up To Their Predecessor |url=https://screenrant.com/best-marvel-villains-better-than-predecessors/ |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=[[Screen Rant]] |language=en-US}}</ref> Mark Lynch of ''[[FanSided]]'' described Mac Gargan as a "memorable Venom" and one of the "greatest characters" associated with the vilain.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lynch |first=Mark |date=February 12, 2018 |title=5 memorable Venom comic book characters |url=https://bamsmackpow.com/2018/02/12/venom-comic-book-characters/ |access-date=October 16, 2023 |website=[[FanSided]] |language=en-US}}</ref> 

Ethan Stewart of ''[[Collider (website)|Collider]]'' included Mac Gargan in their "10 Spider-Man Villains Fans Want to See in the MCU" list, saying, "Since 2017, fans have been wondering when Scorpion will fully be brought into live-action."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stewart |first=Ethan |date=June 27, 2022 |title=10 Spider-Man Villains Fans Want to See in the MCU |url=https://collider.com/spider-man-villains-mcu/ |access-date=October 12, 2022 |website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]] |language=en-US}}</ref> ''[[IGN]]'' ranked Mac Gargan 10th in their "Top 25 Spider-Man Villains" list, naming him the "most iconic villain to call himself Scorpion."<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Schedeen |first1=Jesse |last2=Yehl |first2=Joshua |date=April 16, 2014 |title=Top 25 Spider-Man Villains |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/04/16/top-25-spider-man-villains |access-date=October 12, 2022 |website=[[IGN]] |language=en}}</ref> Tom Bowen of ''[[Game Rant]]'' ranked Mac Gargan 11th in their "28 Best Spider-Man Villains Of All Time" list.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bowen |first=Tom |date=July 12, 2023 |title=The 28 Best Spider-Man Villains Of All Time, Ranked |url=https://gamerant.com/marvel-best-spiderman-villains/ |access-date=October 16, 2023 |website=[[Game Rant]] |language=en}}</ref>

==Other versions==
===Exiles===
An alternate version of Mac Gargan appears in one of the many realities visited by the [[Exiles (Marvel Comics)|Exiles]]. He is one of the many superhumans that form the [[Heroes for Hire]], and is part of the ''Avengers Package'', which also includes the Black Widow and the Black Knight. After being hired to protect Tokyo from [[Moses Magnum]] and [[Namorita]], Scorpion is killed by the murderous, teenage counterpart of [[Magik (Illyana Rasputina)|Magik]].<ref>''Exiles'' #26–27. Marvel Comics.</ref>

===''JLA/Avengers''===
An alternate version of Mac Gargan appears in the last issue of ''[[JLA/Avengers]]''. He is among the enthralled villains defending Krona's stronghold, and is defeated by [[Sandman (Marvel Comics)|Sandman]].<ref>''JLA/Avengers'' #4. Marvel Comics.</ref>

===''Marvel Zombies''===
An alternate version of Mac Gargan appears in ''[[Marvel Zombies: Dead Days]]'' and ''[[Marvel Zombies 3]]''. He is a zombified member of the [[Kingpin (character)|Kingpin]]'s undead alliance. As such, he searches New York and the surrounding areas for food of any kind. He is on friendly terms with the zombie [[Diablo (Marvel Comics)|Diablo]]. He is eventually ambushed and then incinerated by [[Machine Man]] along with Diablo, the [[Jackal (Marvel Comics)|Jackal]], and the [[Leader (character)|Leader]]; however, as Gargan is being burned alive, he spitefully makes a final attempt on Machine Man's life before the robot finally decapitates him, killing Gargan for good.<ref>''Marvel Zombies'' #3 (2008). Marvel Comics.</ref>

===''Spider-Man: Reign''===
An alternate version of Mac Gargan as the Scorpion (in a highly advanced costume) in ''[[Spider-Man: Reign]]''. This version is a member of the [[Sinister Six|Sinner Six]]<!--YES, it IS Sinner Six, see [[Spider-Man: Reign]]. Do not edit this out! -->. He dies when he is punted from an [[Empire State Building]] window by Spider-Man.<ref>''Spider-Man: Reign'' #1–4. Marvel Comics.</ref>

===''Spider-Verse''===
An alternate version of Mac Gargan appears in the ''[[Spider-Verse]]''. The Earth-001 version of Scorpion is a member of Verna's [[Hounds (comics)|Hounds]]. Alongside the Earth-001 version of Rhino, Scorpion accompanied Verna to Earth-21205 to hunt Hobgoblin (who was the identity of that world's Peter Parker). They were stopped by the Spider-Woman of Earth-65.<ref>''Spider-Verse Team-Up'' #2. Marvel Comics.</ref>

===Ultimate Marvel===
An alternate version of Mac Gargan appears in ''[[Ultimate Marvel]]''. This version is known as '''Maximus Gargan'''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Motwani |first=Nishid |date=July 18, 2023 |title=Spider-Man: Miles Morales' 20 Most Iconic Villains, Ranked |url=https://www.cbr.com/spider-man-miles-morales-villains-ranked/ |access-date=October 16, 2023 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |language=en}}</ref> He is a tattooed Mexican mob boss that worked with the [[Prowler (Marvel Comics)|Aaron Davis / Prowler]].<ref name="ReferenceB">''Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man'' vol. 2 #6. Marvel Comics.</ref> This version is the second villain to take on the Scorpion alias. He is shown to have very resistant skin, but may have other powers as well.<ref name="ReferenceB" /> Once he arrived at New York, Gargan set his sights on becoming the new "Kingpin of New York", but was stopped by the efforts of an uneasy alliance of [[Miles Morales|Spider-Man]] and Prowler.<ref>''Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man'' #10. Marvel Comics.</ref> Before his debut, a clone of Peter Parker wearing Scorpion armor and using the Scorpion name was featured in the "[[Ultimate Clone Saga]]" arc, but was defeated and imprisoned in the [[Baxter Building]].<ref>''Ultimate Spider-Man'' #99–100</ref>

==In other media==
===Television===
* Mac Gargan / Scorpion appears in ''[[Spider-Man (1967 TV series)|Spider-Man]]'' (1967), voiced by [[Carl Banas]].{{cn|date=April 2025}} This version's villainous nature was amplified when [[Farley Stillwell]] turned him into the Scorpion.
* Mac Gargan / Scorpion appears in the ''[[Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends]]'' episode "Attack of the Arachnoid", voiced by [[Neil Ross]].{{cn|date=April 2025}}
* Mac Gargan / Scorpion appears in ''[[Spider-Man: The Animated Series]]'', voiced initially by [[Martin Landau]] and later by [[Richard Moll]].<ref name="btva3">{{cite web |title=Scorpion Voices (Spider-Man) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Spider-Man/Scorpion/ |access-date= |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.</ref> This version is initially a neurotic, corpulent, and balding private eye working for [[J. Jonah Jameson]]. In an attempt to discover [[Spider-Man]]'s identity, Jameson convinces Gargan to allow Dr. Farley Stillwell to use the Neogenic Recombinator to transform him. As the Scorpion, Gargan defeats Spider-Man, but is then overcome with pain as he undergoes uncontrolled mutations that give him green skin, fangs and claws. Driven insane and believing more radiation will return him to normal, Gargan attempts to gain access to a nuclear reactor and destroy New York in the process, but is defeated by Spider-Man and arrested. In later appearances, Gargan joins two incarnations of the [[Kingpin (character)|Kingpin]]'s [[Sinister Six|Insidious Six]] and kidnaps the [[Vulture (Marvel Comics)|Vulture]], believing he is smart enough to help change him back, only to be defeated by Spider-Man.
* Mac Gargan is alluded to in ''[[The Spectacular Spider-Man (TV series)|The Spectacular Spider-Man]]'' series finale "The Final Curtain".{{citation needed|date=August 2016}} The [[Chameleon (Marvel Comics)|Chameleon]], disguised as Norman Osborn, thanks him on the phone for investigating [[Donald Menken]]'s address. Scorpion was originally set to appear had the series continued.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spidermancrawlspace.com/wordpress/2009/10/01/podcast-82-second-hour-of-spectacular-spider-man-interview/ |title=Podcast 82 September 2009 Second hour of Spectacular Spider-Man Interview |publisher=Spidermancrawlspace.com |date=October 1, 2009 |access-date=February 8, 2011}}</ref><ref>Pepose, David. [http://www.newsarama.com/tv/Ultimate-Spider-Man-TV-Series-100413.html "ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN: The Animated Series, Disney XD 2011"]. [[Newsarama]]. April 13, 2010.</ref>
* Mac Gargan / Scorpion appears in ''[[Spider-Man (2017 TV series)|Spider-Man]]'' (2017), voiced by [[Jason Spisak]].<ref name="btva3" />

===Marvel Cinematic Universe===
{{See also|Mac Gargan (Marvel Cinematic Universe)}}
* Mac Gargan appears in ''[[Spider-Man: Homecoming]]'', portrayed by [[Michael Mando]].<ref name="PressKit">{{cite web|author1=Columbia Pictures a Sony Company|author2=Marvel Studios|title=Spider-Man Homecoming presskit credits|url=https://sonypicturespublicity.com/dom/secured/mediaassets/mediaAssets.jsf?categoryId=5&formtype=view_all_media&categoryName=PRESS+KIT%5CCredits&terrtitleId=1437&titleName=SPIDER-MAN%E2%84%A2%3A+HOMECOMING|website=Sony Pictures Publicity|access-date=June 23, 2017|language=en|format=[[Doc (computing)|Doc]]|date=June 21, 2017|archive-date=June 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170627123548/https://sonypicturespublicity.com/dom/secured/mediaassets/mediaAssets.jsf?categoryId=5&formtype=view_all_media&categoryName=PRESS+KIT%5CCredits&terrtitleId=1437&titleName=SPIDER-MAN%E2%84%A2%3A+HOMECOMING|url-status=dead}}</ref> This version takes inspiration from the mainstream and [[Ultimate Marvel]] incarnations and is depicted as a ruthless and notorious gangster with an extensive criminal record and a scorpion tattoo on his neck.
* An alternate timeline variant of Mac Gargan appears in ''[[Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man]]'', voiced by Jonathan Medina.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Legacy |first=Spencer |date=July 22, 2022 |title=Spider-Man: Freshman Year Arrives in 2024, Villains, Friends & Suit Shown |url=https://www.comingsoon.net/tv/news/1231772-spider-man-freshman-year-2024-suit |access-date=July 23, 2022 |website=[[ComingSoon.net]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mishra |first=Shrishty |date=July 29, 2022 |title='Spider-Man: Freshman Year' Will Remain MCU Canon Because of the Multiverse |url=https://collider.com/spider-man-freshman-year-mcu-canon-multiverse/ |access-date=July 31, 2022 |website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bonomolo |first=Cameron |date=January 27, 2025 |title=Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man: Everything to Know About the Marvel Studios Series |url=https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/your-friendly-neighborhood-spider-man-release-date-time-schedule-how-to-watch/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250201150128/https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/your-friendly-neighborhood-spider-man-release-date-time-schedule-how-to-watch/ |archive-date=February 1, 2025 |access-date=January 30, 2025 |website=[[ComicBook.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Erdmann |first=Kevin |date=February 12, 2025 |title=Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man Episodes 6, 7 & 8 Recap And Ending Explained |url=https://screenrant.com/your-friendly-neighborhood-spider-man-episode-6-7-8-ending-explained-recap/ |access-date=February 12, 2025 |website=[[Screen Rant]]}}</ref><ref name="btva3" /> This version is the leader of the Scorpions gang who later receives scorpion-themed armor from [[Otto Octavius (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Otto Octavius]].

===Video games===
* Mac Gargan / Scorpion appears as a boss in ''[[The Amazing Spider-Man (handheld video game)|The Amazing Spider-Man]]'' (1990).<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/6PaZmceJ7zA Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20180304110105/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PaZmceJ7zA&feature=youtu.be Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{Citation|last=zapfsaeule|title=The Amazing Spider-Man (Game Boy) – playthrough|date=October 15, 2013|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PaZmceJ7zA|access-date=February 25, 2019}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
* Mac Gargan / Scorpion appears in ''[[Spider-Man 2: The Sinister Six]]'' as a member of the [[Sinister Six|eponymous team]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lane |first=Gavin |date=June 5, 2023 |title=Best Spider-Man Games On Nintendo Consoles |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/guides/best-spider-man-games-on-nintendo-consoles |access-date=October 16, 2023 |website=[[Nintendo Life]] |language=en-GB}}</ref>
* Mac Gargan / Scorpion appears in ''[[Spider-Man: The Video Game]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Spiderman review |url=https://solvalou.com/arcade/reviews/211/324 |access-date=October 12, 2022 |website=Solvalou.com}}</ref>
* Mac Gargan / Scorpion appears as a boss in ''[[Spider-Man (1995 video game)|Spider-Man]]'' (1995).{{citation needed|date=January 2018}}
* Mac Gargan / Scorpion appears as a boss in ''[[Spider-Man: Lethal Foes]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Santabarbara |first=Seb |date=August 7, 2023 |title=All Spider-Man Games In Order (1982–2023) |url=https://retrododo.com/all-spider-man-games/ |access-date=October 16, 2023 |website=Retro Dodo |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Mac Gargan / Scorpion appears as the first boss of ''[[Spider-Man (2000 video game)|Spider-Man]]'' (2000),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Burk |first=Steven |date=July 23, 2023 |title=10 Hardest Boss Fights in Spider-Man Games |url=https://www.cbr.com/spiderman-games-hardest-boss-levels/ |access-date=October 16, 2023 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |language=en}}</ref> voiced by [[Daran Norris]].<ref name="btva3" />
* Mac Gargan / Scorpion appears as a boss in ''[[Spider-Man (2002 video game)|Spider-Man]]'' (2002),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stone |first=Sam |date=May 1, 2019 |title=Spider-Man: Why the 2002 Video Game Is A Secret Marvel Masterpiece |url=https://www.cbr.com/spider-man-2002-video-game/ |access-date=October 16, 2023 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |language=en}}</ref> voiced by Michel McColl.<ref name="btva3" /> This version is portrayed as a tragic [[Antihero|anti-hero]], traumatized and on the run from the people who transformed him in an experiment.
* Mac Gargan / Scorpion appears as a boss in ''[[Spider-Man: Mysterio's Menace]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Provo |first=Frank |date=May 17, 2006 |title=Spider-Man: Mysterio's Menace Review |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/spider-man-mysterios-menace-review/1900-2817260/ |access-date=October 12, 2022 |website=[[GameSpot]] |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Mac Gargan / Scorpion appears in ''[[Marvel: Ultimate Alliance]]'', voiced by [[Beau Weaver]]. This version is a member of [[Doctor Doom]]'s [[Masters of Evil]]. Additionally, the "Villain Pack" [[Downloadable content|DLC]] introduces Gargan's [[Venom (character)|Venom]] form as an alternate costume for [[Eddie Brock]].
* Mac Gargan / Scorpion appears in ''[[Spider-Man 3 (video game)|Spider-Man 3]]'', voiced by [[Dee Bradley Baker]]. This version retains his 2002 video game traits as a tragic anti-hero. Spider-Man helps him gain his freedom from MechaBioCon, the corporation that experiments on and controls him.
* Mac Gargan / Scorpion appears as a boss and playable character in ''[[Spider-Man: Friend or Foe]]'', voiced by [[Fred Tatasciore]].<ref name="btva3" />
* Mac Gargan / Venom appears as an unlockable playable character and boss in ''[[Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2]]'', voiced by Jim Cummings. He is among the villains that are placed under mind control via [[Molecular machine|nanite]] technology to serve the heroes' cause and can be either on the pro- or anti-[[Discrimination against superheroes|registration]] side.<ref>{{cite web|date=May 29, 2009|title=Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 Video Game, E3 09: Exclusive Villains Trailer HD &#124; Video Clip &#124; Game Trailers & Videos|url=http://www.gametrailers.com/video/e3-09-marvel-ultimate/49810|access-date=February 8, 2011|publisher=GameTrailers.com}}</ref>
* Mac Gargan / Venom appears in ''[[Marvel: Avengers Alliance]]''. This version is a member of [[Red Skull|Dell Rusk]]'s [[Dark Avengers]].
* Mac Gargan / Scorpion appears as a boss in ''[[The Amazing Spider-Man (2012 video game)|The Amazing Spider-Man]]'' (2012).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rector |first=Seth |date=January 22, 2021 |title=10 Best Spider-Man Games That Aren't Spider-Man 2 Or Marvel's Spider-Man |url=https://screenrant.com/best-spider-man-games-not-spider-man-2/ |access-date=October 16, 2023 |website=[[Screen Rant]] |language=en}}</ref>
* Mac Gargan / Venom appears as a playable character in ''[[Spider-Man Unlimited (video game)|Spider-Man Unlimited]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chabala |first=Ben |date=March 29, 2018 |title=Venom Inc. Wreaks Havoc Across 'Spider-Man Unlimited' |url=https://www.marvel.com/articles/games/venom-inc-wreaks-havoc-across-spider-man-unlimited |access-date=May 26, 2021 |website=[[Marvel.com]] |language=en}}</ref>
* Mac Gargan / Scorpion appears as a playable character in ''[[Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2]]''.{{citation needed|date=October 2023}}
* Mac Gargan / Scorpion appears as a boss in ''[[Spider-Man (2018 video game)|Spider-Man]]'' (2018),<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Hilliard |first=Kyle |date=June 11, 2018 |title=Spider-Man E3 Gameplay Footage Reveals Electro, Rhino, Scorpion, And Vulture |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/e3-2018/2018/06/11/spider-man-e3-gameplay-footage-reveals-electro-rhino-scorpion-and-vulture |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613084656/https://www.gameinformer.com/e3-2018/2018/06/11/spider-man-e3-gameplay-footage-reveals-electro-rhino-scorpion-and-vulture |url-status=live |archive-date=June 13, 2018 |access-date=October 16, 2023 |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |language=en}}</ref> voiced again by [[Jason Spisak]].<ref name="btva3" /> After being broken out of the [[Raft (comics)|Raft]] and joining [[Doctor Octopus]]' Sinister Six, Gargan reluctantly works with the [[Rhino (character)|Rhino]] before the duo are defeated by Spider-Man.
* Mac Gargan as Venom and Scorpion appear as separate playable characters in ''[[Marvel Puzzle Quest]]''.<ref>{{cite web |author=Paige |first=Rachel |date=December 3, 2020 |title=Piecing Together Marvel Puzzle Quest: Scorpion (Classic) |url=https://www.marvel.com/articles/games/piecing-together-marvel-puzzle-quest-scorpion-classic |publisher=[[Marvel.com]]}}</ref>
* Mac Gargan / Scorpion appears in ''[[Marvel Snap]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Steel |first=Tom |date=June 2, 2023 |title=10 Best Cards For A High Evolutionary Deck In Marvel Snap |url=https://www.cbr.com/marvel-snap-high-evolutionary-deck-greatest-cards/ |access-date=October 16, 2023 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Adler |first=Kai |date=November 23, 2022 |title=Marvel Snap: Best Interference Cards |url=https://gamerant.com/marvel-snap-best-interference-cards/ |access-date=October 16, 2023 |website=[[Game Rant]] |language=en}}</ref>
* Mac Gargan / Scorpion appears in ''[[Spider-Man 2 (2023 video game)|Spider-Man 2]]'', voiced again by Jason Spisak.<ref name="btva3" /> Amidst a prison transfer, he is captured and later killed by [[Kraven the Hunter]].

== Collected editions ==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Title
!Material collected
!Published date
!ISBN
|-
|''Dark Reign: The Sinister Spider-Man''
|''Dark Reign: The Sinister Spider-Man'' #1–4
|January 2010
|{{ISBNT|978-0785142393}}
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Marvelwiki|scorpion-macdonald-mac-gargan}}

{{Spider-Man characters}}
{{Symbiote Family and Hosts}}
{{Sinister Six}}
{{Thunderbolts}}
{{Dark Avengers}}
{{Stan Lee}}
{{Steve Ditko}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gargan, Mac}}
[[Category:Characters created by Stan Lee]]
[[Category:Characters created by Steve Ditko]]
[[Category:Comics characters introduced in 1964]]
[[Category:Cyborg supervillains]]
[[Category:Fictional assassins in comics]]
[[Category:Fictional cannibals]]
[[Category:Fictional characters from New York City]]
[[Category:Fictional mercenaries in comics]]
[[Category:Fictional private investigators]]
[[Category:Incarnations of Spider-Man]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics characters who can move at superhuman speeds]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics characters with superhuman durability or invulnerability]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics characters with superhuman senses]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics characters with superhuman strength]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics cyborgs]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics hybrids]]<!--His genes were spliced with scorpion DNA-->
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