SCARLET SCARAB

Real Name: Mehemet Faoul

Identity/Class: Human mutate/magic user

Occupation: Archeologist, Adventurer, protector of Egypt's people and interests

Group Membership: None

Affiliations: Thor

Enemies: Those who steal Egypt's treasures

Known Relatives: Abdul Faoul (father, Scarlet Scarab)

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: Egypt (born in Aswân)

First Appearance: Thor I#326 (December, 1982)

Powers/Abilities: The Ruby Scarab granted Faoul superhuman strength (Class 75) and durability, enabled him to fly (@ 370 mph--his ability to breathe at this speed is augmented by the Scarab) and to project bursts of mystical energy with a concussive force up to 300 pounds per square inch. The Scarab also allowed him to sap the power from others on contact.

    The Scarlet Scarab's main weakness is his dependence on the Ruby Scarab. He must remain in direct contact with it to retain his powers.

Height: 6'1"        Weight: 230 pounds        Eyes: Brown        Hair: Black

History:
(Thor I#326 (fb)) - On his deathbed, Mehemet's father bequeathed to him his quest: the search for the Ruby Scarab he had once possessed as Egypt's champion during World War II and after. After years of searching, Mehemet found the Scarab in the exact same place his father had originally found it, in the pyramid containing the tomb of Garret (an enchantment returned it there when it depleted its power stores, unbeknownst to the Faouls). From the Ruby, Mehemet gained the power to become the new Scarlet Scarab and he set out to become Egypt's new champion. Among his foremost goals was the protection of the priceless artifacts of ancient Egypt.

(Thor I#326) - The Scarlet Scarab flew to a museum in Chicago, Illinois, in search of the Eye of Horus, stolen a few weeks before from Cairo. Though he did not find the idol, he did do some major damage to the museum in his frustration. The curator subsequently arranged a trap with Thor to catch him in the act if he tried again. They did indeed confront the Scarlet Scarab, but despite the curator's insistence that they did not have only stolen properties, the Scarab called him a liar and moved to attack him. Thor stopped him, and after doing further damage to the museum, they took their struggle outside. The Scarlet Scarab held his own against Thor, even gaining the advantage by draining his power, but Thor managed to tear the Ruby Scarab from him, removing the source of his powers.

    After the Scarab had explained his origins and quest, Thor returned the Ruby Scarab to him, and the two learned from the curator that the police suspected the location of the real thieves. Teaming up, Thor and the Scarab captured both the thieves and the Eye of Horus. While both Thor and the Scarab demanded both the idol and the criminals for trial, they compromised, with Thor taking the criminals for trial, and the Scarab returning to Cairo with the Eye of Horus.

(New Avengers I#53) - The Eye of Agamotto appeared to Mehemet Faoul as it considered him a possible replacement for Doctor Strange as Sorcerer Supreme.

Comments: Created by Doug Moench and Alan Kupperberg

Scarlet Scarab was revealed as one of the mystics seen in the Eye of Agamotto's vision in New Avengers I#53 in Avengers, Thor & Captain America: Official Index to the Marvel Universe#15 (2011).

Ancient Egyptian for Eye of Horus is Maat Heru. Thanks to "The Book of the Dead" by E.A. Wallis Budge, Dover Publications Inc., New York (1967). Maat Heru (Eye Of Horus) is on page 47.
--Gammatotem

In Uncanny Tales#41 (March, 1956)'s first story a character resembling the Scarlet Scarab appears on the last page in a story set in ancient Egypt.
--Gammatotem
   We might be looking at an ancient history previous incumbent Scarlet Scarab.
--Loki

Scarlet Scarab also has an entry in OHotMU I#9.

CLARIFICATIONS:
He should not be confused with: