Americomics #6
☆ Be the first to review + Add to your collection — Join freeAmericomics #6 (March 1984) is the capstone issue of AC Comics' flagship anthology run and the debut of the Scarlet Scorpion — one of the publisher's most enduring original creations — making it the foundational chapter for the character who would anchor AC's post-Charlton superhero universe. Because DC Comics had acquired the Charlton Action Heroes before this issue went to press, AC was forced to build its own roster of replacement characters, and the Scarlet Scorpion's origin here is a direct, creative response to that rights vacuum: he was purpose-built as an AC-owned Blue Beetle analogue. The issue also marks the close of the Americomics imprint name itself, as the company formally rebranded to AC Comics in 1984, giving this final number a quiet landmark status at the hinge between two publishing identities.
In "The Scarlet Scorpion," truck driver Mike McClusky survives a near-fatal attack thanks to an experimental virus that grants him superhuman strength and rapid healing. Taking up the mantle of the retired Scarlet Scorpion, he sets out to track down the gangsters who tried to kill him. Written and illustrated by Rik Levins, with coloring by Kevin Dzuban and Rebekah Black, and lettered by Bob Pinaha, this 1984 issue features a cover by Steve Lightle and Jerry Ordway.
In "The Scarlet Scorpion," truck driver Mike McClusky survives a deadly ambush only to be transformed by an experimental virus that grants him superhuman strength and rapid healing. Taking up the mantle of the retired vigilante the Scarlet Scorpion, he sets out to track down the gangsters who tried to kill him.
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We Buy Collections ▸History
The Americomics anthology was launched in April 1983 as Bill Black's attempt to consolidate his independent publishing under a single full-color direct-market title, replacing the earlier model of sporadic black-and-white releases. The series coincided with the early-1980s independent comics boom, and its early issues featured licensed Charlton heroes until DC's acquisition of those characters forced a creative pivot; by issues #3–6 the cover logo had shifted to 'Americomics Presents,' spotlighting wholly original AC characters instead. Writer-artist Rik Levins — who would become the primary creative steward of the Scarlet Scorpion through multiple follow-up series — both wrote and drew the origin story in this final issue, with a cover by Steve Lightle, who was working across multiple AC titles at the time before moving to a long run at DC.
Trivia · 8 facts
- First appearance and origin of the Scarlet Scorpion (Mike McCluskey), written and drawn by Rik Levins — the character would go on to be a core member of AC's second Sentinels of Justice team.
- The Scarlet Scorpion was deliberately created as an AC-owned stand-in for the Blue Beetle after DC Comics purchased the Charlton 'Action Heroes' rights in 1983, ending AC's ability to use that character.
- Cover art by Steve Lightle, who contributed covers and interiors to several early AC/Americomics titles in 1983–1984 before becoming well-known for work at DC Comics.
- The issue carries two storylines per ComicBase records: the Scarlet Scorpion origin feature and a second story titled 'Terror Flight,' with supporting appearances by The Shade (Roger Brant) and Tara Fremont.
- Americomics #6 is the final issue of the anthology series (6 issues, April 1983–March 1984); from issue #3 onward the cover title read 'Americomics Presents' while the indicia retained the plain 'Americomics' title.
- The issue appeared at the exact moment AC Comics was transitioning away from the 'Americomics' imprint name, making it one of the last publications before the company settled on 'AC Comics' as its permanent identity in 1984.
- The Scarlet Scorpion's origin appearance here fed directly into a backup series beginning in Nightveil #2 (1985), where AC's own promotional copy explicitly describes the character as appearing 'fresh from his origin appearance in Americomics #6.'
- The Shade (Roger Brant), also indexed in this issue, had debuted earlier in Americomics #1 and would later gain his own feature in the Scarlet Scorpion/Darkshade team-up series, where his origin as a paraplegic Vietnam veteran who projects an astral form was further developed.
Cast · 11 characters
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Key issues in Americomics
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