Contains Spoilers for Ultimate Spider-Man (2024) #8!The X-Men have had an eclectic roster of villains across their long history, and the latest UltimateSpider-Man comic has just reimagined one in a role that fits him perfectly. This could be a hint at future stories, or it could just be a fun cameo – but either way, it is a perfect callback to a once-dangerous foe of Marvel’s mutants.
Ultimate Spider-Man (2024) #8 – written by Jonathan Hickman, with art by Marco Checchetto – introduces a new version of the X-Men villain Arcade, an image of whom appears as the mascot of a literal arcade.
In the issue, Peter Parker holds his kids’ birthday party at this arcade, and there’s no sign that this is anything other than a normal business. This could easily just be a fun reference for fans, but it could also be a hint at Arcade appearing as a future villain.
Arcade Makes His Return To Marvel Comics – As A Mascot, Rather Than A Villain
Ultimate Spider-Man (2024) #8 – Written By Jonathan Hickman; Art By Marco Checchetto; Color By Matthew Wilson; Lettering By Corey Petit
It is entirely possible this is more than just author Jonathan Hickman and artist Marco Checchetto throwing in a fun reference – they could be planting the seeds for Arcade to make a full appearance in the future.
In his heyday as an X-Men antagonist, Arcade always had the persona of a carnival barker, and he looks more at home as a mascot in Ultimate Spider-Man #8 than he often did as a villain. Despite the fact that he has fallen by the wayside in the franchise’s modern era, Arcade was one of the most classic – and despite his somewhat goofy gimmick, dangerous – X-Men villains. Interestingly, despite being a frequent foe of Marvel’s mutants, the character’s introductory appearance featured him battling Spider-Man.
First appearing in 1975’s
Marvel Team-Up (vol 1)
#65 – written by Chris Claremont, with art by John Byrne – Arcade was a spoiled rich assassin, who killed his victims by putting them through ‘Murderworld’, a theme park of death traps and lifelike animatronics where they technically had a slim chance of escape.
Now that Arcade has resurfaced in the Ultimate Universe, the first question on readers’ minds is whether he is a villain. This world has been shaped by the evil Maker, who stopped the emergence of most superheroes and instead installed supervillains to secretly run the world. In other words, it is entirely possible this is more than just author Jonathan Hickman and artist Marco Checchetto throwing in a fun reference – they could be planting the seeds for Arcade to make a full appearance in the future.
Even if he is a regular member of society in this universe, readers know that if he’s anything like his regular counterpart, Arcade has the potential to be a killer.
Arcade Could Return More Threatening Than Ever In The Ultimate Universe
Arcade’s First Appearance: Marvel Team-Up (Vol. 1) #65 – Written By Chris Claremont; Art By John Byrne; Ink & Color by Dave Hunt; Lettering By Bruce Patterson
Arcade’s biggest story outside the X-Men was Avengers: Arena, which featured the villain murdering various young heroes in a battle royale-style version of Murderworld. Some fans are already scared for this Ultimate Peter Parker’s children, and they shouldn’t be let anywhere near Arcade. Even if he is a regular member of society in this universe, readers know that if he’s anything like his regular counterpart, Arcade has the potential to be a killer. He might look like a clown, but Arcade could still potentially be one of Spider-Man and the X-Men’s most dangerous villains.
Ultimate Spider-Man
#8
is available now from Marvel Comics.
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X-Men
The X-Men franchise, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, centers on mutants with extraordinary abilities. Led by the powerful telepath Professor Charles Xavier, they battle discrimination and villainous mutants threatening humanity. The series explores themes of diversity and acceptance through a blend of action, drama, and complex characters, spanning comics, animated series, and blockbuster films.
