| Anton Arcane | |
|---|---|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Cameo appearance:Swamp Thing #1 (November 1972) Full appearance:Swamp Thing #2 (January 1973) |
| Created by | Len Wein Berni Wrightson |
| In-story information | |
| Species | Demon |
| Place of origin | Hell |
| Notable aliases | The Dark Avatar |
| Abilities |
|
Anton Arcane is asupervillain appearing inAmerican comic books byDC Comics. The character first appeared inSwamp Thing #2 (January 1973), and was created by writerLen Wein and artistBernie Wrightson.[1] He is thearchenemy ofSwamp Thing, the protagonist of the comics.
Arcane is a scientist whose obsession with gaining immortality has led him to create monstrous creatures known as "Un-Men", as well as other monstrous biogenetic experimentations involving the dead. He was able to resurrect his deceased brother Gregori as the Patchwork Man. He is also a skilled magician, which he channels through his experiments.[2]
Living in the mountains of Europe with his nieceAbigail, Arcane is introduced after he discovers and lures Swamp Thing to his castle home. Arcane sought to use his scientific and magical abilities to transform his body into theSwamp Thing's form, while changing the Swamp Thing back intoAlec Holland. Arcane is eventually killed in battle with Swamp Thing and resurrected twice before being sent toHell.
Arcane later possesses the body of Abigail's husband,Matthew Cable, and gains reality-altering abilities. Swamp Thing exorcises Cable's body, but he is rendered comatose, eventually dies, and becomes a ghostly raven.
InThe New 52 continuity reboot, Anton Arcane is the avatar of the Rot, a cosmic force associated with death and decay.[3] After Swamp Thing defeats him, Arcane is imprisoned and his daughter Abigail replaces him as the Rot's avatar. He eventually escapes, but is greatly weakened.[4][5]
In theDC Rebirth relaunch, Arcane allies with theFloronic Man to create a variant ofCordyceps that can infect humans beforeAnimal Man and the Parliament of Bacteria stop him.[6]
Anton Arcane possesses the knowledge of creating synthetic organs and skin, from those he made his Un-Men with. He also possesses many arcane artifacts, as well asnecromancy, which enables him to control the dead.[7]
InThe New 52, Arcane is the avatar of the Rot, enabling him to manipulate rot, death, and decay to his will.
Anton Arcane appears inSwamp Thing (1982) andThe Return of Swamp Thing, portrayed byLouis Jourdan.