Arclight (comics)

Arclight
Arclight. Main image by Steve Skroce. Background Art by Joe Madureira.
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Uncanny X-Men #210 (October 1986)
Created by	Chris Claremont
In-story information
Alter ego	Philippa Sontag
Species	Human Mutant
Team affiliations	The 198 Femizons Marauders
Abilities	Superhuman strength, stamina, durability and resiliency Ability to generate seismic energies with her hands that cause shock waves and geo tremors

Arclight (Philippa Sontag) is a mutant supervillainess appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

Arclight first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #210-211 (October–November 1986), and was created by Chris Claremont and John Romita Jr.

The character subsequently appears in X-Factor #10 (November 1986), Thor #373 (November 1986), Power Pack #27 (December 1986), Uncanny X-Men #213 (January 1987), 215 (March 1987), 219 (July 1987), 221-223 (September–October 1987), 240 (January 1989), Captain America #387-392 (July–September 1991), X-Man #13 (March 1996), 18-19 (August–September 1996), Cable Annual 1999, X-Men: The 198-Files (March 2006), X-Men #183 (April 2006), X-Men: The 198 #2-5 (April–July 2006), Civil War: X-Men #3 (November 2006), X-Men #200-203 (August–November 2007), and New X-Men #46 (March 2008).

Walt Simonson said that "when Jon Bogdanove drew Arclight in Power Pack, she had a much different figure than I gave her in X-Factor. But I went back and did a little bit of revision work in my book after I'd seen what John had done."

Arclight received an entry in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Update '89 #1.

Arclight served with the American ground forces during the Vietnam War, and she is still haunted by memories of that place. She has redirected her rage into bodybuilding, which she uses to augment her mutant powers. Her mutant ability enables her to create shock waves through physical contact, usually combined with her super strength in form of punches and blows. During a few of her appearances she has been shown to project a bright light upon impact of her hands.

As a war veteran, she is well versed in battle and is known as one of the most bloodthirsty members of the Marauders, the group responsible for the "Mutant Massacre". Her relationship with teammate Scalphunter has also made her second-in-command. During their first mission, Arclight kills dozens of underground-dwelling mutants known as Morlocks. She also took some time off to answer Superia's invitation to join her female group of villains, the Femizons.