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It was not until the one-shot ''New Avengers Most Wanted'', a character compendium, that the second Jack O'Lantern was confirmed as a separate entity from Mad Jack. The character was given the name Steven Mark Levins in said special. However, the character's name would not be used in-story until ''Ghost Rider'' vol. 5 #10 (2007).
It was not until the one-shot ''New Avengers Most Wanted'', a character compendium, that the second Jack O'Lantern was confirmed as a separate entity from Mad Jack. The character was given the name Steven Mark Levins in said special. However, the character's name would not be used in-story until ''Ghost Rider'' vol. 5 #10 (2007).


This incarnation of Jack O'Lantern was a professional criminal, and a partner of [[Blackwing]]. Alongside Blackwing, he searched Skullhouse and first battled [[Captain America]].<ref>''Captain America'' #396-397</ref> With Blackwing, he was then admitted as a provisional member of the loosely knit band of [[Red Skull]] operatives called the [[Skeleton Crew (comics)|Skeleton Crew]].<ref>''Captain America'' #398</ref>
This incarnation of Jack O'Lantern was a professional criminal, and a partner of [[Blackwing]]. Alongside Blackwing, he searched Skullhouse and first battled [[Captain America]].<ref>''Captain America'' #396-397</ref> With Blackwing, he was then admitted as a provisional member of the loosely knit band of [[Red Skull]] operatives called the [[Skeleton Crew (comics)|Skeleton Crew]].<ref>''Captain America'' #398. Marvel Comics.</ref>


Soon after that, Jack O'Lantern fought [[Crossbones (comics)|Crossbones]] and [[Diamondback (Rachel Leighton)|Diamondback]], and captured Diamondback.<ref>''Captain America'' #405-408</ref> Diamondback tried to escape, and Jack O'Lantern fought her in mid-air.<ref>''Captain America'' #409</ref> He was ultimately defeated in combat by the [[Falcon (comics)|Falcon]], and taken to the [[Vault (comics)|Vault]].<ref>''Captain America'' #410</ref>
Soon after that, Jack O'Lantern fought [[Crossbones (comics)|Crossbones]] and [[Diamondback (Rachel Leighton)|Diamondback]], and captured Diamondback.<ref>''Captain America'' #405-408</ref> Diamondback tried to escape, and Jack O'Lantern fought her in mid-air.<ref>''Captain America'' #409</ref> He was ultimately defeated in combat by the [[Falcon (comics)|Falcon]], and taken to the [[Vault (comics)|Vault]].<ref>''Captain America'' #410. Marvel Comics.</ref>


He also worked as an enforcer of the gangster the [[Golem (comics)|Golem]] and in this capacity, fought the villain the [[Hood (comics)|Hood]] when he interfered in Golem's machinations.
He also worked as an enforcer of the gangster the [[Golem (comics)|Golem]] and in this capacity, fought the villain the [[Hood (comics)|Hood]] when he interfered in Golem's machinations.


The Levins Jack O'Lantern later fought [[Union Jack (Joseph Chapman)|Union Jack]] alongside [[Shockwave (comics)|Shockwave]] and [[Jackhammer (comics)|Jackhammer]] to attack the Thames Tunnel.<ref>''Union Jack'' #2</ref>
The Levins Jack O'Lantern later fought [[Union Jack (Joseph Chapman)|Union Jack]] alongside [[Shockwave (comics)|Shockwave]] and [[Jackhammer (comics)|Jackhammer]] to attack the Thames Tunnel.<ref>''Union Jack'' #2. Marvel Comics.</ref>


Following his defeat, Levins was recruited to serve as part of the [[Thunderbolts (comics)|Thunderbolts]] hero-hunting squad during the Civil War storyline. While pursuing Spider-Man through the Manhattan sewers alongside the [[Jester (Marvel Comics)|Jester]] in ''Civil War'' #5, Levins was killed by the [[Punisher]], who shot Levins in the head, killing him instantly.<ref>{{Comic book reference | Writer = [[Mark Millar]] | Penciller = [[Steve McNiven]] | Inker = [[Dexter Vines]] | Story = War | Title = Civil War | Issue = 5 | Date = November 2006 | Publisher = [[Marvel Comics]]}}</ref> However, death would not be the end of Levins's story. His headless corpse was reanimated and possessed by a fragment of [[Lucifer]]'s soul. He and now exhibits the ability to detach, levitate, and explode his head (now replaced with a real life pumpkin), among other powers. However, the Ghost Rider was able to [[exorcism|exorcise]] him by ripping his heart from his chest, setting it aflame, and putting it back in his chest, causing it to explode inside.<ref>''Ghost Rider'' vol. 5 #8</ref>
Following his defeat, Levins was recruited to serve as part of the [[Thunderbolts (comics)|Thunderbolts]] hero-hunting squad during the Civil War storyline. While pursuing Spider-Man through the Manhattan sewers alongside the [[Jester (Marvel Comics)|Jester]] in ''Civil War'' #5, Levins was killed by the [[Punisher]], who shot Levins in the head, killing him instantly.<ref>{{Comic book reference | Writer = [[Mark Millar]] | Penciller = [[Steve McNiven]] | Inker = [[Dexter Vines]] | Story = War | Title = Civil War | Issue = 5 | Date = November 2006 | Publisher = [[Marvel Comics]]}}</ref> However, death would not be the end of Levins's story. His headless corpse was reanimated and possessed by a fragment of [[Lucifer]]'s soul. He and now exhibits the ability to detach, levitate, and explode his head (now replaced with a real life pumpkin), among other powers. However, the Ghost Rider was able to [[exorcism|exorcise]] him by ripping his heart from his chest, setting it aflame, and putting it back in his chest, causing it to explode inside.<ref>''Ghost Rider'' vol. 5 #8. Marvel Comics.</ref>


During the ''[[Dark Reign (comics)|Dark Reign]]'' storyline, Levins was among the dead characters seen in Erebus by [[Hercules (Marvel Comics)|Hercules]]. He was later seen on [[Pluto (Marvel Comics)|Pluto]]'s jury (alongside [[Abomination (comics)|Abomination]], [[Armless Tiger Man]], Artume, [[Baron Zemo|Baron Heinrich Zemo]], [[Commander Kraken]], [[Iron Monger]], Kyknos, Nessus, [[Orka (comics)|Orka]], [[Scourge of the Underworld]], and [[Veranke]]) for [[Zeus (Marvel Comics)|Zeus]]' trial.<ref>''Incredible Hercules'' #129</ref>
During the "[[Dark Reign (comics)|Dark Reign]]" storyline, Levins was among the dead characters seen in Erebus by [[Hercules (Marvel Comics)|Hercules]]. He was later seen on [[Pluto (Marvel Comics)|Pluto]]'s jury (alongside [[Abomination (comics)|Abomination]], [[Armless Tiger Man]], Artume, [[Baron Zemo|Baron Heinrich Zemo]], [[Commander Kraken]], [[Iron Monger]], Kyknos, Nessus, [[Orka (comics)|Orka]], [[Scourge of the Underworld]], and [[Veranke]]) for [[Zeus (Marvel Comics)|Zeus]]' trial.<ref>''Incredible Hercules'' #129. Marvel Comics.</ref>
{{-}}


===Mad Jack===
===Mad Jack===
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There were two people who assumed the alias of Mad Jack while wearing the Jack O'Lantern costume:
There were two people who assumed the alias of Mad Jack while wearing the Jack O'Lantern costume:


* Former Mysterio '''Daniel Berkhart''' was approached by [[Norman Osborn]] providing him a version of the Jack O'Lantern costume, under the alias "Mad Jack". Under Osborn's orders, Berkhart kidnapped [[John Jameson (comics)|John Jameson]] and exposed him to mind-altering chemicals that turned him into a mind controlled pawn, turning him into his super-powered wolf alter-ego persona "Man-Wolf". Jameson was then sent to attack his father [[J. Jonah Jameson]], to terrorize him and cow him into being subservient towards Osborn's scheme to buy the [[Daily Bugle]]. During this time, he also stalked Jameson's wife, Marla, implying that the two had a past relationship that Berkhart sought to rekindle.<ref>''The Spectacular Spider-Man'' #241-248</ref>
* Former Mysterio '''Daniel Berkhart''' was approached by [[Norman Osborn]] providing him a version of the Jack O'Lantern costume, under the alias "Mad Jack". Under Osborn's orders, Berkhart kidnapped [[John Jameson (comics)|John Jameson]] and exposed him to mind-altering chemicals that turned him into a mind controlled pawn, turning him into his super-powered wolf alter-ego persona "Man-Wolf". Jameson was then sent to attack his father [[J. Jonah Jameson]], to terrorize him and cow him into being subservient towards Osborn's scheme to buy the [[Daily Bugle]]. During this time, he also stalked Jameson's wife, Marla, implying that the two had a past relationship that Berkhart sought to rekindle.<ref>''The Spectacular Spider-Man'' #241-248. Marvel Comics.</ref>


* Berkhart's working relationship with Osborn ended when the Green Goblin participated in a magical ritual that rendered him completely insane. Berkhart was then approached by '''Maguire Beck''', the female cousin of Quentin Beck, the original Mysterio. Maguire convinced Berkhart to re-assume the identity of Mysterio following her cousin Quentin's suicide and the "Mad Jack" costumed identity was retired. However, when the two sought to eliminate Spider-Man, Daredevil, J. Jonah Jameson, and several other mutual enemies, the two revived the "Mad Jack" persona, with Maguire using holograms and lifelike robotic versions of Mad Jack and Berkhart himself, to serve as proxies for herself while she laid in secret. In the end, Maguire was caught and exposed, though due to her usage of Berkhart androids, Daredevil and Spider-Man were left unsure as to whether or not Berkhart was truly involved. However Berkhart did ultimately escape with a Mysterio costume, in the confusion at the end.{{Issue|date=January 2010}}
* Berkhart's working relationship with Osborn ended when the Green Goblin participated in a magical ritual that rendered him completely insane. Berkhart was then approached by '''Maguire Beck''', the female cousin of Quentin Beck, the original Mysterio. Maguire convinced Berkhart to re-assume the identity of Mysterio following her cousin Quentin's suicide and the "Mad Jack" costumed identity was retired. However, when the two sought to eliminate Spider-Man, Daredevil, J. Jonah Jameson, and several other mutual enemies, the two revived the "Mad Jack" persona, with Maguire using holograms and lifelike robotic versions of Mad Jack and Berkhart himself, to serve as proxies for herself while she laid in secret. In the end, Maguire was caught and exposed, though due to her usage of Berkhart androids, Daredevil and Spider-Man were left unsure as to whether or not Berkhart was truly involved. However Berkhart did ultimately escape with a Mysterio costume, in the confusion at the end.{{Issue|date=January 2010}}


In the miniseries ''Spider-Man/Black Cat: The Evil That Men Do'', Francis Klum (who would later become [[Mysterio]]) purchased Mysterio's weapons and gimmick in order to become yet another new Mysterio. The seller, the [[Kingpin (character)|Kingpin]], said he had acquired the arsenal "from Jack-O-Lantern".<ref>''Spider-Man/Black Cat #6</ref>
In the miniseries ''Spider-Man/Black Cat: The Evil That Men Do'', Francis Klum (who would later become [[Mysterio]]) purchased Mysterio's weapons and gimmick in order to become yet another new Mysterio. The seller, the [[Kingpin (character)|Kingpin]], said he had acquired the arsenal "from Jack-O-Lantern".<ref>''Spider-Man/Black Cat #6. Marvel Comics.</ref>
{{Clear}}
{{Clear}}


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|powers=Ability to transform into a jack-o'-lantern headed demon
|powers=Ability to transform into a jack-o'-lantern headed demon
|}}
|}}
An unnamed man who claimed to be Steve Levins' brother has since been caught by the police. This man was shown to be able to transform into a Jack O'Lantern-headed villain using the powers of a mystical demon. The police interrogated the man, but he was later released by Norman Osborn who wanted this Jack O'Lantern in his army.<ref>''Dark Reign: Made Men'' #1</ref>
During the "Dark Reign" storyline, an unnamed man who claimed to be Steve Levins' brother has since been caught by the police. This man was shown to be able to transform into a Jack O'Lantern-headed villain using the powers of a mystical demon. The police interrogated the man, but he was later released by Norman Osborn who wanted this Jack O'Lantern in his army.<ref>''Dark Reign: Made Men'' #1. Marvel Comics.</ref>


Jack O'Lantern later battled [[Deadpool]] after stealing 20 million dollars from the ''Queen Kathleen'' gambling ship owned by [[Tombstone (comics)|Tombstone]].<ref>''Despicable Deadpool'' #297</ref>
Jack O'Lantern later battled [[Deadpool]] after stealing 20 million dollars from the ''Queen Kathleen'' gambling ship owned by [[Tombstone (comics)|Tombstone]].<ref>''Despicable Deadpool'' #297. Marvel Comics.</ref>
{{Clear}}
{{Clear}}


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|powers=Wears pumpkin helmet and body armor<br>Possesses variety of weapons and devices<br>Use of a fleet of tiny flying cartoon-styled devil robots and a jet-powered "broomstick"
|powers=Wears pumpkin helmet and body armor<br>Possesses variety of weapons and devices<br>Use of a fleet of tiny flying cartoon-styled devil robots and a jet-powered "broomstick"
|}}
|}}
After Osborn's fall, a new Jack O'Lantern appears working for the third [[Crime Master]].<ref>''Venom'' vol. 2 #2</ref> As a child, the kid that would become Jack O'Lantern had disobeyed his parents and mistreated animals. While going as Jack O'Lantern for Halloween, he came across a house that Crime Master was in. Crime Master took the boy under his wing and trained him to be an assassin. It was with this training that Jack O'Lantern had killed his parents.<ref>''Venom'' vol. 2 #9</ref>
After Osborn's fall, a new Jack O'Lantern appears working for the third [[Crime Master]].<ref>''Venom'' vol. 2 #2. Marvel Comics.</ref> As a child, the kid that would become Jack O'Lantern had disobeyed his parents and mistreated animals. While going as Jack O'Lantern for Halloween, he came across a house that Crime Master was in. Crime Master took the boy under his wing and trained him to be an assassin. It was with this training that Jack O'Lantern had killed his parents.<ref>''Venom'' vol. 2 #9. Marvel Comics.</ref>


One of his jobs brings him into conflict with the government operative [[Flash Thompson|Venom]]. During this conflict Flash threw a live grenade into his mouthpiece and it dislocated his jaw. Even after the explosion he was still able to run and retreat.<ref>''Venom'' vol. 2 #1</ref> Later, Crime Master is able to use contacts to discover Venom's true identity, and has Jack O'Lantern kidnap Flash's girlfriend [[Betty Brant]] in exchange for Venom letting Crime Master get his shipment of Antarctic Vibranium. When Venom leaves to rescue Betty, he is distracted by Spider-Man's appearance, which drives the symbiote into an uncontrollable rage. Eventually Betty is rescued at the last second by Spider-Man, with Venom then trying to recapture Crime Master. However, Venom is attacked by Jack O'Lantern, who proclaims Flash as his first real nemesis, and desiring revenge for the disfiguring grenade explosion, also mockingly calling Flash by his first name "Eugene".<ref>''Venom'' vol. 2 #3-4</ref> While it hasn't been confirmed, this new Jack O'Lantern claims to have killed every other person to go by the name in an effort to "clean up the brand".<ref>''Venom'' vol. 2 #11</ref> Jack O'Lantern is a member of the Crime Master's [[Savage Six]].<ref>''Venom'' vol. 2 #12</ref>
One of his jobs brings him into conflict with the government operative [[Flash Thompson|Venom]]. During this conflict Flash threw a live grenade into his mouthpiece and it dislocated his jaw. Even after the explosion he was still able to run and retreat.<ref>''Venom'' vol. 2 #1. Marvel Comics.</ref> Later, Crime Master is able to use contacts to discover Venom's true identity, and has Jack O'Lantern kidnap Flash's girlfriend [[Betty Brant]] in exchange for Venom letting Crime Master get his shipment of Antarctic Vibranium. When Venom leaves to rescue Betty, he is distracted by Spider-Man's appearance, which drives the symbiote into an uncontrollable rage. Eventually Betty is rescued at the last second by Spider-Man, with Venom then trying to recapture Crime Master. However, Venom is attacked by Jack O'Lantern, who proclaims Flash as his first real nemesis, and desiring revenge for the disfiguring grenade explosion, also mockingly calling Flash by his first name "Eugene".<ref>''Venom'' vol. 2 #3-4. Marvel Comics.</ref> While it hasn't been confirmed, this new Jack O'Lantern claims to have killed every other person to go by the name in an effort to "clean up the brand".<ref>''Venom'' vol. 2 #11. Marvel Comics.</ref> Jack O'Lantern is a member of the Crime Master's [[Savage Six]].<ref>''Venom'' vol. 2 #12. Marvel Comics.</ref>


Jack O'Lantern in his human guise goes first and targets Betty Brant only to end up fighting Venom. During the fight, Megatak assists Jack O'Lantern and punches Venom's phone before he can make a call to the Avengers for help.<ref>''Venom'' vol. 2 #18</ref> Jack O'Lantern targets Jessie Thompson and ends up fighting Venom. Venom grabs Jack O'Lantern's gun and fires on him before Jack O'Lantern spews acid on him causing Venom to cool down in the fountain.<ref>''Venom'' vol. 2 #19</ref>
Jack O'Lantern in his human guise goes first and targets Betty Brant only to end up fighting Venom. During the fight, Megatak assists Jack O'Lantern and punches Venom's phone before he can make a call to the Avengers for help.<ref>''Venom'' vol. 2 #18. Marvel Comics.</ref> Jack O'Lantern targets Jessie Thompson and ends up fighting Venom. Venom grabs Jack O'Lantern's gun and fires on him before Jack O'Lantern spews acid on him causing Venom to cool down in the fountain.<ref>''Venom'' vol. 2 #19. Marvel Comics.</ref>


Jack O'Lantern later goes on a killing spree which escalated on Father's Day. Venom tracked him to a sewer thanks to the hidden trail Jack O'Lantern had left behind for him. There, he discovered that Jack had dug up the corpse of Flash Thompson's father and blew up the room. In the fight that ensued, it looked like Jack O'Lantern was going to win until Venom took his father's gun from his holster and shot him. Venom chose not to kill Jack O'Lantern.<ref>''Venom'' vol. 2 #22</ref>
Jack O'Lantern later goes on a killing spree which escalated on Father's Day. Venom tracked him to a sewer thanks to the hidden trail Jack O'Lantern had left behind for him. There, he discovered that Jack had dug up the corpse of Flash Thompson's father and blew up the room. In the fight that ensued, it looked like Jack O'Lantern was going to win until Venom took his father's gun from his holster and shot him. Venom chose not to kill Jack O'Lantern.<ref>''Venom'' vol. 2 #22. Marvel Comics.</ref>


Jack O'Lantern was incarcerated at the Raft.<ref>''Venom'' vol. 2 #23</ref> He managed to continue his operations using an employee of a storage facility as a replacement who Jack O'Lantern's robots brainwashed.<ref>''Venom'' vol. 2 #37</ref>
Jack O'Lantern was incarcerated at the Raft.<ref>''Venom'' vol. 2 #23</ref> He managed to continue his operations using an employee of a storage facility as a replacement who Jack O'Lantern's robots brainwashed.<ref name="Venom #37">''Venom'' vol. 2 #37. Marvel Comics.</ref>


During the ''[[AXIS (comics)|AXIS]]'' storyline, Jack O'Lantern appears as a member of Magneto's unnamed supervillain group during the fight against the [[Red Skull]]'s [[Onslaught (comics)|Red Onslaught]] form.<ref>''Avengers & X-Men: AXIS'' #2</ref> His moral compass was inverted with all of those in Genosha when a spell meant to affect only the Red Skull affected everyone on the island.<ref>''Avengers & X-Men: AXIS'' #3</ref> He later rejoined the (now-inverted) villains to prevent the inverted X-Men from detonating a gene bomb which would've killed everyone on Earth who was not a mutant.<ref>''Avengers & X-Men: AXIS'' #6</ref> When a reinversion spell was cast, Jack O'Lantern became evil once again.<ref>''Avengers & X-Men: AXIS'' #9</ref>
During the "[[AXIS (comics)|AXIS]]" storyline, Jack O'Lantern appears as a member of Magneto's unnamed supervillain group during the fight against the [[Red Skull]]'s [[Onslaught (comics)|Red Onslaught]] form.<ref>''Avengers & X-Men: AXIS'' #2. Marvel Comics.</ref> His moral compass was inverted with all of those in Genosha when a spell meant to affect only the Red Skull affected everyone on the island.<ref>''Avengers & X-Men: AXIS'' #3. Marvel Comics.</ref> He later rejoined the (now-inverted) villains to prevent the inverted X-Men from detonating a gene bomb which would've killed everyone on Earth who was not a mutant.<ref>''Avengers & X-Men: AXIS'' #6. Marvel Comics.</ref> When a reinversion spell was cast, Jack O'Lantern became evil once again.<ref>''Avengers & X-Men: AXIS'' #9. Marvel Comics.</ref>


During the ''[[Avengers: Standoff!]]'' storyline, Jack O'Lantern was an inmate of Pleasant Hill, a gated community established by S.H.I.E.L.D.<ref>''Howling Commandos of S.H.I.E.L.D.'' #6</ref>
During the "[[Avengers: Standoff!]]" storyline, Jack O'Lantern was an inmate of Pleasant Hill, a gated community established by S.H.I.E.L.D.<ref>''Howling Commandos of S.H.I.E.L.D.'' #6. Marvel Comics.</ref>


During the "[[Secret Empire (comics)|Secret Empire]]" storyline, Jack O'Lantern appears as a member of the Army of Evil where they attack Manhattan in retaliation for what happened at Pleasant Hill.<ref>''Secret Empire'' #0. Marvel Comics.</ref>
During the "[[Secret Empire (comics)|Secret Empire]]" storyline, Jack O'Lantern appears as a member of the Army of Evil where they attack Manhattan in retaliation for what happened at Pleasant Hill.<ref>''Secret Empire'' #0. Marvel Comics.</ref>
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Jack O'Lantern was hospitalized following this, and underwent plastic surgery to restore his face and intensive therapy. Jack O'Lantern was released to civilian life, but grew bored almost immediately and returned to supervillainy. Following [[Deadpool]] to [[Wakanda]], Jack O'Lantern battles both Deadpool and [[Black Panther (comics)|Black Panther]] until Deadpool shot him in the head, killing him.<ref>''Deadpool vs. Black Panther'' #2-3. Marvel Comics.</ref>
Jack O'Lantern was hospitalized following this, and underwent plastic surgery to restore his face and intensive therapy. Jack O'Lantern was released to civilian life, but grew bored almost immediately and returned to supervillainy. Following [[Deadpool]] to [[Wakanda]], Jack O'Lantern battles both Deadpool and [[Black Panther (comics)|Black Panther]] until Deadpool shot him in the head, killing him.<ref>''Deadpool vs. Black Panther'' #2-3. Marvel Comics.</ref>

===Imposters===
There have been different unnamed imposters of Jack O'Lantern:

* As mentioned above, Crime-Master's Jack O'Lantern brainwashed a factory worker into posing as him. He was among the villains gathered by Lord Ogre to attack Venom.<ref name="Venom #37"/> Jack O'Lantern later attacked Flash's neighbor Andrea Benton which ended in her father's death as Flash protected Andrea.<ref>''Venom'' Vol. 2 #38. Marvel Comics.</ref> When Andrea attacked Jack O'Lantern for what happened to her father, the mask came off and Venom saw that this wasn't Crime-Master's Jack O'Lantern. The factory worker explained that he worked at a storage facility and was hypnotized into being Jack O'Lantern by one of Jack O'Lantern's robots. After Venom prevented Andrea from killing him, the imposter Jack O'Lantern was taken into police custody and slipped into a coma moments later.<ref>''Venom'' Vol. 2 #39. Marvel Comics.</ref>

* During the "[[War of the Realms]]" storyline, a second Jack O'Lantern imposter found one of [[Malekith the Accursed]]'s War Witches having teleported into his apartment following a fight with a Dreamstone-enhanced Eddie Brock. Seeing as they have a mutual enemy in Venom, the War Witch conjures another Dreamstone and gives it to Jack O'Lantern. Jack O'Lantern accepts the offer from the War Witch as he reaches out to touch the Dreamstone.<ref>''Venom'' Vol. 4 #13. Marvel Comics.</ref>


==Powers and abilities==
==Powers and abilities==
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===[[JLA/Avengers]]===
===[[JLA/Avengers]]===
Jack O'Lantern is among the enthralled villains defending [[Krona (comics)|Krona]]'s stronghold when the heroes assault it. [[Tasmanian Devil (comics)|Tasmanian Devil]] is shown pushing some rocks onto him.<ref>''JLA/Avengers'' #4</ref>
Jack O'Lantern is among the enthralled villains defending [[Krona (comics)|Krona]]'s stronghold when the heroes assault it. [[Tasmanian Devil (comics)|Tasmanian Devil]] is shown pushing some rocks onto him.<ref>''JLA/Avengers'' #4. DC Comics/Marvel Comics.</ref>


==In other media==
==In other media==

Revision as of 20:02, 25 April 2019

Jack O'Lantern is a fictional supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

Fictional character biography

Jason Macendale

Jack O'Lantern
Jack O'Lantern (Jason Macendale) encounters Spider-Man for the first time. From Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #56
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceMachine Man #19 (Feb 1981)
Created byTom DeFalco
Steve Ditko
In-story information
Alter egoJason Philip Macendale, Jr.
Notable aliasesHobgoblin
AbilitiesWears pumpkin helmet and body armor
Possesses variety of weapons and devices
Use of a one-man hovercraft
Main article: Jason Macendale

The original Jack O'Lantern was disgraced ex-CIA Agent Jason Macendale assuming the identity after several years working as a freelance mercenary. Macendale was primarily a foe of Spider-Man and during his time under the alias, he formed a working relationship with the Hobgoblin. However, the man Macendale ultimately learned was Hobgoblin turned out to be a brainwashed pawn of the real Hobgoblin (Roderick Kingsley).

When Hobgoblin endangered Jack O'Lantern's life to pursue Spider-Man in battle, the two former allies had a bitter falling out. Macendale vowed revenge and hired the services of the assassin Foreigner to kill Ned Leeds and deliver the Hobgoblin costume and weaponry to Macendale. Macendale then became Hobgoblin. In the end, Macendale was killed by Kingsley out of retirement to kill Macendale when he outed Leeds as "Hobgoblin".

During the fourth Secret Wars mini-series, a man using several false aliases, including Jason Macendale, was arrested while committing crimes under the alias of Jack O'Lantern. This Jack O'Lantern, who showed none of the extensive cybernetic replacement limbs the real Macendale had, was arrested by S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. During interrogation, he claimed to have led a "double life" as far as keeping the Jack O'Lantern persona alive while he was active as Hobgoblin, going so far as to claim to be Mad Jack as well. Despite the fact that these claims were refuted as lies (indeed Macendale was mentally ill for the bulk of his time as Hobgoblin), S.H.I.E.L.D. granted this individual (not the real Macendale) his freedom when he offered to give up the name of the much-sought-after financial backers of the criminal super-scientist the Tinkerer.

Steven Mark Levins

Jack O'Lantern
Steven Mark Levins makes his first appearance as Jack O'Lantern battling Captain America. From Captain America #396.
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceCaptain America #396 (Jan 1992)
Created byMark Gruenwald
Rik Levins
In-story information
Alter egoSteven Mark Levins
Team affiliationsSkeleton Crew
Thunderbolts
AbilitiesWears pumpkin helmet and body armor
Possesses variety of weapons and devices
Use of a one-man hovercraft

A second Jack O'Lantern was introduced in Captain America #396, who fought Captain America and Spider-Man as Jack O'Lantern under the employ of the Red Skull.

This version of the character was subjected to much controversy, due to the fact that several years after his introduction he was rebranded "Mad Jack" and was heavily featured in the pages of Spectacular Spider-Man during the late 1990s. Mad Jack was ultimately revealed to be the duo of ex-Mysterio Daniel Berkhart and Mysterio's cousin Maguire Beck.

It was not until the one-shot New Avengers Most Wanted, a character compendium, that the second Jack O'Lantern was confirmed as a separate entity from Mad Jack. The character was given the name Steven Mark Levins in said special. However, the character's name would not be used in-story until Ghost Rider vol. 5 #10 (2007).

This incarnation of Jack O'Lantern was a professional criminal, and a partner of Blackwing. Alongside Blackwing, he searched Skullhouse and first battled Captain America.[1] With Blackwing, he was then admitted as a provisional member of the loosely knit band of Red Skull operatives called the Skeleton Crew.[2]

Soon after that, Jack O'Lantern fought Crossbones and Diamondback, and captured Diamondback.[3] Diamondback tried to escape, and Jack O'Lantern fought her in mid-air.[4] He was ultimately defeated in combat by the Falcon, and taken to the Vault.[5]

He also worked as an enforcer of the gangster the Golem and in this capacity, fought the villain the Hood when he interfered in Golem's machinations.

The Levins Jack O'Lantern later fought Union Jack alongside Shockwave and Jackhammer to attack the Thames Tunnel.[6]

Following his defeat, Levins was recruited to serve as part of the Thunderbolts hero-hunting squad during the Civil War storyline. While pursuing Spider-Man through the Manhattan sewers alongside the Jester in Civil War #5, Levins was killed by the Punisher, who shot Levins in the head, killing him instantly.[7] However, death would not be the end of Levins's story. His headless corpse was reanimated and possessed by a fragment of Lucifer's soul. He and now exhibits the ability to detach, levitate, and explode his head (now replaced with a real life pumpkin), among other powers. However, the Ghost Rider was able to exorcise him by ripping his heart from his chest, setting it aflame, and putting it back in his chest, causing it to explode inside.[8]

During the "Dark Reign" storyline, Levins was among the dead characters seen in Erebus by Hercules. He was later seen on Pluto's jury (alongside Abomination, Armless Tiger Man, Artume, Baron Heinrich Zemo, Commander Kraken, Iron Monger, Kyknos, Nessus, Orka, Scourge of the Underworld, and Veranke) for Zeus' trial.[9]

Mad Jack

Jack O'Lantern
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceThe Spectacular Spider-Man #241
Created byGerry Conway
Ross Andru
In-story information
Alter egoDaniel Berkhart
PartnershipsJ. Jonah Jameson
Notable aliasesMysterio, Mad Jack
AbilitiesWears pumpkin helmet and body armor
Possesses variety of weapons and devices
Use of a one-man hovercraft and chemical weapons

There were two people who assumed the alias of Mad Jack while wearing the Jack O'Lantern costume:

  • Former Mysterio Daniel Berkhart was approached by Norman Osborn providing him a version of the Jack O'Lantern costume, under the alias "Mad Jack". Under Osborn's orders, Berkhart kidnapped John Jameson and exposed him to mind-altering chemicals that turned him into a mind controlled pawn, turning him into his super-powered wolf alter-ego persona "Man-Wolf". Jameson was then sent to attack his father J. Jonah Jameson, to terrorize him and cow him into being subservient towards Osborn's scheme to buy the Daily Bugle. During this time, he also stalked Jameson's wife, Marla, implying that the two had a past relationship that Berkhart sought to rekindle.[10]
  • Berkhart's working relationship with Osborn ended when the Green Goblin participated in a magical ritual that rendered him completely insane. Berkhart was then approached by Maguire Beck, the female cousin of Quentin Beck, the original Mysterio. Maguire convinced Berkhart to re-assume the identity of Mysterio following her cousin Quentin's suicide and the "Mad Jack" costumed identity was retired. However, when the two sought to eliminate Spider-Man, Daredevil, J. Jonah Jameson, and several other mutual enemies, the two revived the "Mad Jack" persona, with Maguire using holograms and lifelike robotic versions of Mad Jack and Berkhart himself, to serve as proxies for herself while she laid in secret. In the end, Maguire was caught and exposed, though due to her usage of Berkhart androids, Daredevil and Spider-Man were left unsure as to whether or not Berkhart was truly involved. However Berkhart did ultimately escape with a Mysterio costume, in the confusion at the end.[volume & issue needed]

In the miniseries Spider-Man/Black Cat: The Evil That Men Do, Francis Klum (who would later become Mysterio) purchased Mysterio's weapons and gimmick in order to become yet another new Mysterio. The seller, the Kingpin, said he had acquired the arsenal "from Jack-O-Lantern".[11]

Brother of Steven Levins

Jack O'Lantern
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceDark Reign: Made Men #1 (Nov 2009)
Created byJohn Paul Leon
Dave Stewart
In-story information
Alter egoLevins
AbilitiesAbility to transform into a jack-o'-lantern headed demon

During the "Dark Reign" storyline, an unnamed man who claimed to be Steve Levins' brother has since been caught by the police. This man was shown to be able to transform into a Jack O'Lantern-headed villain using the powers of a mystical demon. The police interrogated the man, but he was later released by Norman Osborn who wanted this Jack O'Lantern in his army.[12]

Jack O'Lantern later battled Deadpool after stealing 20 million dollars from the Queen Kathleen gambling ship owned by Tombstone.[13]

Crime Master's Jack O'Lantern

Jack O'Lantern
The Crime-Master's Jack O'Lantern makes his first cover appearance battling Agent Venom. From Venom #12.
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceVenom vol. 2 #1 (2011)
Created byRick Remender
Tony Moore
In-story information
Team affiliationsSavage Six
Astonishing Avengers[14]
AbilitiesWears pumpkin helmet and body armor
Possesses variety of weapons and devices
Use of a fleet of tiny flying cartoon-styled devil robots and a jet-powered "broomstick"

After Osborn's fall, a new Jack O'Lantern appears working for the third Crime Master.[15] As a child, the kid that would become Jack O'Lantern had disobeyed his parents and mistreated animals. While going as Jack O'Lantern for Halloween, he came across a house that Crime Master was in. Crime Master took the boy under his wing and trained him to be an assassin. It was with this training that Jack O'Lantern had killed his parents.[16]

One of his jobs brings him into conflict with the government operative Venom. During this conflict Flash threw a live grenade into his mouthpiece and it dislocated his jaw. Even after the explosion he was still able to run and retreat.[17] Later, Crime Master is able to use contacts to discover Venom's true identity, and has Jack O'Lantern kidnap Flash's girlfriend Betty Brant in exchange for Venom letting Crime Master get his shipment of Antarctic Vibranium. When Venom leaves to rescue Betty, he is distracted by Spider-Man's appearance, which drives the symbiote into an uncontrollable rage. Eventually Betty is rescued at the last second by Spider-Man, with Venom then trying to recapture Crime Master. However, Venom is attacked by Jack O'Lantern, who proclaims Flash as his first real nemesis, and desiring revenge for the disfiguring grenade explosion, also mockingly calling Flash by his first name "Eugene".[18] While it hasn't been confirmed, this new Jack O'Lantern claims to have killed every other person to go by the name in an effort to "clean up the brand".[19] Jack O'Lantern is a member of the Crime Master's Savage Six.[20]

Jack O'Lantern in his human guise goes first and targets Betty Brant only to end up fighting Venom. During the fight, Megatak assists Jack O'Lantern and punches Venom's phone before he can make a call to the Avengers for help.[21] Jack O'Lantern targets Jessie Thompson and ends up fighting Venom. Venom grabs Jack O'Lantern's gun and fires on him before Jack O'Lantern spews acid on him causing Venom to cool down in the fountain.[22]

Jack O'Lantern later goes on a killing spree which escalated on Father's Day. Venom tracked him to a sewer thanks to the hidden trail Jack O'Lantern had left behind for him. There, he discovered that Jack had dug up the corpse of Flash Thompson's father and blew up the room. In the fight that ensued, it looked like Jack O'Lantern was going to win until Venom took his father's gun from his holster and shot him. Venom chose not to kill Jack O'Lantern.[23]

Jack O'Lantern was incarcerated at the Raft.[24] He managed to continue his operations using an employee of a storage facility as a replacement who Jack O'Lantern's robots brainwashed.[25]

During the "AXIS" storyline, Jack O'Lantern appears as a member of Magneto's unnamed supervillain group during the fight against the Red Skull's Red Onslaught form.[26] His moral compass was inverted with all of those in Genosha when a spell meant to affect only the Red Skull affected everyone on the island.[27] He later rejoined the (now-inverted) villains to prevent the inverted X-Men from detonating a gene bomb which would've killed everyone on Earth who was not a mutant.[28] When a reinversion spell was cast, Jack O'Lantern became evil once again.[29]

During the "Avengers: Standoff!" storyline, Jack O'Lantern was an inmate of Pleasant Hill, a gated community established by S.H.I.E.L.D.[30]

During the "Secret Empire" storyline, Jack O'Lantern appears as a member of the Army of Evil where they attack Manhattan in retaliation for what happened at Pleasant Hill.[31]

Jack O'Lantern is eventually hunted down for his many crimes by the original Venom Eddie Brock, and is beaten within an inch of his life by him. Brock lets him live, although it is implied he breaks Jack's spine and leaves him in a critical condition before being teleported away to a parallel universe.[32]

Jack O'Lantern was hospitalized following this, and underwent plastic surgery to restore his face and intensive therapy. Jack O'Lantern was released to civilian life, but grew bored almost immediately and returned to supervillainy. Following Deadpool to Wakanda, Jack O'Lantern battles both Deadpool and Black Panther until Deadpool shot him in the head, killing him.[33]

Imposters

There have been different unnamed imposters of Jack O'Lantern:

  • As mentioned above, Crime-Master's Jack O'Lantern brainwashed a factory worker into posing as him. He was among the villains gathered by Lord Ogre to attack Venom.[25] Jack O'Lantern later attacked Flash's neighbor Andrea Benton which ended in her father's death as Flash protected Andrea.[34] When Andrea attacked Jack O'Lantern for what happened to her father, the mask came off and Venom saw that this wasn't Crime-Master's Jack O'Lantern. The factory worker explained that he worked at a storage facility and was hypnotized into being Jack O'Lantern by one of Jack O'Lantern's robots. After Venom prevented Andrea from killing him, the imposter Jack O'Lantern was taken into police custody and slipped into a coma moments later.[35]
  • During the "War of the Realms" storyline, a second Jack O'Lantern imposter found one of Malekith the Accursed's War Witches having teleported into his apartment following a fight with a Dreamstone-enhanced Eddie Brock. Seeing as they have a mutual enemy in Venom, the War Witch conjures another Dreamstone and gives it to Jack O'Lantern. Jack O'Lantern accepts the offer from the War Witch as he reaches out to touch the Dreamstone.[36]

Powers and abilities

Levins modeled his costume and equipment after those created by Jason Philip Macendale, Jr.—the first Jack O'Lantern. Levins wore a complete body armor made of metal-mesh covered in multi-segmented Kevlar panels, incorporating a rigid, articulated shell which can resist a 7-pound bazooka anti-tank warhead. He wore a bulletproof helmet with an internal three hour, compressed air supply. The helmet is equipped with a telescopic infrared image-intensifier for seeing in the dark and 360 degree scanning device for seeing all around himself. The base of the helmet is equipped with a fine network of pinholes which maintain a low temperature, low density flame ("stage-fire") that rings the helmet at all times. The air supply cools the helmet's interior. The helmet is padded to protect his head from injury. Levins is armed with wrist-blasters which can deliver an electrical shock within a range of 35 feet (11 m). He also used various types of grenades, including anesthetic, lachrymatory (tear gas), hallucinogenic, and regurgitant gas grenades, smoke grenades, and concussion grenades. The grenades are shaped like spheres or pumpkins. He can fire small grenades from wrist devices. He can also release "ghost-grabbers," which are thick, semi-transparent films which adhere to a victim. Levins rides atop a one-man hovercraft with an electric motor powered by a high density lithium rechargeable battery.

Berkhart used the same weapons as the previous incarnations of Jack O'Lantern, along with chemical weapons that cause psychedelic and mind-bending hallucinations. His accomplice Maguire was an expert designer of special effects devices and stage illusions, a master hypnotist, and skilled in chemistry and robotics, including a lifelike robotic black cat. She has used her advanced knowledge of computer imaging and virtual reality to improve upon Mysterio's techniques, allowing for her to pretend to be Mad Jack via proxies while safely hidden in her secret lair.

The brother of Levins can transform into a demon with the head of a jack-o'-lantern using the powers of an unknown mystical demon.

Crime Master's Jack O-Lantern, along with the same general weapons the previous ones used, has a fleet of tiny flying cartoon-styled devil robots. Instead of Levins' hovercraft, he rides a jet-powered "broomstick".

Other versions

MC2

In the MC2 timeline, Maguire created the Spider-Ham character to lure Spider-Man to the Heartland Entertainment building. Once there, Spider-Man met up with Araña, and together they battled robots created by Jack O'Lantern.[volume & issue needed] Years later, Maguire lured Spider-Man's daughter Spider-Girl to the same location. After fighting several Jack O'Lanterns, Spider-Girl finished them off and discovered that Maguire was really a robot.[volume & issue needed]

Earth-Chaos

On the day before Halloween 13 years after the Chaos! event, Jack O'Lantern launched a scheme to bring about a hell on Earth and take over the world with the proper alignment of cosmos. Raising dead persons and animating dinosaurs, he looked to gather the remaining heroes of the world for the purpose of eliminating them. However, Brother Voodoo (Jericho Drumm) and the Supernaturals were able to overcome his machinations, sending Jack into another dimension. With Jack gone, his minions disappeared and the world was saved. Jack O'Lantern may still be holding the heroes captured from the first Chaos! event in his wand and plotting another takeover of the Earth.[volume & issue needed]

JLA/Avengers

Jack O'Lantern is among the enthralled villains defending Krona's stronghold when the heroes assault it. Tasmanian Devil is shown pushing some rocks onto him.[37]

In other media

Television

  • Jack O'Lantern appears in the Ultimate Spider-Man episode "Halloween Night at the Museum" (which was a crossover with Jessie). This version is the result of Morgan le Fay magically placing a jack-o'-lantern on the head of a security guard (voiced by Drake Bell[38]) in her plans to bring about the end of the world. Jack O'Lantern attacks Spider-Man, Jessie Prescott, and the Ross Kids in the space exhibit. While Spider-Man handles Jack O'Lantern, Jessie and the Ross Kids hide out during the battle. After Morgan le Fay is defeated, Jack O'Lantern regresses back to the security guard.
  • An unidentified version of Jack O'Lantern appears in the Spider-Man episode "Bring On the Bad Guys" Pt. 3, voiced by Booboo Stewart.[39] Taking advantage of the bounty on Spider-Man, he attacks him on the Brooklyn Bridge. Spider-Man made a lot of Halloween puns fighting him. When following Jack O'Lantern to a candy factory, Spider-Man fought Jack O'Lantern until he knocked him into a caramel vat and is loaded onto the conveyor belt. Spider-Man then webs up Jack O'Lantern and leaves him for the police.

Video games

  • An unidentified version of Jack O'Lantern appeared in the Spider-Man Animated Series video games as a mini-boss in The Ravencroft Prison for the Insane level in the Sega Genesis version and as a mini-boss in the Coney Island level in the SNES version.
  • The Steven Levins version of Jack O'Lantern appears in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2. He appears in the background of in-game videos as one of the supervillains controlled by the S.H.I.E.L.D. Control Nanites. He also is detailed in unlockable art, but does not appear in the game.
  • The brother of Steven Levins version of Jack O'Lantern is featured as a boss in the Facebook game Marvel: Avengers Alliance.
  • The Maguire Beck version of Jack O'Lantern appears as a boss character in the video game Spider-Man Unlimited, voiced by Travis Willingham.
  • An unidentified version of Jack O'Lantern appears in the game Marvel Avengers Academy.[citation needed]
  • An unidentified version of Jack O'Lantern appears as an enhanced costume for Green Goblin in Marvel Heroes.[40]

References

  1. ^ Captain America #396-397
  2. ^ Captain America #398. Marvel Comics.
  3. ^ Captain America #405-408
  4. ^ Captain America #409
  5. ^ Captain America #410. Marvel Comics.
  6. ^ Union Jack #2. Marvel Comics.
  7. ^ Mark Millar (w), Steve McNiven (p), Dexter Vines (i). "War" Civil War, no. 5 (November 2006). Marvel Comics.
  8. ^ Ghost Rider vol. 5 #8. Marvel Comics.
  9. ^ Incredible Hercules #129. Marvel Comics.
  10. ^ The Spectacular Spider-Man #241-248. Marvel Comics.
  11. ^ Spider-Man/Black Cat #6. Marvel Comics.
  12. ^ Dark Reign: Made Men #1. Marvel Comics.
  13. ^ Despicable Deadpool #297. Marvel Comics.
  14. ^ Avengers & X-Men #6
  15. ^ Venom vol. 2 #2. Marvel Comics.
  16. ^ Venom vol. 2 #9. Marvel Comics.
  17. ^ Venom vol. 2 #1. Marvel Comics.
  18. ^ Venom vol. 2 #3-4. Marvel Comics.
  19. ^ Venom vol. 2 #11. Marvel Comics.
  20. ^ Venom vol. 2 #12. Marvel Comics.
  21. ^ Venom vol. 2 #18. Marvel Comics.
  22. ^ Venom vol. 2 #19. Marvel Comics.
  23. ^ Venom vol. 2 #22. Marvel Comics.
  24. ^ Venom vol. 2 #23
  25. ^ a b Venom vol. 2 #37. Marvel Comics.
  26. ^ Avengers & X-Men: AXIS #2. Marvel Comics.
  27. ^ Avengers & X-Men: AXIS #3. Marvel Comics.
  28. ^ Avengers & X-Men: AXIS #6. Marvel Comics.
  29. ^ Avengers & X-Men: AXIS #9. Marvel Comics.
  30. ^ Howling Commandos of S.H.I.E.L.D. #6. Marvel Comics.
  31. ^ Secret Empire #0. Marvel Comics.
  32. ^ Venomverse #1. Marvel Comics.
  33. ^ Deadpool vs. Black Panther #2-3. Marvel Comics.
  34. ^ Venom Vol. 2 #38. Marvel Comics.
  35. ^ Venom Vol. 2 #39. Marvel Comics.
  36. ^ Venom Vol. 4 #13. Marvel Comics.
  37. ^ JLA/Avengers #4. DC Comics/Marvel Comics.
  38. ^ "Halloween Night at the Museum". Ultimate Spider-Man. Season 3. Episode 75. October 10, 2016. Disney XD.
  39. ^ "Bring On the Bad Guys Pt. 3". Spider-Man. Season 2. Episode 35. August 6, 2018. Disney XD.
  40. ^ "Green Goblin Jack O' Lantern!". MarvelHeroes.com. Gazillion Entertainment. 27 October 2016. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
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