SCORCH

Real Name: Aubrey Sparks

Class: Human magic-user

Occupation: Supervillain

Group Affiliation: formerly Justice League of Anarchy

Known Relatives: unnamed father

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: Metropolis

First Appearance: Superman II #160 (September, 2000)

Powers: Scorch generated intense heat and flame, and could teleport, disappearing in a cloud of smoke.

History:  Joker used Mr. Mxyzptlk's stolen magic powers to create his Justice League of Anarchy, transforming Aubrey Sparks into Scorch, a demonic version of Supergirl.

(JLA #80-82) - Manhunter approached Scorch about curing his fear of fire in exchange for him healing her mind. They failed each other, and after Manhunter saw Scorch's emotionally abusive upbringing with a father that told her she'd amount to nothing he was convinced he couldn't heal her. Scorch lashed out at Manhunter, at which point her flames no longer affected him, and they embraced and kissed.

(JLA #84-89) - Manhunter s relationship with Scortch grew, and he introduced her to the JLA. Manhunter grew amoral, and the JLA blamed Scorch as a bad influence, but no one knew that Scorch s therapy had unexpected consequences, thousands of years ago the Guardians of the Universe placed mental blocks on the Burning, the primitive and extremely dangerous race on Mars, giving them an innate fear of fire so they couldn't access thgeir full powers, and making them into modern Martians. When Manhunter overcame his fear of fire, his race memory turned him into Fernus the Burning, who needed fear and fire in multitude to asexually reproduce. Fernus was a genetically separate being, and kept Manhunter in the dark as he dominated his mind and body. Fernus spread fear across the world and prepared a nuclear strike, forcing Scorch to stand beside him, and promising her that when he gave birth she d be the symbolic mother. Scorch tried to dissuade the Burning, but her pleas fell on deaf ears. Thanks to Manitou Raven, Martian Manhunter separated himself from the Burning, and Scorch sacrificed herself to sap the Burning s flame. Manhunter confronted the Burning and destroyed him with his Martian-vision.

Comments: Created by J.M. DeMatteis & Mike S. Miller.