Merge:Jack O'Lantern



Jack O'Lantern is the name of four incarnations of a Marvel Comics supervillain. Later incarnations of the character were also referred to as "Mad Jack".

Jack O'Lantern I
Jack-O-Lantern was the original alter ego of Jason Macendale. He wore a flaming pumpkin mask and flew on a disc glider. He had no super powers and was a very minor villain. He had a brief alliance with the Hobgoblin in a few issues of the Spectacular Spider-Man before becoming the Hobgoblin and being possessed by Demogoblin.

Jack O'Lantern II
The second Jack-O-Lantern was a simple mercenary who fought Captain America and Spider-Man. He continues to reappear from time to time. His identity was never revealed in a comicbook, but in New Avengers Most Wanted, a character compendium, his name was revealed to be Steve Levins.

This incarnation of Jack-O-Lantern was a member of the loosely-knit band of Red Skull minions called The Skeleton Crew. He was also a partner of Blackwing prior to joining the Skull's group.

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.

Jack O'Lantern III and IV: Mad Jack
The third and fourth Jack-O-Lanterns are Daniel Berkhart and Maguire Beck, who went by the name of Mad Jack. Danny, Mysterio's friend and student, tended to impersonate Mysterio quite often, and Beck was Mysterio's cousin and supposedly a fashion designer. Alternating with the costume, the two sometimes used androids also. The two used radio contact most often, and they also worked with a cat, which they spoke to as though it knew what they were saying.

After Green Goblin returned, Jack was to make J. Jonah Jameson sell Osborn the Daily Bugle. Berkhardt wanted revenge against Jameson, but Spider-Man saved his life. After Mysterio killed himself, Berkhardt became Mysterio II, and Maguire became the only Mad Jack. The two teamed up against Spider-Man, who allied himself with Daredevil. Beck was imprisoned at the end of the storyline, and has not appeared in the comic books since.