Real Name: Harlan Franklin West
Alignment: Hero
Faction: Scarab Corps
In the Metro neighborhood of Empire City, Harlan West was known as a dedicated community leader, tirelessly working to uplift his fellow citizens, particularly those in the black community. His passion for justice and equality were boundless, and he fought tooth and nail to make a difference. Little did he know that his life was about to take a dramatic turn, leading him down the path of becoming the speedster superhero known as Red Scarab.
As Harlan was returning home from a late-evening community meeting, he found himself face-to-face with a nefarious criminal known as Stoneface. The superhuman goon was a member of T-MOB which had recently begun carving out territory in Metro.
Harlan suffered a terrible beating that night which left him with a broken arm and fractured cheeks. Stoneface warned him to desist in stirring up the community against Q-MOB and its activities. But Harlan was undeterred, and within a couple of days he was back to work in the neighborhood.
Three weeks passed and Stoneface returned, saying that Harlan had blown his one chance. The second beating was even more savage, leaving Harlan with four broken limbs, most of his ribs fractured and comatose.
Days went by, turning into weeks, and eventually Harlan awoke, months of painful rehab ahead of him. Prominent figures in the community pleaded with Harlan to no longer stand up to Q-MOB, but again Harlan stated he would not bend the knee to thugs, superpowered or otherwise. A day later, Dani Garret entered Harlan’s life.
Recognizing Harlan’s unwavering determination and potential, Dani extended an offer to him – join the Scarab Corps, a group of individuals focused on safeguarding and serving the city, and undergo a modified version of the Scarab Serum treatment. Dani described how impressed she was with Harlan’s courage, and that she wanted to even the footing between him and goons like Stoneface.
Harlan’s resolve burned brightly, despite the warning that the treatment may not work for him, or worse have unexpected side effects. With no guarantee of success, he chose to grasp the opportunity, fueled by his desire to continue his fight for justice.
The Scarab Serum treatment was agonizing, pushing Harlan’s body to its limits. The pain wracked through every fiber of his being, testing his determination. But within that crucible of suffering, something extraordinary occurred. Harlan emerged from the ordeal with newfound strength, not only able to walk and move again as he had done before, but also possessing an incredible power—the gift of superspeed.
Embracing his new situation, Harlan donned a vibrant scarlet and yellow costume provided by Dani and her friend Coleen Franz. As Red Scarab, Harlan became a beacon of hope, a swift blur of justice, and a tireless protector of the innocent. With each stride, he blazed through the city, his speed unmatched by any foe, and never forgetting where he came from.
“Knock one of us down, and another stands up, we are the Scarab Corps!”
Red Scarab – Tales of the Scarab Corps #8