365 DC Comics Paper Cut-Out Villains - One Villain, Every Day, All Year…
October 11th - Doctor Arcane
Anton Arcane is a diabolical scientist, alchemist and necromancer who has been obsessed with gaining immortality. His search for life-extending processes have led him to conduct all manner of horrific and inhuman experiments. Arcane became aware of the magical creature known as The Swamp Thing and was convinced that the creature’s floral form would prove the key to achieving immortality. He then used his niece, Abigal, to lure The Swamp Thing to his castle in a remote region of Europe. Arcane was initially successful in taking on The Swamp Thing’s powers and, in turn, transforming the creature back into his original human form as Alex Holland. Upon realizing Arcane’s diabolical schemes for how he would use his powers, however, Holland took action to reverse the process. Holland was transformed back into The Swamp Thing and, rendered back into his frail, elderly form, Arcane fell to his death. Arcane was later resurrected by his minion creatures, The Un-Men. He would return for subsequent battles against Swamp Thing as well as the hero Animal Man. Dr. Arcane featured in both the first and second Swamp Thing movies, portrayed by actor Louis Jourdan; actor Mark Lindsay Chapman portrayed the villain in the Swamp Thing television series. Dr. Arcane first appeared int he pages of Swamp Thing #2 (1973).
