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Minister Blood (Melvin Scarbo)

The Religious Affiliation of
Minister Blood
Melvin Scarbo

Religion: Protestant; Camps of Hate (leader) CBR Scale: M

Name: Minister Blood

Alter Ego: Melvin Scarbo

Other Names: Malachi; Mel; Instructor; Malachi Scarbo

Classification: supporting character supporting character   clergy/religious leader clergy/religious leader  

Publisher(s): Marvel

First Appearance: Captain America (vol. 1) #123 (Mar. 1970): "Suprema, the Deadliest of the Species!"

First Appearance (Additional Details): (as Scarbo) Captain America (vol. 1) #123 (Mar. 1970): "Suprema, the Deadliest of the Species!"; (as Minister Blood) Avengers (vol. 1) #324

Creators: Stan Lee, Gene Colan, Joe Sinnott

Super? (Has Super Powers/Special Abilities/Technology): Yes

Number of Appearances: 6

Teams/Affiliations: Sisters of Sin (mentor); Skeleton Crew

Enemy of: Captain America, S.H.I.E.L.D., Jennifer, The Avengers

Ally: Mother Night
Ally: Red Skull
Ally: Suprema
Ally: Machinesmith

Occupation: hypnotist

Nation: USA

Birth Place: Teaneck, New Jersey, USA

Gender: male

Note: Mother Night's brother; head of various churches

Minister Blood dressed as a Christian (apparently Protestant) clergyman, wore a large cross, and carried a large Holy Bible. Obviously Minister Blood's alliance with the Red Skull and his leadership of "Camps of Hate" across the United States were gross violations of Biblical Christian teaching. These "Camps of Hate" may have been based, at least in part, on real-world youth camps sponsored by fringe Christian groups, such as extremist Fundamentalist/Evangelical groups with hardcore anti-Catholic, anti-Mormon, anti-Muslim, etc., teachings, or "Christian Identity" groups associated with white supremacist Aryan Nations teachings.

As for Minister Blood himself, it is not entirely clear whether he is a sincere believer in the hate-based philosophies promulgated by his camps, or if he simply assumed the appearance and station of a Christian clergyman in order to further his own goals and the Red Skull's objectives. But based on the character's known history and appearances, it seems more likely that he had no genuine Christian belief. He started his criminal career by conning people through a hypnotist's act performed with his villainous sister Susan (later known as "Sister Sin"). Melvin and his sister apparently found it both profitable and perversely rewarding in a sacrilegious way to dress as religious leaders in the continuance of their criminal goals. There are countless examples of sincerely devout religious villains in comic books. But Minister Blood does not appear to be an example of this type of character.


This character is in the following 5 stories which have been indexed by this website:
Captain America


Suggested links for further research about this character and the character's religious affiliation:
  - http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix2/ministerblood.htm
  - http://www.comicvine.com/minister-blood/29-28059/
  - http://www.comicboards.com/marvelguide/m2.html
  - http://www.marvunapp.com/master/minmiss.htm
  - http://www.marvunapp.com/master/sbscar.htm