The Invaders were sent on a special assignment by the British government to investigate the Egyptian terrorist group the Sons of the Scarab. Clad in ancient Egyptian clothes, these militants tried to overthrow the British occupation of Northern Africa. Desperate not to lose their Egyptian foothold to Rommel, Hitler's 'Desert Fox,' the British government assumed the Invaders could put an end to the Sons of the Scarab's acts of sabotage.

The Invaders were met in Egypt by Major Harrison, their liason officer, and Dr. Abdul Faoul, an Egyptian archeologist. The Britons had come to the conclusion that the Sons of the Scarab had established a base somewhere within the ancient pyramids. They wanted Dr. Faoul to lead the Human Torch and Sub-Mariner into hidden tunnels in the pyramids where the Sons of the Scarab could be hiding. Captain America, Union Jack II, and Spitfire were sent to aid British troops in repelling the attacking German army in Egypt. Upon opening a hidden chamber in one of the great pyramids, Torch, Namor, and Dr. Faoul discovered a glowing scarab talisman on a pedestal. While the Torch and Namor were surprised by the find, it's what Dr. Faoul had been searching for all along. He was actually the leader of the Sons of the Scarab and used the talisman to become the Scarlet Scarab! Endowed with superhuman powers (including flight and the ability to drain the energies of others), the Scarlet Scarab was actually able to defeat the Torch and Namor in combat. He then streaked off to the German/British battle and decided to ally himself with the Germans (he mistakenly believed that the Germans would defeat the British and then give Egypt back to the Egyptians).

The Scarlet Scarab then had to battle the British troops and the reunited Invaders, who were unable to subdue him. Fortunately, the Nazis themselves opened Dr. Faoul's eyes. Faoul caught a German general preparing to execute local Egyptian peasants and realized he'd been duped. He then switched sides, helping to repel the Nazis. However, the Scarab was quick to assure the Invaders that he had not decided to fight on their side--he was merely doing what was best for his people. Although this would occasionally put him at cross purposes with the Allies, it made him a hero to his people.

Although Dr. Faoul knew the legend of the scarab talisman, he didn't read all of the ancient heiroglyphics that were inscribed on its altar. After the scarab had been used for a certain period of time, it would disappear and return to the altar within the pyramid. After years of searching for the mystic ruby (but never thinking to go back to the pyramid), Dr. Faoul died of old age. However, he passed his costume, a journal of his adventures, and a picture of the scarab to his son Mehemet. Mehemet Faoul carried on his father's search, eventually locating the ruby scarab in it's original resting place. Mehemet took the scarab and became the second Scarlet Scarab, proving strong enough to hold his own in combat with Thor.

SCARLET SCARAB I:

First Appearance: INVADERS #23 (1977)

Other Appearances: INVADERS #25 (1978)

Final Appearance: THOR #326 (1982)

SCARLET SCARAB II:

First Appearance: THOR #326 (1982)

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