Origin
Wrongly accused of embezzlement, research chemist Steven Hudak created an armored suit with flame throwing equipment. Taking the name “Scorcher” he attacked his former place of employment. After he fought and was defeated by Spider-Man, he was sent to prison. He eventually broke out of prison and was defeated by Spider-Man a second time. Scorcher at one point attacked Christmas shoppers, he was defeated by Ben Reilly. Crimson Cowl recruited Scorcher to join the Masters of Evil.
Mayor Story Arcs
During a time when Matt Murdock’s (Daredevil) had his secret identity revealed, Scorcher and fellow villain Diamondback II (Debbie Bertrand) attacked Murdock, but were easily defeated by the combined forces Daredevil and Spider-Man. The Scorcher had a later encounter with Daredevil during the Secret War series when Hudak was forced to join a group composed of other supervillians to attack S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters. In a counteractive attempt to defend SHIELD, the headquarters were defended by a force consisting of numerous New York superheroes, among which was Daredevil. Daredevil, not forgetting what Scorcher had attempted during their last encounter when Murdock was vulnerable, personally defeated the criminal. Soon afterwards, due to a overall lack of success as a super villain and the stress that came with, Hudak promises his ex-wife he would give up his criminal life soon in an attempt to get back on the straight and narrow and have a normal life.
Breakout
During his time of reformation, the Savage Land Mutates tried hiring the Scorcher to break the mutate known as Sauron out of jail, but he stuck true to his word to his ex-wife and declined. Unbeknownst to the mutates, Hudak, trying to take his reformation seriously by trying to help the good guys, informs Wolverine of the mutates plans to free Sauron. Note: Hudak is mentioned and Wolverine tells the New Avengers what he had done but he is never seen in the Story Arc
Hudak’s plans for staying on the right side of the law were unfortunately short lived and after a time he returned to being Scorcher and a criminal. During one of his first “return” outings as Scorcher, he is shamelessly beaten by She-Hulk.
Recently:
Scorcher has appeared as a member of The Hood s newly formed crime syndicate. During the Secret Invasion story line, he is seen fighting along side other members of Hoods syndicate during the Hoods planned attack on the invading Skrull forces. He is also set to be part of the Hoods attack on Mister Negative.
Video Games
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 (2009)
Scorcher appears alongside Wizard, as a mini-boss defending the gates of Lucia Von Bardas’ castle.