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    Captain Qwark

    Character » appears in 19 games

    Deluded superhero from the Ratchet & Clank series. Although his outward appearance is a mighty superhero, Captain Qwark is a supreme coward who hides behind Ratchet when danger is near. Always prepared to save his own skin over anyone else's, even while trying to help avert disaster.

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    General Information

    Captain Qwark is the only character, besides Ratchet and Clank themselves, to appear in every game in the series and is voiced by Jim Ward. He is only available as a playable character in two games: Up Your Arsenal, where he is featured in the Vid-Comic mini-games, and in Secret Agent Clank.

    Though referred to as Captain Qwark in most games, in Tools of Destruction it was revealed that his real name was in fact Copernicus Leslie Qwark. Throughout the series, he has tried to disguise himself using various names such as Steve McQwark, Stefan Qwarkanopolus, Finnegan O' Qwarksalot, Walter Qwarkowski, Nurse Shannon, Hershel Qwarkenstein, John Guincy Qwark, Lucius Von Qwark and Shirley Biggums.

    Although a villain in the first game, he typically appears on Ratchet and Clank's team - he would be more than happy to abandon them, however, if it ensures his own safety. In addition to his cowardly appearance, he also seems to be quite slow and unintelligent. In Up Your Arsenal it was revealed he was held back in high school until he was 26 years old.

    Qwarks History

    He was born at Florana. His parents were killed by defective equipment created by the Technomites. Captain Qwark had a long career before he met Ratchet. His first big enemy that he fought was Captain Blackstar, a terrible Robotic Ghost space pirate captain. Blackstar also controlled a powerful space mutant that Qwark defeated. Qwark managed to defeat Blackstar and escape his ship. There was no other evidence of this event other than Qwarks own stories meaning that the fight probably wasn't as heroic as he said. This event was playable In Qwarks vid-comic episode 1: Booty is in the eye of the Beholder.

    The Greatest Hero the Galaxy had ever known!
    The Greatest Hero the Galaxy had ever known!

    After that, Qwark became an intergalactic hero. After a while Qwark heard that Blackwater City was under attack by the Amoeboids, the army of Dr. Nefarious. He managed to defeat Nefarious but the villain himself escaped, beginning Qwarks long-running battle against Dr.Nefarious. Qwarks vid-comic episode 2: Arriba Amoeba had you play through the incident

    Captain Qwark followed Nefarious. Captain Qwark hung onto Nefarious' shuttle for six days when they finally arrived at the doctor's secret base on planet Magmos. Qwark then disguised himself, first as a trash can, then as a pizza delivery lady, hoping to get inside the laboratory. Surprisingly, Nefarious let him in, stating, "I've got a little surprise waiting for him." As soon as Qwark stepped in, he found the whole place was guarded by robots. Qwark fought his way through and teleported himself right to Nefarious. But, as Qwark saw the doctor's face, he realized that he looked very familiar and had a flash-back to his 9th Grade biology class. Nefarious used to be the "freak with the headgear" and Qwark went up to Nefarious to apparently give him a wedgie for old times' sakes but, instead, knocked Nefarious down to the fiery pits below. As Qwark walked away, thinking that Nefarious was gone forever, a robotic claw broke through the machinery behind him, foreshadowing the rise of the new, powerful Dr. Nefarious. This was described in Qwarks vid-comic episode 3: Shadow of the Robot

    Shortly after his first defeat of Dr. Nefarious, Qwark was relaxing at home. Meanwhile, Dr. Nefarious unleashed a hoard of robotic insects to consume Metropolis and its citizens, a crisis Qwark eventually got caught up in and had to combat. In the end, Dr. Nefarious revealed his then-new cybernetic form, and he faced off with his simple-minded archenemies. Qwark succeeded in destroying all but Nefarious' head, who swore revenge on Qwark and Metropolis.This was described in Qwarks vid-comic episode 4: Deja Q All over again

    Qwark had a time of peace and quite and he enjoyed his celebrity. But Nefarious returned again, sending Qwark into Hiding. Nefarious captured him but Qwark escaped and so we reach the end of his life before the Ratchet and Clank Franchise.

    Game Appearances

    Ratchet & Clank

    Captain Qwark is first introduced in Ratchet & Clank, where he is portrayed as being the Greatest Hero of all time. Initially, Clank believes they met him while in Metropolis, though this proves only to be a robotic statue. Later, however, they find his personal trainer while in Blackwater City, and manage to pay

    Robot Qwark
    Robot Qwark

    off the security guard to get inside. Hoping to warn Qwark of the impending destruction caused by Chairman Drek's plan for galactic domination, they're surprised to find out that he already knows about the situation. He suggests that Ratchet has the potential to become a hero, just like him, but first is required to pass Qwark's self-constructed obstacle course. It is here that Qwark traps the pair over hot lava. He then reveals how he is in fact working for Drek, with the promise of a new position as Spokesperson for the planet Blarg. He then leaves the pair to fight to the death with a Snagglebeast. They escape after defeating the beast, and proceed to hunt down Qwark and face up to him in a space battle. Although Qwark is defeated, he is not killed. Later, he re-appears, offering to sell Ratchet gadgets, though he claims not to be the captain, instead 'Steve McQwark'.

    Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando

    Qwark, disguised as Fizzwidget
    Qwark, disguised as Fizzwidget

    Initially, Qwark's appearances in the game are limited to the episodic documentaries of 'Behind the Hero', that appear in some cut-scenes, detailing the hero's fall from grace. Later, it is hinted at that Qwark might be up to something. He is then revealed to have been pretending to Abercrombie Fizzwidget, the C.E.O of Megacorp and was planning to release a creature called the protopet in to the galaxy where it would spread and cause chaos.

    Qwark then planned to use a device he created to make all the protopets harmless making him look like a hero, returning him to his former glory. His plan fails miserably of course and he accidentaly createsa mutant protopet that is several times bigger and meaner than a regular protopet setting off the final boss battle of Ratchet and Clank: Going Commando. After his defeat he started working at Megacorps research department as a tester where he tested the Crotchitizer and other crazy inventions. He later became a fan of the crotchitizer and always had a portable version of the device on him.

    Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal

    At the start of Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal, Qwark is seen living in the Florana Jungle, insane, believing himself to be a monkey. He is brought back to the starship, with Skrunch - a one-eyed monkey and his companion - with the hope he will return to his normal state of mind. It is revelead that Qwark was the only person ever to defeat the evil Dr. Nefarious, who is attempting galactic domination. Eventually, he regains his memory after watching one of his Vid-Comics. He immediatly begins to assemble a special team to combat Nefarious called the Q-Force, consisting of himself, Ratchet, Clank, Skrunch, Big

    Qwark Vid Comic
    Qwark Vid Comic

    Al, Helga, Sasha and Skidd McMarxx. In typical Qwark fashion, he shies away from the action, instead creating elaborate schemes for Ratchet to complete.

    Later on in the game, the Q-Force manage to track down Nefarious on the starship Leviathan, only to find out that its actually a trap. All of the Q-Force manage to escape un-harmed, except for Qwark, who stays behind to investigate something he saw. They assume he didn't make it out before the explosion, and hold a funeral back on the Phoenix.

    Later, however, Ratchet and Clank find out that he managed to survive, but did not return as he no longer wanted to fight Nefarious. Instead, he stays at his secret hide-out. Ratchet heavily criticises him, calling him a coward, but Clank suggests he has the oppurtunity to redeem himself.

    In the very last level, Qwark returns to fight alongside Ratchet and Clank, and manages to distract Nefarious, which in turn allows Ratchet to defeat him. Qwark is also featured in the final scene with the rest of the Q-Force at the premiere of Clank's new film's premiere of Secret Agent Clank.

    Ratchet: Deadlocked

    In Deadlocked, Qwark has a less prominent role than in previous games. Ratchet does contact him, to convey his concern about the increasing number of heroes that are being kidnapped. Qwark tries to allay his fears, suggesting that if this the case, they would have captured him before already - being the galaxy's most loved hero. He then reminds them of his very own fan club, and that they have both missed the last two meetings, but promises to send them out copies of the newsletters. He also reveals he has become more relaxed about his hero duties and that he no longer works on Wednesdays.

    Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters

    At the beginning of Size Matters, Qwark follows Ratchet and Clank around, which inevitably causes them much frustration. In an effort to keep him occupied and out of their way, Ratchet suggests he uses the internet in order to help him find out information about his past. Throughout the game, Qwark keeps updating the pair with news about his discoveries. As the game progresses, it is revealed that he never knew his parents, and was raised by monkeys in an orphanage. Later, he discovers that his father was Otto Destruct, the main villain in the game. Unsure of what to do, Qwark decides to fight alongside Otto against Ratchet. However, once Otto has been defeated, Clank tells of how the information Qwark received was false, and that his real parents were actually both great heroes, tragically killed by a defective gadget.

    Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction

    Qwark is featured in the introduction of Tools of Destruction, sending out a distress call to Ratchet and Clank. He claimed that he was been attacked by an entire army, who were also destroying the city of Metropolis. He pleaded that the pair would go to the Planetary Defense Center, before he has killed. Before Qwark can be saved, Ratchet and Clank become trapped by Tachyon's forces, and eventually have to flee the planet.

    Your favorite hero, In HD!!
    Your favorite hero, In HD!!

    Later, Qwark invites Ratchet to take part in the Imperial Fight Festival. Outside the arena, Qwark meets up with Ratchet, giving him instructions, along with a cheap disguise and the name 'Mustashio Furioso'. After they have successfully completed the challenge, Qwark presents them the reward of a Pirate Holo-guise, an infobot and a copy of his fitness book, Body by Qwark. When asked by Ratchet why he working for Tachyon, Qwark claimed that he was 'just saving the universe'. He then told them of how he had defeated 2000 of Tachyon's army using his 'Crouching Kitten' manuever, but had sworn allegiance to the emperor, for 'the safety of the good citizens of Kerwan'.

    Qwark again shows up, this time providing a plan to infiltrate Zordoom prison, though he is unwilling to take part in the action. He also shows up after Ratchet defeated Captain Slag, grabbing the Dimensionator - which he sees as a chance to show the galaxy the true hero he really is. Though his original intention was to destroy the device, he was confronted by Tachyon, at which point, he lost possession of it.

    Ratchet and Clank again find him, this time hiding after his failure to destroy the Dimensionator. He then decides that he is no longer suitable for saving the universe, declaring 'I'm no superhero; I'm Captain Qwark no more...'. At the end of the game, Qwark is shown working with Rusty Pete, trying to perfect his pirate 'yarrr'. Progress appears slow, as Pete realizes that is going to 'need more grog'.

    Secret Agent Clank

    Qwark returns to the series, this time attempting to write his autobiography, with the help of a reporter bot, acting as a ghostwriter. Hoping to sound more heroic in the book than in reality, Qwark begins recounting multiple tales of his triumphs. This also features in the gameplay, as, when playing as Qwark, the difficulty of opponents increases to reflect the ridiculous nature of the modified story.

    Later on in the story, Qwark accidentally transports himself to a satellite containing a laser beam that was due to destroy all planets in the galaxy. In un-Qwark like fashion, he manages to dismantle the device safely. Towards the end, Qwark's ghostwriter, B.A.R.N.E.Y, attempts to murder him, only to be saved by Ratchet.

    Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest For Booty

    Quest for Booty is the first, and so far only game in the series in which Qwark doesn't have a significant role or appearance. However, a statue of him can be found half submerged in sand at the beach of Hoolefar Island. It's also accompanied by several copies of his book, Body by Qwark, which he had previously given a copy to Clank after winning an arena battle in Tools Of Destruction.

    Ratchet and Clank Future: A Crack In Time

    A render of Qwark from A Crack In Time
    A render of Qwark from A Crack In Time

    Qwark gets a lot more screen time in A Crack In Time, already seen in trailers as helping Ratchet in his quest.

    Trivia

    An example of Qwarks
    An example of Qwarks "art"
    • Captain Qwarks actual name is Copernicus Leslie Qwark
    • Qwarks name was inspired by the Star Trek character "Quark"
    • He is known for his terrible drawing skill
    • When Qwark wasnt fighting Crime, he was a successful actor.
    • Captain Qwark once worked for Gadgetron.
    • He still misses his life with the monkeys from "Up Your Arsenal."
    • Qwark's homeplanet is Kerwan, where he worked at the planetary defense center.
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