Origin

The Blotch’s origin is unknown. Both Max and Zot specifically tell Jenny that it is a “long story” and then don’t tell her what it is.

He is a well-known criminal who acts like a legitimate businessman.

Creation

The Blotch was created by Scott McCloud in the second, black-and-white, run of Zot! in issue 21.

However, perhaps mysteriously to readers, he had appeared in Scott McCloud’s letters-page poll of readers for which character most deserved to get a pie in the face since the earliest days of the series. McCloud later explained (in issue 24) that Kurt Busiek, McCloud’s childhood friend and “consultant” for the first arc’s story, voted for the Blotch when he saw a sketch of the character in McCloud’s studio when the Blotch was still only an idea.

Major Story Arcs

Heroes and Villains

Zot catches the Blotch for unknown crimes in Chicago and the Blotch is sent to jail for 30 years. However, he is sent to the prison planet Charity, where you can legally buy your way out of your sentence if you pay enough. The Blotch does just that, and also becomes president of a company.

The Blotch purchases Bingo Pop, a soft drink. Zot, not knowing it’s owned by the criminal, is hired to become its new commercial spokesman and makes an ad for it. Zot’s friends are split on whether this is a good idea or crass.

Zot runs into the Blotch while flying above the city. The Blotch brags about getting out of jail.

After trying to stop some criminals from stealing the formula to Bingo Pop’s rival, Comet Cola, Zot follows them to their hideout, which he realizes is Bingo Pop’s own headquarters.

The Blotch arrives and tells Zot that he owns him, and that because of the language in his contract, Zot can’t disparage the Blotch in any way.

When reporters try to interview Zot about his involvement in a criminal’s company, he is forced to not comment. Zot starts to look suspect.

Zot decides he won’t stand for this situation. He gets Peabody to transmit a video of the Blotch admitting to a crime to the police. Then he follows him to the Blotch’s ex-prison, the planet Charity, a world where crass commercialism rules.

When the Blotch realizes that one of his subordinates was bugged, he takes the man’s bank card and reduces its value to $7.

Zot breaks in and takes Comet Cola’s formula, then flies away. The Blotch chases him through a door, not realizing that it’s a teleporter to a jail cell. Zot says there’s enough evidence to keep him there a while.

Zot makes a better deal with Bingo Pop, including an ad where he admits it’s not his favorite soda.

Later, Zot and Jenny get a pie for Max’s New Year’s party. They run into Zot’s villain, Bellows. Zot catches him. When he goes to jail he meets the Blotch. The two of them break out of jail.

Zot, Jenny, and their friends all go to the party. The Blotch and Bellows break in, threatening to rob everyone. Another of Zot’s villains, 9-Jack-9, is already there, off on good behavior from the asylum where he was committed for his past crimes.

The Blotch is desperate because his body is starting to melt down. As he and Bellows start to yell at each other, the Blotch’s body becomes more and more liquid and discombobulate. His mind also starts to go, and he yells random phrases about money. Finally his body explodes in a puddle of goo.

A bit later, an eye pops up on a stalk out of the pool of goo. It coheres enough of the rest of the goo into a simple shape that it can run away.

Powers & Abilities

The Blotch’s face is made of a blob of "protoplasm." His body can melt and he can reform it to some degree. Otherwise he is seemingly unable to control his goo-like nature, or at least he is unable to use it functionally. He uses classic mob-era weapons like Tommy Guns for fighting.

Alternate Versions

Within the world of "Dimension 10 1/2," the stick-figure alternate universe created by Matt Feazell and running in the back of the black-and-white issues of Zot!, the Blotch sells Zot-themed merch at a movie about Zot. Even Digger thinks it's crass but Stupidboy buys some.