Serpent Society
Encyclopedia
The Serpent Society is a fictional organization of snake-themed supervillains in the Marvel Comics
universe. The group was initially formed from the membership of a previous supervillain team, the Serpent Squad
. The group, like its predecessor, has been made up of longtime antagonists of Captain America
and his fellow Avengers
. The Serpent Society first appeared in Captain America #310 (October 1985) and was created by Mark Gruenwald
and Paul Neary
.
), and is a descendant of sorts from the original Serpent Squads. The first squad consists of the original Viper, his brother the Eel
, and the Cobra
. The second squad consists of the second and current Viper (who was also formerly Madame Hydra
), the Eel, Princess Python
, Cobra, and the Atlantis Warlord Krang
. Voelker led the third incarnation of the Squad that included Anaconda
, Black Mamba
and Death Adder
. They were to retrieve the fabled Serpent Crown
from its then underwater grave. Voelker used his cloak and abandoned his comrades during an underwater mishap, and proceeded to collect the reward for the Crown.
Anaconda, Mamba and Adder not only survived the mishap but they caught up with Voelker. During that time Voelker had invested the money and started the groundwork for the Serpent Society. The Society was to provide its members with better access to technology, bigger access to jobs, higher pay, comradeship, safe lodging, and a host of other benefits. Most importantly, with Sidewinder's teleportation cloak, members never had to fear imprisonment again. It was, essentially, a supervillain labor union
.
After persuading his former comrades of his true intention to better their lot (and paying their share of the reward plus interest), he had them contact other snake-themed criminals, these included the Asp
, Diamondback
, Constrictor
, Cobra, Princess Python, the Viper, the Rattler
, Cottonmouth
, and Bushmaster
. The Viper refused to attend the first initial gathering. Constrictor, unimpressed with the proceedings, walked out and tried to turn the group over to the Avengers.
Sidewinder, Anaconda, Black Mamba, Death Adder, Asp, Diamondback, Cottonmouth, Cobra, Bushmaster, Rattler, and Princess Python became charter members of the Serpent Society. They headquartered at Serpent Citadel, which was an abandoned mental hospital located in upstate New York. Sidewinder sent them out to contact various criminal organizations including HYDRA
, the Maggia
, the Kingpin
, and A.I.M.
. From A.I.M. they received their first paying assignment: the elimination of their former leader MODOK
. The Society's success in killing MODOK quickly cemented their reputation as criminal talents of the first caliber. Captain America
intervened many times during their early years but was never able to put them out of commission.
Two charter members soon left the Society. Princess Python ran out on them during the MODOK assignment and was expelled from their ranks. Death Adder was killed by Scourge when he was trying to ransom the Princess to her Circus of Crime cohorts.
Later, the Viper sent a fourth Serpent Squad (though not named as such) consisting of Copperhead
, Black Racer, Fer-de-Lance
and Puff Adder
to infiltrate the Society with the intention of assassinating Sidewinder and putting herself as the rightful leader. When the four were taken to Serpent Citadel by Sidewinder, it was easy for the rest of the Viper's allies (Coachwhip
, Boomslang
, Slither
, and Rock Python
), to assault the place. Many of the charter members turncoat and supported the Viper whereas the Asp
, Black Mamba, Bushmaster, and Diamondback remained loyal to Sidewinder.
The Viper used the Society and its resources to poison the water supply of Washington DC, which turned its citizens into snake-men. The ensuing chaos nearly destroyed the capital. Diamondback managed to escape with Sidewinder and solicited help from Captain America (who then was known as "The Captain" while another man donned the Captain America costume and identity) and his allies D-Man
, Nomad, the Falcon
, and Vagabond
. The team stormed Serpent Citadel, rescued the Society members that were loyal to Sidewinder, and captured many others. The Viper, however managed to escape.
In the end, Cobra subdued the Viper and turned her over to the Captain on the condition that he allowed the Serpent Society 24 hours to evacuate from their headquarters. When the Captain refused the deal the Cobra turned Viper over anyway.
Bitter over his betrayal, Sidewinder left the Society and Cobra became its new leader, eventually calling himself King Cobra. With the exception of Slither and the Viper herself, all of the Viper's agents also joined the Society. The Society re-located to a new secret headquarters in the Bronx.
Shortly afterwards, Diamondback became romantically involved with Captain America and tried to quit the Society altogether to be with him. Despite the fact that she was a member of a criminal organization that he desperately wanted to put out of commission, Cap did not force her to betray her compatriots. The Society, however, had Diamondback under surveillance and when they realized she had been seeing Captain America socially, certain members demanded that she should be put on trial for treason.
Diamondback was found guilty... every member voted for her death except for Asp, Black Mamba, Bushmaster and Rock Python. Penalty was death by injection, but King Cobra said he would commute the sentence if she would cooperate with them by revealing the true identity of Captain America. Diamondback refused but Black Mamba secretly alerted Sidewinder, who teleported in to save Diamondback at the last moment.
Diamondback, seeking revenge against the Society, sought out the Paladin
when Captain America could not guarantee that Mamba and Asp be given immunity from arrest. The two infiltrated the Society's headquarters only to be captured along with Mamba and Asp. Cap on the other hand, from his sky cycle, spotted a Serpent Saucer, piloted by Cottonmouth and Fer-de-Lance heading back to the Society's hideout. Cap entered the hideout along with the saucer and quickly subdued the two serpents. He quickly freed Diamondback, Paladin, Mamba and Asp and together they brought down the Society. All members were taken to prison with the exception of Diamondback, Asp, and Mamba (Asp and Mamba eventually were given immunity from arrest due to their help defeating their former colleagues). Anaconda, Puff Adder and Rock Python escaped capture because they were not at the headquarters at the time. Boomslang was in the hospital around this period.
After spending time in prison, the Society re-formed again, going back to their old ways. Another encounter with Captain America and the now defunct team called Force Works
seemed to have permanently put them out of commission; both Puff Adder and Mamba later said that the Society had disbanded.
during Civil War. After that the four villains have been identified as members of the 142 registered superheroes who appear on the cover of the comic book Avengers: The Initiative
#1. Anaconda was serves with the Six Pack
and later defeated by the New Warriors
; Diamondback, Black Mamba, and Asp have reformed BAD Girls, Inc.
; Cottonmouth hadn't been seen since he broke free from prison with Hawkeye
, but was later taken back into custody by S.H.I.E.L.D.
.
. The Serpent Society, including members Sidewinder, Black Mamba, Anaconda, Death Adder II, Fer-de-Lance, and Copperhead, held a number of civilians (including their own families) hostage in a compound in the American Mid-West claiming they were protecting themselves from the Skrull
s. Nova and his deputees defeated them in literally seconds. The Society never even had a chance to defend themselves.
Later, several Serpent Society members including Anaconda, Black Mamba, Bushmaster and Cottonmouth, fought members of the New Avengers in a semi-tropical locale. They were seen defeated.
(Blanche Sitnizki) is a former steelworker from Pittsburgh who received cybernetic surgery from the Roxxon Corporation that gave her superhuman
ly strong tentacle
-like arms and legs that she uses to constrict
her foes. They also implanted gills that allowed her to breathe underwater. Anaconda's throat was apparently damaged in a tournament held by Mister X. She later reappeared in healthy condition as member of the new Six Pack
.
("Cleo" Nefertiti) is a mutant who generates a paralytic energy which is fatal to those who remained in close contact with her for prolonged periods of time. She can channel this energy into electrical blasts, which she called her "venom bursts" or "venom bolts" that can stun or paralyze living beings. She was an exotic dancer by profession, and found that physical exertion decreased her venom blast's recharge time. The Asp can also move at superhuman speed, although not on par with speedsters such as Black Racer or Quicksilver. When Diamondback left the Society, Asp and Black Mamba followed, and they teamed with the African huntress named Impala
to form the mercenary group called "BAD Girls, Inc." The team recently reappeared sans Impala.
(Tanya Sealy), a former call-girl, has a limited form of telepathy that enables her to scan the thoughts of nearby individuals, usually to find an image of someone that the person holds dear. She then manifests the Darkforce
into the image of that cherished person, which in turn, almost hypnotically seduces its target into embracing it. Once physical contact is established, Mamba then lets the Darkforce constrict her victims to death, or at the very least, to unconsciousness. Often the victim is in too deep a state of ecstasy or euphoria to even notice. One or both of these powers (telepathy and darkforce control) is due to a chip implanted in her forebrain, provided by the Roxxon Corporation. When Diamondback left the Society, Asp and Black Mamba followed, and they teamed with the African huntress named Impala
to form the mercenary group called "BAD Girls, Inc." Black Mamba later joined the Crimson Cowl's Masters of Evil
, but recently returned as a member of the BAD Girls.
is an Australian criminal who uses snake-shaped boomerang
s which he called his "serpent rangs". He is also a skilled unarmed combatant. After he was shot by gang members in Captain America #372 (and eventually recovered), Boomslang attended a weapons expo with several fellow Society members but otherwise hasn't been seen in the company of the Society since.
(Quincy McIver) is a quadriplegic who possesses cybernetic limbs: two arms and a tail in the place of the lower half of his body. He lost his arms and legs in a boating accident while trying to evade the police underwater. Shortly later, the Roxxon Oil Company equipped him with bionic arms and a snake-like tail. He took the name "Bushmaster" from his fallen brother, another criminal. Years later, Sidewinder enlisted Bushmaster to join the criminal trade union known as the Serpent Society. Bushmaster was grateful for the unity and the steady employment; he considered himself to be a freak, and the Society was his best chance in life. He made a friend in Diamondback, a fellow Society member who saved him after MODOK
severed his artificial appendages. After the Viper took over the Society, Bushmaster remained loyal to Sidewinder. However, Sidewinder, disillusioned by the betrayals of some of the Serpents, turned over control of the guild to the Cobra, and Bushmaster served him next as his second-in-command. At Diamondback's trial, he voted to spare her life from a death sentence. After the trial, Bushmaster fought Diamondback, and next, Captain America. He was finally taken into custody. Bushmaster remains with the Serpent Society.
is a woman who wields metal-linked whip
s with the ability to generate electricity. One of the more vicious members of the team, she also engaged in a relationship with King Cobra when he took over the team.
(Klaus Voorhees) is a longtime Thor
foe and partner of Mister Hyde
. He possesses superhuman speed and a great degree of flexibility, can contort his body into almost any shape, and is a skilled wrestler
. He also supplements these abilities with an array of weaponry, mainly his wrist launchers that fire anything from knockout gas to poisoned darts. After Sidewinder retired, the Cobra became King Cobra and led the group.
His nephew Peit became the second Cobra.
(Davis Lawfers) was the leader of the so-called fourth Serpent Squad (consisting also of Fer-de-Lance, Black Racer, and Puff Adder), and one of the Viper's most loyal minions. On a mission for her, he helped to contaminate Washington D.C.'s water supply with a chemical that could transform people into human/snake hybrids. During this assignment, friction existed between the Cobra and himself. When the Cobra became the new leader of the Society, Copperhead did not remain for long, making only one other appearance. Copperhead has no superhuman powers but is equipped with a pair of gauntlets which fire power blasts and poisoned darts. For protection he wears a suit of copper-colored scale mail.
NOTE: Copperhead is the name of two other Marvel villains, one of whom (now deceased) battled Daredevil
and another who battled Spider-Man
and the first White Tiger
on at least one occasion. There is also a DC
supervillain named Copperhead
as well.
(Burchell Clemens) hails from Mobile, Alabama. He has bionic jaws and steel teeth. He can extend his lower jaw up to a foot from his upper jaw. His jaws possess superhuman strength and extremely sharp fangs. Cottonmouth and Death Adder killed M.O.D.O.K. on the Society's first mission. For a while, for reasons never explained, Cottonmouth assumed Bushmaster's real identity of Quincy McIver.
(Roland Burroughs) was a mute killer. He possessed extended talons which contained deadly venom, he was bioengineered with a poison-spiked bionic tail, and was totally amphibious. Death Adder was friends with Sidewinder and Anaconda. As a member of the third Serpent Squad, he fought the Thing, Stingray and Iron Man. As a member of the Serpent Society, he battled Captain America. On the Society's first paying assignment, Death Adder (along with Cottonmouth) viciously murdered MODOK. He was slain by the Scourge of the Underworld, but was later somehow revived by Hood
.
A new Death Adder recently appeared and joined the Serpent Squad.
(Rachel Leighton) is an acrobat who uses diamond-shaped throwing blades, many of which are equipped with anything from poison, explosives, narcotics, and acid. She defected from the team and eventually became the partner and lover of Captain America. Asp, Black Mamba, Diamondback and the African huntress named Impala
formed a mercenary group called "BAD Girls, Inc." A since-destroyed Diamondback-lookalike android was recently seen as an ally of the Red Skull
. Diamondback herself has returned to mercenary work as both a member of the BAD Girls and as a freelancer.
(Teresa Vasquez), a professional assassin hailing from Latin America, Fer-de-lance has a pair of retractable "fangs" similar to that of Bushmaster's. She has no qualms about killing when it comes to completing an assignment.
(Zelda DuBois), a professional criminal and snake charmer
, is a member of the Circus of Crime
. Sidewinder invited her to become a member of the Serpent Society, and she accepted. When the Society was hired to kill MODOK, the Princess lost her nerve and abandoned her peers during the assignment to track him down. Eventually, the Society caught up with her, and Sidewinder, most disappointed in her performance, had her mind-wiped and expelled from the Society's ranks despite her explanations. He tried to ransom her off to the Circus of Crime, but the Scourge of the Underworld
stepped in, slaying Death Adder (the one handling the transaction). The Princess re-joined her old cohorts.
(Gordon Fraley), a man with the mutant power to breathe various debilitative gases (in one instance the gas was able to eat away a metal lock) and inflate his body mass to a certain extent. He also has superhuman strength and increased physical durability. There seems to be a confusion of what race he is, he has been depicted as White as often as he has been depicted as Black. Currently depowered following M-Day.
(Gustav Krueger) is a Polish criminal with a bionic tail that can generate vibrations. Perhaps as a result of his powers, he is 85% deaf in both ears and requires a hearing aid. A ruthless villain, he tried to kill Captain America alongside his fellow Serpents. He even betrayed Sidewinder to support the Viper's power bid to seize control over the Society.
(M'Gula) is a metallurgist that served the terrorist known as the Viper. His body is as hard as his namesake and he throws "snake eggs" that burst upon impact, sending out entangling strands of metallic tendrils. He also seems to have a small measure of superhuman strength: he once hung Captain America over the edge of a building by his ankle with only one hand; his body has the density of rock. He assisted the Viper in taking over the Society. After her defeat, Rock Python (along with Puff Adder and Coachwhip) tried to steal the Falcon's costume, seemingly on behalf of the Society, but they failed. Whatever the circumstances, Rock Python is now a member of the Serpent Society.
(Seth Voelker), who possessed a cloak that allowed him to teleport
himself and a companion. Later Sidewinder displayed an offensive capability which he called his "side effects": tentacular constructs that he cybernetically controlled which shoots charges of electricity. He was the group's leader until Diamondback defected and the Viper's Serpent Squad infiltrated the Society, after which he retired and left leadership to the Cobra. Sidewinder turned himself in and cooperated in his own prosecution in order to secure medical treatment for his ill daughter. Having served his term and gained parole, Sidewinder, now reformed, has shown up in New Thunderbolts
#7.
A second Sidewinder was killed in the service of Death Sting. A third Sidewinder has recently been seen as part of the group under Cobra's leadership.
. Slither
, a mutant in the form of a man-snake who is a member of Mutant Force
, was also a Society "member" for a short while when the Viper tried to take over the Society.
of their reality.
s as the Serpent Society. However, the actual group eventually appeared, consisting of Sidewinder, Cobra, Anaconda, and Cottonmouth, and battled Spider-Man. They plotted to turn the civilians of the city into snake-like creatures by poisoning the water supply. However, Spider-Man's interference led to the Lizard
drinking the poison himself, becoming a giant reptilian creature. The Serpent Society, satisfied with their success, teleported away, leaving Spider-Man to battle the Lizard.
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
universe. The group was initially formed from the membership of a previous supervillain team, the Serpent Squad
Serpent Squad
The Serpent Squad is a fictional mercenary group composed of snake-themed criminals in Marvel Comics. Most often antagonists of Captain America, the roster has changed through various incarnations...
. The group, like its predecessor, has been made up of longtime antagonists of Captain America
Captain America
Captain America is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 , from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...
and his fellow Avengers
Avengers (comics)
The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers...
. The Serpent Society first appeared in Captain America #310 (October 1985) and was created by Mark Gruenwald
Mark Gruenwald
Mark E. Gruenwald was an American comic book writer, editor, and occasional penciler. Gruenwald got his start in comics fandom, publishing his own fanzine, Omniverse, which explored the concept of continuity...
and Paul Neary
Paul Neary
Paul Neary is a British comic book artist, writer and editor.His first work was for Warren Publishing in the 1970s before working with Dez Skinn at Marvel UK as well as work for 2000 AD...
.
History
The Serpent Society was the brainchild of Seth Voelker (SidewinderSidewinder (comics)
Sidewinder is a fictional character, a reformed super villain in the Marvel Comics Universe who first appeared in Marvel Two-in-One #64 and was created by Mark Gruenwald and Ralph Macchio.-Fictional character biography:...
), and is a descendant of sorts from the original Serpent Squads. The first squad consists of the original Viper, his brother the Eel
Eel (comics)
The Eel is an alias used by two fictional characters in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The first character to take up the identity was Leopold Stryke who first appeared in Strange Tales #112, while his successor, Edward Lavell, first appeared in Power Man and Iron Fist #92 .-Publication...
, and the Cobra
Cobra (comics)
The Cobra is the alias of two fictional comic-book supervillains that appear in the Marvel Comics universe.-Klaus Voorhees:Klaus Voorhees, the original Cobra, was also known as The Human Cobra and is currently known as the original King Cobra...
. The second squad consists of the second and current Viper (who was also formerly Madame Hydra
Viper (Madame Hydra)
Viper, formerly known as Madame Hydra, is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe who is a foe of the Avengers and the X-Men...
), the Eel, Princess Python
Princess Python
Princess Python is a fictional character, a supervillain in the Marvel Comics Universe, most notably as a member of the Circus of Crime. She has no superhuman abilities, but rather relies on her snake charming skills and her pet rock python snake. She has fought several superheroes, ranging from...
, Cobra, and the Atlantis Warlord Krang
Krang (comics)
Warlord Krang is a fictional character, in the Marvel Comics universe. He was a high-ranking member of the Atlantean military.-Fictional character biography:...
. Voelker led the third incarnation of the Squad that included Anaconda
Anaconda (comics)
Anaconda is a supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe who was created by Mark Gruenwald and Ralph Macchio and first appeared in Marvel Two-in-One #64 in June 1980.-Fictional character biography:...
, Black Mamba
Black Mamba (comics)
Black Mamba is a fictional character, a supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe, most notably a member of the Serpent Society and BAD Girls, Inc.-Publication history:...
and Death Adder
Death Adder (comics)
Death Adder , is a fictional supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe. He was one of the original members of the Serpent Society.-Fictional character biography:Roland Burroughs was born in Rochester, New York...
. They were to retrieve the fabled Serpent Crown
Serpent Crown
The Serpent Crown is a fictional mystical power object which has appeared in various comic book series published by Marvel Comics. It exists within Marvel's main shared universe...
from its then underwater grave. Voelker used his cloak and abandoned his comrades during an underwater mishap, and proceeded to collect the reward for the Crown.
Anaconda, Mamba and Adder not only survived the mishap but they caught up with Voelker. During that time Voelker had invested the money and started the groundwork for the Serpent Society. The Society was to provide its members with better access to technology, bigger access to jobs, higher pay, comradeship, safe lodging, and a host of other benefits. Most importantly, with Sidewinder's teleportation cloak, members never had to fear imprisonment again. It was, essentially, a supervillain labor union
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
.
After persuading his former comrades of his true intention to better their lot (and paying their share of the reward plus interest), he had them contact other snake-themed criminals, these included the Asp
Asp (comics)
The Asp is a former supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe, most notably a member of the Serpent Society and BAD Girls, Inc.. She was created by Mark Gruenwald and Paul Neary, and first appeared in Captain America vol. 1 #310....
, Diamondback
Diamondback (comics)
Diamondback is the name of four fictional characters appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics.-Publication history:Diamondback first appeared in Captain America #310 , written by Mark Gruenwald and illustrated by Paul Neary.-Willis Stryker:The first Diamondback was a foe of Luke Cage...
, Constrictor
Constrictor (comics)
Constrictor is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe. The character is primarily a supervillain, but is often portrayed as a redeeming anti-hero. Constrictor first appeared in Incredible Hulk vol.1 #212 and was created by Len Wein and Sal Buscema.-Publication history:Constrictor...
, Cobra, Princess Python, the Viper, the Rattler
Rattler (comics)
The Rattler is a fictional character from the Marvel Comics Universe, and is a member of the Serpent Society.-Fictional character biography:...
, Cottonmouth
Cottonmouth (comics)
Cottonmouth is a fictional super villain in the Marvel Comics Universe.- Fictional character biography :Originally from Mobile, Alabama, Cottonmouth was chosen by Sidewinder to join a snake-themed villain group, the Serpent Society...
, and Bushmaster
Bushmaster (Marvel Comics)
Bushmaster is the name of two Marvel Comics brothers, both supervillains.-Fictional character biography:John McIver was a powerful crime boss, criminal financier and organizer, and was oft-confronted by the super-hero Iron Fist. McIver is best known for his attempts to lure Misty Knight to his...
. The Viper refused to attend the first initial gathering. Constrictor, unimpressed with the proceedings, walked out and tried to turn the group over to the Avengers.
Sidewinder, Anaconda, Black Mamba, Death Adder, Asp, Diamondback, Cottonmouth, Cobra, Bushmaster, Rattler, and Princess Python became charter members of the Serpent Society. They headquartered at Serpent Citadel, which was an abandoned mental hospital located in upstate New York. Sidewinder sent them out to contact various criminal organizations including HYDRA
HYDRA
HYDRA is a fictional terrorist organization in the Marvel Universe.Despite the name's capitalization per Marvel's official spelling, the name is not an acronym but rather a reference to the mythical Lernaean Hydra...
, the Maggia
Maggia (comics)
The Maggia is a fictional international crime syndicate that has appeared in various comic book series published by Marvel Comics. The organization exists in Marvel's main shared universe, known as the Marvel Universe...
, the Kingpin
Kingpin (comics)
The Kingpin is a fictional character, a supervillain in the . Kingpin is one of the most feared and powerful crime lords in the Marvel Universe. The character is a major adversary of Daredevil, the Punisher, and Spider-Man...
, and A.I.M.
Advanced Idea Mechanics
A.I.M. is a fictional terrorist organization in the . The organization first appeared in Strange Tales #146 and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.-Publication history:...
. From A.I.M. they received their first paying assignment: the elimination of their former leader MODOK
MODOK
MODOK is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Tales of Suspense #93 MODOK (acronym for Mental Organism Designed Only for Killing) is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character...
. The Society's success in killing MODOK quickly cemented their reputation as criminal talents of the first caliber. Captain America
Captain America
Captain America is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 , from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...
intervened many times during their early years but was never able to put them out of commission.
Two charter members soon left the Society. Princess Python ran out on them during the MODOK assignment and was expelled from their ranks. Death Adder was killed by Scourge when he was trying to ransom the Princess to her Circus of Crime cohorts.
Later, the Viper sent a fourth Serpent Squad (though not named as such) consisting of Copperhead
Copperhead (comics)
Copperhead, in comics, may refer to:* Copperhead refers to two characters of that name published by DC Comics.* Copperhead refers to a character of that name published by Marvel Comics....
, Black Racer, Fer-de-Lance
Fer-de-Lance (comics)
Fer-de-Lance is a super villain in the Marvel Comics Universe who first appeared in Captain America #337 . She was created by Mark Gruenwald and Tom Morgan and is a member of the Serpent Society....
and Puff Adder
Puff Adder (comics)
Puff Adder is a mutant supervillain in the Marvel Universe, most notably as a member of the Serpent Society.-Fictional character biography:Gordon "Gordo" Fraley was born in Atlanta, Georgia...
to infiltrate the Society with the intention of assassinating Sidewinder and putting herself as the rightful leader. When the four were taken to Serpent Citadel by Sidewinder, it was easy for the rest of the Viper's allies (Coachwhip
Coachwhip (comics)
Coachwhip is a fictional character. She is a supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe, most notably as a member of the Serpent Society.-Publication history:...
, Boomslang
Boomslang (comics)
Boomslang is an Australian supervillain in the Marvel Comics Universe, most notably a member of the Serpent Society.-Publication history:Boomslang was created by Mark Gruenwald and Kieron Dwyer, and first appeared in Captain America #341 in May 1988....
, Slither
Slither (comics)
Slither is a fictional character, a snake-like mutant in the Marvel Comics Universe. His first appearance was in Captain America Annual #4 and was created by Jack Kirby.-Fictional character biography:...
, and Rock Python
Rock Python
Rock Python is a fictional super villain in the Marvel Comics Universe, and is a member of the Serpent Society. He first appeared in Captain America vol. 1 #341 in May 1988.-Fictional character biography:...
), to assault the place. Many of the charter members turncoat and supported the Viper whereas the Asp
Asp (comics)
The Asp is a former supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe, most notably a member of the Serpent Society and BAD Girls, Inc.. She was created by Mark Gruenwald and Paul Neary, and first appeared in Captain America vol. 1 #310....
, Black Mamba, Bushmaster, and Diamondback remained loyal to Sidewinder.
The Viper used the Society and its resources to poison the water supply of Washington DC, which turned its citizens into snake-men. The ensuing chaos nearly destroyed the capital. Diamondback managed to escape with Sidewinder and solicited help from Captain America (who then was known as "The Captain" while another man donned the Captain America costume and identity) and his allies D-Man
Demolition Man (comics)
Demolition Man , also known as D-Man, is a fictional character in the .-Publication history:Dennis Dunphy first appeared in The Thing #28 , written by Mike Carlin and illustrated by Ron Wilson...
, Nomad, the Falcon
Falcon (comics)
The Falcon is a fictional comic book superhero in comic books published by Marvel Comics.Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Gene Colan, and introduced in Captain America #117 , the character is mainstream comics' first African-American superhero...
, and Vagabond
Vagabond (comics)
Vagabond, the alter ego of Priscilla Lyons, is a superhero that has appeared in different books published by Marvel Comics. She has primarily appeared in series associated in some way with Captain America.-Fictional character biography:...
. The team stormed Serpent Citadel, rescued the Society members that were loyal to Sidewinder, and captured many others. The Viper, however managed to escape.
In the end, Cobra subdued the Viper and turned her over to the Captain on the condition that he allowed the Serpent Society 24 hours to evacuate from their headquarters. When the Captain refused the deal the Cobra turned Viper over anyway.
Bitter over his betrayal, Sidewinder left the Society and Cobra became its new leader, eventually calling himself King Cobra. With the exception of Slither and the Viper herself, all of the Viper's agents also joined the Society. The Society re-located to a new secret headquarters in the Bronx.
Shortly afterwards, Diamondback became romantically involved with Captain America and tried to quit the Society altogether to be with him. Despite the fact that she was a member of a criminal organization that he desperately wanted to put out of commission, Cap did not force her to betray her compatriots. The Society, however, had Diamondback under surveillance and when they realized she had been seeing Captain America socially, certain members demanded that she should be put on trial for treason.
Diamondback was found guilty... every member voted for her death except for Asp, Black Mamba, Bushmaster and Rock Python. Penalty was death by injection, but King Cobra said he would commute the sentence if she would cooperate with them by revealing the true identity of Captain America. Diamondback refused but Black Mamba secretly alerted Sidewinder, who teleported in to save Diamondback at the last moment.
Diamondback, seeking revenge against the Society, sought out the Paladin
Paladin (comics)
Paladin is a Marvel Comics character, a mercenary. While he claims that Paladin is his real name, he often goes by the name Paul Denning . Though not precisely a supervillain, his mercenary activities often bring him into conflict with superheroes.-Publication history:Paladin first appeared in...
when Captain America could not guarantee that Mamba and Asp be given immunity from arrest. The two infiltrated the Society's headquarters only to be captured along with Mamba and Asp. Cap on the other hand, from his sky cycle, spotted a Serpent Saucer, piloted by Cottonmouth and Fer-de-Lance heading back to the Society's hideout. Cap entered the hideout along with the saucer and quickly subdued the two serpents. He quickly freed Diamondback, Paladin, Mamba and Asp and together they brought down the Society. All members were taken to prison with the exception of Diamondback, Asp, and Mamba (Asp and Mamba eventually were given immunity from arrest due to their help defeating their former colleagues). Anaconda, Puff Adder and Rock Python escaped capture because they were not at the headquarters at the time. Boomslang was in the hospital around this period.
After spending time in prison, the Society re-formed again, going back to their old ways. Another encounter with Captain America and the now defunct team called Force Works
Force Works
Force Works was a Marvel Comics superhero team. It first appeared in the comic book series Force Works #1 . The title was written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning and initially drawn by Tom Tenney....
seemed to have permanently put them out of commission; both Puff Adder and Mamba later said that the Society had disbanded.
Civil War/The Initiative
However, the Society re-formed yet again in the Captain America/Avengers Disassembled tie-ins. More recently, King Cobra, Rattler, Bushmaster, and a new Death Adder had aided the ThunderboltsThunderbolts (comics)
The Thunderbolts are a Marvel Comics superhero team, which consists mostly of former supervillains. The group first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #449 , and was created by Kurt Busiek and Mark Bagley.-Publication history:...
during Civil War. After that the four villains have been identified as members of the 142 registered superheroes who appear on the cover of the comic book Avengers: The Initiative
Avengers: The Initiative
Avengers: The Initiative was a comic book series from Marvel Comics. Written by Dan Slott and Christos Gage with artwork initially by Stefano Caselli, Steve Uy and Harvey Tolibao, the series dealt with the aftermath of Marvel's Civil War crossover Avengers: The Initiative was a comic book series...
#1. Anaconda was serves with the Six Pack
Six Pack (comics)
The Six Pack is a team of fictional characters in the Marvel Comics Universe. The original team debuted in X-Force #8, March , created by Fabian Nicieza and Rob Liefeld.-Fictional team biography:...
and later defeated by the New Warriors
New Warriors
The New Warriors is a Marvel Comics superhero team, traditionally consisting of young adult heroes. They first appeared in The Mighty Thor #411 .-General publication history:...
; Diamondback, Black Mamba, and Asp have reformed BAD Girls, Inc.
BAD Girls, Inc.
B.A.D. Girls, Inc. is a fictional group of female adventurers who all have had criminal records. The group first appeared in Captain America vol. 1 #385. Three of the group's four members were previously members of the Serpent Society...
; Cottonmouth hadn't been seen since he broke free from prison with Hawkeye
Hawkeye (comics)
Hawkeye , also known as Goliath and Ronin, is a fictional character that appears in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Tales of Suspense #57 and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Don Heck. Hawkeye joined the Avengers in Avengers Vol. 1 #16 Hawkeye...
, but was later taken back into custody by S.H.I.E.L.D.
S.H.I.E.L.D.
S.H.I.E.L.D. is a fictional espionage and a secret military law-enforcement agency in the Marvel Comics Universe. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in Strange Tales #135 , it often deals with superhuman threats....
.
Secret Invasion
Nova and his Nova Corps deputees recently helped federal authorities take several members of the Society into custody during the clean-up in the aftermath of the Secret InvasionSecret Invasion
"Secret Invasion" is a comic book crossover storyline that ran through a self-titled eight issue limited series and several tie-in books published by Marvel Comics from April through December 2008....
. The Serpent Society, including members Sidewinder, Black Mamba, Anaconda, Death Adder II, Fer-de-Lance, and Copperhead, held a number of civilians (including their own families) hostage in a compound in the American Mid-West claiming they were protecting themselves from the Skrull
Skrull
The Skrulls are a fictional race of extraterrestrial shapeshifters that appear in publications by Marvel Comics.-Publication history:The Skrulls first appeared in Fantastic Four #2 and were created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby....
s. Nova and his deputees defeated them in literally seconds. The Society never even had a chance to defend themselves.
Later, several Serpent Society members including Anaconda, Black Mamba, Bushmaster and Cottonmouth, fought members of the New Avengers in a semi-tropical locale. They were seen defeated.
Anaconda
AnacondaAnaconda (comics)
Anaconda is a supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe who was created by Mark Gruenwald and Ralph Macchio and first appeared in Marvel Two-in-One #64 in June 1980.-Fictional character biography:...
(Blanche Sitnizki) is a former steelworker from Pittsburgh who received cybernetic surgery from the Roxxon Corporation that gave her superhuman
Superhuman
Superhuman can mean an improved human, for example, by genetic modification, cybernetic implants, or as what humans might evolve into, in the near or distant future...
ly strong tentacle
Tentacle
A tentacle or bothrium is one of usually two or more elongated flexible organs present in animals, especially invertebrates. The term may also refer to the hairs of the leaves of some insectivorous plants. Usually, tentacles are used for feeding, feeling and grasping. Anatomically, they work like...
-like arms and legs that she uses to constrict
Constriction
Constriction is a method used by various snake species to kill their prey. Although some species of venomous and mildly-venomous snakes do use constriction to subdue their prey, most snakes which use constriction lack venom. The snake initially strikes at its prey and holds on, pulling the prey...
her foes. They also implanted gills that allowed her to breathe underwater. Anaconda's throat was apparently damaged in a tournament held by Mister X. She later reappeared in healthy condition as member of the new Six Pack
Six Pack (comics)
The Six Pack is a team of fictional characters in the Marvel Comics Universe. The original team debuted in X-Force #8, March , created by Fabian Nicieza and Rob Liefeld.-Fictional team biography:...
.
Asp
AspAsp (comics)
The Asp is a former supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe, most notably a member of the Serpent Society and BAD Girls, Inc.. She was created by Mark Gruenwald and Paul Neary, and first appeared in Captain America vol. 1 #310....
("Cleo" Nefertiti) is a mutant who generates a paralytic energy which is fatal to those who remained in close contact with her for prolonged periods of time. She can channel this energy into electrical blasts, which she called her "venom bursts" or "venom bolts" that can stun or paralyze living beings. She was an exotic dancer by profession, and found that physical exertion decreased her venom blast's recharge time. The Asp can also move at superhuman speed, although not on par with speedsters such as Black Racer or Quicksilver. When Diamondback left the Society, Asp and Black Mamba followed, and they teamed with the African huntress named Impala
Impala (Marvel Comics)
Impala is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics Universe.-Fictional character biography:Impala is female, and was apparently born in Zambia, Africa. She is a mercenary and professional criminal, but follows a strict honor code. A non-powered athlete and fighter, she carries various throwing...
to form the mercenary group called "BAD Girls, Inc." The team recently reappeared sans Impala.
Black Mamba
Black MambaBlack Mamba (comics)
Black Mamba is a fictional character, a supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe, most notably a member of the Serpent Society and BAD Girls, Inc.-Publication history:...
(Tanya Sealy), a former call-girl, has a limited form of telepathy that enables her to scan the thoughts of nearby individuals, usually to find an image of someone that the person holds dear. She then manifests the Darkforce
Darkforce
-Description:It is a powerful, extra-dimensional energy that can be manipulated in slightly different ways by a handful of beings that are attuned to it. There are slight yet inconclusive hints that it may be a corruptive influence of some kind and perhaps even sentient...
into the image of that cherished person, which in turn, almost hypnotically seduces its target into embracing it. Once physical contact is established, Mamba then lets the Darkforce constrict her victims to death, or at the very least, to unconsciousness. Often the victim is in too deep a state of ecstasy or euphoria to even notice. One or both of these powers (telepathy and darkforce control) is due to a chip implanted in her forebrain, provided by the Roxxon Corporation. When Diamondback left the Society, Asp and Black Mamba followed, and they teamed with the African huntress named Impala
Impala (Marvel Comics)
Impala is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics Universe.-Fictional character biography:Impala is female, and was apparently born in Zambia, Africa. She is a mercenary and professional criminal, but follows a strict honor code. A non-powered athlete and fighter, she carries various throwing...
to form the mercenary group called "BAD Girls, Inc." Black Mamba later joined the Crimson Cowl's Masters of Evil
Masters of Evil
The Masters of Evil is a name for a number of fictional supervillain teams that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The first version of the team appeared in The Avengers #6 , with the lineup continually changing over the years....
, but recently returned as a member of the BAD Girls.
Black Racer
Black Racer can run and move at superhuman speed. Only her first name, Ariana, is known. She was a member of the fourth Serpent Squad along with Copperhead, Fer-de-Lance, and Puff Adder.Boomslang
BoomslangBoomslang (comics)
Boomslang is an Australian supervillain in the Marvel Comics Universe, most notably a member of the Serpent Society.-Publication history:Boomslang was created by Mark Gruenwald and Kieron Dwyer, and first appeared in Captain America #341 in May 1988....
is an Australian criminal who uses snake-shaped boomerang
Boomerang
A boomerang is a flying tool with a curved shape used as a weapon or for sport.-Description:A boomerang is usually thought of as a wooden device, although historically boomerang-like devices have also been made from bones. Modern boomerangs used for sport are often made from carbon fibre-reinforced...
s which he called his "serpent rangs". He is also a skilled unarmed combatant. After he was shot by gang members in Captain America #372 (and eventually recovered), Boomslang attended a weapons expo with several fellow Society members but otherwise hasn't been seen in the company of the Society since.
Bushmaster
BushmasterBushmaster (Marvel Comics)
Bushmaster is the name of two Marvel Comics brothers, both supervillains.-Fictional character biography:John McIver was a powerful crime boss, criminal financier and organizer, and was oft-confronted by the super-hero Iron Fist. McIver is best known for his attempts to lure Misty Knight to his...
(Quincy McIver) is a quadriplegic who possesses cybernetic limbs: two arms and a tail in the place of the lower half of his body. He lost his arms and legs in a boating accident while trying to evade the police underwater. Shortly later, the Roxxon Oil Company equipped him with bionic arms and a snake-like tail. He took the name "Bushmaster" from his fallen brother, another criminal. Years later, Sidewinder enlisted Bushmaster to join the criminal trade union known as the Serpent Society. Bushmaster was grateful for the unity and the steady employment; he considered himself to be a freak, and the Society was his best chance in life. He made a friend in Diamondback, a fellow Society member who saved him after MODOK
MODOK
MODOK is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Tales of Suspense #93 MODOK (acronym for Mental Organism Designed Only for Killing) is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character...
severed his artificial appendages. After the Viper took over the Society, Bushmaster remained loyal to Sidewinder. However, Sidewinder, disillusioned by the betrayals of some of the Serpents, turned over control of the guild to the Cobra, and Bushmaster served him next as his second-in-command. At Diamondback's trial, he voted to spare her life from a death sentence. After the trial, Bushmaster fought Diamondback, and next, Captain America. He was finally taken into custody. Bushmaster remains with the Serpent Society.
Coachwhip
CoachwhipCoachwhip (comics)
Coachwhip is a fictional character. She is a supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe, most notably as a member of the Serpent Society.-Publication history:...
is a woman who wields metal-linked whip
Whip
A whip is a tool traditionally used by humans to exert control over animals or other people, through pain compliance or fear of pain, although in some activities whips can be used without use of pain, such as an additional pressure aid in dressage...
s with the ability to generate electricity. One of the more vicious members of the team, she also engaged in a relationship with King Cobra when he took over the team.
Cobra
CobraCobra (comics)
The Cobra is the alias of two fictional comic-book supervillains that appear in the Marvel Comics universe.-Klaus Voorhees:Klaus Voorhees, the original Cobra, was also known as The Human Cobra and is currently known as the original King Cobra...
(Klaus Voorhees) is a longtime Thor
Thor (Marvel Comics)
Thor is a fictional superhero who appears in publications published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Journey into Mystery #83 and was created by editor-plotter Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, and penciller Jack Kirby....
foe and partner of Mister Hyde
Mister Hyde (comics)
Mister Hyde is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics supervillain. His first appearance was in Journey into Mystery #99, 1963.-Publication history:...
. He possesses superhuman speed and a great degree of flexibility, can contort his body into almost any shape, and is a skilled wrestler
Wrestling
Wrestling is a form of grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position...
. He also supplements these abilities with an array of weaponry, mainly his wrist launchers that fire anything from knockout gas to poisoned darts. After Sidewinder retired, the Cobra became King Cobra and led the group.
His nephew Peit became the second Cobra.
Copperhead
CopperheadCopperhead (Marvel Comics)
Copperhead is the name of a number of fictional characters in the Marvel Universe. The first two are similar characters that mimicked old pulp magazine heroes, wearing a suit of copper armor and shooting paralyzing or lethal darts, while the third is a member of the Serpent Society.-Lawrence...
(Davis Lawfers) was the leader of the so-called fourth Serpent Squad (consisting also of Fer-de-Lance, Black Racer, and Puff Adder), and one of the Viper's most loyal minions. On a mission for her, he helped to contaminate Washington D.C.'s water supply with a chemical that could transform people into human/snake hybrids. During this assignment, friction existed between the Cobra and himself. When the Cobra became the new leader of the Society, Copperhead did not remain for long, making only one other appearance. Copperhead has no superhuman powers but is equipped with a pair of gauntlets which fire power blasts and poisoned darts. For protection he wears a suit of copper-colored scale mail.
NOTE: Copperhead is the name of two other Marvel villains, one of whom (now deceased) battled Daredevil
Daredevil (Marvel Comics)
Daredevil is a fictional character, a superhero in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Bill Everett, with an unspecified amount of input from Jack Kirby, and first appeared in Daredevil #1 .Living in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood...
and another who battled Spider-Man
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15...
and the first White Tiger
White Tiger (Hector Ayala)
White Tiger is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe, and was created by Bill Mantlo and George Pérez. First appearing in Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #19 , he is the first Puerto Rican superhero in the history of comics, and Marvel's first superhero of Hispanic descent.- Publication history...
on at least one occasion. There is also a DC
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
supervillain named Copperhead
Copperhead (DC Comics)
Copperhead is a DC Comics supervillain, he first appeared in The Brave and the Bold #78, June and was created by Bob Haney and Bob Brown.-"John Doe":...
as well.
Cottonmouth
CottonmouthCottonmouth (comics)
Cottonmouth is a fictional super villain in the Marvel Comics Universe.- Fictional character biography :Originally from Mobile, Alabama, Cottonmouth was chosen by Sidewinder to join a snake-themed villain group, the Serpent Society...
(Burchell Clemens) hails from Mobile, Alabama. He has bionic jaws and steel teeth. He can extend his lower jaw up to a foot from his upper jaw. His jaws possess superhuman strength and extremely sharp fangs. Cottonmouth and Death Adder killed M.O.D.O.K. on the Society's first mission. For a while, for reasons never explained, Cottonmouth assumed Bushmaster's real identity of Quincy McIver.
Death Adder
Death AdderDeath Adder (comics)
Death Adder , is a fictional supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe. He was one of the original members of the Serpent Society.-Fictional character biography:Roland Burroughs was born in Rochester, New York...
(Roland Burroughs) was a mute killer. He possessed extended talons which contained deadly venom, he was bioengineered with a poison-spiked bionic tail, and was totally amphibious. Death Adder was friends with Sidewinder and Anaconda. As a member of the third Serpent Squad, he fought the Thing, Stingray and Iron Man. As a member of the Serpent Society, he battled Captain America. On the Society's first paying assignment, Death Adder (along with Cottonmouth) viciously murdered MODOK. He was slain by the Scourge of the Underworld, but was later somehow revived by Hood
Hood (comics)
The Hood is a fictional character, a supervillain, and a crime boss in the . Created by writer Brian K. Vaughan and artists Kyle Hotz and Eric Powell, the character first appeared in The Hood #1 .-Publication history:...
.
A new Death Adder recently appeared and joined the Serpent Squad.
Diamondback
DiamondbackDiamondback (comics)
Diamondback is the name of four fictional characters appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics.-Publication history:Diamondback first appeared in Captain America #310 , written by Mark Gruenwald and illustrated by Paul Neary.-Willis Stryker:The first Diamondback was a foe of Luke Cage...
(Rachel Leighton) is an acrobat who uses diamond-shaped throwing blades, many of which are equipped with anything from poison, explosives, narcotics, and acid. She defected from the team and eventually became the partner and lover of Captain America. Asp, Black Mamba, Diamondback and the African huntress named Impala
Impala (Marvel Comics)
Impala is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics Universe.-Fictional character biography:Impala is female, and was apparently born in Zambia, Africa. She is a mercenary and professional criminal, but follows a strict honor code. A non-powered athlete and fighter, she carries various throwing...
formed a mercenary group called "BAD Girls, Inc." A since-destroyed Diamondback-lookalike android was recently seen as an ally of the Red Skull
Red Skull
The Red Skull is a name shared by several fictional characters, all supervillains from the Marvel Comics universe. All incarnations of the character are enemies of Captain America, other superheroes, and the United States in general....
. Diamondback herself has returned to mercenary work as both a member of the BAD Girls and as a freelancer.
Fer-de-Lance
Fer-de-LanceFer-de-Lance (comics)
Fer-de-Lance is a super villain in the Marvel Comics Universe who first appeared in Captain America #337 . She was created by Mark Gruenwald and Tom Morgan and is a member of the Serpent Society....
(Teresa Vasquez), a professional assassin hailing from Latin America, Fer-de-lance has a pair of retractable "fangs" similar to that of Bushmaster's. She has no qualms about killing when it comes to completing an assignment.
Princess Python
Princess PythonPrincess Python
Princess Python is a fictional character, a supervillain in the Marvel Comics Universe, most notably as a member of the Circus of Crime. She has no superhuman abilities, but rather relies on her snake charming skills and her pet rock python snake. She has fought several superheroes, ranging from...
(Zelda DuBois), a professional criminal and snake charmer
Snake charming
Snake charming is the practice of pretending to hypnotise a snake by playing an instrument. A typical performance may also include handling the snakes or performing other seemingly dangerous acts, as well as other street performance staples, like juggling and sleight of hand...
, is a member of the Circus of Crime
Circus of Crime
The Circus of Crime is a fictional villainous organization in the Marvel Comics universe.-Old West:Oddly, there were two organizations in the Old West who dubbed themselves the Circus of Crime...
. Sidewinder invited her to become a member of the Serpent Society, and she accepted. When the Society was hired to kill MODOK, the Princess lost her nerve and abandoned her peers during the assignment to track him down. Eventually, the Society caught up with her, and Sidewinder, most disappointed in her performance, had her mind-wiped and expelled from the Society's ranks despite her explanations. He tried to ransom her off to the Circus of Crime, but the Scourge of the Underworld
Scourge of the Underworld
The Scourge of the Underworld is the name of a series of fictional characters that have appeared in various series set in the Marvel Comics universe....
stepped in, slaying Death Adder (the one handling the transaction). The Princess re-joined her old cohorts.
Puff Adder
Puff AdderPuff Adder (comics)
Puff Adder is a mutant supervillain in the Marvel Universe, most notably as a member of the Serpent Society.-Fictional character biography:Gordon "Gordo" Fraley was born in Atlanta, Georgia...
(Gordon Fraley), a man with the mutant power to breathe various debilitative gases (in one instance the gas was able to eat away a metal lock) and inflate his body mass to a certain extent. He also has superhuman strength and increased physical durability. There seems to be a confusion of what race he is, he has been depicted as White as often as he has been depicted as Black. Currently depowered following M-Day.
Rattler
The RattlerRattler (comics)
The Rattler is a fictional character from the Marvel Comics Universe, and is a member of the Serpent Society.-Fictional character biography:...
(Gustav Krueger) is a Polish criminal with a bionic tail that can generate vibrations. Perhaps as a result of his powers, he is 85% deaf in both ears and requires a hearing aid. A ruthless villain, he tried to kill Captain America alongside his fellow Serpents. He even betrayed Sidewinder to support the Viper's power bid to seize control over the Society.
Rock Python
Rock PythonRock Python
Rock Python is a fictional super villain in the Marvel Comics Universe, and is a member of the Serpent Society. He first appeared in Captain America vol. 1 #341 in May 1988.-Fictional character biography:...
(M'Gula) is a metallurgist that served the terrorist known as the Viper. His body is as hard as his namesake and he throws "snake eggs" that burst upon impact, sending out entangling strands of metallic tendrils. He also seems to have a small measure of superhuman strength: he once hung Captain America over the edge of a building by his ankle with only one hand; his body has the density of rock. He assisted the Viper in taking over the Society. After her defeat, Rock Python (along with Puff Adder and Coachwhip) tried to steal the Falcon's costume, seemingly on behalf of the Society, but they failed. Whatever the circumstances, Rock Python is now a member of the Serpent Society.
Sidewinder
SidewinderSidewinder (comics)
Sidewinder is a fictional character, a reformed super villain in the Marvel Comics Universe who first appeared in Marvel Two-in-One #64 and was created by Mark Gruenwald and Ralph Macchio.-Fictional character biography:...
(Seth Voelker), who possessed a cloak that allowed him to teleport
Teleportation
Teleportation is the fictional or imagined process by which matter is instantaneously transferred from one place to another.Teleportation may also refer to:*Quantum teleportation, a method of transmitting quantum data...
himself and a companion. Later Sidewinder displayed an offensive capability which he called his "side effects": tentacular constructs that he cybernetically controlled which shoots charges of electricity. He was the group's leader until Diamondback defected and the Viper's Serpent Squad infiltrated the Society, after which he retired and left leadership to the Cobra. Sidewinder turned himself in and cooperated in his own prosecution in order to secure medical treatment for his ill daughter. Having served his term and gained parole, Sidewinder, now reformed, has shown up in New Thunderbolts
Thunderbolts (comics)
The Thunderbolts are a Marvel Comics superhero team, which consists mostly of former supervillains. The group first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #449 , and was created by Kurt Busiek and Mark Bagley.-Publication history:...
#7.
A second Sidewinder was killed in the service of Death Sting. A third Sidewinder has recently been seen as part of the group under Cobra's leadership.
Slither
Several other serpent-themed supervillains rejected membership, including the Viper and the ConstrictorConstrictor (comics)
Constrictor is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe. The character is primarily a supervillain, but is often portrayed as a redeeming anti-hero. Constrictor first appeared in Incredible Hulk vol.1 #212 and was created by Len Wein and Sal Buscema.-Publication history:Constrictor...
. Slither
Slither (comics)
Slither is a fictional character, a snake-like mutant in the Marvel Comics Universe. His first appearance was in Captain America Annual #4 and was created by Jack Kirby.-Fictional character biography:...
, a mutant in the form of a man-snake who is a member of Mutant Force
Resistants (comics)
The Resistants, also known as Mutant Force are a fictional supervillain group in the Marvel Comics universe. They were originally the second incarnation of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, but have become completely independent of the other incarnations of that group, except that they were...
, was also a Society "member" for a short while when the Viper tried to take over the Society.
Exiles Serpent Society
Another alternate version of the Serpent Society appeared in Exiles #89. The Exiles team had to restore Earth #27537. The Exiles had a hard time defeating the Society, which consisted of Cobra, Anaconda, Bushmaster, Death Adder, Cottonmouth, Diamondback, Rattler, Sidewinder, and an unnamed woman, but eventually the Exiles did manage to win and moved over to another reality. What the Serpent Society was doing on this Earth exactly wasn't revealed, though it was revealed they had previously killed the Spider-ManSpider-Man
Spider-Man is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15...
of their reality.
Marvel Adventures
The Marvel Adventures features the Sons of the SerpentSons of the Serpent
The Sons of the Serpent are a fictional supervillain group in the Marvel Comics universe.-Fictional history:The Sons of the Serpent are a subversive organization of costumed American racist super-patriots who oppose all racial, ethnic, and religious minorities...
s as the Serpent Society. However, the actual group eventually appeared, consisting of Sidewinder, Cobra, Anaconda, and Cottonmouth, and battled Spider-Man. They plotted to turn the civilians of the city into snake-like creatures by poisoning the water supply. However, Spider-Man's interference led to the Lizard
Lizard (comics)
The Lizard is a fictional character, a supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe and enemy of Spider-Man. The Lizard first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #6 , and was created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko...
drinking the poison himself, becoming a giant reptilian creature. The Serpent Society, satisfied with their success, teleported away, leaving Spider-Man to battle the Lizard.
Television
- The Serpent Society appears in The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest HeroesThe Avengers: Earth's Mightiest HeroesThe Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes is an American animated television series by Marvel Animation in cooperation with Film Roman based on the Marvel Comics superhero team the Avengers. The show debuted on Disney XD in Fall 2010 starting with a 20 part micro-series. A second season has been...
episode "Ultron-5". Its members include King CobraCobra (comics)The Cobra is the alias of two fictional comic-book supervillains that appear in the Marvel Comics universe.-Klaus Voorhees:Klaus Voorhees, the original Cobra, was also known as The Human Cobra and is currently known as the original King Cobra...
, AnacondaAnaconda (comics)Anaconda is a supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe who was created by Mark Gruenwald and Ralph Macchio and first appeared in Marvel Two-in-One #64 in June 1980.-Fictional character biography:...
, BushmasterBushmaster (Marvel Comics)Bushmaster is the name of two Marvel Comics brothers, both supervillains.-Fictional character biography:John McIver was a powerful crime boss, criminal financier and organizer, and was oft-confronted by the super-hero Iron Fist. McIver is best known for his attempts to lure Misty Knight to his...
, Death AdderDeath Adder (comics)Death Adder , is a fictional supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe. He was one of the original members of the Serpent Society.-Fictional character biography:Roland Burroughs was born in Rochester, New York...
, and RattlerRattler (comics)The Rattler is a fictional character from the Marvel Comics Universe, and is a member of the Serpent Society.-Fictional character biography:...
.
External links
- Serpent Society at Marvel.com
- Serpent Society at the Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe