History Main / PoisonRing

* The title gag of a ComicStrip/SpyVsSpy cartoon(also animated for ''Series/{{MAD TV}}'' had both spies drinking tea together with comically-oversized rings. Only Black Spy's ring had poison, White Spy's ring had a tiny fan to blow the powder from Black Spy's ring into his ''own'' drink.

* The title gag of a ComicStrip/SpyVsSpy cartoon had both spies drinking tea together with comically-oversized rings. Only Black Spy's ring had poison, White Spy's ring had a tiny fan to blow the powder from Black Spy's ring into his ''own'' drink.

* The title gag of a ComicStrip/SpyVsSpy cartoon had both spies drinking tea together with comically-oversized rings. Only one Spy's ring had poison, the other had a tiny fan to blow the powder from the first spy's ring into their ''own'' drink.

But how does a MasterPoisoner keep his "supplies" on him? Often, it's with a Poison Ring -- an elaborate ring with a hidden compartment just big enough for a stash of high-powered poison.

* Georgi Markov was a Bulgarian defector who, after finding shelter in London, became a fierce critic of the [[PeoplesRepublicOfTyranny People's Republic of Bulgaria]]. Then, in 1978, after feeling a stinging pain on his way to work, he fell mysteriously ill and died days later. An investigation and autopsy later confirmed that he was assassinated by order of the Bulgarian government, with aid from the KGB, by getting shot with a small pellet containing ricin, a powerful poison that kills with minute doses. Although the "gun" used to administer the pellet was never found, an account from Markov before he died had forensic researchers suspecting the weapon was an advanced shooting device hidden ''inside an umbrella'' (with the ''barrel'' shooting out of the umbrella's tip), of all places. A similar attack on ''another'' Bulgarian defector was recorded in Paris days earlier. This one also used a ricin pellet, but it failed. After surviving, the victim claimed that the suspect was not carrying an umbrella, which begs the question as to ''[[ParanoiaFuel what exactly was the assassin's weapon disguised as]]''. It was almost certainly though, an example of this trope.

* ''Film/JohnnyEnglish'': Johnny wears two hypodermic rings and mistakes his "sleeping draught" ring with his "{{truth serum}}" ring. HilarityEnsues.

* In the Literature/TommyAndTuppence novel ''The Secret Adversary'', Mr. Brown carries one of these and uses it when he gets caught, since a genius like him is unwilling to submit to a trial for treason.

--->'''Max:''' Oh...that makes two of us. What in here, 99?

* In ''Theatre/CesareIlCreatoreCheHaDistrutto'', Cesare Borgia has only just begun to interrogate the traitor [[spoiler: Draghignazzo]] when the latter takes advantage of a moment of confusion and takes poison from his ring to spare himself further torture.

* Lucrezia Borgia, of the infamous [[UsefulNotes/PopeAlexanderVI Borgia family]], was said to have used one of these to poison her family's enemies. Later historians consider this propaganda invented by those same enemies.

* In the 1920 film adaptation of ''Literature/DrJekyllAndMrHyde'', Hyde's girlfriend has one of these, which Hyde takes from her. Jekyll winds up taking the poison to avoid turning into Hyde forever.

Many combat-oriented characters will have some concealed weapons on them. The GunNut will have holdout pistols, the BladeEnthusiast will build sheaths into all his clothes, and so on.

Many combat-oriented characters will have some concealed weapons on them. The GunNut will have holdout pistols, the KnifeNut will build sheaths into all his clothes, and so on.

** Used for an OverlyLongGag in "Is This Trip Necessary". When Max and 99 arrest KAOS scientist Dr. Jarvis Pym, he threatens to commit suicide with a ring containing a pill of [[ItRunsOnNonsensoleum Sodium Calcium Chloride]]. Max however shows he's wearing a ring with the antidote. However Pym

* In the "Our Man in Leotards" episode of ''Series/GetSmart'' Max has a ring that injects "Immobilo", which causes instant paralysis.

* Parodied in ''Series/LeCoeurASesRaisons'': Brad's "discrete tortoise ring" which contains a sleep-inducing poison is easily as big as his hand.

* [[Eleanor]] in ''Literature/TheFacelessOldWomanWhoSecretlyLivesInYourHome'' hides poison in an earring to murder her husband.

* In ''WesternAnimation/BatmanAndHarleyQuinn'', Harley sucker-punches Nightwing with a poisoned ring that gives him a weakened version of Joker Venom (it just makes him laugh a little and lose consciousness for a short time since Harley has renounced being a villain).