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    Serpent Society 

Serpent Society

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/serpent_society_earth_616_from_captain_america_sam_wilson_vol_1_5_001.jpg

A team of snake-themed villains founded by the first Sidewinder, Seth Voelker, that regularly battle Captain America and his allies. The roster is constantly shifting. Unlike the Serpent Squad, the Society is usually motivated by financial gain.


  • Animal-Motif Team: They are a large and rather varied team of villains, all themed after different species of snake.
  • Cyborg: Death Adder.
  • Enemy Civil War: Viper's faction versus Sidewinder's loyalists (all three of them) when she took over the Society so she could turn the population of Washington, D.C. into Snake People.
  • Enemy Mine: The Captain and his allies helped Sidewinder's side in the above conflict.
  • Equal-Opportunity Evil: They are a very varied bunch, coming from different backgrounds and nationalities.
  • Only in It for the Money: The usual motivation for most of the Society's members. Even the Viper's confederates in her coup (except Slither) ended up staying on after she was ousted when they realized she was only in it For the Evulz.
  • Quirky Miniboss Squad: They usually serve as this, being mercenaries and terrorists.
  • Secondary Color Nemesis: While mostly green, their membership tends to dress also using orange and purple depending on the individual.
  • Weird Trade Union: Sidewinder (Seth Voelker) started the Serpent Society to provide a stable working environment for his fellow snake-themed villains, with access to better technology and better jobs, and while he led them, Sidewinder's teleportation ability provided a "Get Out of Jail Free" Card.

    Serpent Squad 

Serpent Squad

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/1151409_ultserpsquad01_1.jpg

A group of Snake-themed mercenaries led and founded by the first Viper, until he was murdered and replaced by Madame Hydra, who took over the group. Since then the leadership has changed hands from time to time, but she is still associated with the team. The most notable sometime member is Sin.


Members

    Anaconda 

Blanche Sitznski / Anaconda

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/5152289_anacondafullbody.jpg

Nationality: American

Species: Human mutate

First Appearance: Marvel Two-In-One #64 (June 1980)

"Again with the fists? Come on, Winghead. Hit me some more. Give it all you got. Ha! You've got some case goin' one on one with me!"

Formerly a steelworker, Blanche Sitznski became a student at Taskmaster's Academy for criminals. She later took on the role as calisthenics instructor, responsible for training female criminals in hand-to-hand combat. Some time later, Blanche was selected by executives in the Roxxon Oil Company to be a special agent in covert operations. At the Mutagenics Laboratory of Roxxon's subsidiary, the Brand Corporation, Sitznski was bioengineered to have various permanent serpentine adaptations.


  • Adaptational Attractiveness: Her Ultimate counterpart is far leaner and conventionally attractive.
  • Brawn Hilda: She's heavier set than most females on the Serpent teams and not particularly comely.
  • The Brute: Standing at 6'2"/188cm tall, she's one of the main providers of muscle in the Serpent Societies.
  • Extendable Arms: She can elongate her arms and legs to constrict like her namesake.
  • Green and Mean: Her default costume is green, and she's a member of the Serpent Society
  • Healing Factor: Should Anaconda be injured, her body's highly efficient metabolism enables her to heal any non-lethal injury many times faster and more extensively than an ordinary human.
  • Lower-Class Lout: Her speech patterns and her general attitude scream White trash.
  • Super Not-Drowning Skills: To imitate an anaconda's capabilities in water, she was implanted with artificial scales and gills.
  • Super-Strength: Anaconda is superhumanly strong, able to lift around two tons.
  • Super-Toughness: Roxxon's bioengineering process has fortified the cellular structure of Anaconda's bodily tissue, making it more resistant to physical injury than the body of a normal human. She can withstand great impact forces, such as falls from great heights or being struck by a superhumanly strong opponent, that would severely injure or kill a normal human with little to no injury herself.
  • Villainous Friendship: With Rock Python and Puff Adder.

    Asp 

Cleopatra Nefertiti / Asp

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/cleo_nefertiti_earth_616_from_avengers_vs_x_men_vol_1_0_0001.png

Nationality: Egyptian

Species: Human mutant

First Appearance: Captain America #310

"Macho creep! You deserve a taste of venom!"

Intelligent yet soft-spoken, Asp was born in Tanta, Egypt. It was there that she earned her reputation as an exotic dancer, being able to charm snakes with her sensual movements. Her ability to generate blasts of energy that caused paralysis intrigued the leader of the Serpent Society, Sidewinder, and he invited her to join the group.


  • Amazon Brigade: Has been part of the Femizons, the B.A.D. Girls inc. and the largely female Serpent Solutions.
  • Boobs-and-Butt Pose: As seen on her image.
  • Famous-Named Foreigner: She's named after the two most famous Egyptian queens, Cleopatra and Nefertiti.
  • Heel–Face Revolving Door: As a member of the Serpent Society, she helped Captain America and Paladin against Superia, then created the mercenary group B.A.D. Girls Inc. alongside Black Mamba and Diamondback, fought alongside Captain America once more during the Civil War, assaulted Asgard during Dark Reign but escaped, and now she's once more a member of the Serpent Society, renamed Serpent Solutions by Viper.
  • Hired Guns: She's usually a hired mercenary and assassin, which is why she's been found in so many teams.
  • Light Feminine and Dark Feminine: She's the light to Tanya's black, mostly thanks to her preference for dressing in white to Tanya's black.
  • The Paralyzer: She can adjust the potency of her venom bolts to temporarily paralyze.
  • Power Trio: Used to be this with Black Mamba and Diamondback before the latter's permanent Heel–Face Turn.
  • Shock and Awe: Asp has the ability to discharge "venom bolts" that can paralyze or even kill someone instantly.
  • Undying Loyalty: One of the few members of the Society to remain loyal to Sidewinder during Viper's coup. She nearly dies because of it.
  • Villainous Friendship: Genuinely good friends with Black Mamba and Diamondback.

    Black Mamba 

Tanya Sealy / Black Mamba

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/black_mamba_002.jpg

Nationality: American

Species: Human mutate

First Appearance: Marvel Two-in-One #64 (June 1980)

"Boys, trust me, as far as escape plans go — no one ever complains when they wake up to find us gone!"

Tanya Sealy was born in Chicago. A former call girl, she was chosen under unknown circumstances by Roxxon Oil Company to partake in a covert operation to retrieve the mystical Serpent Crown. The executives at Roxxon had a device surgically implanted in Sealy's brain which granted her superhuman abilities. Working together with three other snake-themed villains, Sidewinder, Anaconda, and Death Adder, she became a founding member of the Serpent Squad. she would later be a founding member of both the Serpent Society and B.A.D. Girls Inc.


  • Ability Mixing: Black Mamba can mesmerize her opponents into perceiving her Darkforce projection in the image of someone they love or trust.
  • Amazon Brigade: Has been part of the Femizons, the B.A.D. Girls Inc. and Serpent Solutions.
  • Animal Theme Naming: Her name says it all.
  • Casting a Shadow: Black Mamba is one of several characters in the Marvel Universe who can draw on power from the Darkforce Dimension.
  • Color Animal Codename: Black Mamba.
  • Color Character: Her name is similar to her costume.
  • Combo Platter Powers: Hypnosis and shadow manipulation.
  • Dark Is Evil: Her codename is Black Mamba, she wears a black and green outfit and can control darkness.
  • Even Evil Has Loved Ones: She and Sidewinder had a thing going on.
  • French Maid Outfit: Once donned one for a little "private time" with Sidewinder. Then Viper knocked her out to get at him.
  • Green and Mean: Her costume has green and black, and she's never particularly nice.
  • Green-Eyed Monster: She was pretty protective of Sidewinder, and as Diamondback would attest, did not appreciate anyone trying to get in on that.
  • Heel–Face Revolving Door: As a member of the Serpent Society, she helped Captain America and Paladin against Superia, then created the mercenary group B.A.D. Girls Inc. alongside Asp and Diamondback, fought alongside Cap. America once more during the Civil War, assaulted Asgard during Dark Reign but escaped, and now she's once more member of the Serpent Society, renamed Serpent Solutions by Viper.
  • High-Class Call Girl: Her former job.
  • Hired Guns: She's usually a hired mercenary and assassin, which is why she's been found in so many teams.
  • Hypnotic Eyes: She has hypnosis powers that allow her mesmerize her opponents and channel her Darkforce illusions.
  • Leotard of Power: Black Mamba wears a black one piece outfit.
  • Logical Weakness: Her powers don't work on someone who's The Sociopath, like Viper, since they are by definition incapable of love.
  • Master of Illusion: The shadows she casts usually take the form of the person her target desires the most.
  • Most Common Super Power: She has a huge rack.
  • Ms. Fanservice: Black Mamba is a busty woman who wears a very revealing outfit. Her having this status is justified as she was a call girl before she became a supervillain.
  • Power Trio: Used to be this with Asp and Diamondback before the latter's permanent Heel–Face Turn.
  • Snakes Are Sexy: Embodies this to a T.
  • Villainous Friendship: She's good friends with Asp and Diamondback.

    Black Racer 

Ariana Saddiqi / Black Racer

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/5710944_black.jpg

First Appearance: Captain America #337

"Child's play for one as fast as myself. Call the office, tell 'em we've got the little tramp and we're bringing her in."

Black Racer first joined the fourth Serpent Squad, robbing a casino in Las Vegas with her teammates Copperhead, Puff Adder, and Fer-de-Lance. Sidewinder took note of this, and invited the Squad to join his Serpent Society. The group accepted but were really just a ploy to get Viper into the leadership position of the Society.


  • Ambiguously Brown: Originally she appeared to be Caucasian before it was eventually decided she would have dark skin.
  • The Mole: One of Viper's moles for her coup.
  • The Quiet One: She's not very talkative.
  • Super-Speed: The resident speedster for the Society. The terminal velocity she can reach has yet to be defined.

    Boomslang 

Marc Riemer / Boomslang

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/5170415_boomslang02.jpg

Nationality: Australian

Species: Human

First Appearance: Captain America #342 (June 1988)

"Dream on, myte! If there's any wreckin' t'be done 'ereabouts— it'll be me serpent-rangs what do it!"

Australian criminal Boomslang was ordered by the Viper to infiltrate the Serpent Society. While not a particularly ruthless villain, Boomslang had an incredible throwing arm and excellent hand-to-hand combat skills, which made him a formidable opponent for the likes of Captain America.


  • Animal-Themed Superbeing: Boomslang is a large, venomous snake found in Africa. Its name means "tree snake" in Dutch and Afrikaans.
  • Badass Normal: No powers beyond his boomerangs. He's basically a snake-themed version of Boomerang.
  • Battle Boomerang: He was presumably outfitted with his "serpent-rangs" by Viper.
  • Did Not Do the Bloody Research: Managed to get away with calling someone a "wanker" during the days when comic-book language was strictly PG.
  • Funetik Aksent: Used to represent his Australian accent.
  • The Generic Guy: He's not particularly outstanding when compared to the rest of the Serpent Society.
  • Improbable Aiming Skills: Boomslang has an incredible throwing arm and excellent hand-to-hand combat skills, which makes him a formidable opponent for the likes of Captain America.
  • Mysterious Past: Nothing is known of Boomslang's past other than he was previously a criminal in Australia.
  • Not Quite Dead: Despite being gunned down by a group of thugs, he survived but wouldn't be seen until the renaming of Serpent Solutions.
  • Secondary Color Nemesis: His costume is mostly orange and green.

    Bushmaster 

Quincy McIver / Bushmaster

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/6991499_bushmaster2.jpg

Nationality: American

Species: Human cyborg

First Appearance: Captain America #310 (October 1985)

"When last we met, you helped save my life, Captain! A pity I cannot return the favor!"

Quincy McIver was born on a Caribbean island. He became a quadruple amputee when 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 in the place of the lower half of his body. He took the name "Bushmaster" from his fallen brother, the first Bushmaster.


  • Artificial Limbs: His missing limbs were replaced with cybernetics.
  • An Arm and a Leg: He became a quadruple amputee when he lost his arms and legs in a boating accident while trying to evade the police underwater.
  • Bald of Evil: Shaves his head.
  • Beware My Stinger Tail: Bushmaster's 14-foot long, cybernetic tail allows him to move at 40 mph, leap at least 18 feet from a coiled start, and crush steel pipes up to 6 inches thick.
  • Blade Below the Shoulder: Bushmaster also has two single claws that protrude above his forearms with the capability of injecting venom into his victims whenever they are slashed or stabbed.
  • Canon Welding: Bushmaster's eventual origin story established him as the brother of the first Bushmaster; a villain who had appeared in Iron Fist.
  • Cyborg: Bushmaster is a quadriplegic who has bionic arms attached to his shoulders and a 14-foot long snake-like tail instead of legs.
  • Evil Cripple: He became a quadruple amputee when he lost his arms and legs in a boating accident while trying to evade the police underwater. He is still bitter over his condition, and takes out his frustration by committing violent crime.
  • Green and Mean: His Bushmaster outfit is green, and he's not a particularly friendly guy.
  • Legacy Character: Second person to use the Bushmaster codename after the death of his brother John McIver.
  • Poisoned Weapons: Bushmaster's bionic arms are equipped with 8" metallic fangs and are tipped with snake venom.
  • Snake People: Even more so than other members, having a mechanical tail and no arms.
  • Undying Loyalty: Alongside Black Mamba and Diamondback, he was one of the only members of the Society to tell Viper where she could shove her Join or Die offer.

    Coachwhip 

Beatrix Keener / Coachwhip

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/218404_85455_coachwhip.jpg

Nationality: American

Species: Human

First Appearance: Captain America #341 (May 1988)

"In the john, hmmm? Well, if you think I'm too shy to barge into a men's room — think again, Sammy!"

Under an alliance with the Viper, Coachwhip invaded the Serpent Society with several colleagues in a plot to overthrow its leader Sidewinder and have Viper assume leadership. However, interference from Captain America foiled Viper's plans, and she abandoned Coachwhip and her other agents. Coachwhip then joined the Society under King Cobra's leadership.


  • Animal-Themed Superbeing: The Coachwhip snake, a species of nonvenomous colubrid snake, which is endemic to the United States and Mexico.
  • Badass Normal: Unlike other members of the Serpent groups, she doesn't have any powers beyond her skill with whips, hence using a non-venomous snake as a codename.
  • Enhanced Archaic Weapon: Coachwhip uses electrically-charged chain-whips attached to her gauntlets which she claims can generate up to 20,000 volts.
  • Hidden Eyes: Because of her eye sensitivity, she's almost never seen without her visor.
  • Leotard of Power: Fights in a yellow leotard.
  • One-Way Visor: Because her eyes are very sensitive to sunlight, she uses a polarized strip of material which provides her with protection against blinding attacks.
  • Shock and Awe: Coachwhip uses electrically-charged chain-whips attached to her gauntlets which she claims can generate up to 20,000 volts.
  • Sunglasses at Night: Because of her eye sensitivity, she's almost never seen without her visor.
  • White Hair, Black Heart: Her hair is white and serves at a terrorist organization.

    Cobra 

Klaus Voorhees / Cobra I / King Cobra

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/457821_cobra_darick_robertson05.jpg

Nationality: Dutch

Species: Human mutate

First Appearance: Journey into Mystery #98 (November, 1963) note ; Captain America #367 (February, 1990) note 

"You are not going to win Captain America. You have never beaten the Serpent Society — Never! We are the Avengers of the Underworld."

Klaus Voorhees was a citizen of the Netherlands whom turned into Cobra when he let a cobra bite him to get away with a murder, afterwards consuming an experimental antidote. Unknown to him however the snake was irradiated in an experiment, and as a result he gained cobra like powers.


  • Badass Normal: A regular human in a cobra costume who was somehow able to hold his own against the god of thunder.
  • Bald of Evil: As shown in flashbacks, he was bald.
  • Co-Dragons: See Hyde.
  • Contortionist: Klaus Voorhees gained superhuman powers due to the combined mutagenic effects of the venom of a radioactive cobra and an experimental anti-venom. King Cobra is double-jointed, can dislocate and snap back into place his shoulders and hips at will, and has a phenomenal mastery of his musculature.
  • Dirty Coward: Sided with Viper to save his own hide, ran when Diamondback and the Captain showed up, then tried claiming he was playing double-agent.
  • The Dragon: Like Hyde, it varies, but he's rarely his own boss.
  • Grappling-Hook Pistol: In the compartment behind his articulated chest armor is a fifty-foot long coil of steel cable that can be shot by means of a powerful spring.
  • Rogues' Gallery Transplant: Being just a guy in a snake costume, he really isn't much of a threat for Thor, and so he eventually became more of a Captain America villain as a member of the Serpent Society.
  • Secondary Color Nemesis: His clothing is green and purple.
  • Snakes Are Sinister: They are, which is why he was one of the more consistent members of the Serpent Society.
  • The Starscream: He eventually betrayed Hyde, vowing to never work with him again.
  • Super-Toughness: It is nearly impossible for him to break a bone or tear a muscle. Hence, King Cobra can survive impacts that would kill or inflict major injury upon a normal human being with little or no injury to himself.
  • Swiss-Army Gun: From his spring-loaded device the Cobra can shoot a number of deadly projectiles. His "cobra-bite" missiles contain cobra venom. The Cobra has also used projectiles carrying smoke, nerve gas, and a special substance that induces temporary blindness.
  • Wall Crawl: He has designed special chemical suction devices for his fingers and feel, enabling him to stick to walls and ceilings.
  • What You Are in the Dark: During Viper's takeover, he seriously considered just fleeing the scene entirely, since he'd betrayed Sidewinder and the likely punishment if the authorities got him would be death. He ultimately stops Viper from escaping, but he does try to parlay it into a pardon from Steve (who refuses point-blank). The fact he even did so at all baffles Steve anyway (who doesn't know Cobra had earlier seen Nomad get mobbed and bludgeoned by a crowd of snake people and done nothing to help).

Piet Voorhees / Cobra II

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/cobra_marvel_comics_white_tiger_piet_voorhees.jpg

Nationality: Dutch

Species: Human mutate

First Appearance: White Tiger #1 (January, 2007)

"I smell something... familiar. Almost like pretty white kitty, but there's too much perfume in the air."

Piet Voorhees is the Dutch nephew of the original Cobra, Klaus Voorhees. Piet's uncle injected him with some of his irradiated venom and it gave him similar powers plus super-enhanced smell. Piet would become a mercenary for hire and do most of his work internationally in countries in Southeast Asia, Bosnia and Central Asia.


  • Contortionist: The Cobra possesses certain unusual physical powers derived from his mutagenically altered physiology which among other things help him simulate the movement of a snake. All of the bones in his body, including his skull, are malleable and his muscle tissue is exceedingly resilient, making his body very flexible and pliant.
  • Legacy Character: He received the Cobra title from his uncle, who also gave him the same powers while he became known as King Cobra.
  • The Nose Knows: Unlike his uncle, Piet possesses enhanced olfactory senses, which enables him to track his targets by way of their scent.
  • Super-Toughness: It is nearly impossible for him to break a bone or tear a muscle. Hence, the Cobra can survive impacts that would kill or inflict major injury upon a normal human being with little or no injury to himself.
  • Poisonous Person: He can produce a toxic substance from his body which he calls his Cobra Venom. He projects his venom at selected targets by spitting at them.

    Constrictor 

Frank Payne / Constrictor I

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/constrictor_marvel_comics_c.jpg

Nationality: American

Species: Human

First Appearance: Incredible Hulk #212 (March, 1977)

" 'Manhandling?!' Are you serious? I'm a hired assassin. He's lucky he's getting away with a manhandling."

See Captain America: Rogues Gallery for more details.

Unknown (Frank Payne's son) / Constrictor II

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/constrictor_frank_paynes_son_earth_616.jpg

Nationality: American

Species: Human

First Appearance: Infamous Iron Man #7 (April, 2017)

Frank Payne left a woman named Sandy shortly after their son was born. The boy grew up hating his father for abandoning them, and after Frank died of a terminal illness, he left the Constrictor's Battlesuit to his son in his will, who then decided to don the costume as a way of getting back at his absentee father.


  • Clothes Make the Superman: All of his powers stem from the Constrictor battlesuit.
  • Freudian Excuse: Grew up hating his father for abandoning him and his mother.
  • Legacy Character: Decided to don the Constrictor costume as a way of getting back at his absentee father.
  • Shock and Awe: His vibranium coils are electrically charged, which makes them extremely dangerous in combat.

    Copperhead 

Davis Lawfers / Copperhead

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/4972920_copperheadbio.png

Nationality: American

Species: Human

First Appearance: Captain America #337 (January, 1988)

"Spider-Man... I hope you appreciate what a massive mistake it was to make enemies of the Serpent Socie— Gark—"

Little is known of Davis Lawfers' history before he joined a group of snake-themed villains organized by the terrorist the Viper to infiltrate the criminal organization known as the Serpent Society so she could take it over. Along with Black Racer, Puff Adder, and Fer-de-Lance, Copperhead took part in a series of robberies of casinos in Las Vegas. Copperhead was apparently the field leader of this group. Although the group battled and were captured by Captain America (then known as The Captain) and his allies, their mission achieved its objective when they were sprung from jail by the Serpent Society's leader Sidewinder and offered membership.


  • Grappling-Hook Pistol: His armor is equipped with a fang-like grappling hook.
  • Large Ham: Observe this bit of dialogue, as he's blasting random civilians:
    Copperhead: These mindless miscreants fall like chaff before the scythe!
  • One-Steve Limit: He's actually the third person to be codenamed Copperhead, but the first one to be snake-themed.
  • Secondary Color Nemesis: His armor is mostly orange and copper in color.
  • Shock and Awe: Copperhead's armor is equipped with devices on his wrist that produces paralyzing electrical blasts.
  • Wall Crawl: his armor is equipped with suction cups that allow him to stick to walls to scale them.

    Cottonmouth 

Burchell Clemens / Cottonmouth

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/4972923_cottonmouth.png

Nationality: American

Species: Human cyborg

First Appearance: Captain America #310 (October, 1985)

" claim the right to kill him. For what he did to me in the fight with MODOK — I want to bite off his head!"

Cottonmouth is a vicious member of the Serpent Society with the ability to unhinge his jaw. With a row of steel teeth, he enjoys biting the heads off of his victims.


  • Fangs Are Evil: Both his teeth and the ones in his costume are sharp fangs, and he's one of the more dangerous members of the Serpent Society.
  • Man Bites Man: Thanks to his modified jaw, this is his favored tactic.
  • One-Steve Limit: He has nothing to do with Luke Cage's enemy Cornell Stokes besides moniker. He has fought Luke Cage at least once, though.
  • Scary Black Man: He's African-American and loves to take a bite out of his foes.
  • Scary Teeth: Besides the one in his costume, his fangs are sharp like those of a snake.
  • Secondary Color Nemesis: His costume is mostly purple.
  • Volumetric Mouth: Like an actual snake, he can stretch his mouth wide open to devour people whole.

    Death Adder 

Roland Burroughs / Death Adder I

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/1896961_da.jpg

Nationality: American

Species: Human mutate

First Appearance: Marvel Two-In-One #64

Death Adder was a mute killer who was a member of the Serpent Society. He was killed by the Scourge of the Underworld, but later was brought back by The Hood in order to eliminate the Punisher.


  • Back from the Dead: He was one of the many lesser known villains killed by the Scourge that were brought back to life by the Hood.
  • Beware My Stinger Tail: He had a bionic tail which he could control like a fifth limb. Adder could use the tail to strike at great speed, since it could reach a speed of up to 60 miles per hour through the air. In addition, the tail was decorated with sharpened prongs, impregnated with a fast-acting poison that was of sufficient strength to be able to kill even superhuman victims like M.O.D.O.K. and Tigra.
  • Even Evil Has Loved Ones: His parents were still alive at the time of his first death. They were distraught when the Society informed them of his death. The Society themselves were pissed at his murder, and tried going on the warpath to avenge him. In particular it seems he was close to Black Mamba.
  • Killed Off for Real: Killed a second time by Venom while serving on Crime Master's Sinister Six.
  • Secondary Color Nemesis: Mostly green and purple.
  • Poisoned Weapons: Death Adder had death adder venom contained in the claws on his fingertips and the tip of his tail that would paralyze his victims and eventually prove fatal.
  • Prehensile Tail: Death Adder's tail was connected to his nervous system, meaning he could control it like an extra limb.
  • Silent Antagonist: Being mute, he cannot speak.
  • The Speechless: As a result of a mistake during the surgery to give him gills, Burroughs was rendered mute.
  • Super Not-Drowning Skills: He was amphibious, able to breathe under the water by extracting oxygen molecules from the water by means of gills installed in his body. There was apparently no limit to the time that Death Adder could remain under water.
  • Super Swimming Skills: Death Adder could swim at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour.
  • Tail Slap: Adder could use the tail to strike at great speed, since it could reach a speed of up to 60 miles per hour through the air.
  • Wolverine Claws: Death Adder wore lightweight full body armor supplied by the Brand Corporation, which included titanium talons on his gloves.

Theodore Scott / Death Adder II

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/3366831_adder.jpg

Species: Human

First Appearance: Civil War Files #1

Originally seen alongside the Thunderbolts army during the superhuman Civil War, this Death Adder has also been seen alongside a new incarnation of the Serpent Society.


  • Accidental Murder: Apparently Deadpool wasn't aiming at him.
  • Beware My Stinger Tail: He had a bionic tail which he could control like a fifth limb. Adder could use the tail to strike at great speed, since it could reach a speed of up to 60 miles per hour through the air. In addition, the tail was decorated with sharpened prongs, impregnated with a fast-acting poison that was of sufficient strength to be able to kill even superhuman victims like M.O.D.O.K. and Tigra.
  • Boom, Headshot!: Deadpool threw a shuriken at Death Adder without looking and hit him in the head, killing him. Deadpool lamented the shot, claiming that he was aiming for Lord Deathstrike.
  • Legacy Character: Second person to take the Death Adder codename, even though Burroughs had already been revived at the Time.
  • Prehensile Tail: Death Adder's tail was connected to his nervous system, meaning he could control it like an extra limb.
  • Professional Killer: Being part of the Assassin's Guild, he's also this.
  • Tail Slap: Adder could use the tail to strike at great speed, since it could reach a speed of up to 60 miles per hour through the air.
  • Two First Names: Theodore and Scott are both used as first names.

    Diamondback 

Rachel Leighton / Diamondback

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/diamondback_4374.jpg

Nationality: American

Species: Human

First Appearance: Captain America #310 (October 1985)

A former member of the Serpent Society, Diamondback is a villainess-turned-hero, a S.H.I.E.L.D. operative, and the former girlfriend of Captain America.

See Captain America: Supporting Characters for more info.


    Eel 

Leopold Stryke / Eel

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/2880407_ohotmu_defenders__1___page_14.jpg

Nationality: American

Species: Human

First Appearance: Strange Tales #112 (Sept 1963)

"I'm the best caretaker this aquarium ever had! I've got a a way with fish, and they know it! That's why I decided to call myself the Eel when I embarked on my career of crime! Because I'm as slippery, and as dangerous as the electric eel!"

Leopold Stryke, the original Eel, was the curator of an aquarium who led a secret life as a costumed criminal. Stryke later joined his brother Jordan, the original Viper, as a member of the first Serpent Squad. The Eel was also a member of the second Serpent Squad, although he was unaware when joining that Jordan had been murdered by the new Squad's organizer, the second Viper. He was killed by the costumed criminal known as the Gladiator, who stole a disintegrator ray device that was in the Eel's possession.


  • Clothes Make the Superman: All of his powers derived from his Eel Battlesuit.
  • Family Business: The first Eel was the brother of the first Viper, a founding member of the Serpent Society.
  • Hand Blast: Shoots electricity from his gloves.
  • Highly-Visible Ninja: Bright blue and purple does not make for a good suit if you're a thief, though he seems to manage.
  • Killed Off for Real: He was killed by the costumed criminal known as the Gladiator, who stole a disintegrator ray device that was in the Eel's possession.
  • New Job as the Plot Demands: He can be a thief in one story, a mercenary in the next, or just hired muscle.
  • Psycho Electric Eel: His motif is derived from the electric eel.
  • Shock and Awe: His gloves can fire off electric blasts.
  • Sibling Team: When he worked with his brother Jordan Stryke.
  • Villain Team-Up: Frequently a part of these.
    • Was once a part of the Serpent Society.
    • Once served on Zemo's Thunderbolts.

Edward Lavell / Eel II

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/eel_6.jpg

Nationality: American

Species: Human

First Appearance: Power Man and Iron Fist #92 (Apr 1983)

"Suck my voltage!"

Lavell took over the super-powered costume and identity of the Eel from the original Eel, Leopold Stryke, who had died by then. As the new Eel, Lavell first ran afoul of Power Man and Iron Fist when he and Man-Mountain Marko unsuccessfully attempted to free the Maggia boss known as Hammerhead from police captivity while being transported to a new prison. He joined the fifth Serpent Squad led by the Red Skull's daughter Sin.


  • Animal Theme Naming: The Eel
  • Clothes Make The Super Man: All of his powers are derived from his suit.
  • Legacy Character: He is the second villain to use the name 'the Eel'.
  • Purple Is Powerful: His Eel costume has more purple than the one his predecessor had.
  • Psycho Electric Eel: His motif is derived from the electric eel.
  • Shock and Awe: The Eel costume features small devices capable of generating large and small bursts of electricity. It can fire electrical bolts (initially only through his suit's chest protector) and give off bright glows, as well as set up an electric current in the costume that will shock anyone touching it.

    Fer-de-Lance 

Teresa Vasquez / Fer-de-Lance

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/378647_83048_fer_de_lance.jpg

Nationality: American

Species: Human

First Appearance: Captain America #337


  • Badass Normal: She has no powers beyond her skills with blades.
  • Blade Below the Shoulder: Fer-de-Lance wears a foot-long talon attached to each of her wrists. Each talon is apparently coated with poison.
  • Blatant Lies: Assures Diamondback she just wants Sidewinder and has no intention of hurting her if she surrenders. As she's lunging towards Rachel with her blades raised.
    Fer-de-Lance: You will not come to harm!
    Diamondback: (already throwing her diamonds) I believe that like I believe in Santa Claus!
  • Gratuitous Spanish: Tends to use it.
  • The Mole: One of Viper's goons sent to infiltrate the Society.
  • Spicy Latina: Also vicious and murderous.

    Princess Python 

Zelda DuBois / Princess Python

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/princess_python.jpg

Nationality: American

Species: Human

First Appearance: The Amazing Spider-Man #22 (Mar 1965)

Zelda DuBois started out as a snake charmer, using a 25-foot python in her act. She later became a criminal, using a gigantic snake under her mental control to commit crimes as Princess Python, part of the Circus of Crime. She later becomes a member of the Serpent Squad as well as its successor the Serpent Society, but left the group as she is not a killer.


    Puff Adder 

Gordon "Gordo" Fraley / Puff Adder

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/4972925_puffadder.jpg

Nationality: American

Species: Human mutant

First Appearance: Captain America #337 (January 1988)

Puff Adder is a member of the Serpent Society. He has the ability to expand his size and musculature. He also can spew an acidic cloud from his mouth at a very close range.


  • Animal Theme Naming: Puff Adder, a venomous viper species found in savannah and grasslands from Morocco and western Arabia throughout Africa except for the Sahara and rain forest regions.
  • The Big Guy: Mostly provides muscle for his team.
  • Breath Weapon: The cowl of Puff Adder's costume contains a pressurized container of noxious gas which can be released from his mouth area.
  • Depending on the Artist: He's been variably depicted as blonde Caucasian and African-American.
  • Mighty Glacier: He can enlarge himself and hit hard, but can’t move himself quickly.
  • The Mole: Another of Viper's moles.
  • Mutant: He's one of the few mutants among the ranks of the Serpent Society.
  • Secondary Color Nemesis: Like other members of the Serpent squadrons, his costume is green.
  • Sizeshifter: Puff Adder has the mutant ability to enlarge, or "puff up," his body to make himself stronger and more massive in build.
  • Villainous Friendship: He's friends with Anaconda and Rock Python.

    Rattler 

Gustav Kruger / Rattler

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/3367038_rattler.jpg

Nationality: Polish

Species: Human cyborg

First Appearance: Captain America #310 (October, 1985)

Rattler is a member of the Serpent Society with the ability to create vibrations with his bionic tail.


  • Beware My Stinger Tail: Has a bionic tail that generates sonic vibrations used to create shock waves, deflect projectiles, or disorient.
  • Handicapped Badass: Rattler is 85% deaf in both ears, and employs electronic hearing aids in his cowl to afford him normal hearing.
  • Secondary Color Nemesis: His costume is mostly dark orange.
  • Super-Strength: Rattler possesses superhuman strength enabling him to lift approximately 1,000 pounds.
  • Unexplained Recovery: He was seemingly killed by the new Scourge, who found him about to commit a robbery, but he later turned up alive as a member of the new Serpent Society formed by the new Cobra.

    Rock Python 

M'Gula / Rock Python

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rock_python_0100.jpg

Nationality: South African

First Appearance: Captain America #341 (May, 1988)

A criminal from South Africa, Rock Python joined the Serpent Society under orders from Viper. He aided Viper in her schemes, but was quickly defeated by Captain America and his ally Nomad.


  • Animal-Themed Superbeing: The African rock python, the largest snake on the African continent.
  • Hoist by His Own Petard: Despite being trained with his trick eggs, which have various effects including nerve gas and steel wires, Rock Python's enemies most often use his own weaponry against him.
  • Secondary Color Nemesis: His costume is mostly blue and purple.
  • Super-Toughness: Rock Python has skin, muscle, and bones that are rock-hard, much like a rock python snake. He is impervious to high caliber arms fire, powerful explosions, intense heat, and deadly impacts.
  • Status Quo Is God: Despite trying to improve himself and even getting a job as security guard at a bank, he was eventually seen along with most of the Serpent Solutions.
  • Trick Eggs: He carries little gimmick "snake eggs" which, upon impact, release various substances such as smoke bombs, acids, plastic explosives, and "snake wrap": explosive-launched inch wide, razor-sharp steel alloy metallic ribbons designed to ensnare opponents like bolas and immobilize them.
  • Villainous Friendship: He's friends with Anaconda and Puff Adder.

    Sidewinder 

Seth Voelker / Sidewinder I

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/1600561_imleg15.jpg

Nationality: American

Species: Human

First Appearance: Marvel Two-in-One #64 (June 1980)

Formerly the leader of the Serpent Society, Sidewinder is a retired villain with the ability of teleportation.


  • Distinguished Gentleman's Pipe: Tended to smoke one when out of costume.
  • Not Distracted by the Sexy: He was so busy looking over the society's accounts he failed to notice Black Mamba was looking a little... different, which probably would've scuppered the actual Black Mamba's attempt to doll herself up for that night.
  • Secondary Color Nemesis: His costume was mostly orange and purple.
  • Teleportation: Which he used to get the other members of the Squadron out of jail.
  • Teleport Cloak: Sidewinder wore a cloak that had the power to teleport him and anyone else he covered with it.

Gregory Bryan / Sidewinder II

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/3366833_sidewinder.jpg

Species: Human

First Appearance: Captain America Vol 4 #31 (November, 2004)

Successor to the Sidewinder mantle after the original retired and reformed.


  • Legacy Character: Long after Seth Voelker retired, Gregory Bryan became the new Sidewinder, was given the teleportation powers of the original, and ended up joining the Society.
  • Two First Names: Gregory and Bryan are both used as first names.

    Viper 

Jordan Dixon (legally changed from Jordan Stryke) / Viper I

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/jordan_dixon_earth_616_from_captain_america_sam_wilson_vol_1_4_001.jpg

Nationality: American

Species: Human

First Appearance: Captain America #157 (January, 1973)

One of the founders of the Serpent Squad and brother to Eel. He was eventually slain by Madame Hydra who usurped his name.


  • The Faceless: Strangely he has never been seen without the mask.
  • Green and Mean: His costume is green, although he certainly wasn't as mean as Ophelia.
  • Klingon Promotion: A victim of this. Madame Hydra killed him and usurped his codename and the control of the Serpent Society.
  • Poisoned Weapons: The Viper hurled darts tipped with lethal poisons.
  • Secondary Color Nemesis: His costume is completely green.
  • Sibling Team: With his brother Leopold Stryke, the first Eel.
  • Unexplained Recovery: After being dead for years, he somehow reappeared alive during the formation of Serpent Solutions.

Ophelia Sarkissian / Viper II

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ophelia_sarkissian_earth_616_from_marvel_war_of_heroes_001_0.jpg

Nationality: Hungarian

Species: Human mutate

First Appearance: Captain America #110 (February, 1969)


See the Hydra page for more info.


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