Serpent Squad
Encyclopedia
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 original team first appeared in Captain America #163, and was created by Steve Englehart
.
. Their plot involved ruining Captain America
's reputation using false advertisements. Captain America soon caught on to their scheme, and along with the Falcon
defeated the trio and sent them back to prison.
Madame Hydra later assassinated the original Viper and took his name. She then reunited the Serpent Squad, urging the Eel to avenge his brother's death. At this time, Princess Python
joined the group. Cobra was not willing to serve Viper, and challenged her to a battle, but he was easily defeated. Working with the warlord Krang
in an attempt to raise the lost continent Lemuria
, the Serpent Squad were ambushed by Captain America, then in his Nomad identity, who defeated the Eel and Princess Python. After Cobra eventually turned on Viper, she shot him in the back and managed to escape, while Nomad rushed Cobra to the hospital.
A third Serpent Squad appeared much later, under the employ of Roxxon Oil
executive Hugh Jones
. The field leader Sidewinder
, along with his teammates Anaconda
, Black Mamba
, and Death Adder
, was ordered to retrieve the Serpent Crown
and return it to Jones. After a battle with the Thing
and Stingray
, the Serpent Squad accomplished their task. However, Triton
joined the battle, and the three heroes were able to defeat Anaconda, Death Adder, and Black Mamba and trap them under the sea. Sidewinder escaped and handed the Serpent Crown over to Hugh Jones. Anaconda freed herself and her teammates from the silt, and the trio worked as freelance mercenaries, eventually battling Iron Man
. They were then invited by Sidewinder to join the criminal organization, the Serpent Society
, which they accepted. Former Serpent Squad members Cobra and Princess Python also joined the Society.
While the Serpent Society was active, a new Serpent Squad suddenly appeared in Las Vegas. The members, Copperhead
, Fer-de-Lance
, Puff Adder
, and Black Racer, committed acts of terrorism and theft in various casinos. Sidewinder noticed the group, and after they were defeated by Captain America, he freed them from prison and invited them to join his group. However, they were actually in the employ of the Viper, and she used them to commence her takeover of the Serpent Society. The mission was a failure, but Copperhead, Fer-de-Lance, Puff Adder, and Black Racer decided to stay with the Serpent Society. Copperhead soon left after conflict with the Cobra.
Most recently, a new Serpent Squad surfaced with Sin as the leader, a new Viper, the Eel, and the Cobra. They attacked the White House under the orders of the Red Skull, but Bucky, the new Captain America, attacked and defeated them all except for Sin.
The Serpent Squad appears in the Ultimate Universe
as a group of female mercenaries searching for the Serpent Crown
. The Squad consists of Anaconda, Black Mamba, Asp, Princess Python, and a female Death Adder. While searching for the crown, they came into conflict with the Ultimate Fantastic Four
. Anaconda was apprehended by Mr. Fantastic, while The Thing was able to blast Black Mamba away, and Human Torch got the best of Asp. However, Princess Python eventually knocked a piece of The Thing's body off of his upper arm. That, paired with Black Mamba's insulting The Thing over how he will "die alone," began the cross-over of Ultimate Power
.
The Serpent Squad later reappeared in Ultimate Comics Spider-Man again hunting for the Crown.
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...
. Most often 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...
, the roster has changed through various incarnations. The original team first appeared in Captain America #163, and was created by Steve Englehart
Steve Englehart
Steve Englehart is an American novelist. In his earlier career he was a comic book writer best known for his work at Marvel Comics and DC Comics, particularly in the 1970s...
.
Fictional group history
The Serpent Squad was founded by the original Viper after escaping prison with his brother, the Eel, and 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...
. Their plot involved ruining 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...
's reputation using false advertisements. Captain America soon caught on to their scheme, and along with 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...
defeated the trio and sent them back to prison.
Madame Hydra later assassinated the original Viper and took his name. She then reunited the Serpent Squad, urging the Eel to avenge his brother's death. At this time, 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...
joined the group. Cobra was not willing to serve Viper, and challenged her to a battle, but he was easily defeated. Working with the 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:...
in an attempt to raise the lost continent Lemuria
Lemuria (comics)
Lemuria is the name of two fictional locations in the Marvel Universe.Lemuria had been a small continent and group of islands in the Pacific Ocean 21,000 years ago, which was ruled by the Deviants. Lemuria became the center of the Deviant empire, and the only remaining free land was Atlantis, the...
, the Serpent Squad were ambushed by Captain America, then in his Nomad identity, who defeated the Eel and Princess Python. After Cobra eventually turned on Viper, she shot him in the back and managed to escape, while Nomad rushed Cobra to the hospital.
A third Serpent Squad appeared much later, under the employ of Roxxon Oil
Roxxon Oil
Roxxon Energy Corporation is the name of a fictional massive petroleum corporation owned by Aleksander Lukin and run by August D'Angelo. The company appears in comic book stories published by Marvel Comics and exists in that company's shared universe, known as the Marvel Universe...
executive Hugh Jones
Hugh Jones (comics)
Hugh Jones is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe who first appeared in Captain America #180 and was created by Steve Englehart and Sal Buscema.-Fictional character biography:...
. The field leader Sidewinder
Sidewinder (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:...
, along with his teammates 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...
, was ordered to retrieve the 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...
and return it to Jones. After a battle with the Thing
Thing (comics)
The Thing is a fictional character, a founding member of the superhero team known as the Fantastic Four in the Marvel Comics universe. He was created by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee in The Fantastic Four #1...
and Stingray
Stingray (comics)
Stingray is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics.-Publication history:The character first appears as Walter Newell in Tales to Astonish #95 and as Stingray in Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner #19 Stingray (Walter Newell) is a fictional character that appears...
, the Serpent Squad accomplished their task. However, Triton
Triton (comics)
Triton is a fictional merman published by Marvel Comics. He first appeared in Fantastic Four #45 , and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.-Fictional character biography:...
joined the battle, and the three heroes were able to defeat Anaconda, Death Adder, and Black Mamba and trap them under the sea. Sidewinder escaped and handed the Serpent Crown over to Hugh Jones. Anaconda freed herself and her teammates from the silt, and the trio worked as freelance mercenaries, eventually battling Iron Man
Iron Man
Iron Man is a fictional character, a superhero in the . The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee, developed by scripter Larry Lieber, and designed by artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby, first appearing in Tales of Suspense #39 .A billionaire playboy, industrialist and ingenious engineer,...
. They were then invited by Sidewinder to join the criminal organization, the Serpent Society
Serpent Society
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...
, which they accepted. Former Serpent Squad members Cobra and Princess Python also joined the Society.
While the Serpent Society was active, a new Serpent Squad suddenly appeared in Las Vegas. The members, Copperhead
Copperhead (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...
, 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....
, 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...
, and Black Racer, committed acts of terrorism and theft in various casinos. Sidewinder noticed the group, and after they were defeated by Captain America, he freed them from prison and invited them to join his group. However, they were actually in the employ of the Viper, and she used them to commence her takeover of the Serpent Society. The mission was a failure, but Copperhead, Fer-de-Lance, Puff Adder, and Black Racer decided to stay with the Serpent Society. Copperhead soon left after conflict with the Cobra.
Most recently, a new Serpent Squad surfaced with Sin as the leader, a new Viper, the Eel, and the Cobra. They attacked the White House under the orders of the Red Skull, but Bucky, the new Captain America, attacked and defeated them all except for Sin.
Exiles Serpent Squad
Another alternate version of the Serpent Squad appeared in Exiles #89. The Exiles team had to restore Earth #27537. The Exiles had a hard time defeating the Squad, who were working together with Diamondback, but eventually the Exiles did manage to win and moved over to another reality. What the Serpent Squad was doing on this Earth exactly wasn't revealed.Ultimate Serpent Squad
Ultimate Marvel
Ultimate Marvel is an imprint of comic books published by Marvel Comics, featuring reimagined and updated versions of the company's superhero characters, including Spider-Man, the X-Men, the Avengers, and the Fantastic Four. The imprint was launched in 2000 with the publication of the series...
as a group of female mercenaries searching for the 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...
. The Squad consists of Anaconda, Black Mamba, Asp, Princess Python, and a female Death Adder. While searching for the crown, they came into conflict with the Ultimate Fantastic Four
Ultimate Fantastic Four
Ultimate Fantastic Four is a superhero comic book series published by Marvel Comics. The series is a modernized re-imagining of Marvel's long-running Fantastic Four comic book franchise as part of its Ultimate Marvel imprint...
. Anaconda was apprehended by Mr. Fantastic, while The Thing was able to blast Black Mamba away, and Human Torch got the best of Asp. However, Princess Python eventually knocked a piece of The Thing's body off of his upper arm. That, paired with Black Mamba's insulting The Thing over how he will "die alone," began the cross-over of Ultimate Power
Ultimate Power
Ultimate Power is a nine-issue comic book limited series published by Marvel Comics.The series is a crossover that ties the Supreme Power universe into the Ultimate Marvel universe and is written by Brian Michael Bendis, J...
.
The Serpent Squad later reappeared in Ultimate Comics Spider-Man again hunting for the Crown.
External links
- Serpent Squad at the Marvel Universe