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| debut = ''New Avengers'' #1 (January 2005; as Spider-Woman)<br>''New Avengers'' #40 (June 2008; as Veranke)
| debut = ''New Avengers'' #1 (January 2005; as Spider-Woman)<br>''New Avengers'' #40 (June 2008; as Veranke)
| creators = [[Brian Michael Bendis]] (writer)<br>[[Jim Cheung]] (artist)
| creators = [[Brian Michael Bendis]] (writer)<br>[[Jim Cheung]] (artist)
| alliances = {{ubl|[[Skrull|Skrull Empire]]|[[Mighty Avengers]]|[[New Avengers (comics)|New Avengers]]|[[S.H.I.E.L.D.]]|[[Hydra (Marvel Comics)|HYDRA]]}}
| alliances = {{ubl|[[Skrull|Skrull Empire]]|[[Avengers (comics)|Avengers]]||[[Mighty Avengers]]|[[New Avengers (comics)|New Avengers]]|[[S.H.I.E.L.D.]]|[[Hydra (Marvel Comics)|HYDRA]]}}
| aliases = [[Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew)|Jessica Drew]] / [[Spider-Woman]], Skrull Queen / Empress, [[Carol Danvers]]
| aliases = Skrull Queen,<br />[[Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew)|Jessica Drew]] / [[Spider-Woman]],<br />Skrull Empress,<br />[[Silver Scorpion]],<br />[[Carol Danvers]]
| powers = Shapeshifting<br>Spider-Woman's powers
| powers = Shapeshifting<br />Spider-Woman's powers
}}
}}
'''Veranke''' is a fictional character appearing in [[American comic book]]s published by [[Marvel Comics]]. The queen of the [[Skrull]] Empire, she is the main antagonist of ''[[Secret Invasion]]'' in which she leads her empire to invade and conquer Earth.
'''Veranke''' is a [[supervillain]] appearing in [[American comic book]]s published by [[Marvel Comics]]. The queen of the [[Skrull]] Empire, she is the main antagonist of ''[[Secret Invasion]]'' in which she leads her empire to invade and conquer Earth.

The character has made occasional appearances in media depictions.


==Publication history==
==Publication history==
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==Fictional character biography==
==Fictional character biography==
Veranke was a Skrull princess who scolded Emperor [[Dorrek VII]] from the Tyeranx 7 province after the [[Illuminati (comics)|Illuminati]] escape from the Skrull palace for not heeding the words of the Skrull prophecies, which state the attack upon the palace will be followed by the Skrull homeworld's destruction, the coming of a "wave of devastation" through Skrull space, and the need to take "a world of blue" as their new home. As Dorrek VII ignores her warnings, Veranke declares if Dorrek VII is unable to heed the writings of the Skrull's scriptures and the Skrull people's will, then he is not fit to rule. For her defiance, Dorrek VII banishes her to a prison planet, brushing her off as an insane fanatic and a traitor.
===Planning the Secret Invasion===

[[File:Verankeabandoned.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Veranke in exile.]]
[[File:Verankeabandoned.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Veranke in exile.]]
Veranke was a Skrull princess who scolded Emperor [[Dorrek VII]] from the Tyeranx 7 province after the [[Illuminati (Marvel Comics)|Illuminati]] superhero group escape from the Skrull palace for not heeding the words of the Skrull prophecies, which state the attack upon the palace, then the Skrull homeworld's destruction, the coming of a "wave of devastation" through Skrull space, and the need to take "a world of blue" as their new home. As Dorrek VII ignores her warnings, Veranke declares if Dorrek VII is unable to heed the writings of the Skrull's scriptures and the Skrull people's will, Dorrek VII should be removed from the throne. For her defiance, Dorrek VII banishes her to a prison planet, brushing her off as an insane fanatic and a traitor while acknowledging executing her would only turn her into a martyr for her cause.<ref name="NA40">''New Avengers'' #40. Marvel Comics.</ref>
Years later, the Skrull throneworld is destroyed by [[Galactus]]; believing that only Veranke can lead them, the Skrulls rescue her from exile and she is anointed as their Queen. Veranke declares that the scriptures foretell Earth as the Skrull's new homeland, thus the Skrulls undergo a major operation to take over Earth through infiltrating Earth's facets, thereby weakening Earth enough to employ a military invasion to conquer the planet. To set an example for her people, Veranke also decides to participate in the invasion and asks which of Earth's heroes would be ideal for her to impersonate. [[Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew)|Jessica Drew / Spider-Woman]] is recommended as the prime choice thanks to Skrulls posing as [[Hydra (comics)|HYDRA]] agents having learned of her status of a double agent of [[Nick Fury]].<ref>''New Avengers'' #40. Marvel Comics.</ref>

After successfully assuming Drew's identity, Veranke takes up the latter's new position at the [[Raft (comics)|Raft]] and was stationed there when [[Electro (Marvel Comics)|Electro]] unleashed a mass break-out attempt of the prisoners inside. This event unintentionally led to the [[New Avengers (comics)|New Avengers]]'s reformation, which she later joins after [[Captain America|Steve Rogers / Captain America]] offers membership to her.<ref>''New Avengers'' #3. Marvel Comics.</ref> Fury instructs her to continue working for him as a personal agent, now within the New Avengers, [[S.H.I.E.L.D.]], and HYDRA simultaneously; she eventually confesses this [[Double agent|triple agent]] arrangement to the [[Avengers (comics)|Avengers]].


During an adventure with the New Avengers, Veranke learns of her rule's greatest threat: [[Hulkling|Dorrek VIII / Hulkling]] of the [[Young Avengers]] and the son of the Kree hero [[Mar-Vell]] and the Skrull princess [[Anelle]] who is a likely heir to the throne. During the invasion, she orders Dorrek VIII to be executed; unbeknownst to her, he survives.
Years later, the Skrull throneworld is destroyed by [[Galactus]] and the next prophecy fulfilled, the Skrulls elevate Veranke to the throne of the Skrull Empire while she is still on the prison world. As the Skrull Queen, Veranke declares that the scriptures foretell Earth as the Skrull's new homeland, thus the Skrulls undergo a major operation to take over Earth through infiltrating Earth's facets, thereby weakening Earth enough to employ a military invasion to conquer the planet. Additionally, Veranke decides to be one of the agents to play a direct part in Earth's infiltration thanks to Skrulls posing as [[Hydra (comics)|HYDRA]] agents in order for Veranke to impersonate '''[[Spider-Woman]]''' ([[Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew)|'''Jessica Drew''']]) as a [[Double agent|triple agent]] of [[Nick Fury]] within the [[New Avengers (comics)|New Avengers]], [[S.H.I.E.L.D.]] and HYDRA simultaneously.<ref name="NA40">''New Avengers'' #40. Marvel Comics.</ref> Veranke is appointed to working at the Raft, and was at there when [[Electro (Marvel Comics)|Electro]] unleashed a mass break-out attempt of the prisoners inside. This event unintentionally led to the New Avengers's reformation, which she later joins after [[Captain America]] (Steve Rogers) offers membership to her.<ref>''New Avengers'' #3. Marvel Comics.</ref>


===House of M===
===House of M===
During the ''[[House of M]]'' storyline, it was revealed that Veranke, along with all the other undercover Skrulls, knew that the world had been altered. She tries to assassinate the [[Scarlet Witch]], but is unsuccessful and deconstructed in a way similar to [[Hawkeye (Clint Barton)|Clint Barton]]; both come back afterward. In the aftermath, news reaches her that the Skrull Empire itself has almost entirely been destroyed by the [[Annihilation Wave]], killing billions of Skrulls which further fulfilling their prophecies. Distressed, Veranke and her agents are more determined to continue their takeover of Earth.<ref>''New Avengers'' #45. Marvel Comics.</ref>
During the ''[[House of M]]'' storyline, it was revealed that Veranke, along with all the other undercover Skrulls, knew that the world had been altered. She tries to assassinate the [[Scarlet Witch|Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch]] but is unsuccessful and deconstructed in a way similar to [[Hawkeye (Clint Barton)|Clint Barton]]; both come back afterward. In the aftermath, news reaches her that the Skrull Empire itself has almost entirely been destroyed by the [[Annihilation Wave]], killing billions of Skrulls and fulfilling another tenet of the prophecy. Distressed by the realization that they are now all that is left of the Empire's legions, Veranke and her agents are more determined to continue their takeover of Earth.


===Civil War===
===Civil War===
During the ''[[Civil War (comics)|Civil War]]'' storyline, the triple agent status of "Jessica Drew" is disclosed by [[Iron Man]] (Tony Stark) to [[Maria Hill]] soon after the identity of [[Spider-Man]] (Peter Parker) is revealed to the world. Hill, troubled by her potentially treasonous allegiance to Fury, orders her apprehension. Hiding as [[Skein (comics)|Sybil Dvorak]], she is captured and taken aboard a S.H.I.E.L.D. [[Helicarrier]]. Deploying an electro-magnetic pulse device, a HYDRA commando team disables the helicarrier and rescues her. She makes her way to the hidden base of Captain America's [[Secret Avengers]] and tearfully pleads to join the resistance, having lost her connection to Fury.<ref>''New Avengers'' #23. Marvel Comics.</ref>
Soon after [[Spider-Man|Peter Parker / Spider-Man]]'s identity is revealed to the world during the ''[[Civil War (comics)|Civil War]]'' storyline, [[Iron Man|Tony Stark / Iron Man]] discloses her triple agent status to [[Maria Hill]]. Troubled by her potentially treasonous allegiance to Fury, Hill orders her apprehension. While disguised as [[Skein (character)|Sybil Dvorak]], she is captured and taken aboard a S.H.I.E.L.D. [[Helicarrier]]. Deploying an electromagnetic pulse device, a HYDRA commando team disables the Helicarrier and rescues her. She makes her way to the hidden base of Captain America's [[Secret Avengers]] and tearfully pleads to join the resistance, having lost her connection to S.H.I.E.L.D. and Fury.<ref>''New Avengers'' #23. Marvel Comics.</ref>


Afterwards, Veranke travels alongside the New Avengers to Tokyo to fight [[Elektra (comics)|Elektra]] and the [[The Hand (comics)|Hand]], but is unable to prevent [[Echo (Marvel Comics)|Echo]] from killing the Skrull Pagon which reveals the Skrull infiltration. As the New Avengers ponders the next move, Veranke defeats the Skrull posing as [[Wolverine (character)|Wolverine]] to show Iron Man in a move designed to sow distrust amongst the superhero community (which is not difficult as there is already a great deal of distrust on all sides of the superhero community), leaving bad feelings on many fronts.<ref>''Mighty Avengers'' #6 (2007). Marvel Comics.</ref> Afterwards, she also joins the government sanctioned [[Mighty Avengers]] under the guise of throwing the Skrulls off balance.<ref>''Mighty Avengers'' #7 (2007). Marvel Comics.</ref>
Afterwards, Veranke travels alongside the New Avengers to Tokyo to fight [[Elektra (character)|Elektra]] and the [[The Hand (comics)|Hand]], but is unable to prevent [[Echo (Marvel Comics)|Maya Lopez / Echo]] from killing the Skrull [[Pagon]] which reveals the Skrull infiltration. As the New Avengers ponders the next move, Veranke defeats the Skrull posing as [[Wolverine (character)|Wolverine]] in front of Iron Man in a move designed to sow distrust amongst the superhero community (which is not difficult as there is already a great deal of distrust on all sides of the superhero community), leaving bad feelings on many fronts.<ref>''Mighty Avengers'' #6 (2007). Marvel Comics.</ref> Afterwards, she also joins the government sanctioned [[Mighty Avengers]] under the guise of throwing the Skrulls off balance.<ref>''Mighty Avengers'' #7 (2007). Marvel Comics.</ref>


A meeting among the Skrull agents on Earth is held where Veranke is apparently in attendance, referred to as "Empress" by the [[Jarvis (comics)|Skrull]] posing as [[Edwin Jarvis]].<ref>''Mighty Avengers'' #14. Marvel Comics.</ref>
At some point, Veranke learns of [[Hulkling|Dorrek VIII / Hulkling]] of the [[Young Avengers]] is the son of the Kree hero [[Mar-Vell]] and the Skrull princess [[Anelle]], desiring the potential heir to the throne to be executed.


===Secret Invasion===
===Secret Invasion===
[[File:Spiderwomanskrull.PNG|right|thumb|200px|Veranke as [[Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew)]]. Art by Leinil Francis Yu.]]
[[File:Spiderwomanskrull.PNG|right|thumb|200px|Veranke as [[Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew)|Jessica Drew]]. Art by Leinil Francis Yu.]]
During the ''[[Secret Invasion]]'' storyline, "Jessica Drew" is informed of the crash-landing of a transport ship of Skrulls impersonating various superheroes (including the Skrull Pitt'o Nili as the original Captain America) in the Savage Land. She in turn tips off [[Luke Cage]] about this information, supposedly trusting Cage over Iron Man.<ref>''Secret Invasion'' #1. Marvel Comics.</ref> A meeting among the Skrull agents on Earth is held where Veranke is apparently in attendance, referred to as "Empress" by the [[Jarvis (comics)|Skrull]] posing as [[Edwin Jarvis]].<ref>''Mighty Avengers'' #14. Marvel Comics.</ref>
During the ''[[Secret Invasion]]'' storyline, "Jessica Drew" is informed of the crash-landing of a transport ship of Skrulls impersonating various superheroes (including the Skrull [[Pitt'o Nili]] as the original Captain America) in the Savage Land. She in turn tips off [[Luke Cage]] about this information as she supposedly more trusting over Iron Man while the [[War Skrull|Skrull]] posing as [[Dum Dum Dugan]] destroys the Peak space station of [[S.W.O.R.D.]]<ref>''Secret Invasion'' #1. Marvel Comics.</ref>


When the Skrull invasion of Earth begins, Veranke is seen in the Savage Land where she confronts and attacks Echo, repeatedly blasting with venom blasts and then slamming her opponent into a nearby tree trunk.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.wizarduniverse.com/060508secretroundup3.html |title=wizard universe |access-date=2008-06-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080701045602/http://www.wizarduniverse.com/060508secretroundup3.html |archive-date=2008-07-01 |url-status=dead }}</ref> She then insinuates Iron Man is a Skrull sleeper agent, and kisses Iron Man for supposedly having "earned the queen's love".<ref>''Secret Invasion'' #3. Marvel Comics.</ref> [[Black Widow (Natasha Romanova)|Black Widow]] plans to attack Veranke, but is distracted by Skrulls posing as the [[Beast (comics)|Beast]] and [[Jean Grey]] to which Veranke disappears and escapes while Black Widow kills the Skrulls.<ref>''Secret Invasion'' #4. Marvel Comics.</ref>
After the Skrull invasion of Earth begins, Veranke is seen in the Savage Land, where she confronts and attacks Echo, repeatedly striking with venom blasts and then slamming her opponent into a nearby tree trunk.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.wizarduniverse.com/060508secretroundup3.html |title=wizard universe |access-date=2008-06-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080701045602/http://www.wizarduniverse.com/060508secretroundup3.html |archive-date=2008-07-01 |url-status=dead }}</ref> She then insinuates Iron Man is a Skrull sleeper agent, and kisses Iron Man for supposedly having "earned the queen's love".<ref>''Secret Invasion'' #3. Marvel Comics.</ref> [[Black Widow (Natasha Romanova)|Black Widow]] plans to attack while Veranke talks to Iron Man, but is distracted by Skrulls posing as [[Beast (Marvel Comics)|Beast]] and [[Jean Grey]], and Veranke disappears and escapes while Black Widow kills the Skrulls.<ref>''Secret Invasion'' #4. Marvel Comics.</ref>


Veranke arrives at Camp Hammond and the Shadow Initiative attempt to assassinate her. [[Thor (Marvel Comics)|Thor]]'s presence is known and she assembles her troops for the final battle. The New Avengers, the Mighty Avengers, Nick Fury's commandos, the Young Avengers, the Initiative, the Hood's crew, Thor, [[Bucky Barnes|Captain America]] (Bucky Barnes), and the [[Thunderbolts (comics)|Thunderbolts]] all assemble. Veranke later reveals that "He" (a figure mentioned repeatedly by Skrulls throughout the storyline in the phrase 'he loves you') is a reference to "God" as she leads an army of Super-Skrulls against the superhumans of Earth.<ref>''Secret Invasion'' #6. Marvel Comics.</ref> During the fight, the real Wolverine confronts Veranke and quickly gains the upper hand by impaling Veranke through the shoulder with claws. Moments later, [[Hawkeye (Kate Bishop)|Hawkeye]] is injured which prompts Ronin to kill four Skrulls before seemingly killing Veranke with a shot to the face. Veranke's apparent fate results in the Skrull [[Criti Noll]] posing as [[Hank Pym]] to use a device which has the [[Wasp (comics)|Wasp]] grow to enormous size while deadly to humans nearby until Thor transports the doomsday weapon's unwilling carrier to another dimension to seemingly die. However, Veranke is revealed to be still alive until [[Norman Osborn]] shoots her in the head, killing the Skrull Queen.<ref>''Secret Invasion'' #8. Marvel Comics.</ref>
Veranke arrives at Camp Hammond and the Shadow Initiative attempt to assassinate her. [[Thor (Marvel Comics)|Thor]]'s presence is known and she assembles her troops for the final battle. The New Avengers, the Mighty Avengers, Nick Fury's commandos, the Young Avengers, the Initiative, the Hood's crew, Thor, [[Bucky Barnes|Captain America]], and the [[Thunderbolts (comics)|Thunderbolts]] all assemble. Veranke later reveals that "He" (a figure mentioned repeatedly by Skrulls throughout the storyline in the phrase 'he loves you') is a reference to "God" as she leads an army of Super-Skrulls against the superhumans of Earth.<ref>''Secret Invasion'' #6. Marvel Comics.</ref> During the fight, the real Wolverine confronts Veranke and quickly gains the upper hand by impaling the Queen through the shoulder with his claws. Moments later, [[Hawkeye (Kate Bishop)|Hawkeye]] is injured which prompts Ronin to kill four Skrulls before seemingly killing Veranke with a shot to the face. Veranke's apparent fate results in the Skrull [[Criti Noll]] posing as [[Hank Pym]] to use a device which has the [[Wasp (character)|Wasp]] grow to enormous size while deadly to humans nearby until Thor transports the doomsday weapon's unwilling carrier to another dimension to seemingly die. However, Veranke is revealed to be still alive until [[Norman Osborn]] finally finishes her off with a headshot.<ref>''Secret Invasion'' #8. Marvel Comics.</ref>


===Aftermath and return===
===Aftermath and return===
During the "[[Dark Reign (comics)|Dark Reign]]" storyline, Veranke is seen in [[Erebus]] when [[Hercules (Marvel Comics)|Hercules]] travels to the Underworld where she is among those either gambling or lingering for resurrection. She is later seen in [[Pluto (Marvel Comics)|Pluto]]'s jury at [[Zeus (Marvel Comics)|Zeus]]'s trial.<ref>''The Incredible Hercules'' #129. Marvel Comics.</ref>
During the "[[Dark Reign (comics)|Dark Reign]]" storyline, Veranke is seen in [[Erebus]] when [[Hercules (Marvel Comics)|Hercules]] travels to the Underworld where she is among those either gambling or lingering for resurrection. She is later seen in [[Pluto (Marvel Comics)|Pluto]]'s jury at [[Zeus (Marvel Comics)|Zeus]]'s trial.<ref>''The Incredible Hercules'' #129. Marvel Comics.</ref>


The "[[Devil's Reign]]" event revealed that Veranke's body had been secretly preserved. She is revived and set loose by Mayor [[Kingpin (character)|Wilson Fisk]] so she can get revenge on the real Spider-Woman.<ref>''Spider-Woman'' vol. 7 #18 (2022). Marvel Comics.</ref> Veranke, despite some difficulty, is defeated by [[Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew)|Jessica Drew]] and [[Carol Danvers]].<ref>''Spider-Woman'' Vol. 7 #19 (2022). Marvel Comics.</ref>
The "[[Devil's Reign]]" event revealed that Veranke's body had been secretly preserved. She is revived and set loose by Mayor [[Kingpin (character)|Wilson Fisk]] so she can get revenge on the real Spider-Woman.<ref>''Spider-Woman'' vol. 7 #18 (2022). Marvel Comics.</ref> Veranke, despite some difficulty, is defeated by Drew and [[Carol Danvers]].<ref>''Spider-Woman'' Vol. 7 #19 (2022). Marvel Comics.</ref>


==Powers and abilities==
==Powers and abilities==
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==Other versions==
==Other versions==
During the ''[[Secret Wars (2015 comic book)|Secret Wars]]'' storyline, the [[Battleworld]] domain of the Warzone (which is based on a reality in which the Superhuman Civil War never ended), Veranke is the cause of every single failed attempt at reaching peace in a part of a plan to benefit from the never-ending war. This was revealed to President Stark when captured by Veranke's men posing as [[Black Panther (character)|Black Panther]]'s soldiers. President Stark used additional weapons to free himself and [[She-Hulk]] from Veranke's clutches.<ref>''Civil War'' vol. 2 #4. Marvel Comics.</ref>
During the ''[[Secret Wars (2015 comic book)|Secret Wars]]'' storyline, the [[Battleworld]] domain of the Warzone (which is based on a reality in which the Superhuman Civil War never ended), Queen Veranke is the cause of every failed attempt at reaching peace in a part of a plan to benefit from the never-ending war. This was revealed to President Stark when he was captured by Queen Veranke's men posing as Black Panther's soldiers. President Stark used weapons not in his armor to free himself and She-Hulk from Queen Veranke's clutches.<ref>''Civil War'' vol. 2 #4. Marvel Comics.</ref>


==In other media==
==In other media==
* Veranke appears in ''[[The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes]]'', voiced by [[Elizabeth Daily]].<ref name="btva">{{cite web |title=Queen Veranke Voices (Fantastic Four) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Fantastic-Four/Queen-Veranke/ |access-date=March 6, 2024 |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.</ref> This version poses as [[Mockingbird (Marvel Comics)|Mockingbird]] while orchestrating the Skrull invasion of Earth until she is defeated by the [[Avengers (comics)|Avengers]] and incarcerated at [[Negative Zone Prison Alpha|Prison 42]].
===Televsion===
* Veranke / Spider-Woman appears as a playable character in ''[[Marvel Avengers: Battle for Earth]]'', voiced by [[Mary Elizabeth McGlynn]].<ref name="btva" />
* Veranke appears in ''[[The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes]]'', voiced by [[Elizabeth Daily]]. This version is an amalgamation of her comic self and H'rpra. She impersonates [[Mockingbird (Marvel Comics)|Mockingbird]] to pose as an agent of [[Nick Fury (Ultimate Marvel character)|Nick Fury]] while orchestrating the Skrull invasion of Earth, but she is defeated by the [[Avengers (comics)|Avengers]] and incarcerated at [[Negative Zone Prison Alpha|Prison 42]].

===Video games===
* Veranke (as Spider-Woman) appears as a playable character in ''[[Marvel Avengers: Battle for Earth]]'', voiced by [[Mary Elizabeth McGlynn]].
* Veranke was originally intended to appear in a [[First person (video games)|first person]] Skrull-centric ''Avengers'' action game that was planned to coincide with the release of ''[[Avengers (2012 film)|The Avengers]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|url= http://www.ew.com/article/2015/11/30/avengers-canceled-game-details-video-screenshots|title= See the history of the canceled ''Avengers'' video game|last= Dornbush|first= Jonathan|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date= November 30, 2015|access-date=July 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406233342/http://www.ew.com/article/2015/11/30/avengers-canceled-game-details-video-screenshots|archive-date= April 6, 2016}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
* {{Marveldatabase|Veranke}}
* {{Marveldatabase|Veranke (Earth-616)|Veranke}}


{{Skrull}}
{{Skrull}}
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[[Category:Fictional mass murderers]]
[[Category:Fictional mass murderers]]
[[Category:Fictional queens]]
[[Category:Fictional queens]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics characters with accelerated healing]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics characters who can move at superhuman speeds]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics characters with superhuman durability or invulnerability]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics characters with superhuman senses]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics characters with superhuman strength]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics extraterrestrial supervillains]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics extraterrestrial supervillains]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics female supervillains]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics female supervillains]]

Latest revision as of 15:04, 22 October 2024

Veranke
Veranke as the Skrull Queen.
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceNew Avengers #1 (January 2005; as Spider-Woman)
New Avengers #40 (June 2008; as Veranke)
Created byBrian Michael Bendis (writer)
Jim Cheung (artist)
In-story information
Alter egoVeranke
SpeciesSkrull
Place of originTyeranx Seven Province
Team affiliations
Notable aliasesSkrull Queen,
Jessica Drew / Spider-Woman,
Skrull Empress,
Silver Scorpion,
Carol Danvers
AbilitiesShapeshifting
Spider-Woman's powers

Veranke is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The queen of the Skrull Empire, she is the main antagonist of Secret Invasion in which she leads her empire to invade and conquer Earth.

Publication history

[edit]

Veranke's first official appearance is in Secret Invasion #1, but was disguised as "Spider-Woman" in New Avengers #1 while her character is named and fleshed out in New Avengers #40.

Fictional character biography

[edit]

Veranke was a Skrull princess who scolded Emperor Dorrek VII from the Tyeranx 7 province after the Illuminati escape from the Skrull palace for not heeding the words of the Skrull prophecies, which state the attack upon the palace will be followed by the Skrull homeworld's destruction, the coming of a "wave of devastation" through Skrull space, and the need to take "a world of blue" as their new home. As Dorrek VII ignores her warnings, Veranke declares if Dorrek VII is unable to heed the writings of the Skrull's scriptures and the Skrull people's will, then he is not fit to rule. For her defiance, Dorrek VII banishes her to a prison planet, brushing her off as an insane fanatic and a traitor.

Veranke in exile.

Years later, the Skrull throneworld is destroyed by Galactus; believing that only Veranke can lead them, the Skrulls rescue her from exile and she is anointed as their Queen. Veranke declares that the scriptures foretell Earth as the Skrull's new homeland, thus the Skrulls undergo a major operation to take over Earth through infiltrating Earth's facets, thereby weakening Earth enough to employ a military invasion to conquer the planet. To set an example for her people, Veranke also decides to participate in the invasion and asks which of Earth's heroes would be ideal for her to impersonate. Jessica Drew / Spider-Woman is recommended as the prime choice thanks to Skrulls posing as HYDRA agents having learned of her status of a double agent of Nick Fury.[1]

After successfully assuming Drew's identity, Veranke takes up the latter's new position at the Raft and was stationed there when Electro unleashed a mass break-out attempt of the prisoners inside. This event unintentionally led to the New Avengers's reformation, which she later joins after Steve Rogers / Captain America offers membership to her.[2] Fury instructs her to continue working for him as a personal agent, now within the New Avengers, S.H.I.E.L.D., and HYDRA simultaneously; she eventually confesses this triple agent arrangement to the Avengers.

During an adventure with the New Avengers, Veranke learns of her rule's greatest threat: Dorrek VIII / Hulkling of the Young Avengers and the son of the Kree hero Mar-Vell and the Skrull princess Anelle who is a likely heir to the throne. During the invasion, she orders Dorrek VIII to be executed; unbeknownst to her, he survives.

House of M

[edit]

During the House of M storyline, it was revealed that Veranke, along with all the other undercover Skrulls, knew that the world had been altered. She tries to assassinate the Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch but is unsuccessful and deconstructed in a way similar to Clint Barton; both come back afterward. In the aftermath, news reaches her that the Skrull Empire itself has almost entirely been destroyed by the Annihilation Wave, killing billions of Skrulls and fulfilling another tenet of the prophecy. Distressed by the realization that they are now all that is left of the Empire's legions, Veranke and her agents are more determined to continue their takeover of Earth.

Civil War

[edit]

Soon after Peter Parker / Spider-Man's identity is revealed to the world during the Civil War storyline, Tony Stark / Iron Man discloses her triple agent status to Maria Hill. Troubled by her potentially treasonous allegiance to Fury, Hill orders her apprehension. While disguised as Sybil Dvorak, she is captured and taken aboard a S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier. Deploying an electromagnetic pulse device, a HYDRA commando team disables the Helicarrier and rescues her. She makes her way to the hidden base of Captain America's Secret Avengers and tearfully pleads to join the resistance, having lost her connection to S.H.I.E.L.D. and Fury.[3]

Afterwards, Veranke travels alongside the New Avengers to Tokyo to fight Elektra and the Hand, but is unable to prevent Maya Lopez / Echo from killing the Skrull Pagon which reveals the Skrull infiltration. As the New Avengers ponders the next move, Veranke defeats the Skrull posing as Wolverine in front of Iron Man in a move designed to sow distrust amongst the superhero community (which is not difficult as there is already a great deal of distrust on all sides of the superhero community), leaving bad feelings on many fronts.[4] Afterwards, she also joins the government sanctioned Mighty Avengers under the guise of throwing the Skrulls off balance.[5]

A meeting among the Skrull agents on Earth is held where Veranke is apparently in attendance, referred to as "Empress" by the Skrull posing as Edwin Jarvis.[6]

Secret Invasion

[edit]
Veranke as Jessica Drew. Art by Leinil Francis Yu.

During the Secret Invasion storyline, "Jessica Drew" is informed of the crash-landing of a transport ship of Skrulls impersonating various superheroes (including the Skrull Pitt'o Nili as the original Captain America) in the Savage Land. She in turn tips off Luke Cage about this information as she supposedly more trusting over Iron Man while the Skrull posing as Dum Dum Dugan destroys the Peak space station of S.W.O.R.D.[7]

After the Skrull invasion of Earth begins, Veranke is seen in the Savage Land, where she confronts and attacks Echo, repeatedly striking with venom blasts and then slamming her opponent into a nearby tree trunk.[8] She then insinuates Iron Man is a Skrull sleeper agent, and kisses Iron Man for supposedly having "earned the queen's love".[9] Black Widow plans to attack while Veranke talks to Iron Man, but is distracted by Skrulls posing as Beast and Jean Grey, and Veranke disappears and escapes while Black Widow kills the Skrulls.[10]

Veranke arrives at Camp Hammond and the Shadow Initiative attempt to assassinate her. Thor's presence is known and she assembles her troops for the final battle. The New Avengers, the Mighty Avengers, Nick Fury's commandos, the Young Avengers, the Initiative, the Hood's crew, Thor, Captain America, and the Thunderbolts all assemble. Veranke later reveals that "He" (a figure mentioned repeatedly by Skrulls throughout the storyline in the phrase 'he loves you') is a reference to "God" as she leads an army of Super-Skrulls against the superhumans of Earth.[11] During the fight, the real Wolverine confronts Veranke and quickly gains the upper hand by impaling the Queen through the shoulder with his claws. Moments later, Hawkeye is injured which prompts Ronin to kill four Skrulls before seemingly killing Veranke with a shot to the face. Veranke's apparent fate results in the Skrull Criti Noll posing as Hank Pym to use a device which has the Wasp grow to enormous size while deadly to humans nearby until Thor transports the doomsday weapon's unwilling carrier to another dimension to seemingly die. However, Veranke is revealed to be still alive until Norman Osborn finally finishes her off with a headshot.[12]

Aftermath and return

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During the "Dark Reign" storyline, Veranke is seen in Erebus when Hercules travels to the Underworld where she is among those either gambling or lingering for resurrection. She is later seen in Pluto's jury at Zeus's trial.[13]

The "Devil's Reign" event revealed that Veranke's body had been secretly preserved. She is revived and set loose by Mayor Wilson Fisk so she can get revenge on the real Spider-Woman.[14] Veranke, despite some difficulty, is defeated by Drew and Carol Danvers.[15]

Powers and abilities

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Like all Skrulls of Deviant heritage, Veranke is capable of shape-shifting her form into whatever she chooses, be it humanoid, non-humanoid, or even inorganic. Recent unspecified developments in genetic engineering within the Skrull race has allowed the Skrulls (including Veranke) to go undetected in human form from Iron Man's technological scans, Charles Xavier's mental scans, Spider-Man's Spider-Sense, Wolverine's animal senses, or any other conceivable forms of detection. So subtle and powerful is this form of concealment neither Doctor Strange at the Sanctum Sanctorum could detect her with the Spell of Tartashi (which apparently inflicted some degree of physical pain), nor could the Elder God-powered Scarlet Witch using Xavier's psychic powers delve into Veranke's true mind, as shown when Veranke was granted her identity theft victim's desires, not her own. Veranke's shape-shifting abilities also allow her to form weapons such as blades on her body. Veranke also has a great deal of knowledge concerning Skrull prophecies.

She displayed Spider-Woman's powers which include:

  • Flight
  • Superhuman strength, endurance, reflexes, and speed.
  • Bioelectric Energy Blasts "venom blasts"
  • Immunity to all poisons and drugs, and is totally immune to radiation.
  • Pheromones generation to attract human males while repulsing females, though she uses a chemical "perfume" that can nullify this effect. Recently emerged with her powers restored greater than ever.

As Jessica Drew, she initially had only limited gliding ability, enhanced by the small wings that are part of her Spider-Woman costume which HYDRA further tampered with her metabolism, providing her with self-powered flight. The range of her flying capabilities is still undetermined.[16] She displayed powers that helped her and the other Avengers escape from Doctor Doom's technological device by creating a Venom blast explosion — this use of Spider-Woman's powers was noted as inconsistent with her files on S.H.I.E.L.D.[17]

Other versions

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During the Secret Wars storyline, the Battleworld domain of the Warzone (which is based on a reality in which the Superhuman Civil War never ended), Queen Veranke is the cause of every failed attempt at reaching peace in a part of a plan to benefit from the never-ending war. This was revealed to President Stark when he was captured by Queen Veranke's men posing as Black Panther's soldiers. President Stark used weapons not in his armor to free himself and She-Hulk from Queen Veranke's clutches.[18]

In other media

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References

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  1. ^ New Avengers #40. Marvel Comics.
  2. ^ New Avengers #3. Marvel Comics.
  3. ^ New Avengers #23. Marvel Comics.
  4. ^ Mighty Avengers #6 (2007). Marvel Comics.
  5. ^ Mighty Avengers #7 (2007). Marvel Comics.
  6. ^ Mighty Avengers #14. Marvel Comics.
  7. ^ Secret Invasion #1. Marvel Comics.
  8. ^ "wizard universe". Archived from the original on 2008-07-01. Retrieved 2008-06-28.
  9. ^ Secret Invasion #3. Marvel Comics.
  10. ^ Secret Invasion #4. Marvel Comics.
  11. ^ Secret Invasion #6. Marvel Comics.
  12. ^ Secret Invasion #8. Marvel Comics.
  13. ^ The Incredible Hercules #129. Marvel Comics.
  14. ^ Spider-Woman vol. 7 #18 (2022). Marvel Comics.
  15. ^ Spider-Woman Vol. 7 #19 (2022). Marvel Comics.
  16. ^ New Avengers #14. Marvel Comics.
  17. ^ Mighty Avengers #11. Marvel Comics.
  18. ^ Civil War vol. 2 #4. Marvel Comics.
  19. ^ a b "Queen Veranke Voices (Fantastic Four)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved March 6, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
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