Viper (Marvel Comics)
| Viper | |
|---|---|
| File:VIPER.JPG Viper Julie Bell, Art | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Captain America Vol.1 #110 (February, 1969) |
| Created by | Jim Steranko (writer and artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | unrevealed |
| Team affiliations | Hydra, the Hand, unrevealed |
| Notable aliases | Madame Hydra, Merriem Drew |
| Abilities | no superhuman powers |
Viper a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe who is a foe of the Avengers and the X-Men. The character was created by Jim Steranko and first appeared in Captain America Vol.1 #110 (February1969).
Character biography
It is known that Viper was orphaned as a child in Eastern Europe and that part of her face is scarred. She arrose through the ranks of the elite criminal underworld through sheer ruthlessness, treachery, and the cunning of her black heart.
She has been leader of Hydra and also of a group of villains known as the Serpent Squad. Viper is a professional terrorist and has her own organization. In her criminal exploits she has frequently come into conflict with Captain America and the organization known as SHIELD.
Viper has also had conflict with the X-Men. She once nearly killed the X-Men member, Rogue. Later she black-mailed Wolverine into marrying her as a means to secure her criminal empire. Although this was a marriage of convenience, she did request to consumate the arrangement. They have since divorced. Her body was once briefly inhabited by the spirit of Ogun.
Powers and abilities
Viper has no superhuman abilities but her reflexes and agility are of the order of an olympic athlete. She is a great swordsman and even greater marksman with most long range weapons. She utilizes experimental weaponry. A brilliant strategist and tactician, Viper is highly skilled in the management of criminal organizations and very well connected in the international criminal underworld. She is also a master of stealth and espionage. Perhaps her greatest strengths are her influence and the finnancial resources at her disposal due to her stature in the criminal underworld.