Asp (character)

Last updated
Asp
AspMarvelComics.jpg
Publication information
Publisher Marvel Comics
First appearance Captain America #310 (October 1985)
Created by Mark Gruenwald
Paul Neary
In-story information
Alter egoCleo Nefertiti
Species Human Mutant
Team affiliations BAD Girls, Inc.
Femizons
Secret Avengers
Serpent Society
Women Warriors
Notable aliasesThe Temptress (stage names)
AbilitiesAccomplished dancer
Ability to generate and project "venom bolts" of bioelectric energy that can paralyze or kill living beings

Asp (Cleo Nefertiti) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character has been depicted as a member of the villainous Serpent Society as well as the group BAD Girls, Inc., an all-female group of adventurers.

Contents

Egyptian Cleo Nefertiti took up her criminal career using the name Asp as part of the Serpent Society. There she formed a friendship with Black Mamba and Diamondback. During one her first jobs with the Serpent Society, she was contracted to kill MODOK, but ran into Captain America during the job. When Viper took control of the Serpent Society from Sidewinder Asp, Black Mamba and Bushmaster refused to betray their leader. With the aid of Captain America they managed to defeat the Viper.

Together with Black Mamba and Diamondback, Asp broke away from the Serpent Society and formed BAD Girls, Inc., who, while not being outright heroes, often aided Captain America and others in taking down various supervillains. During the Marvel Civil War the BAD Girls, Inc. sided with Captain America's forces. She later returned to the Serpent Society.

Publication history

She was created by writer Mark Gruenwald and artist Paul Neary, and first appeared in Captain America #310, published October 1985.

Fictional character biography

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 which cause paralysis intrigued the leader of the Serpent Society, Sidewinder, and he invited her to join the group. [1]

Given the task to spread the word of a new criminal organization to those who would be interested brought Asp and her comrade, Cottonmouth, straight to the notorious Kingpin. [2] She also participated in the mission to murder MODOK, though she was defeated when Captain America entered the battle. [3]

She was not as cold-hearted as some of her teammates, though she did not hesitate to get down and dirty with the best of them. With the Serpent Society, she stole MODOK's corpse from the morgue, and turned it over to A.I.M. [4] Alongside Anaconda, she confronted the Ringmaster over the Death Adder's murder. [5]

Asp became firm friends with fellow members Diamondback and Black Mamba after Viper attempted to take over leadership of the Serpent Society. Viper captured and poisoned Asp, Black Mamba, and Bushmaster because they refused to betray Sidewinder. They were later rescued by Captain America and Diamondback. [6] Asp participated in the Serpent Society's mission to recover mystic objects for Ghaur and Llyra, and battled the X-Men. [7] She also skirmished alone with Captain America at the club where she worked as an exotic dancer, when he confronted her about Diamondback's whereabouts. [8] With Anaconda and Black Mamba, she shadowed Diamondback on her first date with Steve Rogers, and battled the Gamecock. [9]

When the Serpent Society put Diamondback on trial, the Asp voted in her favor. When King Cobra ordered the death of Diamondback, the Asp contacted Sidewinder to rescue Diamondback. The Asp and Black Mamba fought the other Serpent Society members, but were captured along with Paladin and Diamondback by King Cobra and Bushmaster. With the help of Captain America, the four of them escaped and defeated the Serpent Society. [10]

She also briefly battled Alpha Flight during the Acts of Vengeance [11] while fleeing the first Superhuman Registration Act, where it was revealed that she is a mutant. She soon joined Diamondback and Black Mamba in forming BAD Girls, Inc., adopting a new costume. [12] After being ambushed by Anaconda and captured by the Serpent Society, the B.A.D. Girls were rescued by MODAM. With other female costumed criminals, the B.A.D. Girls were invited aboard Superia's cruise ship and joined her Femizons. When Captain America and Paladin infiltrated the cruise ship the Femizons resided on, Asp and Black Mamba decided to help the heroes escape Superia. [13] Asp, Black Mamba, and Impala went to one of the "Bar With No Name" locations, and battled Battleaxe, Steel Wind, and Golddigger. Asp and her friends broke into a former Serpent Society headquarters, battled Sersi, and took an abandoned Serpent Saucer. [14]

She later joined up with the Serpent Society once again, but then left to be reunited with the B.A.D. Girls as freelance mercenaries. [15] They went up against Cable, Deadpool, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist, and eventually teamed up with The Cat to find the "Dominus Objective." However, the B.A.D. Girls eventually discover that Cable was the one who hired them. [16]

Asp is one of the few mutants who retained their powers after the events of M-Day. [17] [18]

During the Civil War storyline, The Asp and the other B.A.D. Girls were revealed to be members of Captain America's "Secret Avengers", openly opposing the Superhuman Registration Act. She took part in the final battle of the "war", but did not accept the offer of amnesty that came with Captain America's surrender. [19] [20]

Later, Asp and the other BAD Girls were captured by The Mighty Avengers in a New York City mall. [21]

During the Dark Reign storyline, Asp is revealed as a member of the Initiative's new team for the state of Delaware, the Women Warriors. [22]

During the Siege, she joined Norman Osborn in the assault on Asgard alongside the Dark Avengers and the Initiative members that are on his side. [23] [24]

During the Avengers vs. X-Men storyline, Asp was once again seen as part of the Serpent Society, apparently having abandoned her attempts at reformation. The group was quickly defeated by Hope Summers during a botched bank robbery. [25]

As part of the All-New, All-Different Marvel , Asp appears as a member of Viper's Serpent Society under its new name Serpent Solutions. Her venom bolt kept Captain America paralyzed while he was a prisoner of the Serpent Society. [26]

Asp later joined several other super-villains as they attended a boxing match in Las Vegas between America Chavez and her girlfriend Magdalena. The match was orchestrated by Arcade, and ended when America's grandmother appeared and defeated the criminals. [27]

Alongside other members of the Serpent Society, Asp joined Constrictor when he revealed he had stolen Iron Fist's mystical book and had planned to sell it to Iron Fist's enemy, Choshin. Unbeknownst to Asp and the other serpents, it was actually Constrictor's son who had donned the costume after his father had died. During a battle with Iron Fist, Sabretooth, and Choshin's samurais, Asp was knocked out of the battle. [28]

Powers and abilities

Asp has the ability to generate a unique form of radiant bioelectricity that she can channel as lightning-like blasts. This energy does not affect inanimate matter, but upon striking a living being causes a rapid paralysis of the nervous system similar to the effect of the neurotoxic bite of certain venomous snakes. Her body constantly generates and stores this energy, but it can be temporarily expended after firing several "venom-bolts" in rapid succession, requiring her to recharge. Asp can accelerate the speed at which her body regenerates energy by engaging in physical activity that increases her heart rate and metabolism.

Asp's "venom-bolts" have different effects, depending on how far they travel before reaching a target, and on how much power she uses in a single bolt. A full-force blast can instantly kill an adult human. Normally, however, her bolts paralyze her victims for several hours, but cause no lasting damage. She can also release blasts of lower intensity that do not instantly paralyze targets, but instead cause neural delays which result in a loss of muscular control and coordination. Her energy bolts can travel roughly twenty-five feet before dissipating.

When fully charged, the Asp's body releases low levels of energy at all times, making prolonged physical contact with her fatal. She can also apparently release a blast of paralytic energy through physical contact without any visible effect.

The Asp is also an accomplished dancer with superb muscular control.

Other characters named Asp

A thief named the Asp (real name Rich Harper) appeared with the N'Kantu, the Living Mummy in the Supernatural Thrillers series. He first appeared in Supernatural Thrillers #9, October 1974.

Other versions

Ultimate Marvel

Asp appeared in the Ultimate Universe as a member of the all-female Serpent Squad. Along with her team, she battled the Fantastic Four while searching for the Serpent Crown. [29]

Marvel Zombies

A zombified version of Asp appeared in the Marvel Zombies universe as an inhabitant of the Deadlands. She attempts to eat Ultimate Thor, but is killed by Rune Thor. [30]

In other media

Asp appears in the Marvel Future Avengers episode "Mission Black Market Auction", voiced by Yūko Kaida in Japanese and Laura Bailey in English. [31] This version is a member of B.A.D. Girls, Inc. She is hired alongside Black Mamba and Diamondback to guard a cruise ship where an illegal auction for an Infinity Stone is to take place. However, they are defeated by Wasp, Black Widow, and Charade. [32]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anaconda (character)</span> Marvel Comics fictional character

Anaconda is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. She has generally been associated with the Serpent Society, often as a foe of Captain America. Sitznski was given her superhuman abilities by the Roxxon corporation, giving her the codename Anaconda due to her powerful, adamantium-enhanced arms which she uses to constrain or crush her opponents. Her first appearance was as part of the Serpent Squad, when they tried to retrieve the Serpent Crown only to be thwarted by Thing, Stingray and Triton. She later became a core member of Sidewinder's Serpent Squad and remained a member when they became the Serpent Society.

The Serpent Society is an organization of snake-themed supervillains appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The society is a continuation of the original group the Serpent Squad and was later changed into Serpent Solutions. The Serpent Society first appeared in Captain America #310 and was created by writer Mark Gruenwald and artist Paul Neary. Serpent Solutions first appeared in Captain America: Sam Wilson #1 by writer Nick Spencer and artist Daniel Acuña.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Serpent Squad</span> Fictional comic book group

The Serpent Squad is a fictional mercenary group composed of snake-themed criminals appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Most often antagonists of Captain America, the roster has changed through various incarnations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black Mamba (character)</span> Marvel Comics fictional character

Black Mamba is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. She first appeared in Marvel Two-in-One #64 created by writers Mark Gruenwald and Ralph Macchio. The character is most closely associated as a founding member of both the Serpent Society and BAD Girls, Inc. but has also been a member of the Masters of Evil, the Femizons and the Women Warriors.

The Cobra is the name of a number of different fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cottonmouth (Burchell Clemens)</span> Fictional comic book villain

Cottonmouth is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

Sidewinder is the name of three different fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The original Sidewinder was named Seth Voelker. A second Sidewinder appeared in 1998 but was killed during his attempt to infiltrate S.H.I.E.L.D. A third Sidewinder, Gregory Bryan, was given powers similar to the original Sidewinder by the Brand Corporation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diamondback (Rachel Leighton)</span> Comic book character from Marvel Comics

Diamondback is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Originally depicted as a supervillain who was part of the Serpent Society, she was first introduced in Captain America #310 and became a series regular for years afterwards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rattler (character)</span> Marvel Comics supervillain

Rattler is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He first appeared in Captain America #310, created by writer Mark Gruenwald and artist Paul Neary. The name Rattler was also used by two Marvel comics characters from the Wild West era, both enemies of the Rawhide Kid. A fourth Rattler appeared in the Spider-Man newspaper comic strip, who gained power by being bitten by a snake and then treated with an experimental anti-venom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hydra (comics)</span> Fictional terrorist organization in Marvel comics

Hydra is a fictional terrorist organization appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Its name alludes to the mythical Lernaean Hydra, as does its motto: "If a head is cut off, two more shall take its place," proclaiming the group's resilience and growing strength in the face of resistance. Originally a Nazi organization led by the Red Skull during World War II, Hydra is taken over and turned into a neo-fascist international crime syndicate by Baron Wolfgang von Strucker. Hydra agents often wear distinctive green garb featuring a serpent motif. Hydra's plans for world domination are regularly foiled by Marvel Universe superheroes and the intelligence organization S.H.I.E.L.D.

Copperhead is the name of three different supervillains appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The first Copperhead was Lawrence Chesney, who made his debut in Daredevil #124 and was created by writers Len Wein and Marv Wolfman, and artist Gene Colan. The second Copperhead, Arthur Reynolds, was a coworker of Chesney and stole his costume after Chesney was killed. Reynolds first appeared in Human Fly #8 by writer Bill Mantlo and artist Frank Robbins. The third person to use the name Copperhead is totally unrelated to the first two characters, Davis Lawfers, who took the name from the snake of the same name. Lawfers first appeared in Captain America #337 (1988) created by writers Mark Gruenwald and Ralph Macchio and artist Tom Morgan.

Death Adder is the name of two supervillains appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The original Death Adder first appeared in Marvel Two-in-One #64, created by writers Mark Gruenwald and Ralph Macchio. The second Death Adder, first appeared in Civil War Files #1 and was based on the concept of the original Death Adder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Puff Adder (character)</span> Marvel Comics fictional character

Puff Adder is a fictional character, a mutant supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He made his debut in Captain America #337, created by writer Mark Gruenwald and artist Tom Morgan. The character is depicted primarily as a member of the Serpent Society.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Constrictor (character)</span> Marvel Comics fictional character

Constrictor is the name of two fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The first version seen is Frank Payne. The second version is his unnamed son.

The Eel is an alias used by two fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The first character to take up the identity was Leopold Stryke who first appeared in Strange Tales #112 created by Stan Lee and Dick Ayers, while his successor, Edward Lavell, first appeared in Power Man and Iron Fist #92. Both Eels were at one point members of the Serpent Squad even though the character they portray was not actually based on a snake, but on a fish that resembled a snake. Neither Eel has ever been featured as a regular character in any of Marvel's ongoing or limited series.

Bushmaster is the name of two fictional supervillains appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The first was a master criminal, while the second Bushmaster was given super powers as he had a long, mechanical snake tail grafted to his torso and bionic arms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Princess Python</span> Fictional comic book characters

Princess Python is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rock Python</span> Fictional supervillain character in American comic books

Rock Python (M'Gula) a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character is usually depicted as a member of the Serpent Society. He first appeared in Captain America vol. 1 #341 in May 1988, created by writer Mark Gruenwald and artist Kieron Dwyer. He has super hard bones, skin and muscles, and uses specially designed hand grenades that entangle his opponents in steel ribbons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tilda Johnson</span> Marvel Comics fictional character

Tilda Johnson, introduced as the Queen of the Werewolves and also known as Dr. Nightshade, Deadly Nightshade, or simply Nightshade, is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Introduced as a supervillain opposing Captain America, Falcon, Power Man, Iron Fist, and Black Panther, she is later reformed, becoming the superhero Nighthawk and joining the Avengers in 2017.

References

  1. Captain America #310
  2. Captain America #311
  3. Captain America #313
  4. Captain America #315
  5. Captain America #319
  6. Captain America #342
  7. The Uncanny X-Men Annual #13
  8. Captain America #369
  9. Captain America #371
  10. Captain America #380-382
  11. Alpha Flight #79-80
  12. Captain America #385
  13. Captain America #386-392
  14. Captain America #394-397
  15. Cable/Deadpool #20
  16. Cable/Deadpool #23
  17. Civil War: Battle Damage Report #1
  18. Civil War #6-7
  19. Civil War: Battle Damage Report #1
  20. Civil War #6-7
  21. Giant-Size Avengers #1
  22. Avengers: The Initiative #26
  23. Siege #1-2
  24. Avengers: The Initiative #32
  25. Avengers vs. X-Men #0
  26. Captain America: Sam Wilson #5
  27. America #6 (2017)
  28. Iron Fist #74-75 (2018)
  29. Ultimate Power #1-3
  30. Thors #3 (2015)
  31. "Behind The Voice Actors – Marvel Future Avengers". Behind The Voice Actors.
  32. "Mission Black Market Auction". Marvel Future Avengers. Season 2. Episode 2. August 6, 2018. Disney XD.