Constrictor (character)

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Constrictor
Constrictor1.jpg
Constrictor. Art by Andrea Di Vito.
Publication information
Publisher Marvel Comics
First appearance The Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #212
(June 1977) [1] [2]
Created by Len Wein
John Romita Sr.
Sal Buscema
In-story information
Alter egoFrank Payne
Team affiliations Corporation
Frightful Four
Masters of Evil
Initiative
Shadow Initiative
S.H.I.E.L.D.
Sinister Syndicate
Six-Pack
Notable aliasesFrank Schlicting
AbilitiesSkilled street fighter and unarmed combatant
Wears cybernetic coils made of vibranium or adamantium
Formerly: Possessed bionic arms with fingers that functioned like his old coils

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

Contents

Publication history

The Frank Payne version of Constrictor made his first appearance in The Incredible Hulk (vol. 2) #212 (1977) and was created by Len Wein and John Romita Sr., [3] then drawn in his first issue by Sal Buscema.

The character went on to feature as a supervillain in Captain America #228-229, 231 (1978–1979), Iron Man #126-127 (1979), Power Man & Iron Fist #66 (1980), Captain America Annual #5 (1981), Power Man & Iron Fist #78, 84 (1982), Captain America #281-283 (1983), #309-311 (1985), Fantastic Four #334 (1989), Marvel Comics Presents #74, 86-87. 89-92 (1991), The New Warriors Annual #2 (1992), The Spectacular Spider-Man Annual #12 (1992), Web of Spider-Man Annual #8 (1992), Iron Man #284 (1992), Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (vol. 3) #36 (1992), Marvel Comics Presents #119-120 (1993), Alpha Flight #121 (1993), Captain America #412 (1993), Sabretooth #1-3 (1994), Marvel Fanfare (vol. 2) #6 (1997), Thunderbolts #24-25 (1999), Gambit (vol. 3) #12 (1999), #16-19 (2000), Gambit Annual 2000 (2000), The Hood #2-4, 6 (2002), Agent X #6 (2003), Weapon X (vol. 2) #26, 28 (2004), Secret War #3-5 (2004–2005), Marvel Team-Up (vol. 3) #7 (2005) and She-Hulk #9 (2005).

Constrictor appeared as a supporting character in Deadpool #35 (1999), 38-45 (2000) and 61 (2002). The character went on to feature in Cable & Deadpool #7-12 (2004–2005) and The Thing (vol. 2) #1-3, 8 (2006) in a more heroic role. Constrictor later appeared as a member of the Initiative in Avengers: The Initiative #1, 4-5, 8, 10, 12-15, 17 (2007–2008) and featured prominently in #20-24, 26-35 (2009–2010) during the Dark Reign and Siege story lines.

Fictional character biography

Frank Payne

Frank Payne was an agent of the international espionage organization S.H.I.E.L.D., and the father of an adult daughter, Mia. When S.H.I.E.L.D. needed a costumed "supervillain" to go undercover in the criminal organization called the Corporation, Frank was given a snake-themed costume and a pair of wrist-mounted electrified metal coils. Using the false identity of "Frank Schlicting" from Racine, Wisconsin, and the codename of "Constrictor", he infiltrated the group, only to suffer a nervous breakdown and become a career criminal in earnest. As a result of his defection, S.H.I.E.L.D. allowed his daughter to believe that he had died. As Constrictor, "Schlicting" debuted in combat against the Hulk, while attempting to assassinate the Hulk's friend Jim Wilson on behalf of the Corporation. [4] The Corporation next sent him to assassinate Captain America; Constrictor was trapped in a cave-in of S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters, and was freed by Captain America. [5]

Constrictor would remain an independent mercenary, criminal, and assassin after the dissolution of the Corporation. He next battled Iron Man as a member of Justin Hammer's criminal army. [6] He next teamed with Sabretooth to safeguard a stolen jade tiger statuette, and battled Power Man and the Daughters of the Dragon. [7] He teamed with Sabretooth again to help Sabretooth get revenge on Misty Knight. [8] They fought Iron Fist, Power Man, El Águila, and Misty Knight. [9]

Constrictor was also invited to join the Serpent Society, which he turned down and walked out after the first meeting. He subsequently tried to turn them over to the Avengers, and Anaconda later exacted revenge on him. While in the hospital recuperating from the beating, he was nearly killed by the Scourge of the Underworld disguised as a nurse, but was saved by Captain America. [10]

Constrictor appeared as a supporting character in Deadpool wherein he and Titania moved in with him as his roommates. During their uncomfortable living situation, Constrictor was convinced that Titania was actually a man. It would turn out that he was right that she was not what she seemed; but not about her gender as Titania was revealed to actually be the mutant shapeshifter and Deadpool's former lover, Copycat. He was later found to be under the employment of Justin Hammer. When cutbacks forced his supervisor to lay him off, he responded by brutally attacking him.

He did join the seventh incarnation of the Masters of Evil led by the Crimson Cowl. [11] During the Deadpool story arc, it was also revealed that Constrictor had been part of a short-lived rendition of the Wizard's Frightful Four. [12]

After a severe beating from Hercules, Constrictor is awarded several million dollars in a lawsuit. Nighthawk convinces Constrictor that with all his money there was no need to be a criminal anymore, resulting in him reforming. He is currently under the employment of S.H.I.E.L.D. as a member of the new Six-Pack. Constrictor is seen at a charity poker tournament hosted by the Thing, where Hercules regains at least a large portion of the money he lost to Constrictor. [13]

Constrictor is one of the 142 registered superheroes who have registered as part of the Fifty State Initiative and join Camp Hammond's staff. [14] [15] Constrictor was later revealed to be part of the Shadow Initiative, a black ops version of the Initiative under the command of Henry Peter Gyrich. [16]

Constrictor saved Gyrich from the clone of MVP known as "KIA"; however, KIA severed Constrictor's forearms in retaliation. Constrictor was quickly ferried away to safety by fellow team member Bengal. [17] He was given bionic hands which functioned like his coils and was also given a Purple Heart for his efforts. [18]

During a conflict with the Initiative and some terrorists, Constrictor helps the Women Warriors, one of the official government hero teams. He stops an out-of-control passenger plane, saving many lives, including that of the hero Diamondback. Constrictor is visibly distressed as civilians thank him for his heroic actions. Soon after, he and Diamondback begin a romantic relationship. [19]

Constrictor is recruited by Max Fury to join the Shadow Council's incarnation of the Masters of Evil. [20]

Frank Payne later retires from crime and moves in with Rachael Leighton. After learning that Payne has an unspecified terminal illness, Rachael becomes Diamondback again and joins Serpent Solutions to get the money to help with his medical treatment. Despite her efforts, Payne ends up dying. [21] [22]

Frank Payne's son

When Frank Payne had a brief relationship with Sandy and later left him, Sandy gave birth to a son who hated his father for his abandonment. After Payne died, he left his battlesuit for his son in his will and he became the new Constrictor. The son considered this as a way to get back at his late father. [22]

Liwei hires Constrictor to break into Danny Rand's apartment and obtain the Book of the Iron Fist for Chosin. [23] When Chosin refuses to pay Constrictor double and plans to have him tortured, Constrictor summons the Serpent Society. The fight is crashed by Iron Fist and Sabretooth. [24] Constrictor is poisoned by Rat of 12 Plagues and taken to a hospital by Sabretooth as Chosin takes the Book of the Iron Fist. [22]

Powers and abilities

Constrictor's primary weapon is a pair of cybernetically-controlled, electrified, prehensile, wrist-mounted metal coils provided by Justin Hammer. The coils eject and retract from special appliances running from shoulder to wrist. These cables are able to extend to a maximum length of 30 feet (9.1 m) and can be used as whips, capable of rending steel or lesser metals; or as bonds, capable of entwining an object or human being and constricting.

The previous sets of coils were made from an adamantium alloy, then from vibranium. The adamantium coils were traded to Gambit in exchange for a favor and are then subsequently used by Mister Sinister to reinforce an ailing Sabretooth's skeleton. [25] The strength of the coils varies based on their construction, but the adamantium coils were powerful enough to lift and restrain the Hulk. [4] The vibranium coils have a contact-based aura that suppresses sound. [26]

Constrictor's costume is lightly armored with partial bulletproofing around the chest and head area and the entire costume is electrically insulated, covering his entire body except for his lower face and chin. Although Constrictor is a skilled unarmed combatant and street fighter, he usually uses his coils in a fight.

After his encounter with KIA, Constrictor is implanted with cybernetic arms, which replicate the abilities of his old coils. [18]

Other versions

House of M

An alternate universe version of Constrictor appears in House of M: Masters of Evil as a member of the Hood's Masters of Evil who is later killed by Sebastian Shaw. [27] [28]

What If?

Alternate universe versions of Constrictor makes minor appearances in the What If? storylines What If?: World War Hulk #1 (2010) and What If?: Secret Invasion #1 (2010).

In other media

Television

The Frank Payne incarnation of Constrictor appears in The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes , initially voiced by Cam Clarke and later by Troy Baker. [29] This version is a member of the Serpent Society.

Video games

The Frank Payne incarnation of Constrictor appears as a boss and unlockable playable character in Marvel: Avengers Alliance .[ citation needed ]

Merchandise

References

  1. ↑ Rovin, Jeff (1987). The Encyclopedia of Super-Villains . New York: Facts on File. p. 65. ISBN   0-8160-1356-X.
  2. ↑ Conroy, Mike (2004). 500 Comicbook Villains. Collins & Brown. ISBN   1-84340-205-X.
  3. ↑ Cassell, Dewey; Various (29 July 2015). The Incredible Herb Trimpe. TwoMorrows Publishing. ISBN   9781605490625 – via Google Books.
  4. 1 2 The Incredible Hulk #212 (June 1977)
  5. ↑ Captain America #228 (December 1978)
  6. ↑ Iron Man #127 (October 1979)
  7. ↑ Power_Man_and_Iron_Fist #66 (December 1980)
  8. ↑ Power Man and Iron Fist #78 (February 1982)
  9. ↑ Power Man and Iron Fist #84 (August 1982)
  10. ↑ Captain America #310-311 (October - November 1985)
  11. ↑ Thunderbolts #24-25 (March - April 1999)
  12. ↑ Deadpool (vol. 2) #35 (December 1999)
  13. ↑ The Thing (vol. 2) #8 (August 2006)
  14. ↑ Avengers:_The_Initiative #1 (June 2007)
  15. ↑ "Avengers: The Initiative #1 Character Map". May 26, 2012. Archived from the original on April 7, 2007.
  16. ↑ Avengers: The Initiative #4 (September 2007)
  17. ↑ Avengers: The Initiative #10 (May 2008)
  18. 1 2 Avengers: The Initiative #12 (June 2008)
  19. ↑ Avengers: The Initiative #29 (December 2009)
  20. ↑ Secret_Avengers #29 (September 2012)
  21. ↑ Captain America: Sam Wilson #5 (March 2016)
  22. 1 2 3 Iron Fist (vol. 5) #75 (December 2017)
  23. ↑ Iron Fist (vol. 5) #73 (December 2017)
  24. ↑ Iron Fist (vol. 5) #74 (January 2018)
  25. ↑ Gambit (vol. 3) #11 (December 1999)
  26. ↑ Gambit (vol. 3) #16-17 (May - June 2000)
  27. ↑ House of M: Masters of Evil #1 (October 2009)
  28. ↑ House of M: Masters of Evil #4 (January 2010)
  29. ↑ "Constrictor Voice - The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes (TV Show)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved January 27, 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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