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Asp (comics)
Encyclopedia
The Asp is a former supervillain
in the Marvel Comics
universe, most notably a member of the Serpent Society
and BAD Girls, Inc.
. She was created by Mark Gruenwald
and Paul Neary
, and first appeared in Captain America
vol. 1 #310.
, 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.
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
. She also participated in the mission to murder M.O.D.O.K., though she was defeated when Captain America
entered the battle. She was not as cold-hearted as some of her teammates, though she didn't 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 AIM
. Alongside Anaconda
, she confronted the Ringmaster
over the Death Adder
's murder.
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. Asp participated in the Serpent Society's mission to recover mystic objects for Ghaur
and Llyra
, and battled the X-Men
. 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. With Anaconda and Black Mamba, she shadowed Diamondback on her first date with Steve Rogers, and battled the Gamecock.
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.
She also briefly battled Alpha Flight
during the Acts of Vengeance
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. 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. the Asp and Black Mamba later learned that fellow Femizon Snapdragon
was responsible for the attempted murder of Diamondback. 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.
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. 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.
Asp is one of the few mutants who retained their powers after the events of M-Day
.
Later, Asp and the other BAD Girls were captured by The Mighty Avengers in a New York City mall.
's new team for the state of Delaware
, the Women Warriors.
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.
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.
series. He first appeared in Supernatural Thrillers #9, October 1974.
Oliver Warbucks, of the Little Orphan Annie
comic strip, has a trusted manservant known only as "The Asp."
. Along with her team, she battled the Fantastic Four
while searching for the Serpent Crown
. It is unknown if Asp has the same abilities in this universe as she does in Earth-616
.
Supervillain
A supervillain or supervillainess is a variant of the villain character type, commonly found in comic books, action movies and science fiction in various media.They are sometimes used as foils to superheroes and other fictional heroes...
in the Marvel Comics
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...
universe, most notably a member of 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...
and BAD Girls, Inc.
BAD Girls, Inc.
B.A.D. Girls, Inc. is a fictional group of female adventurers who all have had criminal records. The group first appeared in Captain America vol. 1 #385. Three of the group's four members were previously members of the Serpent Society...
. She was created by Mark Gruenwald
Mark Gruenwald
Mark E. Gruenwald was an American comic book writer, editor, and occasional penciler. Gruenwald got his start in comics fandom, publishing his own fanzine, Omniverse, which explored the concept of continuity...
and Paul Neary
Paul Neary
Paul Neary is a British comic book artist, writer and editor.His first work was for Warren Publishing in the 1970s before working with Dez Skinn at Marvel UK as well as work for 2000 AD...
, and first appeared in 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...
vol. 1 #310.
Fictional character biography
Intelligent yet soft-spoken, Asp was born in TantaTanta
Tanta is a city in Egypt. It is the country's fifth largest populated area, with an estimated 429,000 inhabitants . Tanta is located north of Cairo and southeast of Alexandria...
, Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
. It was there that she earned her reputation as an exotic dancer
Exotic dancer
The terms exotic dancer and exotic dance can have different meanings in different parts of the world and depending on context. In the erotic sense, "exotic dance" is a often used to refer to practitioners of striptease...
, 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
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...
, 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:...
, and he invited her to join the group.
Given the task to spread the word of a new criminal organization to those who would be interested brought Asp and her comrade, Cottonmouth
Cottonmouth (comics)
Cottonmouth is a fictional super villain in the Marvel Comics Universe.- Fictional character biography :Originally from Mobile, Alabama, Cottonmouth was chosen by Sidewinder to join a snake-themed villain group, the Serpent Society...
, straight to the notorious Kingpin
Kingpin (comics)
The Kingpin is a fictional character, a supervillain in the . Kingpin is one of the most feared and powerful crime lords in the Marvel Universe. The character is a major adversary of Daredevil, the Punisher, and Spider-Man...
. She also participated in the mission to murder M.O.D.O.K., though she was defeated when 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...
entered the battle. She was not as cold-hearted as some of her teammates, though she didn't 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 AIM
Advanced Idea Mechanics
A.I.M. is a fictional terrorist organization in the . The organization first appeared in Strange Tales #146 and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.-Publication history:...
. Alongside 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:...
, she confronted the Ringmaster
Ringmaster (comics)
Ringmaster is the name of two characters in Marvel Comics. The best known Ringmaster in the Marvel Universe is Maynard Tiboldt who debuted in Hulk #3.-Publication History:The second Ringmaster is Maynard Tiboldt...
over the 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...
's murder.
Asp became firm friends with fellow members Diamondback
Diamondback (comics)
Diamondback is the name of four fictional characters appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics.-Publication history:Diamondback first appeared in Captain America #310 , written by Mark Gruenwald and illustrated by Paul Neary.-Willis Stryker:The first Diamondback was a foe of Luke Cage...
and 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:...
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. Asp participated in the Serpent Society's mission to recover mystic objects for Ghaur
Ghaur
Ghaur is a Marvel Comics supervillain. Created by Peter B. Gillis and Sal Buscema, he first appeared in Eternals vol. 2, #2 .In the Marvel Universe, he is the head of the Deviant race's priesthood.-Fictional character biography:...
and Llyra
Llyra
Llyra is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics super-villainess. She was created by Roy Thomas and Sal Buscema and first appeared in Sub-Mariner #32 .-Fictional character biography:...
, and battled the X-Men
X-Men
The X-Men are a superhero team in the . They were created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, and first appeared in The X-Men #1...
. 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. With Anaconda and Black Mamba, she shadowed Diamondback on her first date with Steve Rogers, and battled the Gamecock.
When the Serpent Society put Diamondback on trial, the Asp voted in her favor. When King Cobra
Cobra (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...
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
Paladin (comics)
Paladin is a Marvel Comics character, a mercenary. While he claims that Paladin is his real name, he often goes by the name Paul Denning . Though not precisely a supervillain, his mercenary activities often bring him into conflict with superheroes.-Publication history:Paladin first appeared in...
and Diamondback by King Cobra and Bushmaster
Bushmaster (Marvel Comics)
Bushmaster is the name of two Marvel Comics brothers, both supervillains.-Fictional character biography:John McIver was a powerful crime boss, criminal financier and organizer, and was oft-confronted by the super-hero Iron Fist. McIver is best known for his attempts to lure Misty Knight to his...
. With the help of Captain America, the four of them escaped and defeated the Serpent Society.
She also briefly battled Alpha Flight
Alpha Flight
Alpha Flight is a fictional superhero team published by Marvel Comics, noteworthy for being one of the few Canadian superhero teams. Created by John Byrne, the team first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #120 ....
during the Acts of Vengeance
Acts of Vengeance
"Acts of Vengeance" is a comic book crossover storyline that ran through several titles published by Marvel Comics from December 1989 to February 1990.-Publication history:...
while fleeing the first Superhuman Registration Act, where it was revealed that she is a mutant
Mutant (Marvel Comics)
In comic books published by Marvel Comics, a mutant is an organism who possesses a genetic trait called an X-gene that allows the mutant to naturally develop superhuman powers and abilities...
. She soon joined Diamondback and Black Mamba in forming BAD Girls, Inc.
BAD Girls, Inc.
B.A.D. Girls, Inc. is a fictional group of female adventurers who all have had criminal records. The group first appeared in Captain America vol. 1 #385. Three of the group's four members were previously members of the Serpent Society...
, adopting a new costume. After being ambushed by 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:...
and captured by the Serpent Society, the B.A.D. Girls were rescued by MODAM
MODAM
MODAM is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe.-Fictional character biography:AIM mutated one of their female agents into a large headed creature. This agent claimed to be Henry Pym's deceased first wife, Maria Troyvana. Pym took her in, believing she was his late wife, but she was secretly...
. With other female costumed criminals, the B.A.D. Girls were invited aboard Superia
Superia
Superia is a fictional character, a misandrist supervillain and criminal scientist in the Marvel Universe. She was created by writer Mark Gruenwald and artist Rik Levins in Captain America Superia (Dr. Deidre Wentworth) is a fictional character, a misandrist supervillain and criminal scientist in...
's cruise ship and joined her Femizons
Femizons
Femizon may refer to one of two groups owned by Marvel Comics and appearing in their Marvel Universe.The first group to be called Femizons were the women of Femizonia, a gyniarchal future world in an alternate timeline where women had become Amazon-like warriors, ruling over male slaves...
. When Captain America and Paladin infiltrated the cruise ship the Femizons resided on, Asp and Black Mamba decided to help the heroes escape Superia. the Asp and Black Mamba later learned that fellow Femizon Snapdragon
Snapdragon (comics)
Snapdragon is a Japanese supervillain in the Marvel Comics Universe. She first appeared in Marvel Fanfare vol. 1 #12 and was created by Ralph Macchio and George Pérez.-Fictional character biography:...
was responsible for the attempted murder of Diamondback. Asp, Black Mamba, and Impala
Impala (comics)
In comics, Impala may refer to:* Impala , a superhero affiliated with the Global Guardians* Impala , a mercenary supervillain...
went to one of the "Bar With No Name" locations, and battled Battleaxe
Battleaxe (comics)
Battleaxe is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics Universe-Publication history:Battleaxe first appeared in The Thing #33 , and was created by Michael Carlin and Ron Wilson....
, Steel Wind
Steel Wind (comics)
Steel Wind is a fictional character appearing in the Marvel Comics universe, she is a cyborg and mercenary who is normally employed by the Freakmaster and Centurious. She has a sister who has also become a cyborg and goes by the alias Steel Vengeance...
, and Golddigger. Asp and her friends broke into a former Serpent Society headquarters, battled Sersi
Sersi
Sersi is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics superheroine and an Eternal.-Publication history:Sersi was created by Jack Kirby and first appeared in The Eternals #3 . Although the comic book was published by Marvel Comics, the Eternals were not treated as part of the Marvel universe, but as a...
, and took an abandoned Serpent Saucer.
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. They went up against Cable
Cable (comics)
Cable is a fictional character appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared as an infant in Uncanny X-Men #201...
, Deadpool, Luke Cage
Luke Cage
Luke Cage is a fictional character, a superhero appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Archie Goodwin and artist John Romita, Sr., he first appeared in Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #1...
, and Iron Fist, and eventually teamed up with The Cat
Shen Kuei
Shen Kuei is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe, also known as "The Cat".-Publication history:Cat first appeared in Master of Kung Fu #38-39 , and was created by Doug Moench and Paul Gulacy....
to find the "Dominus Objective." However, the B.A.D. Girls eventually discover that Cable was the one who hired them.
Asp is one of the few mutants who retained their powers after the events of M-Day
Decimation (comics)
Decimation is the late 2005 Marvel Comics storyline spinning off from the House of M limited series. It focuses on the ramifications of the Scarlet Witch stripping nearly all of the mutant population of their powers, thereby reducing a society of millions to one of scant hundreds.This event, which...
.
Civil War
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.Later, Asp and the other BAD Girls were captured by The Mighty Avengers in a New York City mall.
Dark Reign and Siege
Asp is revealed as a member of the InitiativeFifty State Initiative
The Fifty State Initiative, often referred to as simply The Initiative, is a fictional governmental plan that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics, in particular those related to The Avengers...
's new team for the state of Delaware
Delaware
Delaware is a U.S. state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It is bordered to the south and west by Maryland, and to the north by Pennsylvania...
, the Women Warriors.
During the Siege
Siege (comics)
Siege is a fictional character, owned by Marvel Comics, who exists in the Marvel Universe.-Creative origins:John Kelly was initially created by Dwayne McDuffie and Gregory Wright as a pseudo-preview of their then-upcoming relaunch of Deathlok as well as to provide existing in-continuity backstory...
, she joined Norman Osborn in the assault on Asgard alongside the Dark Avengers
Dark Avengers
Dark Avengers was an American comic book series published by Marvel Comics. It is part of a series of titles that have featured various iterations of the superhero team the Avengers...
and the Initiative members that are on his side.
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 neurotoxicNeurotoxin
A neurotoxin is a toxin that acts specifically on nerve cells , usually by interacting with membrane proteins such as ion channels. Some sources are more general, and define the effect of neurotoxins as occurring at nerve tissue...
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 Living Mummy in the Supernatural ThrillersSupernatural Thrillers
Supernatural Thrillers was a horror fiction comic book published by Marvel Comics in the 1970s that adapted classic stories of that genre, including works by Robert Louis Stevenson and H.G. Wells, before becoming a vehicle for a supernatural action series starring an original character, The Living...
series. He first appeared in Supernatural Thrillers #9, October 1974.
Oliver Warbucks, of the Little Orphan Annie
Little Orphan Annie
Little Orphan Annie was a daily American comic strip created by Harold Gray and syndicated by Tribune Media Services. The strip took its name from the 1885 poem "Little Orphant Annie" by James Whitcomb Riley, and made its debut on August 5, 1924 in the New York Daily News...
comic strip, has a trusted manservant known only as "The Asp."
Ultimate Asp
Asp appeared in the Ultimate Universe as a member of the all-female Serpent SquadSerpent Squad
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...
. Along with her team, she battled the Fantastic Four
Fantastic Four
The Fantastic Four is a fictional superhero team appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The group debuted in The Fantastic Four #1 , which helped to usher in a new level of realism in the medium...
while 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...
. It is unknown if Asp has the same abilities in this universe as she does in Earth-616
Earth-616
In the fictional Marvel Comics multiverse, Earth-616 or Earth 616 is the name used to identify the primary continuity in which most Marvel Comics titles take place.-Origin of Earth-616:...
.