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Eel (comics)
Encyclopedia
The Eel is an alias used by two fictional characters in comic books published by Marvel Comics
. The first character to take up the identity was Leopold Stryke who first appeared in Strange Tales #112, while his successor, Edward Lavell, first appeared in Power Man and Iron Fist
#92 (Apr 1983).
#112 (September 1963), and was created by Stan Lee
and Steve Ditko
.
The character subsequently appears in Strange Tales #117 (February 1964), Daredevil #6 (February 1965), Fantastic Four Annual #3 (1965), X-Men #22-23 (July–August 1966), Captain America #158-159 (February–March 1973), #163 (July 1973), #180-181 (December 1974-January 1975), Defenders #36-38 (June–August 1976), and Ghost Rider #21-22 (December 1976-January 1977), in which he died. The character appeared posthumously in Alpha Flight Special Edition #1 (June 1992), Untold Tales of Spider-Man #11 (July 1996), and Marvel: Heroes and Legends #1 (October 1996).
The original Eel received an entry in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Deluxe Edition
#17, and in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Master Edition #2.
In Stryke's first appearances, he battled the Human Torch
when he stole a nuclear device. Stryke was also a teammate of Plantman
, Scarecrow
, Unicorn
and Porcupine
when they worked as henchmen for Count Nefaria
. He was dispatched to battle the original team of X-Men
. He then served as a henchman of the original Mister Fear, along with the Ox
as part of the Fellowship of Fear.
Leopold and his brother Jordan, who was the original Viper, were later members of the original Serpent Squad
. This first lineup battled Captain America
. Leopold also aided the Serpent Squad in a plot to raise the continent of Lemuria
. They battled the original Nomad and Namor. When Madame Hydra
reorganized the second Serpent Squad, Leopold remained unaware that she had murdered his brother and taken his alias.
Leopold Stryke is fatally mutilated in Las Vegas by Gladiator, who was sent to acquire a disintegrator ray that the Eel had in his possession.
out of prison. He battles Power Man
and Iron Fist. Later working with Nightshade
, the second Eel is defeated again by Iron Fist and reformed criminals Discus
and Stiletto
.
The Eel is seen working with the criminals Blitz and the Vanisher
. The trio is defeated by Spider-Man. Lavell also aids a group of villains attacking the Fantastic Four.
In hopes of gaining revenge against the criminal Mister Hyde
, the Eel arranged a murder of a woman he had befriended, framing Hyde. Lavell also secretly impersonated Snake Marston
, joining his team, Enforcers
, and led them in throwing off Daredevil
’s attempts to find the true killer. Ultimately, the Eel sucker-punched Daredevil and gloated of his plans, but the Enforcers overheard and turned on him. The Eel was taken into court to clear Hyde’s name and was remanded to custody.
Lavell was a member of Justine Hammer's Masters of Evil
, and is defeated by the Thunderbolts. After the Masters of Evil are apprehended, he was seen among the Maggia
leaders assembled by the Grim Reaper
who tried to claim leadership of the scattered, fractious families on behalf of Count Nefaria
. He was captured when the hero team Avengers invaded the meeting place. Eel once worked against Hammerhead
, transporting the Lifeline Tablet on behalf of Caesar Cicero, although Hammerhead soon recovered the Tablet for his own purpose.
Lavell was next seen participating in the Bloodsport tournament at Madripoor
. There, he put on a poor showing. He is defeated by Toad, who seemingly crushes Lavell using his extremely long and powerful tongue.
Lavell apparently survives the fight and is briefly seen as a client for the law firm Goodman, Lieber, Kurtzberg & Holliway
. He is discussing action to be taken against Power Man and refers to an 'Eel-Mobile'.
Lavell plays a small role in the "Secret War
" crossover event.
to serve in the so-called Thunderbolt Army.
Following the disbanding of the Thunderbolt Army, Eel was among the villains at Stilt-Man
's funeral at the Bar with No Name at which Punisher poisoned the drinks and then blew up the bar.
Lavell turned up as a member of a new Serpent Squad led by Sin, the daughter of the Red Skull
. He participates in several murderous missions, including one intended to damage the Asian stock markets. He breaks Crossbones
out of jail and later attacked the White House, but he was stopped by the new Captain America
.
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...
. The first character to take up the identity was Leopold Stryke who first appeared in Strange Tales #112, while his successor, Edward Lavell, first appeared in Power Man and Iron Fist
Power Man and Iron Fist
Power Man and Iron Fist was a Marvel comic book featuring the superheroes Power Man and Iron Fist.-Hero For Hire/Power Man:...
#92 (Apr 1983).
Publication history
The original Eel first appeared in Strange TalesStrange Tales
Strange Tales is the name of several comic book anthology series published by Marvel Comics. It introduced the features "Doctor Strange" and "Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.", and was a showcase for the science fiction/suspense stories of artists Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, and for the...
#112 (September 1963), and was created by Stan Lee
Stan Lee
Stan Lee is an American comic book writer, editor, actor, producer, publisher, television personality, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics....
and Steve Ditko
Steve Ditko
Stephen J. "Steve" Ditko is an American comic book artist and writer best known as the artist co-creator, with Stan Lee, of the Marvel Comics heroes Spider-Man and Doctor Strange....
.
The character subsequently appears in Strange Tales #117 (February 1964), Daredevil #6 (February 1965), Fantastic Four Annual #3 (1965), X-Men #22-23 (July–August 1966), Captain America #158-159 (February–March 1973), #163 (July 1973), #180-181 (December 1974-January 1975), Defenders #36-38 (June–August 1976), and Ghost Rider #21-22 (December 1976-January 1977), in which he died. The character appeared posthumously in Alpha Flight Special Edition #1 (June 1992), Untold Tales of Spider-Man #11 (July 1996), and Marvel: Heroes and Legends #1 (October 1996).
The original Eel received an entry in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Deluxe Edition
Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe
The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe is an encyclopedic guide which details the fictional universe featured in Marvel Comics publications...
#17, and in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Master Edition #2.
Fictional character biography
Leopold Stryke was the first criminal known as the Eel.In Stryke's first appearances, he battled the Human Torch
Human Torch
The Human Torch is a fictional character and superhero appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, he is a member of the superhero team the Fantastic Four, debuting in The Fantastic Four #1...
when he stole a nuclear device. Stryke was also a teammate of Plantman
Plantman
Plantman aka Blackheath is a fictional character, a supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe. The character first appeared in Strange Tales vol. 1 #113.-Fictional character biography:...
, Scarecrow
Scarecrow (Marvel Comics)
The Scarecrow is a fictional character, a supervillain in the Marvel Comics Universe, in which he is an enemy of Captain America, Spider-Man, Ghost Rider, and Iron Man. His first appearance was in Tales of Suspense #51....
, Unicorn
Unicorn (comics)
Unicorn is the codename of multiple supervillains in the Marvel Comics universe. The first Unicorn debuted in Tales of Suspense vol...
and Porcupine
Porcupine (comics)
Porcupine is the name of three fictional characters in Marvel Comics. Two of them are super-villains.-Fictional character biography:Alexander Gentry, was originally a scientist who worked as a weapons designer for the United States Army, conceived the idea of designing a battle-suit in imitation of...
when they worked as henchmen for Count Nefaria
Count Nefaria
Count Nefaria is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Avengers #13 and was created by Stan Lee and Don Heck.- Fictional character biography :...
. He was dispatched to battle the original team of 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...
. He then served as a henchman of the original Mister Fear, along with the Ox
Ox (comics)
Ox is a fictional Marvel Comics supervillain, and he usually works for the Kingpin, Mister Fear or Hammerhead.-Publication history:The original Ox, Raymond Bloch, first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #10 , and was created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko...
as part of the Fellowship of Fear.
Leopold and his brother Jordan, who was the original Viper, were later members of the original Serpent Squad
Serpent 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...
. This first lineup battled 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...
. Leopold also aided the Serpent Squad in a plot to raise the continent of Lemuria
Lemuria (comics)
Lemuria is the name of two fictional locations in the Marvel Universe.Lemuria had been a small continent and group of islands in the Pacific Ocean 21,000 years ago, which was ruled by the Deviants. Lemuria became the center of the Deviant empire, and the only remaining free land was Atlantis, the...
. They battled the original Nomad and Namor. When Madame Hydra
Viper (Madame Hydra)
Viper, formerly known as Madame Hydra, is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe who is a foe of the Avengers and the X-Men...
reorganized the second Serpent Squad, Leopold remained unaware that she had murdered his brother and taken his alias.
Leopold Stryke is fatally mutilated in Las Vegas by Gladiator, who was sent to acquire a disintegrator ray that the Eel had in his possession.
Eel (Edward Lavell)
The second Eel first appeared in Power Man and Iron Fist #92 (April 1983).Fictional character biography
Edward Lavell is first seen attempting to break HammerheadHammerhead (comics)
Hammerhead is a fictional character, a supervillain that has appeared in various comic book series published by Marvel Comics. He is primarily an enemy of Spider-Man and a member of organized crime who exists in Marvel's main shared universe, known as the Marvel Universe...
out of prison. He battles Power Man
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. Later working with Nightshade
Nightshade (Marvel Comics)
Nightshade , formerly known as Dr. Nightshade and Deadly Nightshade is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe. She first appeared in Captain America #164 and was created by Steve Englehart and Alan Lee Weiss....
, the second Eel is defeated again by Iron Fist and reformed criminals Discus
Discus (comics)
Discus is a fictional character from the Marvel Comics Universe and enemy of Luke Cage.-Publication history:Discus first appeared in Power Man #16 in December 1974, and was created by Tony Isabella and Billy Graham....
and Stiletto
Stiletto (comics)
Stiletto is a fictional character from the Marvel Comics Universe and enemy of Luke Cage. He first appeared in Hero for Hire #16 in December 1973, and was created by Tony Isabella and Billy Graham.-Fictional character biography:...
.
The Eel is seen working with the criminals Blitz and the Vanisher
Vanisher
The Vanisher is a fictional character, a mutant supervillain of the Marvel Universe, and an opponent of the X-Men. The Vanisher is one of the X-Men's oldest enemies having first appeared in X-Men #2...
. The trio is defeated by Spider-Man. Lavell also aids a group of villains attacking the Fantastic Four.
In hopes of gaining revenge against the criminal Mister Hyde
Mister Hyde (comics)
Mister Hyde is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics supervillain. His first appearance was in Journey into Mystery #99, 1963.-Publication history:...
, the Eel arranged a murder of a woman he had befriended, framing Hyde. Lavell also secretly impersonated Snake Marston
Snake Marston (comics)
Sylvester "Snake" Marston is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics Universe.-Publication history:Snake Marston first appeared in Machine Man #16 , and was created by Tom DeFalco and Steve Ditko....
, joining his team, Enforcers
Enforcers (comics)
The Enforcers are a fictional team of villains in the Marvel Comics universe. Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist and co-plotter Steve Ditko, the team's first appearance was in The Amazing Spider-Man #10 .-Publication history:...
, and led them in throwing off Daredevil
Daredevil (Marvel Comics)
Daredevil is a fictional character, a superhero in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Bill Everett, with an unspecified amount of input from Jack Kirby, and first appeared in Daredevil #1 .Living in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood...
’s attempts to find the true killer. Ultimately, the Eel sucker-punched Daredevil and gloated of his plans, but the Enforcers overheard and turned on him. The Eel was taken into court to clear Hyde’s name and was remanded to custody.
Lavell was a member of Justine Hammer's Masters of Evil
Masters of Evil
The Masters of Evil is a name for a number of fictional supervillain teams that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The first version of the team appeared in The Avengers #6 , with the lineup continually changing over the years....
, and is defeated by the Thunderbolts. After the Masters of Evil are apprehended, he was seen among the Maggia
Maggia (comics)
The Maggia is a fictional international crime syndicate that has appeared in various comic book series published by Marvel Comics. The organization exists in Marvel's main shared universe, known as the Marvel Universe...
leaders assembled by the Grim Reaper
Grim Reaper (comics)
Grim Reaper is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe. He first appeared in The Avengers #52 May , by Roy Thomas and John Buscema.-Fictional character biography:...
who tried to claim leadership of the scattered, fractious families on behalf of Count Nefaria
Count Nefaria
Count Nefaria is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Avengers #13 and was created by Stan Lee and Don Heck.- Fictional character biography :...
. He was captured when the hero team Avengers invaded the meeting place. Eel once worked against Hammerhead
Hammerhead (comics)
Hammerhead is a fictional character, a supervillain that has appeared in various comic book series published by Marvel Comics. He is primarily an enemy of Spider-Man and a member of organized crime who exists in Marvel's main shared universe, known as the Marvel Universe...
, transporting the Lifeline Tablet on behalf of Caesar Cicero, although Hammerhead soon recovered the Tablet for his own purpose.
Lavell was next seen participating in the Bloodsport tournament at Madripoor
Madripoor
The Principality of Madripoor is a fictional island located in Southeast Asia in the Marvel Comics universe. Based on illustrations, it is in the southern portion of the Strait of Malacca, southwest of Singapore.-Publication history:...
. There, he put on a poor showing. He is defeated by Toad, who seemingly crushes Lavell using his extremely long and powerful tongue.
Lavell apparently survives the fight and is briefly seen as a client for the law firm Goodman, Lieber, Kurtzberg & Holliway
Goodman, Lieber, Kurtzberg & Holliway
Goodman, Lieber, Kurtzberg & Holliway is a fictional law firm featured in the pages of the She-Hulk comic books - named after Marvel Founders Martin Goodman, Stan Lee, under his birth name Stanley Lieber, and Jack Kirby, using his birth name Jacob Kurtzberg - published by Marvel Comics...
. He is discussing action to be taken against Power Man and refers to an 'Eel-Mobile'.
Lavell plays a small role in the "Secret War
Secret War (comics)
Secret War is a five-issue comic book limited series published by Marvel Comics. The series is written by Brian Michael Bendis and painted by Gabriele Dell'Otto...
" crossover event.
Civil War
Eel is apprehended by the ThunderboltsThunderbolts (comics)
The Thunderbolts are a Marvel Comics superhero team, which consists mostly of former supervillains. The group first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #449 , and was created by Kurt Busiek and Mark Bagley.-Publication history:...
to serve in the so-called Thunderbolt Army.
Following the disbanding of the Thunderbolt Army, Eel was among the villains at Stilt-Man
Stilt-Man
Stilt-Man is the name of two supervillains in Marvel Comics.-Publication history:Stilt-Man first appeared in Daredevil vol. 1 #8 and was one of his earliest enemies. He is a criminal wearing a suit of armor with powerful telescopic legs .The character did not age well, as his powers were more a...
's funeral at the Bar with No Name at which Punisher poisoned the drinks and then blew up the bar.
Lavell turned up as a member of a new Serpent Squad led by Sin, the daughter of the Red Skull
Red Skull
The Red Skull is a name shared by several fictional characters, all supervillains from the Marvel Comics universe. All incarnations of the character are enemies of Captain America, other superheroes, and the United States in general....
. He participates in several murderous missions, including one intended to damage the Asian stock markets. He breaks Crossbones
Crossbones (comics)
Crossbones is a fictional character, a supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe. He was created by writer Mark Gruenwald and artist Kieron Dwyer in Captain America #359-360 . Crossbones usually appears as a henchman of the Red Skull...
out of jail and later attacked the White House, but he was stopped by the new Captain America
Bucky
Bucky is the name of several fictional characters, masked superheroes in the Marvel Comics universe. The original, James Buchanan "Bucky" Barnes was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby as a sidekick character in Captain America Comics #1 , published by Marvel's 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics...
.
Powers and abilities
Leopold Stryke designed the original Eel costume, which consisted of electrically superconducting fabric sandwiched in between body insulation and a layer of near-frictionless synthetic fabric. The Eel costume possessed small devices built into the costume capable of generating large and small bursts of electricity. It could fire electrical bolts (initially only through his suit's chest protector) and give off bright glows, as well as set up an electric current in the costume that would shock anyone touching it. The costume was coated with a greasy silicon substance (which was sometimes asbestos grease) that made it slippery. The costume could operate underwater. The battle suit also projects an electrical field which allows him to sense his surroundings, even in total darkness. The Eel used various weapons, including a specially designed helicopter, an Aqua-Attractor gun, and an Eel-Cannon.External links
- Eel (Leopold Stryke) at Marvel.com
- Eel (Edward Lavell)
- Eel (Leopold Styke) at MarvelDirectory.com
- Eel (Leopold Stryke) at Marvel Wiki
- Eel (Edward Lavell) at Marvel.com