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Sidewinder (comics)
Encyclopedia
Sidewinder is a fictional character, a reformed super villain in the Marvel Comics Universe who first appeared in Marvel Two-in-One #64 (Jun 1980) and was created by Mark Gruenwald
and Ralph Macchio
.
and grew up to become an economics professor. He failed to make tenure and was hired by the Roxxon Oil Company as an economic analyst. He discovered their criminal schemes and they permitted him to apply for mutagenic alteration. As the professional criminal Sidewinder, he was originally hired by Roxxon to retrieve the Serpent Crown
. Alongside the third incarnation of the Serpent Squad
, Sidewinder was able to return the crown to company president Hugh Jones
, after a battle with the Thing
, Stingray
, Triton
, and the Scarlet Witch
. However, after his stint working for Roxxon, he decided to form his own criminal organization, the Serpent Society
. He organized the Serpent Society, conducted initiation tests, and contacted potential clients. In the Society's first mission, Sidewinder dispatched them to kill MODOK
on behalf of AIM
. With the ability to teleport, Sidewinder promised his recruits they would never be imprisoned. This attracted several snake-themed villains, and the Serpent Society was quite successful. He also had a romantic relationship with Black Mamba
.
In the Serpent Society's next mission, Sidewinder dispatched them against Captain America
, and Sidewinder freed them from prison after their capture. He dispatched the Society to hunt down the Scourge
who had murdered Death Adder
. Sidewinder later rescued Black Racer
, Copperhead
, Fer-de-Lance
, and Puff Adder
from jail, and enlisted them in the Serpent Society.
Sidewinder was betrayed by his organization after Viper
infiltrated the group. After being poisoned, he was aided by Diamondback
and the two survived. He then freed Diamondback and Nomad
from Commission
custody. With Diamondback, he stole an artifact from Mister Jip
on behalf of clients Ghaur
and Llyra
. He rescued Diamondback from execution by the Serpent Society. He helped Black Mamba and the Asp
escape King Cobra
's grasp, and fled King Cobra's reprisals. Sidewinder later unsuccessfully attempted to make peace with King Cobra by freeing him from the Vault
.
Some time later, Sidewinder was seen in an interview and has since retired from villainy.
Seth Voelker possesses no actual superhuman powers. He is a skilled financial expert, business planner, and strategist. He has an advanced degree in economics.
The first new Sidewinder was hired by Death-Sting and Sharyd to infiltrate a S.H.I.E.L.D.
station and retrieve the Zodiac Key, as an early test mission. Sidewinder made it past the neural shock unit, defeated the S.H.I.E.L.D. guards and marveled at the Key's power. He teleported past the electro-shield only to be savagely electrocuted, leaving only his skeleton behind. His first (and only) appearance was in Iron Fist (vol. 3) #1 (1998).
With the second Sidewinder's death, King Cobra created the next villain. The third Sidewinder has been seen as member of the Serpent Society
under Cobra's leadership. After the group had captured and chained Captain America
and Diamondback
(really an L.M.D.) in this underground New York headquarters the pair escaped. Sidewinder was knocked out by "Diamondback". S.H.I.E.L.D.
subsequently took Sidewinder and the rest of the Society into custody. His first appearance was in Captain America (vol. 4) #31 (November, 2004).
In Secret Invasion
, the third Sidewinder re-joined the Serpent Society. The Society held a number of civilians hostage in a compound in the American Midwest claiming they were protecting themselves from the Skrull
s. However, they were easily defeated by Nova
and his new Nova Corps.
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 Ralph Macchio
Ralph Macchio (comics)
Ralph Macchio is an American comic book editor and writer, who has held many positions at Marvel Comics, including executive editor. Macchio is commonly associated with Daredevil, the Spider-Man line of comics and the popular Ultimate Marvel line...
.
Fictional character biography
Seth Voelker was born in Kenosha, WisconsinKenosha, Wisconsin
Kenosha is a city and the county seat of Kenosha County in the State of Wisconsin in United States. With a population of 99,218 as of May 2011, Kenosha is the fourth-largest city in Wisconsin. Kenosha is also the fourth-largest city on the western shore of Lake Michigan, following Chicago,...
and grew up to become an economics professor. He failed to make tenure and was hired by the Roxxon Oil Company as an economic analyst. He discovered their criminal schemes and they permitted him to apply for mutagenic alteration. As the professional criminal Sidewinder, he was originally hired by Roxxon to retrieve 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...
. Alongside the third incarnation of the 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...
, Sidewinder was able to return the crown to company president Hugh Jones
Hugh Jones (comics)
Hugh Jones is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe who first appeared in Captain America #180 and was created by Steve Englehart and Sal Buscema.-Fictional character biography:...
, after a battle with the Thing
Thing (comics)
The Thing is a fictional character, a founding member of the superhero team known as the Fantastic Four in the Marvel Comics universe. He was created by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee in The Fantastic Four #1...
, Stingray
Stingray (comics)
Stingray is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics.-Publication history:The character first appears as Walter Newell in Tales to Astonish #95 and as Stingray in Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner #19 Stingray (Walter Newell) is a fictional character that appears...
, Triton
Triton (comics)
Triton is a fictional merman published by Marvel Comics. He first appeared in Fantastic Four #45 , and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.-Fictional character biography:...
, and the Scarlet Witch
Scarlet Witch
The Scarlet Witch is a fictional comic book character that appears in books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in X-Men #4 and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby...
. However, after his stint working for Roxxon, he decided to form his own criminal organization, 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...
. He organized the Serpent Society, conducted initiation tests, and contacted potential clients. In the Society's first mission, Sidewinder dispatched them to kill MODOK
MODOK
MODOK is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Tales of Suspense #93 MODOK (acronym for Mental Organism Designed Only for Killing) is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character...
on behalf of 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:...
. With the ability to teleport, Sidewinder promised his recruits they would never be imprisoned. This attracted several snake-themed villains, and the Serpent Society was quite successful. He also had a romantic relationship with 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:...
.
In the Serpent Society's next mission, Sidewinder dispatched them against 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...
, and Sidewinder freed them from prison after their capture. He dispatched the Society to hunt down the Scourge
Scourge of the Underworld
The Scourge of the Underworld is the name of a series of fictional characters that have appeared in various series set in the Marvel Comics universe....
who had murdered 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...
. Sidewinder later rescued Black Racer
Black Racer
The Black Racer is a fictional character, a deity and Avatar of Death in DC Comics universe. The character first appears in New Gods #3 and was created by Jack Kirby.-Fictional character biography:...
, Copperhead
Copperhead (Marvel Comics)
Copperhead is the name of a number of fictional characters in the Marvel Universe. The first two are similar characters that mimicked old pulp magazine heroes, wearing a suit of copper armor and shooting paralyzing or lethal darts, while the third is a member of the Serpent Society.-Lawrence...
, Fer-de-Lance
Fer-de-Lance (comics)
Fer-de-Lance is a super villain in the Marvel Comics Universe who first appeared in Captain America #337 . She was created by Mark Gruenwald and Tom Morgan and is a member of the Serpent Society....
, and Puff Adder
Puff Adder (comics)
Puff Adder is a mutant supervillain in the Marvel Universe, most notably as a member of the Serpent Society.-Fictional character biography:Gordon "Gordo" Fraley was born in Atlanta, Georgia...
from jail, and enlisted them in the Serpent Society.
Sidewinder was betrayed by his organization after Viper
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...
infiltrated the group. After being poisoned, he was aided by 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 the two survived. He then freed Diamondback and Nomad
Nomad (comics)
Nomad is the name of a number of superhero characters who have appeared in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Nomad name and costume was created by writer Steve Englehart and artist Sal Buscema as an alternate identity for the original Captain America, Steve Rogers, in Captain America #180...
from Commission
Commission on Superhuman Activities
The Commission on Superhuman Activities is a fictional government group from the Marvel Universe.-Publication history:...
custody. With Diamondback, he stole an artifact from Mister Jip
Mister Jip
Mister Jip is an evil fictional character belonging to the Marvel Comics universe, possessing a grotesque appearance and various mystical powers...
on behalf of clients 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:...
. He rescued Diamondback from execution by the Serpent Society. He helped Black Mamba and the Asp
Asp (comics)
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....
escape 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...
's grasp, and fled King Cobra's reprisals. Sidewinder later unsuccessfully attempted to make peace with King Cobra by freeing him from the Vault
Vault (comics)
The Vault is the widely used nickname of a fictional defunct prison facility for technological-based superhuman criminals in Marvel Comics' Marvel Universe. The prison's full official name is the United States Maximum Security Installation for the Incarceration of Superhuman Criminals.It first...
.
Some time later, Sidewinder was seen in an interview and has since retired from villainy.
Powers and abilities
Sidewinder possesses a cloak, created by scientists at the Roxxon subsidiary Brand Corporation's mutagenics laboratory and based on Nth Projector technology, which contains electronic circuitry that enables the wearer to open an aperture into another dimension. Sidewinder activates the cloak mentally through a device implanted in his body, enabling him to travel "sideways" through interdimensional space, taking with him whatever and whomever he drapes his cloak over. This allows him teleport up to 50 miles (80.5 km) away in a single "jump." A cybernetic control chip implanted in Sidewinder's brain allows him to control it with pinpoint accuracy, and activate pre-programmed coordinates if he is knocked out or badly wounded. He has taken the precaution of implanting locator chips in his allies, allowing him to teleport to their location. Sidewinder can teleport anything that his cape can cover, up to the approximate size and shape of another human being. Sidewinder's armor provides protection against small-arms fire and a rebreather unit allowing him to survive underwater for extended periods. He also has the ability to emit energy tendrils, which he calls his "Side Effects," from his forehead. It is not clear if this is a natural ability or a function of his armor.Seth Voelker possesses no actual superhuman powers. He is a skilled financial expert, business planner, and strategist. He has an advanced degree in economics.
Other characters named Sidewinder
After Seth left, King Cobra eventually used the Brand equipment to create the new Sidewinder.The first new Sidewinder was hired by Death-Sting and Sharyd to infiltrate a S.H.I.E.L.D.
S.H.I.E.L.D.
S.H.I.E.L.D. is a fictional espionage and a secret military law-enforcement agency in the Marvel Comics Universe. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in Strange Tales #135 , it often deals with superhuman threats....
station and retrieve the Zodiac Key, as an early test mission. Sidewinder made it past the neural shock unit, defeated the S.H.I.E.L.D. guards and marveled at the Key's power. He teleported past the electro-shield only to be savagely electrocuted, leaving only his skeleton behind. His first (and only) appearance was in Iron Fist (vol. 3) #1 (1998).
With the second Sidewinder's death, King Cobra created the next villain. The third Sidewinder has been seen as 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...
under Cobra's leadership. After the group had captured and chained 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...
and 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...
(really an L.M.D.) in this underground New York headquarters the pair escaped. Sidewinder was knocked out by "Diamondback". S.H.I.E.L.D.
S.H.I.E.L.D.
S.H.I.E.L.D. is a fictional espionage and a secret military law-enforcement agency in the Marvel Comics Universe. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in Strange Tales #135 , it often deals with superhuman threats....
subsequently took Sidewinder and the rest of the Society into custody. His first appearance was in Captain America (vol. 4) #31 (November, 2004).
In Secret Invasion
Secret Invasion
"Secret Invasion" is a comic book crossover storyline that ran through a self-titled eight issue limited series and several tie-in books published by Marvel Comics from April through December 2008....
, the third Sidewinder re-joined the Serpent Society. The Society held a number of civilians hostage in a compound in the American Midwest claiming they were protecting themselves from the Skrull
Skrull
The Skrulls are a fictional race of extraterrestrial shapeshifters that appear in publications by Marvel Comics.-Publication history:The Skrulls first appeared in Fantastic Four #2 and were created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby....
s. However, they were easily defeated by Nova
Nova (comics)
Nova is a fictional character, a comic book superhero in the Marvel Comics universe. Upon becoming a member of the galaxy's Nova Corps , the youth gained enhanced strength, flight, injury resistance, and a specialized uniform with life support.In May 2011, Nova placed 98th on IGN's Top 100 Comic...
and his new Nova Corps.
External links
- http://www.marvel.com/universe/Sidewinder_%28Seth_Voelker%29
- http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix4/sidewinderss.htm
- http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix4/sidewinder3ss.htm