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Death Adder (character)

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Death Adder is the name of two supervillains appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The original Death Adder (Roland Burroughs) first appeared in Marvel Two-in-One #64 (June 1980), created by writers Mark Gruenwald and Ralph Macchio. The second Death Adder (Theodore Scott), first appeared in Civil War Files #1 and was based on the concept of the original Death Adder.

Burroughs was a hired criminal who was given his powers by the Brand Corporation that gave him razor-sharp claws, gills and a long tail, but also left him mute. After a failed mission to steal the Serpent Crown, Death Adder joined up with Sidewinder as Sidewinder created the Serpent Society. During a mission, he was shot and killed by the vigilante known as the Scourge of the Underworld. He was later briefly revived as a member of the Legion of the Unliving and then brought back to life by the Hood to fight the Punisher.

Theodore Scott, the second Death Adder, first appeared during the Civil War storyline in 2005-2006 as one of the criminals forced to join the Thunderbolts army. He would later join the Serpent Society just like his predecessor, he also became part of Serpent Solutions when the group was reorganized during the All-New, All-Different Marvel relaunch of several Marvel comic books.

Publication history

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The first Death Adder first appeared in Marvel Two-in-One #64 (June 1980) and was created by Mark Gruenwald and Ralph Macchio. His identity was revealed by Rick Remender during an interview for Comic Book Resources.[1]

Fictional character biography

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Roland Burroughs

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Death Adder
Death Adder as depicted in Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe #3 (March 1983). Art by Rick Bryant.
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceMarvel Two-in-One #64 (June 1980)
Created byMark Gruenwald
Ralph Macchio
In-story information
Alter egoRoland Burroughs
Team affiliationsSerpent Society
Serpent Squad
Savage Six
AbilitiesBionic tail with spikes
Poison-tipped talons
Ability to breathe underwater

Roland Burroughs was born in Rochester, New York. A small-time thug, Death Adder is chosen by Roxxon Oil Company to participate in a covert operation to retrieve the Serpent Crown from the Atlantic Ocean. At Roxxon, Roland is surgically given gills and a bionic tail, as well as poison-tipped claws, to help him in his endeavors. An accident happens during this process which renders Death Adder mute. During the mission, he and his group, the third Serpent Squad, come into conflict with the Thing, Stingray, and Triton. They recover the Crown, but are defeated and taken into custody.[2]

He and his former teammates, Black Mamba and Anaconda, joined with him again to infiltrate a zoo to sabotage Tony Stark's automatic animal-feeder and find a valuable weapon known as the "micro scanner". This device scans and disrupts various body functions. They are ambushed and defeated by Iron Man, but escape.[3] They later receive an invitation to join Sidewinder's Serpent Society.[4] All three attended the first organizational meeting of the Serpent Society.[5] It was there in the Serpent Society that Death Adder was able to shine, killing MODOK during their first mission.[6] He also participates in a mission to kill Captain America, whom the retired Porcupine had ostensibly captured. This ruse is actually devised by the Captain, and it eventually leads to a battle in which Death Adder (along with Cottonmouth and Rattler) lost; the three of them are after a time bailed out by Sidewinder.[7]

Death Adder is later killed by the Scourge of the Underworld during an attempt to return Princess Python to the Circus of Crime.[8][9][10][11]

Years later, the Hood resurrects Death Adder, among other criminals killed by the Scourge, to battle the Punisher.[12] He later joins the Crime Master's syndicate, but is killed by Venom.[13][14][15]

Theodore Scott

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Death Adder
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceCivil War Files #1 (November 2006)
In-story information
Alter egoTheodore Scott
Team affiliationsAssassins Guild
Serpent Society
Thunderbolts
AbilitiesBionic tail with spikes
Poison-tipped talons
Ability to breathe underwater

A new Death Adder, Theodore Scott, was introduced during Civil War as a member of the Thunderbolts.[16]

During the Secret Invasion storyline, Death Adder joins the Serpent Society. The Serpent Society held a number of civilians hostage in a compound in the American Midwest, claiming they were protecting themselves from the Skrulls. However, they are easily defeated by Nova and the Nova Corps.[17]

In All-New, All-Different Marvel, Death Adder appears as a member of the Serpent Society under its new name of Serpent Solutions.[18] In Secret Empire, Helmut Zemo recruits Death Adder, among others, into his Army of Evil.[19]

Later, Death Adder joins Bella Donna's Assassins Guild. Alongside several other assassins, he confronts Deadpool, who kills him with a shuriken.[20]

Powers and abilities

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Through mutagenic experimentation by the Brand Corporation, the first Death Adder's strength, stamina, durability, agility, and reflexes were artificially enhanced. He also became amphibious, enabling him to breathe underwater, survive oceanic pressure, and swim at high speeds. Death Adder wore lightweight armor supplied by the Brand Corporation, which included titanium claws and a spiked casing for his tail.

Other versions

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Earth-33900

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An unidentified incarnation of Death Adder from Earth-33900 appears in Avengers American Armed Forces.[21]

Ultimate Marvel

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An original, unidentified incarnation of Death Adder from Earth-1610 appears in the Ultimate Marvel imprint. This version is a member of the Serpent Squad who possesses lizard-like abilities.[22] Additionally, the Roland Burroughs incarnation of Death Adder appears as a member of the Serpent Skulls street gang before being killed by the Scourge of the Underworld.[23]

In other media

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References

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  1. ^ Richards, Dave (May 31, 2012). "Remender & Bunn Unleash the "Savage Six" on "Venom"". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on June 1, 2012.
  2. ^ Marvel Two-in-One #64-65 (June - July 1980)
  3. ^ Iron Man #160 (July 1982)
  4. ^ Captain America #308 (August 1985)
  5. ^ Captain America #310 (October 1985)
  6. ^ Captain America #313 (January 1986)
  7. ^ Captain America #315 (March 1986)
  8. ^ Captain America #318 (June 1986)
  9. ^ Cronin, Brian (September 20, 2014). "Knowledge Waits: Every Supervillain Death by the Original Scourge of the Underworld!". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
  10. ^ Misiroglu, Gina (July 1, 2006). The Supervillain Book: The Evil Side of Comics and Hollywood. Visible Ink Press. ISBN 9781578591787.
  11. ^ Olsen, Jason (May 21, 2021). Mark Gruenwald and the Star Spangled Symbolism of Captain America, 1985-1995. McFarland & Company. p. 203. ISBN 9781476681504.
  12. ^ The Punisher (vol. 8) #5 (July 2009)
  13. ^ Venom (vol. 2) #10 (February 2012)
  14. ^ Venom (vol. 2) #17 (July 2012)
  15. ^ Venom (vol. 2) #20 (September 2012)
  16. ^ Civil War Files one-shot (November 2006)
  17. ^ Nova (vol. 4) #19 (January 2009)
  18. ^ Captain America: Sam Wilson #4 (February 2016)
  19. ^ Captain America: Steve Rogers #16 (May 2017)
  20. ^ Deadpool: Assassin #5 (October 2018)
  21. ^ The Avengers American Armed Forces Exclusive #13 (May 2012)
  22. ^ Ultimate Power #1 (December 2006)
  23. ^ All-New Ultimates #6 (October 2014)
  24. ^ "Death Adder Voice - The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes (TV Show)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
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