The Serpent Society is an organization of snake-themed supervillains appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The society is a continuation of the original group the Serpent Squad and was later changed into Serpent Solutions. The Serpent Society first appeared in Captain America #310 (October 1985) and was created by writer Mark Gruenwald and artist Paul Neary. Serpent Solutions first appeared in Captain America: Sam Wilson #1 by writer Nick Spencer and artist Daniel Acuña.
The Serpent Society have appeared in various media outside comics, including the animated series The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes and Marvel Disk Wars: The Avengers and the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Captain America: Brave New World.
Publication history The Serpent Society is formed by Sidewinder as he gathers a number of villains with snake-themed powers. The group is organized as a supervillain labor union, with the members providing protection for each other, sharing profits, and organizing profitable crimes. The Society works, on an as-needed basis, for criminal organizations such as Hydra, the Maggia, the Kingpin, and A.I.M. Some of these jobs bring the Serpent Society into conflict with Captain America and his partners. At one point, the Viper takes control of the Society, plotting to take control of the United States, but is foiled by Captain America, D-Man, Nomad, the Falcon and former members of the Serpent Society.
As part of the All-New Marvel NOW! branding, a resurrected Viper (Jordan Stryke) takes control of the Serpent Society. He reorganizes the group as "Serpent Solutions" and provides their services to various corporations. Serpent Solutions is opposed by the new Captain America, formerly known as Falcon.
Concept and creation The Serpent Society first appeared in Captain America #310 (Oct. 1985) and was created by Mark Gruenwald and Paul Neary. Serpent Solutions first appeared in Captain America: Sam Wilson #1 by writer Nick Spencer and artist Daniel Acuña.
Most of the villains Mark Gruenwald introduced in Captain America were created to symbolize aspects of contemporary American culture and the world political situation. In the case of the Serpent Society, Gruenwald created them to symbolize trade unions.
Fictional team history Formation The Serpent Society was founded by Sidewinder, and was a descendant of sorts from the two original Serpent Squads. The first Squad consisted of the original Viper, his brother the original Eel, and Cobra. The second Squad consisted of the second Viper (Madame Hydra), Eel, Princess Python, Cobra, and Krang. Sidewinder led the third incarnation of the Squad that included Anaconda, Black Mamba, and Death Adder. They were to retrieve the fabled Serpent Crown from its then-underwater grave.Marvel Two-In-One #64-65 (1980) Sidewinder used his cloak and abandoned his comrades during an underwater mishap and proceeded to collect the reward for the Serpent Crown.Captain America #307 (1985)
Anaconda, Mamba and Adder survived and confronted Sidewinder. During that time, Sidewinder had invested the money and started the groundwork for the Serpent Society. The Society was to provide its members with better access to technology, bigger access to jobs, higher pay, comradeship, safe lodging, and a host of other benefits. Most importantly, with Sidewinder's teleportation cloak, members never had to fear imprisonment again. It was, essentially, a supervillain labor union.Captain America #308 (1985)
After persuading his former comrades of his true intention to better their lot (and paying their share of the reward plus interest), he had them contact other snake-themed criminals which included Asp, Diamondback, Constrictor, Cobra, Princess Python, Viper, Rattler, Cottonmouth, and Bushmaster. The Viper refused to attend the first initial gathering. Constrictor, unimpressed with the proceedings, walked out and tried to turn the group over to the Avengers.Captain America #310 (1985)
Sidewinder, Anaconda, Black Mamba, Death Adder, Asp, Diamondback, Cottonmouth, Cobra, Bushmaster, Rattler, and Princess Python became charter members of the Serpent Society. They headquartered at Serpent Citadel which was an abandoned mental hospital located in upstate New York. Sidewinder sent them out to contact various criminal organizations including Hydra, the Maggia, Kingpin, and A.I.M., they received their first paying assignment: the elimination of their former leader MODOK.Captain America #310 (1986) The Society's success in killing MODOK cemented their reputation as criminal talents of the first caliber.Captain America #313 (1986) Captain America intervened many times during their early years, but was never able to put them out of commission.Captain America #315 (1986)
Two charter members soon left the Society. Princess Python fled during the MODOK assignment and was soon after expelled from their ranks. Death Adder was killed by the Scourge of the Underworld when he was sent to ransom the Princess to her Circus of Crime cohorts.Captain America #318-319 (1986)
Later, the Viper sent a fourth Serpent Squad (though not named as such) consisting of Copperhead, Black Racer, Fer-de-Lance, and Puff Adder to infiltrate the Society with the intention of assassinating Sidewinder and setting herself up as the rightful leader.Captain America #337-338 (1988) When the four were taken to Serpent Citadel by Sidewinder, it was easy for the rest of the Viper's allies (Coachwhip, Boomslang, Slither, and Rock Python), to assault the place. Many of the charter members went turncoat and supported the Viper, whereas the Asp, Black Mamba, Bushmaster, and Diamondback remained loyal to Sidewinder.Captain America #341-342 (1988)
The Viper used the Society and its resources to poison the water supply of Washington DC, which turned its citizens into snake-men. The ensuing chaos nearly destroyed the capital. Diamondback managed to escape with Sidewinder and solicited help from Captain America, Demolition Man, Nomad, Falcon, and Vagabond. The team stormed Serpent Citadel, rescued the Society members who were loyal to Sidewinder, and captured many others. The Viper, however managed to escape.Captain America #343 (1988)
In the end, Cobra subdued the Viper and turned her over to the Captain on the condition that he allowed the Serpent Society 24 hours to evacuate from their headquarters. When the Captain refused the deal the Cobra turned Viper over anyway.Captain America #344 (1988)
Bitter over the betrayal, Sidewinder left the Society and the Cobra became its new leader, eventually calling himself King Cobra.Captain America #365-367 (1989-1990) With the exception of Slither and the Viper herself, all of the Viper's agents remained with the Society. The Society re-located to a new secret headquarters in the Bronx.
The trial Shortly afterwards, Diamondback became romantically involved with Captain America and tried to leave the Society altogether to be with him.Captain America #371 (1990) Despite the fact that she was a member of a criminal organization that he desperately wanted to put out of commission, Captain America did not force her to betray her companions. The Society, however, had Diamondback under surveillance, and when they realized she had been seeing Captain America socially, certain members demanded that she should be put on trial for treason.Captain America #372 (1990)Captain America #380 (1990)
Diamondback was found guilty. Every member voted for her death except for Asp, Black Mamba, Bushmaster and Rock Python. Penalty was death by injection, but King Cobra said he would commute the sentence if she would cooperate with them by revealing the true identity of Captain America. Diamondback refused but Black Mamba secretly alerted Sidewinder, who teleported in to save Diamondback at the last moment.Captain America #381 (1991)
Diamondback, seeking revenge against the Society, sought out Paladin when Captain America could not guarantee that Black Mamba and Asp be given immunity from arrest. The two infiltrated the Society's headquarters, only to be captured along with Mamba and Asp. Captain America, on the other hand, from his sky cycle, spotted a Serpent Saucer piloted by Cottonmouth and Fer-de-Lance, which was heading back to the Society's hideout. Cap entered the hideout along with the saucer and quickly subdued the two Serpents. He quickly freed Diamondback, Paladin, Mamba and Asp and together they brought down the Society. All members were taken to prison with the exception of Diamondback, Asp, and Mamba (Asp and Mamba eventually were given immunity from arrest due to their help in defeating their former colleagues).Captain America #382 (1991) Anaconda, Puff Adder and Rock Python escaped capture, as they were not at the headquarters at the time. Boomslang was in the hospital after being shot by thugs around this period. Puff Adder and Rock Python were eventually imprisoned after being thrown out of their Serpent Saucer by MODAM.Captain America #385-386 (1991) Anaconda, Black Mamba, Asp, and Diamondback were all invited by MODAM to join the Femizons.Captain America #387-392 (1991) Afterwards, Mamba, Asp, and Diamondback formed a new team called BAD Girls, Inc. with fellow Femizon Impala.Captain America #396 (1992)
After spending time in prison, the Society re-formed again, going back to their old ways. Another encounter with Captain America and the now defunct team called Force Works seemed to have permanently put them out of commission;Captain America #434-437 (1994-1995) both Puff Adder and Black Mamba later said that the Society had disbanded.Deathlok (vol. 3) #7 (2000)
Avengers Disassembled However, the Society re-formed yet again in the Captain America/Avengers Disassembled tie-ins.Captain America #30-31 (2004) King Cobra, Rattler, Bushmaster, and a new Death Adder had aided the Thunderbolts during the Civil War storyline. After that, the four villains have been identified as members of the 142 registered superheroes who appear on the cover of the comic book Avengers: The Initiative #1. Anaconda served with the Six Pack and was later defeated by the New Warriors;Cable & Deadpool #7-12 (2004-2005)Cable & Deadpool #33-34 (2005)New Warriors (vol. 4) #1 (2007) Diamondback, Black Mamba, and Asp had reformed BAD Girls, Inc.;Cable & Deadpool #20-23 (2005-2006) Cottonmouth had not been seen since he broke free from prison with Hawkeye, but was later taken back into custody by S.H.I.E.L.D.Thunderbolts #55-63 (2001-2002)
Other activities During the 2008 "Secret Invasion" storyline in which a race of alien shapeshifters known as the Skrulls were discovered to have engaged in a subversive, long-term invasion of Earth, the Serpent Society took a number of civilians hostage in a compound in the American Midwest, claiming they were protecting themselves from the Skrulls. Nova and his Nova Corps deputies defeated them in seconds.Nova (vol. 4) #19
The Serpent Society appeared in the 2012 "Avengers vs. X-Men" storyline, during which they were confronted by the X-Men.Avengers vs. X-Men #0 They were next seen battling Taskmaster and Deadpool after they were contracted by Leviathan to capture Marcus Johnson.Battle Scars #3-4
Subsequently, Sidewinder returned to lead the Serpent Society, which, during one endeavor, attacked the superhero group being protected by Elektra. Having studied the Serpent Society and its members while working for S.H.I.E.L.D., Elektra was able to defeat the Society.Elektra (vol. 3) #6