Viper (Madame Hydra)

Ophelia Sarkissian
Viper
Ophelia Sarkissian / Viper as depicted in Spider-Woman (vol. 4) #4 (December 2009).
Art by Kieron Dwyer.
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceCaptain America #110
(February 1969)[1][2][3]
Created byJim Steranko (writer / artist)
In-story information
Alter egoOphelia Sarkissian
SpeciesHuman mutate
Team affiliationsSerpent Squad
Secret Empire
H.A.M.M.E.R.
Hellfire Club
J.A.N.U.S.
Madripoor
The Hand
Hydra
Notable aliasesMadame Hydra
Madame Viper[4][5][6]
Warrior White Princess
Abilities
  • Immunity to most forms of toxins and venoms
  • Skilled martial artist, swordsman, and marksman
  • Excellent strategist and tactician
  • Equipments include poison-tipped throwing dart, knives, guns, and whips

Ophelia Sarkissian, also known as Viper and Madame Hydra, is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer-artist Jim Steranko, the character first appeared in Captain America #110 (1969). Viper is a leader of the terrorist organization Hydra and serves as an adversary of various heroes in the Marvel Universe, most notably Captain America and Black Widow of the Avengers, and Wolverine of the X-Men.[7]

Since her original introduction in comics, the character has been featured in various other Marvel-licensed products, including video games, animated television series, and merchandise. The character appeared in the X-Men franchise film The Wolverine, portrayed by Svetlana Khodchenkova. A version of the character, Aida "Ophelia" / Madame Hydra, appears in the Marvel Cinematic Universe television series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. as the simulated identity of the Life Model Decoy, Aida, portrayed by Mallory Jansen.

Publication history

Viper debuted in Captain America #110 (February 1969),[8] created by Jim Steranko.[9] She appeared in the 2016 Captain America: Steve Rogers series.[10][11] She appeared in the 2017 Secret Empire series.[12][13] She appeared in the 2018 Hunt for Wolverine: Mystery in Madripoor series.[14][15]

Fictional character biography

Ophelia Sarkissian was orphaned as a child in Hungary. Part of her face was scarred at one time, although it has since been healed. Among 12 other girls, Ophelia was taken in by Hydra and raised by Kraken. For 22 years, Ophelia excelled and became Kraken's best student.[16] She eventually rose through the ranks of Hydra and frequently came into conflict with Captain America and the organization known as S.H.I.E.L.D. She first appeared as a leader of Hydra under the codename Madame Hydra, and first fought and captured Captain America while trying to contaminate New York City's water supply.[17][18] Madame Hydra later severed ties with Hydra.[19]

Madame Hydra helps Viper (Jordan Stryke) escape custody in Virginia, only to proceed in assassinating Stryke and usurping the Viper alias and leadership of the Serpent Squad.[20] As the second Viper, she kidnapped Roxxon president Hugh Jones, in order to put the latter in thrall of the Serpent Crown. She battled Nomad and Namor the Sub-Mariner.[21]

Viper battles Spider-Woman, believing herself to be her mother. Viper reveals herself to have been a pawn of Chthon for 50 years, but saves Spider-Woman's life by defying Chthon.[22] Viper, employing Constrictor as her chief operative, captures Spider-Woman, believing she was responsible for making her think they were related. It was revealed that Chthon had given Viper false memories of mothering Jessica Drew as part of a plan to place both women under his control.[23]

Madame Hydra has also been in conflict with the X-Men. She first came into contact with them upon trying to assassinate Mariko Yashida on behalf of her ally and presumed lover Silver Samurai, and tried to poison the team while disguised as Mariko's unconscious maid.[24] She nearly killed X-Men members Rogue and Storm on two separate occasions, with Storm being nearly killed by Viper during the invasion of Khan.[25]

Later she blackmailed Wolverine into marrying her as a means to secure her criminal empire in Madripoor. Although this was a marriage of convenience, she did request to consummate the arrangement. Some time later, her body was briefly inhabited by the spirit of Ogun, and Wolverine mortally wounded her as a means of driving the spirit from her dying body. In return for seeking medical attention to save her life, Wolverine demanded a divorce.[26]

Viper was then a member of an incarnation of the Hellfire Club, working with Courtney Ross, briefly under the title "White Warrior Princess".[27] She has also associated with the Hand and resumed her ties with the Silver Samurai. She has also retaken the name "Madame Hydra".

During the Dark Reign storyline, Viper is seen leaving her lover, the Silver Samurai, to rejoin Baron Strucker and the ruling council of Hydra.[28] It was revealed that she is no longer Madame Hydra, as she was replaced by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine.[29]

Viper is kidnapped by the mysterious group Leviathan, who are determined to find out the location of a mysterious box that both she and Madame Hydra procured from the Yashidas. Madame Hydra arrived at the Leviathan headquarters and offered the box to its leader, much to Viper's dismay. Madame Hydra then shot Viper to death. However, when Hydra arrived, Hive resurrected her, giving her tentacles that stemmed from her head, and she renamed herself Madame Hydra.[30]

Following the Fear Itself storyline, Madame Hydra joins up with H.A.M.M.E.R. after Norman Osborn escapes from the Raft and regains leadership.[31] After the defeat of Osborn and the Dark Avengers, Madame Hydra uses the resources of the now-defunct H.A.M.M.E.R. to begin rebuilding Hydra.[32] She later tips off Spider-Woman and Hawkeye about a heist Mister Negative is planning on a S.H.I.E.L.D. warehouse. While the Avengers deal with Mister Negative, Madame Hydra attacks a different S.H.I.E.L.D. facility and steals several captive Skrulls.[33]

During the "Hunt for Wolverine" storyline, Viper is seen in Madripoor, where she leads the Femme Fatales in ambushing Kitty Pryde, Domino, Jubilee, Psylocke, and Storm. Psylocke, Rogue, and Storm are defeated and taken prisoner, but Kitty escapes with Domino and Jubilee.[34] After the Femme Fatales are defeated, Viper flees.[35]

In the Ravencroft miniseries, Viper is seen as a member of J.A.N.U.S.[36]

Powers and abilities

Ophelia Sarkissian's strength, speed, reflexes, agility, dexterity, coordination, balance and endurance are on the order of an Olympic athlete. She is a great swordsman and even greater marksman with most long range weapons, and has extensive training in hand-to-hand combat. Viper occasionally employs poisoned weapons with snake-motifs, such as venomous darts or artificial fangs filled with poison.[37] She utilizes experimental weaponry, including a ring that enables teleportation, and in X-Treme X-Men, she made use of razor-sharp claw attachments apparently built into her gloves.[25] A brilliant strategist and tactician with extensive combat tactical experience, Sarkissian is highly skilled in the management of criminal organizations and very well connected in the international criminal underworld. She is also a master of stealth and espionage. Perhaps her greatest strengths are her influence, the financial resources at her disposal due to her stature in organized crime, and an uncanny luck which has allowed her to cheat death in situations where lesser people would have died. Sarkissian may or may not have supernaturally augmented longevity.

Sarkissian is usually armed with various ray pistols and conventional handguns. She has also used various other special weaponry, including poison-tipped throwing darts, knives, and whips. She has sharpened and elongated canine teeth with hollows inside them. She keeps a special poison in them, to which she has an immunity.

Reception

Critical response

Kai Young of Screen Rant called Ophelia Sarkissian "one of the most recognizable villains in the Marvel Universe."[38] Marc Buxton of Den of Geek included Ophelia Sarkissian in their "Greatest Wolverine Villains" list.[39] Jesse Schedeen of IGN ranked Ophelia Sarkissian 21st in their "Top 25 Marvel Villains" list.[40] Comic Book Resources ranked Ophelia Sarkissian 2nd in their "10 Most Powerful Crime Bosses In Marvel Comics" list,[41] 2nd in their "Marvel: The Council Of Hydra Members" list,[42] 7th in their "10 Most Attractive Marvel Villains" list,[43] and 7th in their "Marvel Comics: Ranking 10 Members Of Hydra From Weakest To Most Powerful" list.[44]

Other versions

Age of Apocalypse

An alternate universe version of Ophelia Sarkissian from Earth-295 appears in Age of Apocalypse. This version was married to the Silver Samurai and was killed saving him from Apocalypse's Infinites.

Exiles

An alternate universe version of Madame Hydra from Earth-1720, Susan Storm, appears in Exiles.[45]

Ultimate Marvel

An alternate version of Ophelia Sarkissian from Earth-1610 appears in Ultimatum: Spider-Man Requiem #1[46]

Ultimate Universe

An alternate universe version of Viper from Earth-6160 appears in the Ultimate Universe. This version is a member of the Maker's Council and the overseer of several territories in Japan.[47] It is later revealed that her real name is Aida.[48]

In other media

Television

Film

Viper, portrayed by Svetlana Khodchenkova

Viper appears in The Wolverine, portrayed by Svetlana Khodchenkova.[53][54] Due to rights issues between 20th Century Fox and Marvel Studios at the time, she is not referred to as "Madame Hydra" nor is her affiliation with the organization referenced.[55] Instead, this version is a mutant scientist known as "Dr. Green" who can shed her skin (which can grant immunity to new toxins at the cost of her hair), produce acidic saliva, and possesses both an immunity and mastery of toxins. Ichirō Yashida hires Viper to help transfer Logan's healing factor to him as well as monitor Kenuichio Harada's ninja clan. Viper is later killed while fighting Yukio.

Video games

Merchandise

In 2022, Hasbro released an Ophelia Sarkissian / Madame Hydra action figure as part of the Marvel Legends action figure line.[63][64]

Miscellaneous

  • Ophelia Sarkissian / Madame Hydra appears in the Spider-Woman: Agent of S.W.O.R.D. motion comic, voiced by Nicolette Reed.[49]
  • Ophelia Sarkissian / Madame Hydra appears in Marvel Universe Live!.[65]

References

  1. ↑ The Marvel Encyclopedia. Dorling Kindersley Publishing. 2006. p. 174. ISBN 0-7566-2358-8.
  2. ↑ Misiroglu, Gina Renée; Eury, Michael (2006). The Supervillain Book: The Evil Side of Comics and Hollywood. Visible Ink Press. ISBN 9780780809772.
  3. ↑ Erao, Matthew (April 7, 2017). "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Madame Hydra Comic Connections & Changes". Screen Rant. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  4. ↑ Matter, Brittany (July 13, 2020). "Spider-Woman's 5 Fiercest Foes". Marvel.com. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  5. ↑ Stoute, Scott (October 11, 2012). "New 'Wolverine' Set Images Show The Viper". Screen Rant. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  6. ↑ Schedeen, Jesse (March 26, 2013). "The Wolverine Vine Trailer Breakdown". IGN. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  7. ↑ Young, Kai (July 29, 2023). "7 Black Widow Villains That Never Appeared In The MCU". Screen Rant. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  8. ↑ Abdulbaki, Mae (October 28, 2020). "'Avengers 5' may feature a deadly spy teased in 'Falcon and Winter Soldier'". Inverse. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  9. ↑ Brevoort, Tom; DeFalco, Tom; Manning, Matthew K.; Sanderson, Peter; Wiacek, Win (2017). Marvel Year By Year: A Visual History. DK Publishing. p. 135. ISBN 978-1465455505.
  10. ↑ Adams, Tim (March 28, 2017). "Captain America: Hydra Cap's Cabinet of Supervillains Explained". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  11. ↑ Lovett, Jamie (March 22, 2017). "Marvel Reveals New Hydra High Council". ComicBook.com. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  12. ↑ Lovett, Jamie (November 9, 2017). "Captain America Introduces Hydra's Avengers". ComicBook.com. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  13. ↑ "The 15 Most WTF Moments From Secret Empire (So Far)". Comic Book Resources. June 24, 2017. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  14. ↑ Lovett, Jamie (August 22, 2018). "Marvel Makes Major Change to X-Men Character". ComicBook.com. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  15. ↑ Terror, Jude (May 28, 2018). "X-ual Healing – It's Time for a Girls' Trip in Hunt for Wolverine: Mystery in Madripoor #1". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  16. ↑ Secret Warriors #15 (June 2010)
  17. ↑ Captain America #110 (February 1969)
  18. ↑ Rovin, Jeff (1987). The Encyclopedia of Super-Villains. New York: Facts on File. p. 363. ISBN 0-8160-1356-X.
  19. ↑ Captain America #170 (February 1974)
  20. ↑ Captain America #180 (December 1974)
  21. ↑ Captain America #181-182 (January – February 1975)
  22. ↑ Spider-Woman #42-44 (February – June 1982)
  23. ↑ Captain America #281-283 (May–July 1983)
  24. ↑ Uncanny X-Men #172 (August 1983)
  25. 1 2 X-Treme X-Men #11 (May 2002)
  26. ↑ Wolverine (vol. 2) #125 (June 1998)
  27. ↑ Uncanny X-Men #452 (January 2005)
  28. ↑ Secret Warriors #2 (May 2009)
  29. ↑ Secret Warriors #3 (June 2009)
  30. ↑ Secret Warriors #12-15 (March - June 2010)
  31. ↑ New Avengers (vol. 2) #16.1 (November 2011)
  32. ↑ The Avengers (vol. 4) #24 (May 2012)
  33. ↑ The Avengers (vol. 4) #30 (November 2012)
  34. ↑ Hunt for Wolverine: Mystery in Madripoor #1 (July 2018)
  35. ↑ Hunt for Wolverine: Mystery in Madripoor #4 (October 2018)
  36. ↑ Ravencroft #5 (November 2020)
  37. ↑ Raymond, Charles Nicholas (April 21, 2017). "Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.: 15 Things You Should Know About Madame Hydra". Screen Rant. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  38. ↑ Young, Kai (June 19, 2023). "10 Captain America Villains Still Missing From The MCU". Screen Rant. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  39. ↑ Buxton, Marc (March 1, 2017). "Logan: The Greatest Wolverine Villains". Den of Geek. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  40. ↑ Schedeen, Jesse; Yehl, Joshua (March 27, 2019). "The Top 25 Marvel Villains". IGN. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  41. ↑ Avina, Anthony (January 6, 2020). "The 10 Most Powerful Crime Bosses In Marvel Comics, Ranked". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  42. ↑ Chrysostomou, George (December 5, 2020). "Marvel: The Council Of Hydra Members, Ranked". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  43. ↑ Parker, Thayer Preece (October 19, 2022). "10 Most Attractive Marvel Villains". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  44. ↑ Avina, Anthony (January 23, 2020). "Marvel Comics: Ranking 10 Members Of Hydra From Weakest To Most Powerful". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  45. ↑ Exiles #91 (February 2007)
  46. ↑ Ultimatum: Spider-Man Requiem #1 (June 2009)
  47. ↑ Ultimate Invasion #2 (September 2023)
  48. ↑ Ultimate X-Men (vol. 2) #9 (January 2025)
  49. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Madame Hydra Voices (Captain America)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved January 28, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  50. ↑ Nguyen, Richie (April 15, 2020). "The 10 Best Episodes of Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes (According To IMDb)". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  51. ↑ Abrams, Natalie (April 1, 2017). "Madame Hydra to appear on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. — first look". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 2, 2017. Retrieved April 2, 2017.
  52. ↑ Holub, Christian (April 11, 2017). "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. recap: 'Identity and Change'". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 12, 2017. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
  53. ↑ Rich, Katey (October 10, 2012). "The Wolverine Set Photos Reveal Svetlana Khodchenkova As Viper". CinemaBlend. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  54. ↑ Weintraub, Steve (May 28, 2013). "Svetlana Khodchenkova Talks Playing Viper, Landing the Role, and More on the WOLVERINE Set". Collider. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  55. ↑ Fink, Richard (March 2, 2023). "X-Men Comics That Inspired the Movies". MovieWeb. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  56. ↑ Brown, Luke (July 30, 2013). "Wolverine Stars in New Lego Marvel Super Heroes Screenshots". ScreenCrush. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  57. ↑ Melrose, Kevin (July 29, 2013). "'LEGO Marvel Super Heroes' spotlights Wolverine, Viper & more". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  58. ↑ Martin, Liam (July 30, 2013). "LEGO Marvel screens: Wolverine, Viper". Digital Spy. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  59. ↑ Paige, Rachel (February 13, 2020). "Hydra has Invaded MARVEL Future Fight". Marvel.com. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  60. ↑ Sheehan, Gavin (February 14, 2020). ""Marvel Future Fight" Gets A Secret Empire Update With New Costumes". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  61. ↑ Steel, Tom (June 24, 2023). "10 Most Underrated Cards In Marvel Snap, Ranked". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  62. ↑ Buchalter, Jacob H. (January 6, 2023). "Marvel Snap: Best Cards for the Right Location". Game Rant. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  63. ↑ Fallon, Sean (February 22, 2022). "Marvel Legends Controller Build-A-Figure Wave and Retro Rhino Pre-Orders Drop Today". ComicBook.com. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  64. ↑ Konrad, Jeremy (February 21, 2022). "Marvel Legends First Livestream Of 2022 Reveals Galore". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  65. ↑ "New Images Reveal the Superheroines of 'Marvel Universe Live!'". Comics Alliance. Archived from the original on July 17, 2014. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
This page is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.