Asp (comics)

Superherobox


caption=Asp, art by Ron Lim.
comic_color=background:#ff8080
character_name=Asp
real_name=Unknown
species=Human
publisher=Marvel Comics
debut="Captain America" #310 (October 1985)
creators=Mark Gruenwald
Paul Neary
alliance_color=background:#ffc0c0
alliances=Secret Avengers
BAD Girls, Inc.
Serpent Society
Femizons
aliases=Cleo Nefertiti, The Temptress (stage names)
powers=Generates and projects "venom bolts" of bioelectric energy that can paralyze or kill living beings.|

The Asp is a former supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe, most notably a member of the Serpent Society and B.A.D. Girls, Inc.. She was created by Mark Gruenwald and Paul Neary, and first appeared in "Captain America" vol. 1 #310.

Fictional character biography

Intelligent yet soft-spoken, Asp was born in Tanta, Egypt. It was there that she earned her reputation as an exotic dancer, being able to charm snakes with her sensual movements. Her ability to generate blasts of energy which cause paralysis intrigued the leader of the Serpent Society, Sidewinder, and he invited her to join the group. ["Captain America" #310]

Given the task to spread the word of a new criminal organization to those who would be interested brought Asp and her comrade, Cottonmouth, straight to the notorious Kingpin. ["Captain America" #311] She also participated in the mission to murder M.O.D.O.K., though she was defeated when Captain America entered the battle. ["Captain America" #313] She was, however, not as cold-hearted as some of her teammates, though she didn't hesitate to get down and dirty with the best of them. With the Serpent Society, she stole MODOK's corpse from the morgue, and turned it over to AIM. ["Captain America" #315] Alongside Anaconda, she confronted the Ringmaster over the Death Adder's murder. ["Captain America" #319]

While in the Society, Asp became good friends with Diamondback and Black Mamba. She stood by them and Sidewinder when Viper took over leadership of the Serpent Society. During her takeover, Viper captured and poisoned Asp, Black Mamba, and Bushmaster. They were later rescued by Captain America and Diamondback. ["Captain America" #342] Asp participated in the Serpent Society's mission to recover mystic objects for Ghaur and Llyra, and battled the X-Men. ["Uncanny X-Men Annual" #13] She also skirmished alone with Captain America. ["Captain America" #369] With Anaconda and Black Mamba, she shadowed Diamondback on her first date with Steve Rogers, and battled the Gamecock. ["Captain America" #371]

When the Serpent Society put Diamondback on trial, the Asp voted in her favor. When King Cobra ordered the death of Diamondback, the Asp contacted Sidewinder to rescue Diamondback. The Asp and Black Mamba fought the other Serpent Society members, but were captured along with Paladin and Diamondback by King Cobra and Bushmaster. With the help of Captain America, the four of them escaped and defeated the Serpent Society. ["Captain America" #380-382]

She also briefly battled Alpha Flight during the Acts of Vengeance ["Alpha Flight" #79-80] while fleeing the first Superhuman Registration Act, where it was revealed that she is a mutant. She soon joined Diamondback and Black Mamba in forming B.A.D. Girls, Inc., adopting a new costume. ["Captain America" #385] After being ambushed by Anaconda and captured by the Serpent Society, the B.A.D. Girls were rescued by MODAM. With other female costumed criminals, the B.A.D. Girls were invited aboard Superia's cruise ship and joined her Femizons. When Captain America and Paladin infiltrated the cruise ship the Femizons resided on, Asp and Black Mamba decided to help the heroes escape Superia. ["Captain America" #386-392] the Asp and Black Mamba later learned that fellow Femizon Snapdragon was responsible for the attempted murder of Diamondback. Asp, Black Mamba, and Impala went to one of the "Bar With No Name" locations, and battled Battleaxe, Steel Wind, and Golddigger. Asp and her friends broke into a former Serpent Society headquarters, battled Sersi, and took an abandoned Serpent Saucer. ["Captain America" #394-397]

She later joined up with the Serpent Society once again, but then left to be reunited with the B.A.D. Girls as freelance mercenaries. They went up against Cable, Deadpool, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist, and eventually teamed up with The Cat to find the "Dominus Objective." However, the B.A.D. Girls eventually discover that Cable was the one who hired them. Asp is one of the few mutants who retained their powers after the events of M-Day.

Civil War

The Asp and the other B.A.D. Girls were revealed to be members of Captain America's "Secret Avengers", openly opposing the Superhuman Registration Act. She took part in the final battle of the "war", but did not accept the offer of amnesty that came with Captain America's surrender.

Later, Asp and the other BAD Girls were captured by the Mighty Avengers in a New York City mall.

Powers and abilities

Asp has the ability to generate a unique form of radiant bioelectricity that she can channel as lightning-like bolts. These blasts do not affect inanimate matter, but upon striking a living being they cause rapid paralysis of the nervous system similar to the effect of the neurotoxic bite of certain venomous snakes. Her body constantly generates and stores this energy, but it can be temporarily expended after firing several "venom-bolts" in rapid succession, requiring her to recharge. Asp can accelerate the speed at which her body regenerates energy by engaging in physical activity that increases her heart rate and metabolism.

Asp's "venom-bolts" have different effects, depending on how far they travel before reaching a target, and on how much power she uses in a single bolt. A full-force blast can instantly kill an adult human. Normally, however, her bolts paralyze her victims for several hours, but cause no lasting damage. She can also release lower-level blasts that do not automatically paralyze targets, but cause neural delays, resulting in a loss of muscular control and coordination. Her energy bolts can travel roughly twenty-five feet before dissipating.

When fully charged, the Asp's body releases low levels of energy at all times, making prolonged physical contact with her fatal. She can also apparently release a blast of paralytic energy through physical contact without any visible effect.

The Asp is also an accomplished dancer with superb muscular control.

Other characters named Asp

A thief named the Asp (real name Rich Harper) appeared with the Living Mummy in the "Supernatural Thrillers" series. He first appeared in "Supernatural Thrillers" #9, October 1974.

Oliver Warbucks, of the Little Orphan Annie comic strip, has a trusted manservant known only as "The Asp."

Other versions

Ultimate Asp

Asp appeared in the Ultimate Universe as a member of the all-female Serpent Squad. Along with her team, she battled the Fantastic Four while searching for the Serpent Crown. It is unknown if Asp has the same abilities in this universe as she does in Earth-616.

References

External links

* [http://www.marvel.com/universe/Asp_%28Cleo_Nefertiti%29 Asp Bio on Marvel.com]
*http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix4/aspss.htm