Viper (Marvel Comics | Hydra)

Viper, whose real name is Ophelia Sarkissian, is a supervillain in Marvel Comics, most commonly known as Madame Hydra. She first appeared as Madame Hydra in Captain America #110 (February 1969), created by Jim Steranko. Orphaned as a child during political turmoil in an unspecified Eastern European country, Sarkissian suffered significant hardship, including a disfiguring accident that scarred the right side of her face, which she subsequently concealed with her hair. Recruited and trained by the terrorist organization Hydra, she rapidly ascended its ranks through ruthless efficiency, becoming a high-ranking leader renowned for her strategic acumen and lethal capabilities.

Viper possesses no superhuman abilities but is an exceptional combatant, proficient in martial arts, marksmanship, and espionage. Her signature expertise lies in toxicology, employing a wide array of poisons, venoms, and chemical weapons, often delivered through wrist-mounted projectiles or whips. She typically wears a distinctive green leather outfit and has demonstrated extended longevity, possibly derived from experimental elixirs or occult pacts. As a nihilistic terrorist, Viper embodies calculated cruelty, frequently orchestrating large-scale threats involving biological agents or global destabilization, making her a persistent adversary to heroes such as Captain America and the Avengers.

Significant developments in Viper's history include her adoption of the "Viper" moniker after eliminating a previous bearer of the name and seizing control of the Serpent Squad in the 1970s. She has led various Hydra factions, briefly allied with the Hand, and engaged in complex rivalries, including a coerced marriage to Wolverine during his time in Madripoor. Viper has also held positions in the Hellfire Club's Inner Circle and participated in major events such as attempts to unleash plagues or manipulate international politics, cementing her role as one of Marvel's most enduring and adaptable antagonists.