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Quote1 Again with the fists? Come on, Winghead. Hit me some more. Give it all you got. Ha! You've got some case goin' one on one with me! Quote2
Anaconda[src]

Blanche Sitznski is a former steelworker who became a student at Taskmaster's Academy for criminals.[3] She was soon selected by executives in the Roxxon Oil Company to undergo experimental bioengineering. As a result of the procedure, Blanche gained various permanent serpentine features and superhuman abilities, including incredible physical strength and the ability to elongate her arms and legs.[2]

As an agent for Roxxon president Hugh Jones, Blanche adopted the codename Anaconda. She was assigned to retrieve the Serpent Crown for Jones alongside three other snake-themed villains, Sidewinder, Black Mamba, and Death Adder. The group, known temporarily as the Serpent Squad, succeeded in their mission.[4] Anaconda later became a founding member of Sidewinder's snake-themed labor union known as the Serpent Society.[2]

Over the years, Anaconda has battled numerous superheroes, including the Thing,[4] Iron Man,[5] Deadpool,[6] Elektra,[1] and most frequently, Captain America.[2]

History

Early Life[]

Originally a steelworker, Blanche Sitznski became a student at Taskmaster's Academy for criminals.[3] She later took on the role as calisthenics instructor, responsible for training female criminals in hand-to-hand combat.[7]

Some time later, Blanche was selected by executives in the Roxxon Oil Company to be a special agent in covert operations.[8] At the Mutagenics Laboratory of Roxxon's subsidiary, the Brand Corporation, Sitznski was bioengineered to have various permanent serpentine adaptations.[2]

Serpent Squad[]

Blanche Sitznski (Earth-616) from Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Vol 1 1 0002

"Anaconda"

Adopting the codename Anaconda, Sitznski was recruited into Sidewinder's incarnation of the Serpent Squad alongside Black Mamba and Death Adder. They were assigned the task of retrieving the ancient relic known as the Serpent Crown for Roxxon president Hugh Jones. During the mission, the Serpent Squad battled the Thing, Triton, and Stingray. After several battles, Anaconda, Black Mamba, and Death Adder were trapped under the sea while Sidewinder escaped and retrieved the crown for Jones.[4]

The trio later escaped and hired out their services as mercenaries. This brought them into conflict with Iron Man, though they were subsequently defeated.[5]

Serpent Society[]

Anaconda and her teammates then sought out Sidewinder, planning revenge on their former leader for abandoning them during their first mission.[9] However, Sidewinder compensated the trio for their roles in the Serpent Crown mission, and invited them to join his next venture: a criminal organization of snake-themed mercenaries known as the Serpent Society.[10] Anaconda and the others agreed to hear Sidewinder's pitch, and traveled across the country to recruit other snake-themed villains. Anaconda returned to her hometown of Pittsburgh to invite Constrictor to the meeting.[11]

Blanche Sitznski (Earth-616) from Captain America Vol 1 310 001

Anaconda's first battle with Captain America

During the initiation test to join the Serpent Society, Anaconda was assigned to steal an apparatus from the Brand Corporation alongside Cobra and Rattler. Constrictor, who had refused to join the Serpent Society, alerted the Avengers to their activities. Captain America ambushed Anaconda and her fellow serpents, though Anaconda ordered Cobra and Rattler to escape with the device while she battled Captain America. After a lengthy battle, Captain America managed to defeat Anaconda and place her in police custody. Later that night, Sidewinder teleported into Anaconda's cell and freed her. Anaconda, knowing Constrictor had tipped off Captain America, beat him to near death as punishment.[2]

The Serpent Society's first job was to find and kill M.O.D.O.K. for A.I.M.. Anaconda joined the rest of the Serpent Society as they tracked their target to a nearby shopping mall. After they located M.O.D.O.K., Anaconda was incapacitated by a mind-blast early in the battle. However, despite interference from Captain America, Death Adder and Cottonmouth killed M.O.D.O.K.[12] Anaconda was later sent alongside Cobra, Black Mamba, and Asp to recover M.O.D.O.K.'s body from the morgue and return it to A.I.M. She also offered to kill Princess Python for her cowardice during the M.O.D.O.K. mission, though Sidewinder believed she would be more profitable if they ransomed her to her former team, the Circus of Crime.[13]

When Death Adder was murdered by the Scourge of the Underworld, Anaconda vowed to find the murderer and avenge his death.[14]

During their early years, the Serpent Society took on the Pride for dominance of the Los Angeles criminal underworld which led to a battle with Iron Man.[15]

When the terrorist Viper took over the Serpent Society, Anaconda betrayed Sidewinder and threw her support behind the new leader. At this time, she also became romantically involved with one of the Viper's new members of the group, Puff Adder. When her teammate Diamondback, who had remained loyal to the Society, stormed the Serpent Citadel with Captain America and his allies Nomad, the Falcon, and Demolition Man, Anaconda joined in the fight, battling Diamondback and Demolition Man, though she was knocked unconscious by Diamondback's trick diamonds.[16]

The Serpent Society briefly battled the X-Men during a mission where Diamondback had mystically swapped bodies with Dazzler. Anaconda battled Colossus, though as with the rest of her teammates, she was eventually defeated.[17]

Anaconda helped Diamondback's date with Captain America (unbeknownst to her at the time) go smoothly.[18] Upon learning that Diamondback knew the true identity of her sworn enemy, Anaconda turned on Diamondback. Anaconda served as bailiff during her trial where she voted guilty. After Sidewinder rescued Diamondback from her death sentence, the Serpent Society were sent to locate her.[19]

Alongside Rock Python and Puff Adder, Anaconda waited at Diamondback's apartment in case she returned. There, they encountered Captain America, who they defeated and threw off the roof of the building. Under orders of their new leader, King Cobra, Anaconda and her teammates were not to return to headquarters, so they decided to see a movie instead.[20]

Femizons[]

After the defeat of the Serpent Society, only Anaconda, Puff Adder, and Rock Python remained out of prison. They crashed a Serpent Saucer into Diamondback's apartment and easily defeated Diamondback, Black Mamba, and Asp. However, as the trio flew off with their captives, M.O.D.A.M. ambushed the criminals and threw Rock Python and Puff Adder out of the Serpent Saucer. Anaconda, along with Diamondback, Black Mamba, and Asp, were invited by M.O.D.A.M. to join Superia's all-female team of villains, the Femizons.[21]

While on Superia's cruise ship, Anaconda had a difference of opinion with the villainess Quicksand that turned to violence. Anaconda's constriction powers were little use against Quicksand's ability to turn to sand, however, and Anaconda lost the fight.[22] She also battled Captain America and Paladin, though fled when the Femizons disbanded.[23]

When the Serpent Society resurfaced, Anaconda returned to the group. The undercover hero Jack Flag attempted to join the Society to replace King Cobra. When they discovered this plan, the Serpent Society battled Jack Flag and his teammate Free Spirit until Force Works intervened and ended the battle.[24]

Bloodsport[]

Anaconda took part in the Bloodsport tournament in hopes of winning the prize money. She easily took out her first opponent, Forearm, but got her neck slit by her second opponent, Puma.[25] She survived the attack and returned to the Serpent Society.[26]

Six Pack[]

Blanche Sitznski (Earth-616) from Cable & Deadpool Vol 1 8 0001

Anaconda attacking Cable

Anaconda later joined the band of mercenaries known as the Six Pack with Domino, G.W. Bridge, Hammer, Solo, and Constrictor. The Six Pack was sent to take down Cable in the floating island known as Providence. After battling Cable, Anaconda and a few of her teammates were persuaded to join his cause in exchange for money. After Silver Surfer and the X-Men became involved, Anaconda put aside her differences and helped save the lives of those in danger on Providence.[27]

The Six Pack later found Cable hiding at Safehouse 14, but they were transported into his mind and risked being lost forever in Cable's madness. Deadpool and the Fixer managed to save the Six Pack, restoring their minds into their bodies.[28]

The American Government recruited the Six Pack to commit acts of terrorism in Rumekistan, a utopian nation ruled by Cable. When Cable discovered this, he was betrayed by his ally Deadpool, who revealed himself to be the sixth member of the group (replacing Constrictor). Anaconda and her teammates were later arrested after their plan failed.[29]

At some point, Anaconda was defeated by the New Warriors and left tied up on a lamp post.[30]

Secret Invasion[]

During the Skrulls' Secret Invasion the Serpent Society held a number of people hostage claiming they were protecting themselves from the Skrulls. The hostages were rescued by Nova and his allies in Nova Corps.[31]

Anaconda and the Serpent Society later briefly fought members of the New Avengers on a tropical island.[32]

Gambling[]

Anaconda frequented a casino in Reno with Deadpool, Mike "The Wizard" White, and Dong to gamble. On one such occasion, Desire arrived at the casino and accused Anaconda of running an illegal underwater animal fighting ring. Deadpool corrected her, stating that the animal ring was an Australian reality show and that the only crime Anaconda was guilty of was "being a bleach queen."[33]

Avengers vs. X-Men[]

Anaconda and the Serpent Society were one of the many villains the X-Men took down while protecting San Francisco. They were robbing a bank until they were defeated by Hope Summers.[34]

Battle Scars[]

Anaconda and the Serpent Society were sent on an assignment to kill Marcus Johnson. However Taskmaster and Deadpool were also after him. Anaconda's arm was dismembered by Deadpool's Katanas and the Society suffered defeat. Marcus survived and the Society was taken into custody by S.H.I.E.L.D.[6]

Some time later, the Serpent Society once again battled the Avengers.[35]

Doom Maidens[]

Anaconda temporarily served as a member of the Doom Maidens and battled the Defenders.[36]

Double Tap[]

Alongside the original Sidewinder, Black Mamba, and the second Death Adder, Anaconda went up against Elektra after being hired by the Assassin's Guild to kill her allies Matchmaker, Cape Crow, and Kento Roe.[1]

Serpent Solutions[]

Blanche Sitznski (Earth-616) from Avengers vs X-Men Vol 1 0

When Viper took over leadership of the Serpent Society and rebranded it as Serpent Solutions, Anaconda continued to serve with the organization. There, she fought the new Captain America and his partner Falcon, but was defeated alongside the rest of Serpent Solutions.[37]

Anaconda resurfaced with Serpent Solutions when they were recruited into Baron Zemo's Army of Evil.[38]

Serpent Solutions was also seen robbing a bank, though they were swiftly defeated by the X-Men.[39]

Anaconda then attended former Six Pack teammate Domino's birthday party.[40]

Alongside Black Mamba, Asp, Princess Python, Fer-de-Lance, and Black Racer, Anaconda burst from a giant cake during the Thing's bachelor party. The female members of Serpent Solutions battled the superheroes in attendance, but were eventually defeated and taken into custody.[41]

Hunted[]

Anaconda was among several animal-themed super-villains captured by Taskmaster and Black Ant to serve as hunting targets in Central Park for a host of wealthy participants controlling robotic drones, part of a plot concocted by Kraven the Hunter and Arcade.[42] Later, Anaconda joined the other villains led by Vulture in rebelling against the drones.[43] When the force field keeping the criminals inside Central Park dissipated, several superheroes ambushed and apprehended Anaconda and the other escaped villains.[44]

Later, Anaconda joined Star in playing card games until Star accused Anaconda of cheating and stormed out.[45]

Corrupted by Mephisto[]

Under unknown circumstances, members of the Serpent Society became tainted by the demon Mephisto. Filled with a murderous rage, Anaconda and her teammates went on a killing spree at the Serpent Solutions headquarters. While performing a ritual to summon their "snake god", the Serpent Society was ambushed by Nighthawk. The Avengers arrived to find the defeated Serpent Society, though Mephisto appeared to the group and vowed to return. Anaconda and the rest of the Serpent Society were taken into custody, though they quickly escaped and continued their murderous rampage across the Brooklyn Bridge.[46]

At some point, Anaconda was sent to the Raft where she and five other villains, Whirlwind, Quicksand, Piledriver, Griffin, and Icemaster were shot in the head and killed by an unseen assailant. Wasp investigated the murders, but Anaconda and the others soon returned to life with no recollection of their deaths. Five of the villains attacked the Wasp, but Whirlwind's body was possessed by Victor Shade, who helped the Wasp against the criminals. Anaconda managed to entangle Vic Shade, but Wasp freed him by blasting her arms with her bio-sting. Raft officers soon appeared and returned Anaconda and the others back into custody, placing them in solitary confinement for their attempted escape.[47]

Attributes

Power Grid[52]
:Category:Power Grid/Fighting Skills/Some Training:Category:Power Grid/Energy Projection/None:Category:Power Grid/Durability/Regenerative:Category:Power Grid/Speed/Normal:Category:Power Grid/Strength/Superhuman (800 lbs-25 ton):Category:Power Grid/Intelligence/Normal

Powers

As a result of bioengineering at the hands of the Roxxon Oil Company, Anaconda possesses a variety of superhuman attributes.[48]

Marvel Two-In-One Vol 1 65

Limb Elongation: Anaconda's arms are normally two feet in length from wrist to armpit and her legs are normally 35 inches in length from ankle to hipbone. However, the bioengineering process she underwent grants her the ability to elongate her limbs to one and a half times their normal length. When doing so, the muscle tissue of her limbs gorge with blood and swell to many times their normal size, thereby giving them the appearance of large snakes. Her limbs are capable of generating up to 125 pounds of pressure per square inch, which is enough force to deform a steel tube two feet in diameter and one inch thick.[48]

Amphibian Physiology: Anaconda possesses gills gained through surgical placement that allow her to extract oxygen from the water to breathe. She is able to survive and breathe while underwater indefinitely, as well as on land.[48]

Superhuman Strength: The bioengineering process has augmented Anaconda's musculature to superhuman levels. At her peak, she possesses sufficient superhuman strength to lift approximately 2 tons. However, while using her strength to constrict rather than lift, she possesses a grip that can only be broken by someone whose strength exceeds her own by at least a factor of 30 (60 ton strength minimum).[48]

Superhuman Swimming Speed: Anaconda is capable of propelling herself through the water at speeds beyond the natural physical limits of the finest human swimmer. At her peak, she can propel herself at speeds of about 30 miles per hour.[49]

Superhuman Stamina: Anaconda's superior musculature produces less fatigue toxins during physical activity than the musculature of any ordinary human. At her peak, she can exert herself for several hours before the build up of fatigue toxins in her blood begins to impair her.[49]

Superhuman Durability: Roxxon's bioengineering process has fortified the cellular structure of Anaconda's bodily tissue, making it more resistant to physical injury than the body of a normal human. She can withstand great impact forces, such as falls from great heights or being struck by a superhumanly strong opponent, that would severely injure or kill a normal human with little to no injury herself.[49]

Superhuman Agility: Anaconda's agility, balance, and bodily coordination are enhanced to levels that are beyond the natural physical limits of the finest human athlete.[49]

Regenerative Healing Factor: Should Anaconda be injured, her body's highly efficient metabolism enables her to heal any non-lethal injury many times faster and more extensively than an ordinary human. Injuries such as puncture wounds, slashes, or bullet wounds can completely heal within a matter of hours. More serious injuries, such as a broken bone, can fully mend within a few days. It isn't known if her accelerated healing powers afford her increased resistance to drugs and disease or if they grant her an extended lifespan.[48]

Abilities

Anaconda is a formidable hand-to-hand combatant. She typically prefers using street-fighting techniques while incorporating her ability to elongate her limbs. Her favorite method is to simply ensnare an opponent in her limbs and constrict them until they lose consciousness or expire due to the immense pressure.[48]

Paraphernalia

Equipment

The entire skeletal structure of Anaconda's arms and legs has been replaced by artificial Adamantium alloy-based bones in the basic configuration of a snake's bodily skeleton. While the alloy isn't True Adamantium, it is virtually indestructible for all practical purposes.[48]

Transportation

Trivia

See Also

Links and References

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Elektra (Vol. 4) #6
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Captain America #310
  3. 3.0 3.1 Taskmaster (Vol. 2) #1
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Marvel Two-In-One #6466
  5. 5.0 5.1 Iron Man #160
  6. 6.0 6.1 Battle Scars #34
  7. Captain America #403
  8. Marvel Two-In-One #64
  9. Captain America #307
  10. Captain America #308
  11. Captain America #309
  12. Captain America #313
  13. Captain America #315
  14. Captain America #319
  15. Iron Man: Legacy #78
  16. Captain America #340342
  17. X-Men Annual #13
  18. Captain America #370
  19. Captain America #380381
  20. Captain America #382
  21. Captain America #385386
  22. Captain America #388389
  23. Captain America #390391
  24. Captain America #434437
  25. Wolverine (Vol. 2) #167
  26. Captain America (Vol. 4) #3031
  27. Cable & Deadpool #710
  28. Cable & Deadpool #1112
  29. Cable & Deadpool #3334
  30. New Warriors (Vol. 4) #1
  31. Nova (Vol. 4) #19
  32. Wolverine (Vol. 3) #73
  33. Deadpool (Vol. 4) #1000
  34. Avengers vs. X-Men #0
  35. Avenging Spider-Man #5
  36. Fearless Defenders #612
  37. Captain America: Sam Wilson #46
  38. Captain America: Steve Rogers #13
  39. X-Men: Gold (Vol. 2) #4
  40. Domino (Vol. 3) #1
  41. Fantastic Four (Vol. 6) #5
  42. Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 5) #18
  43. Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 5) #22
  44. Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 5) #23
  45. Miles Morales: Spider-Man Annual #1
  46. 46.0 46.1 Avengers (Vol. 8) #55
  47. Avengers Inc. #1
  48. 48.0 48.1 48.2 48.3 48.4 48.5 48.6 Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe (Vol. 2) #1
  49. 49.0 49.1 49.2 49.3 Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Master Edition #1
  50. Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe (Vol. 2) #11
  51. Deadpool Corps: Rank and Foul #1
  52. Deadpool Corps: Rank and Foul Vol 1 1
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