| Cottonmouth | |
|---|---|
Cottonmouth, art by unknown. |
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| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Captain America vol. 1 #310 (October 1985) |
| Created by | Mark Gruenwald and Paul Neary |
| In-story information | |
| Team affiliations | Serpent Society |
| Notable aliases | Quincy McIver |
| Abilities | Bionically enhanced jaw and neck Ability to open mouth larger than the size of a human head Steel teeth |
Cottonmouth is a fictional super villain in the Marvel Comics Universe.
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Originally from Mobile, Alabama, Cottonmouth was chosen by Sidewinder to join a snake-themed villain group, the Serpent Society.[1] With the ability to extend his jaws over a foot wide, he was given steel fangs, possibly by the Roxxon Oil Company, which he uses to torture his victims in an almost cannibalistic way. His jaw muscles are superhumanly strong, and can bite with sufficient force to crush cinderblock or metals that are softer than iron. However, very little is known about his past, other than the fact that he was an active criminal in the southern portion of the United States.
Cottonmouth was often paired up with Asp, such as when the two were to advertise the Serpent Society to Kingpin.[2] The Serpent Society was hired by AIM to hunt down M.O.D.O.K.. During their confrontation with MODOK, Cottonmouth and fellow teammate Death Adder were able to slay him, which was a big win for their organization. Cottonmouth also battled Captain America for the first time.[3] They were soon defeated by Captain America, but were able to escape. He also participated in the mission to retrieve the retired Porcupine's costume, which turned out to be a trap by Captain America. Cottonmouth was injured during the battle, his teeth being destroyed by the star-spangled hero's shield. He, along with teammates Rattler and Death Adder were eventually defeated and taken into custody. Not for long, however, as Sidewinder soon teleported them to safety.[4] Cottonmouth and Rattler next confronted the Kingpin's men over Death Adder's murder.[5]
During the Viper's invasion, Cottonmouth sided with Diamondback and the other members who refused to take the leadership away from Sidewinder. He later betrayed Diamondback, attempting to bite her head off after she saved him, proving that his loyalties lied with Viper. He fought Steve Rogers as The Captain during this confrontation.[6] Cottonmouth participated in the Serpent Society's mission to recover mystic objects for Ghaur and Llyra, and battled Psylocke and Storm of the X-Men.[7] He voted against Diamondback during the Serpent Society's trial against her. Alongside the Serpent Society, he combatted Captain America. Paladin, and Diamondback.[8]
He has also battled other super-heroes such as Black Panther and Luke Cage.[9] He was eventually imprisoned, but escaped with Hawkeye, Plant-Man, and Headlok in Thunderbolts.[10] He took Bushmaster's real name, Quincy McIver though his actual name has not been revealed.
Cottonmouth was later tracked down by American Eagle in Arizona.[11] Serval Serpent Society members including Anaconda, Black Mamba, Bushmaster and Cottonmouth, fought members of the New Avengers in a semi-tropical locale. Cottonmouth was defeated by Wolverine.[12]
Due to bionic reconstruction, Cottonmouth possesses enhanced jaw and neck muscles, and steel teeth enabling him to bite with sufficient force to crush cinderblock or deform metals softer than iron; to hang from a rope by his teeth for up to an hour, and to open his mouth larger than the size of a human head. His teeth (including abnormally large canines) have been replaced by steel, and his jaw and neck have been bionically enhanced and specially hinged to enable his mouth to open larger than the size of a human head, and he has superhuman strength in his jaw muscles.
The Serpent Society's Cottonmouth is not to be confused with another criminal named Cornell Cottonmouth[13] who fought Luke Cage.[14]