| King Snake | |
|---|---|
.png) King Snake as depicted inBatman #469 (September 1991). Art byTom Lyle. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Robin #2 (February 1991) |
| Created by | Chuck Dixon (writer) Tom Lyle (artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Sir Edmund Dorrance |
| Species | Human |
| Team affiliations | Royal Artillery The Ghost Dragons Kobra Black Lantern Corps |
| Abilities | Mastermartial artist Steel-reinforced spine |
King Snake (Sir Edmund Dorrance) is a character appearing in media published byDC Comics, usually as an adversary ofRobin (Tim Drake) andBatman. Created by writerChuck Dixon and artistTom Lyle, King Snake first appeared inRobin #2 (1991).[1] He is a mastermartial artist and the father of the villainBane.
Edmund Dorrance is a member of theRoyal Artillery who works as amercenary, assisting anti-communism operations. While inSanta Prisca, Dorrance is attacked and blinded by gunfire. He flees the country, leaving behind a fellow rebel with whom he had had a one-night stand and subsequently impregnated. The woman and her son are imprisoned for Edmund's crimes, with the child growing up in prison to becomeBane.
After escaping from Santa Prisca, Dorrance moves toHong Kong and establishes himself as a drug dealer known as King Snake, masquerading as a legitimate businessman.Lady Shiva pursues King Snake, wishing to face him in battle due to his martial arts prowess. Shiva andRobin attack King Snake, who breaks his back after falling off a building.[2][3]
King Snake later recovers and has his spine reinforced with steel. He joins the terrorist cultKobra and attempts to become its leader, known as Lord Naja-Naja. King Snake has his eyes healed using a Lazarus Pit, but is blinded again by Robin.
After learning that King Snake is his father, Bane tracks him down and battles him. Bane attempts to kill King Snake several times, but refrains from doing so. In the resulting struggle, King Snake falls down a deep crevice towards his death.[4]
During the 2009 storyline "Blackest Night", King Snake is temporarily resurrected by a black power ring and becomes aBlack Lantern.[5] He is permanently resurrected followingThe New 52 andDC Rebirth relaunches, which rebooted the continuity of the DC universe.[6]
King Snake has no superhuman powers. However, he is a master of several of the world's most deadly martial arts. After being blinded during an operation in Santa Prisca, he hones his other senses to compensate.
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