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| Rattler | |
|---|---|
_from_Battle_Scars_Vol_1_3.jpg) Rattler as depicted inBattle Scars #3 (January 2012). Art byScot Eaton (penciler), Andrew Hennessy (inker), andPaul Mounts (colorist). | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Captain America #310 (October 1985)[1] |
| Created by | Mark Gruenwald (writer) Paul Neary (artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Gustav Krueger |
| Species | Bionically-enhanced human |
| Team affiliations | Thunderbolts Serpent Society |
| Abilities | Wears electronic hearing aids in his cowl Bionic tail that generates sonic vibrations used to create shockwaves, deflect projectiles, or inducing vertigo, disorientation, unconsciousness, internal hemorrhaging, and possible death to people Fang-like teeth |
Rattler (Gustav Krueger) is asupervillain appearing inAmerican comic books published byMarvel Comics. He first appeared inCaptain America #310 (October 1985), created by writerMark Gruenwald and artistPaul Neary. The name Rattler was also used by two Marvel comics characters from the Wild West era, both enemies of theRawhide Kid. A fourth Rattler appeared in theSpider-Man newspaper comic strip, who gained superpowers after being bitten by a snake and treated with experimental anti-venom.
Krueger, as Rattler, was given a long bionic tail that emits sonic shockwaves to mimic his reptile namesake. He first appeared as part of theSerpent Society, a team of snake-themed villains for hire.[2][3][4][5] During their first mission, they were opposed byCaptain America, who would have several run-ins with the Society. Rattler was one of the Society members who sided withViper when she took over the group, but remained with the group after she was deposed. At one point he was part of theThunderbolts, but returned to the Serpent Society. He remained a member when the Society was reorganized into Serpent Solutions.
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Rattler first appeared inCaptain America #310 (October 1985), created by writerMark Gruenwald and artistPaul Neary.
Hailing fromGermany, Rattler was given a bionic tail which he uses to create shockwaves and vibrations. This proved very useful in his first confrontation withCaptain America, during the Rattler's initiation into theSerpent Society. He and his fellow SerpentsCobra andAnaconda were ambushed by the hero, but Rattler was able to use his tail to stop Captain America's shield from doing any damage.[6] With the other Serpent Society members, he was hired byA.I.M. to hunt downMODOK.[7] He later battled Captain America again after being tricked by thePorcupine, along withDiamondback,Death Adder, andCottonmouth. During the ensuing fight with Captain America, Rattler used his bionic tail to send vibrations coursing through the hero's body, disorienting him. However, he was eventually thrown into a pillar by his tail, knocking him out for the battle. Rattler, Cottonmouth, and Death Adder were sent to jail, but freed from jail bySidewinder.[8] Alongside Cottonmouth, Rattler confrontedKingpin's men over the murder of Death Adder.[9]
The Rattler joinedViper during her invasion of the Serpent Society, and battled theFalcon.[10] He subsequently followed Cobra's instructions when he became leader. He participated in the Serpent Society mission to recover mystic objects forGhaur andLlyra. During the battle with theX-Men afterLongshot had found the missing artifact they were searching for, Rattler created anavalanche by rattling his tail, though this took both Longshot and Rattler out in the process.[11] Rattler voted against Diamondback during the Serpent Society's trial of her; alongside the Serpent Society, he then battled Captain America,Paladin, and Diamondback.[12] The Rattler also participated in the battle againstForce Works, where he initiated use of his "Rattling Gun", a gun that could supposedly create enough seismic waves to rattle someone's ribcage apart. He was eventually defeated byHank Pym.[13]
He has been seen as member of theSerpent Society under Cobra's leadership. After the group had captured and chainedCaptain America andDiamondback (really aLife Model Decoy) in this underground New York headquarters the pair escaped.S.H.I.E.L.D. subsequently took Rattler and the rest of the Society into custody.[14]
Rattler joined the group of criminals aiding theThunderbolts during "Civil War", alongside fellow Serpent Society members Cobra andBushmaster.[15]
He appeared inBrand New Day as one of the villains in the bar.[16]
Rattler was later apparently killed byScourge.[17]
InAll-New, All-Different Marvel, Rattler appears as a member ofViper's Serpent Society under its new name of Serpent Solutions.[18]
Rattler possesses a 7-foot (2.1 m) long artificial bionic tail attached through surgery to his spine and lower back, which he can use for a variety of tasks, including grasping small objects, hanging by his tail, and as a bludgeon. He also has the ability to generate sonic vibrations by activating mechanisms in the "rattle" at the tip of the tail for various effects, including creating shockwaves, deflecting projectiles, and inducing vertigo, disorientation, unconsciousness, internal hemorrhaging, and possible death in opponents.
Rattler is 85% deaf in both ears and wears electronic hearing aids in his cowl.[19] He possesses fang-like teeth.
| Rattler | |
|---|---|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Rawhide Kid #37 |
| Created by | Stan Lee Dick Ayers |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Heath Benson |
| Abilities | Skilled athlete |
In theWild West,Heath Benson was a part of a group of aerialists until he ended up injured in a fall. Unable to continue the act, he was hired as aringmaster for a traveling circus. At some point, he used his talents in a career of crime and became Rattler. Rattler began to loot towns and other settlers in the vicinity of the circus. After Rattler nearly killed one of his victims,Two-Gun Kid was drafted to bring him in. Rattler bested Two-Gun Kid and escaped after the first encounter. Two-Gun Kid suspected that Rattler was someone that worked in the circus. Two-Gun Kid suspected the aerialist Whirlo of being Rattler and challenged him to aerial combat which ended with Two-Gun Kid winning. Just then, the real Rattler shows up and challenges Two-Gun Kid to a rematch. Two-Gun Kid succeeded in knocking him out in aerial combat and unmasked him to be the circus ringmaster.Rawhide Kid claimed to have known it all the time upon seen the ringmaster's picture in the weekly gazette a few back.[20]
Rattler later escaped from prison and Whirlo used this information to pose as Rattler to commit crimes while the original one was blamed.[21]
In 1876, Rattler joined forces with Iron Mask, Hurricane,Red Raven, Dr. Danger, andFat Man in organizing a large number of criminals based on the exploits of the cowboy heroes and some time-traveling modern age heroes that have foughtKang the Conqueror. TheWest Coast Avengers traveled back in time and assisted Rawhide Kid, Two-Gun Kid, andPhantom Rider (Lincoln Slade) into bringing them in. Rattler tried to ambushTigra, only for her to throw him into Hurricane forcefully enough to knock both of them out.[22]
Rattler's real name was revealed inMarvel Westerns: Outlaw Files.
| Rattler | |
|---|---|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Rawhide Kid #37 (as Whirlo) Two-Gun Kid #88 (as Rattler) |
| Created by | Stan Lee Dick Ayers |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Unrevealed |
| Notable aliases | Whirlo |
| Abilities | Skilled athlete |
As mentioned above,Whirlo was an aerialist who was suspected by Two-Gun Kid to be the Rattler. He was challenged to an aerial battle by Two-Gun Kid and was defeated[20]
When Rattler had escaped from prison, Whirlo learned about this. When Two-Gun Kid visited the circus where Whirlo worked, Whirlo claimed that Rattler is after him for revenge after failing to defeat Rawhide Kid. Two-Gun Kid figured out that Whirlo was acting as Rattler, tracked him down to the circus, and unmasked him. Whirlo claimed that he did it for revenge on Rattler for having framed him before.[21]
| Rattler | |
|---|---|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Amazing Spider-Man Newspaper Strip |
| Created by | Stan Lee John Romita Sr. |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Henry Bingham |
| Abilities | Superhuman strength and speed |
Henry Bingham made his life devenomizing snakes until he was bitten by a particular specimen. He rushed to Curtis Chemicals, where a chemist analyzed his blood and offered him an experimental anti-venom serum to save his life. He was cured, but began to change into the Rattler. However, Henry found that the changes were not permanent and he began seeking more samples of anti-venom to maintain his Rattler form. Exercising his idea of hiding in plain sight, Rattler walked through the streets wearing a sign that was advertising Reptile World. He walked right into Curtis Chemicals, fought right past the guards, and stole some of the anti-venom serum. He returned to Reptile World and took the samples to perpetuate his powers, butMary Jane Watson took a picture ofPeter Parker in front of the store just as Rattler walked by. Not wanting to have his secret lair discovered, Rattler plotted to steal the film that was used. Rattler followed Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson back to Peter's apartment and ambushed them. Peter only feigned unconsciousness and then changed into Spider-Man to follow Rattler. Peter arrived at Reptile World and was zapped from behind while looking around. Upon regaining consciousness while tied to a chair, Peter is confronted by Rattler who tells him his origin as Peter claims that the serum is killing him. Rattler left Peter behind with some poisonous snakes and went to get more serum. Peter escaped, changed into Spider-Man, and began tracking Rattler. Upon finding Rattler, Spider-Man fought with him which ended with the serum's destruction. As the serum's effects began to fade, Rattler changed back to Henry Bingham, who regained his sanity. Before dying from the side effects of the serum, Henry thanked Spider-Man for saving him.[23]
An unidentified Rattler appears inThe Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes, voiced byChris Cox.[24] This version is a member of theSerpent Society.
