Femme Fatales (comics)

Last updated
Femme Fatales
FemmeFatals.JPG
Publication information
Publisher Marvel Comics
First appearance The Amazing Spider-Man #340 (Oct. 1990)
Created by Erik Larsen
David Michelinie
In-story information
Member(s)Knockout
Bloodlust
Mindblast
Whiplash

The Femme Fatales are a fictional group of female characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. They are often depicted as antagonists to the superhero character Spider-Man and Captain America.

Contents

Fictional team history

The Femme Fatales are villains and mutants that serve as mercenaries for hire. Group members Bloodlust and Whiplash have a history of working together prior to joining the Femme Fatales, as members of a previous group called the Band of Baddies. [1] They were hired by fellow villain the Chameleon in the disguise of Dr. Turner to threaten an ambassador. Spider-Man intervened and saved the ambassador, making him an enemy of the Femme Fatales. They then joined forces with other villains the Scorpion and the Tarantula, but all of them were defeated by Spider-Man and his ally the Black Cat. Though the villains got away. [2]

The Femme Fatales later received an invitation to join Superia and her organization of female criminals, the Femizons. They accepted, and battled Captain America and the Paladin in the process. [3]

The group would splinter and disband sometime later: Bloodlust and Whiplash was seen at the A.I.M. Weapons Expo. [4]

Bloodlust later lost her powers after Decimation. Mindblast, who retained her powers, briefly allied herself with Hammerhead during the "Civil War" storyline. [5]

During the "Avengers: Standoff!" storyline, Bloodlust and Mindblast were turned into duplicate Maria Hills through the powers of Kobik in order to keep the Avengers away from Pleasant Hill. [6]

During the "Hunt for Wolverine" storyline, the Femme Fatales are joined by Viper and Sapphire Styx, with Whiplash changing her name to Snake Whip. The Fatales ambush Kitty Pryde, Rogue, Domino, Jubilee and Psylocke at the King's Impresario Restaurant at Hightown, Madripoor. [7] Soon joined by Magneto, himself recently taken captive by the Fatales, the X-Men combat the Femme Fatales; during the encounter Sapphire Styx uses her lifeforce-draining ability on Psylocke, but this later backfires and Sapphire Styx is destroyed, enabling Psylocke to create a new body for herself from Sapphire's soul power. Viper gets away with Magneto pursuing her, and the Femme Fatales are locked up. [8]

Members

MemberFirst appearanceDescription
BloodlustMarvel Comics Presents #49 (May 1990)Beatta Dubiel is a former mutant who possessed superhuman senses, speed, agility, durability, a healing factor and razor sharp claws and fangs. She was one of the many mutants who were depowered after Decimation, though she continues to be a trained assassin without her powers.
KnockoutThe Amazing Spider-Man #340 (Oct. 1990)Elizabeth Rawson is the original leader of the Femme Fatales, and has superhuman strength and endurance. Cybernetic parts of her costume suggest that her already advanced strength is augmented when needed and also provides body armor.
MindblastThe Amazing Spider-Man #340 (Oct. 1990)Danielle Forte is a mutant with powerful telekinetic abilities which she usually fashions into "tractor beams". She was one of the very few mutants to retain their powers after Decimation. At some point later, Mindblast gained the use of telepathy strong enough to combat Psylocke of the X-Men.
Sapphire Styx Marvel Comics Presents #1 (Sept. 1988)Sapphire Styx is a mutant who has the ability to absorb the lifeforces from her opponents. She was recruited into the Femme Fatales when Viper became their leader and relocated them to Madripoor. Sapphire exploded when Psylocke and a soul sliver of Wolverine overloaded her.
Snake WhipMarvel Comics Presents #49 (May 1990)Leeann Foreman is a mutant with unrevealed abilities. She previously went by the codename Whiplash, though changed it when Viper took over leadership. She is equipped with three built-in retractable whips that release from each of her wrists.
Viper Captain America #110 (Feb. 1969)Ophelia Sarkissian is the current leader of the Femme Fatales.

Other versions

The Femme Fatales also exist as a team in the Ultimate Marvel universe. Bloodlust, Knockout, Mindblast and Whiplash briefly encounter the All-New Ultimates. [9]

In other media

In Marvel: Ultimate Alliance , Femme Fatales is a team bonus for any four-person combination of Storm, Elektra, Spider-Woman, Invisible Woman, and Ms. Marvel.

In Marvel: Future Fight , Femme Fatales is a team bonus composed of Elektra, Black Cat, and Black Widow.

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Secret Wars</i> 1984–1985 Marvel Comics limited series

Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars, commonly known as Secret Wars, is a 12-issue American comic book crossover limited series published from May 1984 to April 1985 by Marvel Comics. The series was written by Jim Shooter, with art by Mike Zeck and Bob Layton. It was tied in with a toy line and a role-playing game of the same name from Mattel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wolverine (character)</span> Marvel Comics fictional character

Wolverine is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, mostly in association with the X-Men. He is a mutant with animal-keen senses, enhanced physical capabilities, a powerful regenerative ability known as a healing factor, and three retractable claws in each hand. Wolverine has been depicted as a member of the X-Men, X-Force, Alpha Flight, the Fantastic Four, and the Avengers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Magneto (Marvel Comics)</span> Fictional character appearing in Marvel Comics publications and related media

Magneto is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, commonly in association with the X-Men. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-writer Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in The X-Men #1 as an adversary of the X-Men.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toad (Marvel Comics)</span> Fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics

Toad is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-writer Jack Kirby, he first appeared in The X-Men #4.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Betsy Braddock</span> Comic book character

Elizabeth "Betsy" Braddock is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, commonly in association with Captain Britain and the X-Men. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Herb Trimpe in 1976, she first appeared in the Marvel UK series Captain Britain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arcade (Marvel Comics)</span> Marvel Comics fictional character

Arcade is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He first appeared in 1978's Marvel Team-Up #65, the creation of writer Chris Claremont and writer/artist John Byrne. The character is a combination of an evil genius and a hitman who carries out his assassinations via various elaborate traps, often referred to as Murderworld.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anaconda (character)</span> Marvel Comics fictional character

Anaconda is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. She has generally been associated with the Serpent Society, often as a foe of Captain America. Sitznski was given her superhuman abilities by the Roxxon corporation, giving her the codename Anaconda due to her powerful, adamantium-enhanced arms which she uses to constrain or crush her opponents. Her first appearance was as part of the Serpent Squad, when they tried to retrieve the Serpent Crown only to be thwarted by Thing, Stingray and Triton. She later became a core member of Sidewinder's Serpent Squad and remained a member when they became the Serpent Society.

The Serpent Society is an organization of snake-themed supervillains appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The society is a continuation of the original group the Serpent Squad and was later changed into Serpent Solutions. The Serpent Society first appeared in Captain America #310 and was created by writer Mark Gruenwald and artist Paul Neary. Serpent Solutions first appeared in Captain America: Sam Wilson #1 by writer Nick Spencer and artist Daniel Acuña.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black Mamba (character)</span> Marvel Comics fictional character

Black Mamba is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. She first appeared in Marvel Two-in-One #64 created by writers Mark Gruenwald and Ralph Macchio. The character is most closely associated as a founding member of both the Serpent Society and BAD Girls, Inc. but has also been a member of the Masters of Evil, the Femizons and the Women Warriors.

Cottonmouth is a fictional villain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diamondback (Rachel Leighton)</span> Comic book character from Marvel Comics

Diamondback is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Originally depicted as a supervillain who was part of the Serpent Society, she was first introduced in Captain America #310 and became a series regular for years afterwards.

The Principality of Madripoor or Madripoor is a fictional island appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The island is depicted as being located in maritime Southeast Asia, and has appeared mostly associated with stories from the X-Men series. Based on illustrations, it is in the southern portion of the Strait of Malacca between Singapore and Sumatra.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Razor Fist</span> Marvel Comics fictional character

Razor Fist is the name of three fictional supervillains appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The original Razor Fist was killed off in the comic books many years ago. The next two characters to take the title were brothers. The current Razor Fist is the only surviving brother.

Viper, formerly known as Madame Hydra, is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Jim Steranko, the character first appeared in Captain America #110. Viper is a foe of the Avengers and the X-Men.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acts of Vengeance</span> Marvel Comics storyline

"Acts of Vengeance" is a comic book crossover storyline that ran through several titles published by Marvel Comics from December 1989 to February 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nitro (comics)</span> Fictional comic book villain

Nitro is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He first appeared in 1974.

Whiplash is the name of multiple supervillains appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. They are commonly depicted as members of Iron Man's rogues gallery. The original Whiplash also went by the name Blacklash. Mickey Rourke portrayed Whiplash in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Iron Man 2 (2010).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psylocke</span> Fictional superhero from Marvel Comics

Psylocke is the name of two connected fictional mutant superheroes appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics, commonly in association with the X-Men.

<i>Hunt for Wolverine</i> 2018 comic book storyline

"Hunt for Wolverine" is a 2018 comic book storyline published by Marvel Comics, starring the character Wolverine. The storyline is the follow-up to the Death of Wolverine event, and is continued with Return of Wolverine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sapphire Styx</span> Comics character

Sapphire Styx is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

References

  1. Marvel Comic Presents #48
  2. The Amazing Spider-Man #340, 342-343.
  3. Captain America #389-392
  4. Captain America #411-413
  5. Civil War: War Crimes #1
  6. All-New, All-Different Avengers #8. Marvel Comics.
  7. Hunt for Wolverine: Mystery in Madripoor #1-2. Marvel Comics.
  8. Hunt for Wolverine: Mystery in Madripoor #3-4. Marvel Comics.
  9. All-New Ultimates #8