Meet Sidewinder and the Serpent Society

Unveiling Marvel’s Latest Menace: The Serpent Society

Marvel’s upcoming film, Captain America: Brave New World, marks the exciting debut of a notorious villainous group, the Serpent Society, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). This snake-themed crew, led by Giancarlo Esposito’s Sidewinder, boasts a colorful legacy in Marvel Comics. Fans may recall when Kevin Feige humorously announced Captain America 3 as Captain America: Serpent Society in 2015, before revealing its actual title, Captain America: Civil War. However, the laugh is over. The Serpent Society is slithering into the MCU, and here’s the lowdown on their menacing world.

What is the Serpent Society?

Since their introduction in the comics, the Serpent Society has left a lasting mark on Marvel’s universe. Their glaringly monstrous looks are not just for show. The villains wield squeezing, paralyzing, and venomous powers. Their ringleader, Seth Voelker (a.k.a. Sidewinder), sought to be more than a mere snake gang. Instead, he structured them like a trade union, offering unique benefits like profit sharing and health insurance. Sidewinder’s teleportation skills kept members out of prison, turning them into notorious adversaries for Captain America and other heroes. They’ve been the “Avengers of the Underworld,” with ties to the Kingpin, the mafia, and HYDRA.

Comic Origins and Evolution of the Serpent Society

Before the Serpent Society’s inception, there was the Serpent Squad. Debuting in Captain America #163 (1972), they were the brainchild of the villain Viper, seeking revenge on Cap and the Falcon. Despite their initial defeat, various snake-themed members joined over time, eventually leading to the formation of the Serpent Society. Their emergence as an organized group occurred in Captain America #310 (1985) under Sidewinder’s leadership.

In 2014, the Serpent Society underwent a transformation with a new leader, Viper (formerly known as Madame Hydra), launching Serpent Solutions. They offered services to large corporations to avoid legal repercussions. This evolution portrayed them as more than mere baddies in snake attire.

The Sidewinder’s Backstory

During San Diego Comic-Con 2024, Giancarlo Esposito revealed his character in Captain America: Brave New World as Seth Voelker, the man behind the Sidewinder mask. Initially an economics professor from Kenosha, Wisconsin, Voelker’s career took a dark turn when he joined the dubious Roxxon Oil Company. Discovering their illegal pursuits, he embraced a mutagenic experiment that redefined him with snake-like attributes.

Sidewinder’s first comic appearance was in Marvel Two-in-One #64 (1980). Roxxon recruited him to raid the Fantastic Four’s Thing and attack Triton. However, Voelker’s ambition soared as he soon launched his own criminal enterprise, the Serpent Society, alongside other snake-like villains.

Powerful Attributes of Sidewinder

Despite his snaky transformation, Voelker didn’t gain superpowers. Instead, Sidewinder’s abilities stem from Roxxon’s advanced technology. Forever wrapped in a high-tech cloak, Sidewinder seamlessly teleports, while his bullet-proof armor offers combat resilience. Voelker’s cunning, coupled with his tactical brilliance, propelled the Serpent Society from a haphazard band to a formidable villainous union.

The Serpent Society versus Captain America

From the onset, the Serpent Squad harbored grudges against Captain America. Even as their threat extended throughout Marvel’s universe, confrontations with Cap always felt personal. Sidewinder eventually joined forces with Steve Rogers after a Viper-led coup turned the Serpent Society’s tables.

Former Falcon Sam Wilson, stepping into the Captain’s shoes, encountered Serpent Solutions first. This villainous entity graced the controversial 2016 storyline where Steve Rogers aligned with HYDRA during the Secret Empire event.

Giancarlo Esposito’s Dynamic Sidewinder

“I can finally unleash it. I am the King of the Serpent Society; I am Sidewinder!” Giancarlo Esposito declared at San Diego Comic-Con 2024. His portrayal showcases a Sidewinder that deviates from the comics. Sporting an orange-collared outfit, Esposito presents a fresh, relatable villain, eschewing traditional prosthetics.

Sidewinder’s combat style is hands-on compared to his comic counterpart, who usually operated from behind the scenes. Esposito hinted at using more physical tools this time around. Interestingly, he called his character the “King” of the Serpent Society, a title never used in the comics. Could this signify a new chapter for the infamous snake villain?

Currently, Giancarlo Esposito’s Sidewinder rests in MCU custody. However, the window is wide open for future ventures with this captivating antagonist.