Copperhead

Origin

Nothing is known about the life of the criminal known as Copperhead before he first appeared in Gotham City, confounding the police with a series of rapid-fire thefts. Using his unique uniform, the serpentine king of crime stole a variety of precious gems and artifacts before he was apprehended through the combined efforts of Batman, Batgirl and Wonder Woman.

Creation

Copperhead was created by writer Bob Haney and artist Bob Brown.

Note: There is another New 52 Copperhead, who is a female : Copperhead II

Character Evolution

Bronze Age / Earth-One

After spending several years in prison, Copperhead finally managed to escape with the aid of an old colleague who smuggled him a new and improved snake suit. Once outside the prison walls, Copperhead learned that his new costume had been provided by the Secret Society of Super Villains who invited him to become one of their founding members. Accepting the invitation, Copperhead served on and off with the ever-changing organization until it apparently dissolved.

Modern Age / New Earth

Copperhead I

Following the reboot of the DC Universe, after Crisis on Infinite Earths. Much of Copperhead’s past from Earth-One were kept and rolled into his New Earth version. Copperhead was killed by Manhunter, but he came back from the dead as a Black Lantern during the Blackest Night event.

The New 52 / Prime Earth

The DC Universe reboot after Flashpoint event, in the New 52 Universe. Copperhead is more snake like being. He is slain by Deathstroke, after Martian Manhunter infiltrates the Secret Society in the guise of Catwoman.

Major Story Arcs

Modern Age / New Earth:

Street Justice

For more information see: Street Justice

Copperhead is arrested for killing and eating at least 15 people. He is put on trial and tried by Kate Spencer, but he gets off not guilty by reason of genetic anomaly. While being transported back to holding Copperhead breaks out and kills his escorts.

He then tries to kill more people but he is attacked by Manhunter. Copperhead is then killed by Manhunter, when she shoots an energy bolt through his head. Manhunter then leaves Copperheads body in the sewer with the word MANHUNTER scrolled on the wall.

While Copperhead’s body is in the morgue, it is visited by his old friend Shadow-Thief, who takes some of his teeth to remember him by. Then later after Copperhead’s body is buried, Shadow-thief uses his powers to reanimate the corpse and attack Manhunter again. During this battle Manhunter destroys Copperhead’s body again. Copperhead has been identified as one of the deceased entombed below the Hall of Justice.

Blackest Night

In Blackest Night, Copperhead was kept in the Hall of Justice’s morgue, but has been resurrected by the Black Lantern Corps. He is now helping the Black Lantern Justice League members along with Dr. Light, Alexander Luthor of Earth-3, Maxwell Lord and many other dead Justice League villains.

The New 52 / Prime Earth:

The Secret Society

Copperhead, much more serpentine in appearance, battled Black Canary in Baltimore. He was unaffected by her sonic scream, but was eventually blinded by a billboard behind them caused by the Justice League. This allowed Black Canary to quickly defeat Copperhead. Copperhead’s look is reminiscent to the look from Neron when Copperhead sold his sole. Copperhead catches Catwoman within the mansion, whichThe Secret Society calls a headquarters and wraps his arms around her until she becomes unconscious.

Copperhead is on a mission with Deathstroke with Blockbuster, Shadow Thief , and Giganta. Copperhead has coiled up Batman when Deathstroke shoots him in the head and joins the villains because without hunting heroes he has no reason to live.

Powers and Abilities

Copperhead has snake-suit that allow him to bend and flex his body extreme ways.

Other Version

Tiny Titans

Copperhead appeared in Tiny Titans books.

In other media

Television

Justice League and Justice League Unlimited

Copperhead appears in JL and JLU as a recurring villain most notably in the episode “Injustice For All”. in “Injustice For All”, Copperhead is a member of the Injustice Gang. He is interrogated by Batman, and is soon taken off to jail. He later appears in the episode “Fury”. Aresia recruits him for her new Injustice Gang, but betrays him when she reveals that she plots to rid the world all of men. He next appears in “Kid Stuff, and is quickly taken down by Green Lantern. He later joins the Legion Of Doom.

Batman: The Brave and the Bold

Copperhead appears with the Batman in ‘The Brave and The Bold’ episode titled “Legend of the Dark Mite”.

Films

Superman/Batman: Public Enemies

Superman/Batman: Public Enemies (2009), direct-to-disk animated film. Copperhead appears in the film.

Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay

Copperhead is introduced as Sameer Park, a man obsessed with body modifications which include an extendable jaw, filed/sharpened teeth into fangs, a poison ejection system in the mouth, and a prehensile biomechanical tail.

Video Games

Batman: The Brave and the Bold

He appears as one of the minor bosses of the game. He tries to escape of Black Gate and release several prisoners to fight batman and blue beetle.