Rock Python

Origin

A criminal from South Africa, Rock Python joined the Serpent Society under orders from Viper. He aided Viper in her schemes but was quickly defeated by Captain America and his ally Nomad. When abandoned by Viper, Rock Python stuck with the group, forming a close friendship with Puff Adder and Anaconda. Despite being trained with his trick eggs, which have various effects including nerve gas and steel wires, Rock Python’s enemies most often use his own weaponry against him.

Creation

Rock Python was created by Mark Gruenwald and Kieron Dwyer in 1988 and first appeared in Captain America # 341.

Major Story Arcs

Hunt for Diamondback

During Diamondback‘s trial, Rock Python voted innocent, apparently having some sort of attraction to her. However, he was sent alongside Puff Adder and Anaconda to her apartment to ambush Diamondback after she escaped from the Serpent Society. Captain America attacked them, but Rock Python was able to defeat him with his rock-hard skull. He dropped the star-spangled hero from the top of the building, but upon orders from Cobra, had to leave Captain America there before they could see if he had survived the fall.

After their second attempt on Diamondback’s life, by crashing their Serpent Saucer into her building, Rock Python and Puff Adder were thrown from the sky by Modam. They both survived the fall and were taken into custody after telling Captain America of the events. The pair somehow escaped prison and made it back to the Serpent Society, which had taken up in Arizona.

Super Patriot

Most recently, Rock Python was seen alongside the Serpent Society as they attempted to exact their revenge on Diamondback. He was promptly defeated by Captain America and taken into custody.

Brand New Day

Rock Python is hanging out at the Bar With No Name with other villains when a low-life baddie named the Basher calls out Spider-Man on a website. A man called the Bookie begins to take bets on the fight and a number of shady patrons become angry when they realize the Spider-Man that fights the Basher is an imposter. However, the real Spider-Man shows up and discovers that the imposter is the woman known as Screwball. She tells Spider-Man that the Bookie could be found at the villain bar hangout. Spider-Man shows up and a brief scuffle occurs. Rock Python takes a punch to the face but the bartender stops the fight and Spider-Man leaves when he gets the information he needs on the Bookie.

He later got a job as a security guard at a bank, and was visited by his old enemy Nomad, who convinced Rock Python to give up a life of crime.

The Hunted

Rock Python along with various members of the Serpent Society were hunted by the criminals Kraven the Hunter, Taskmaster, and Black Ant and were than taken captive. He with his former comrades would be held in electric cages by the murderous villain Arcade for a super-hunt, all forced to participate. Spider-Man along with others did come and rescue the captives defeating Arcade and the other villains.

Powers & Abilities

Rock Python has skin, muscle, and bones that are rock-hard, much like a rock python snake. He is impervious to high caliber arms fire, powerful explosions, intense heat, and deadly impacts. He has the normal strength, speed, stamina, and agility of a man his age. He is a physically fit man who engages in routine intense exercise. He has also demonstrated a fair amount of combat skills in the field however he was no match for Captain America or Nomad.

Weapons & Paraphernalia

Rock Python carries little gimmick “snake eggs” which, upon impact, release various substances such as smoke bombs, acids, plastic explosives, and “snake wrap”: explosive-launched inch wide, razor-sharp steel alloy metallic ribbons designed to ensnare opponents like bolas and immobilize them, and are approximately 25 feet (7.6 m) in length.

In Other Media

Merchandise

• Rock Python was featured in Hasbro’s Marvel Legends as part of the Professor Hulk Avengers: Endgame tie-in wave.