Marvel’s Captain America: Brave New World introduces new heroes and villains to the MCU, including the deadly Sidewinder, played by the immensely talented Giancarlo Esposito. But who exactly is this villain, and what does his inclusion mean for the MCU’s future?
Sidewinder has been around in the comics for quite some time, with multiple characters taking on the name. A snake-themed villain, he leads his own crew of criminals called the Serpent Society. Originally founded by characters with snake-like powers, the group functioned almost like a labor union, helping members find work through various crime bosses and organizations. However, the MCU’s version of the Society appears to be far more vicious and dangerous. Esposito has even described his character as “a badass,” and he’s not wrong.
Sidewinder’s Origins In Marvel Comics
Sidewinder’s Backstory Involves Human Experiments, a Common Marvel Theme
Making his debut in Marvel Two-In-One #64 in 1980, Seth Voelker initially led a relatively normal life as an economics professor. He married, had a child, and pursued an academic career, but despite his efforts, Voelker was unable to secure tenure and was ultimately let go from his position.
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This led to a separation from his wife and a renewed job search, which eventually landed him a position as a financial analyst for Roxxon Oil Company. For those unfamiliar, Roxxon is a shady and villainous organization in the Marvel Comics universe. During his time on the job, Voelker was exposed to the various criminal operations of Roxxon, including an experiment designed to create superhumans. After Voelker volunteered for one such experiment, Sidewinder was born.
Though he possesses no actual superpowers, Sidewinder was given special technological implants that allow him to effectively teleport. The implant is also paired with a cloak, which makes him able to teleport anything the cloak is covering as well. Sidewinder’s suit also offers him protection against small arms fire.
Sidewinder’s Involvement With The Serpent Squad and The Serpent Society
Marvel Comics’ Sidewinder Has Been a Part of Multiple Supervillain Teams
While working for Roxxon, Seth Voelker helped create a new version of the Serpent Squad, a precursor to the Serpent Society. The team was tasked with recovering the Serpent Crown from the ocean depths, using an oil platform as their base. Their mission caught the attention of the hero Stingray and, eventually, The Thing of the Fantastic Four. After clashing with the heroes, Sidewinder used his teleportation powers to escape, successfully delivering the crown to Roxxon’s leadership.
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Following this, Sidewinder, along with Diamondback, Puff Adder, Rattler, Cobra, and Anaconda, was hired to assassinate Tony Stark. His original team tracked him down when the mission failed, demanding payment from their first job. Not only did Sidewinder pay them, but he also added an extra 20% for their trouble. It was then that he proposed the idea of forming a new organization to make even more money.
Sidewinder gathered as many snake-themed villains as he could find and pitched what was essentially an illegal yet structured business. Members were promised pensions, medical insurance, guaranteed pay, and even escape services from prison using Seth’s teleportation abilities. Only one person, Constrictor, declined, but the rest agreed, forming the Serpent Society.
Why Sidewinder Left the Serpent Society
Sidewinder Retired But Eventually Returned to a Life of Crime
From this point on, Sidewinder drifted in and out of the Serpent Society and even managed to survive an assassination attempt from Madame Viper, who tried to poison him. Sidewinder was saved by another Serpent Society member, Diamondback, who gave him an antidote. Eventually, he retired as the group’s leader and found himself in a desperate situation: his daughter needed brain surgery, but without insurance or a way to pay for it, he returned to a life of crime.
This led to a confrontation with Diamondback and Captain America. After the fight, Sidewinder agreed to turn himself over the authorities in exchange for his daughter receiving the surgery she needed. A few weeks later, she made a full recovery, and Sidewinder was eventually paroled, retiring from public life. However, he later resurfaced when he was hired by the Assassin’s Guild to help take down some of their former members.
