Death Adder
(Theodore Scott)
Context
This character was an attempt by the Serpent Society to replace the then-deceased Death Adder.
Is there enough material for a writeup ? I’m not sure. So, out of doubt, let’s have one.
Sometimes, a story needs this sort of obscure, undeveloped baddie.
Sequence
You should first read :
- The profile for the original Death Adder (Roland Burroughs).
- The Serpent Society team profile. That one’s not indispensable, but there’s more context about the missions he was on.
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Background
- Real Name: Theodore “Ted” Scott.
- Known Relatives: None.
- Group Affiliation: Serpent Society, Thunderbolts Army, Serpent Solutions.
- Base of Operations: Unrevealed.
- Height: 5’7″ (1.70 m). Weight: 159 lbs. (71 Kg.)
- Eyes: Unrevealed. Hair: Unrevealed.
Powers & Abilities
Scott received enhancements and equipment that seem identical to Burroughs’.
- Amphibious physiology.
- Reinforced muscles.
- Poison tail.
- Soft ballistic body armour.
- Poison claws.
- Etc..
He likely wasn’t as skilled and tough a fighter as Burroughs. But it’s more based on generalities about minor successors to a villain identity. There isn’t enough actual data to be more definite.
History
(In some cases, it is ambiguous whether a Death Adder appearance is Burroughs or Scott. I went with the Fandom appearances list wherever there are no secondary sources statement.)
During the launch of the Serpent Society, Sidewinder (Seth Voelker) had applicants steal abandoned Brand Corporation equipment.
These machines had been used to create the Serpent Squad that he commanded. Including Death Adder.
The replacement killer
This equipment presumably is what was used to empower Ted Scott.
But it took years to gather the money and expertise. The enhancement likely took place in 2004.
(Secondary sources mention that Death Adder had a strong track record and image. Cobra thus felt that having a successor would be good for business, which he sorely needed. And enough time had passed since Burroughs’ death that it didn’t feel wrong to the others.)
The Serpent Society was back then much less active, following a mass arrest in 2004. It is possible that Death Adder was part of a three-man crew (with Bushmaster (Quincy McIver) and Rattler (Gustav Krueger)) directed by King Cobra (Klaus Voorhees).
This crew joined the “Thunderbolts Army” during the super-heroic Civil War. Then deserted during the Universal Wellspring mess.
Adder better stronger
Mr. Scott took part in several engagements.
- The post-Secret-Invasion attempt to establish a Skrulls-free, closed community in Ohio.
- A Serpent hit team hired by Mister Negative to kill Anole (Victor Borkowski) and Rockslide (Santo Vaccarro).
- The abduction of Sgt. Marcus Johnson (the future Nick Fury, Jr.). However, Deadpool came in and ruined everything. As he does.
- A contract with the Assassin’s Guild to kill ex-assassin Cape Crow. But the Serpents on that hit team were all defeated and wounded by Elektra Natchios.
Death Adder also was on the board of Serpent Solutions (CEO – Viper (Jordan Dixon)), and the later attempts at reviving that company.
However, he wasn’t present during the Wall Street fight against Captain America (Sam Wilson). Perhaps he had been defeated by Misty Knight when she invaded their offices.
You could make a killing
In 2016, Death Adder was among those Serpents present at an underworld auction. Deadpool was selling a damaged Rigellian Recorder alien robot.
The auction briefly degenerated into a fight, but was brought back under control.
In 2018, Death Adder and Black Mamba (Tanya Sealy) worked again with the Assassin’s Guild. They were part of an ambush set by Bella Donna Boudreaux against an invading Deadpool.
However, Adder was hit in the brow by a shuriken, and seemingly killed.
Adνеrtisеmеnt
Description
Scott’s size has varied – from gaunt to larger than Elektra. So I’ve just used his OHOTMU numbers.
Personality
A taciturn killer.
DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Death Adder (Scott)
| Dex: 05 | Str: 06 | Bod: 05 |
| Int: 04 | Wil: 04 | Min: 04 |
| Inf: 03 | Aur: 03 | Spi: 04 |
| Init: 012 | HP: 020 |
Powers:
Extra limb (tail): 07, Skin armour: 02, Swimming: 05, Ultra-vision: 04, Water freedom: 07
Bonuses and Limitations:
Skin armour only vs. attacks at the eyes (such as a spray of mace).
Skills:
Thief (Stealth): 04, Vehicles (SEAL): 03
Advantages:
None demonstrated.
Connections:
Serpent Society/Solutions (Low), Underworld (Low).
Drawbacks:
Distinct Appearance.
Motivation:
Mercenary.
Occupation:
Assassin.
Wealth:
004
Equipment:
- BODY ARMOUR [BODY 05, Grappling immunity: 02, Skin Armour: 02, Limitation: Skin Armour only vs. Ballistic Descriptors].
- CLAWS [BODY 10, Enhance (EV): 02 (cap is 10)].
- POISON INJECTORS [BODY 04, Poison touch: 08, Flash: 11, Bonus: Poison touch and Flash are Combined, Note: Flash is based on a toxin rather than bright light (Systemic Antidote applies, but not Shade)].
Design Notes
Lack of data means that the stats have to be arbitrary. The assumption is “like Burroughs, but not as fearsome” – but even then we didn’t see Burroughs in action that much.
*If* the original Death Adder had regenerative powers, it is possible that Scott does too.
Source of Character: Marvel Comics.
Writeup completed on the 26th of October, 2021.