Fer-de-Lance (comics)

Fer-de-Lance (Teresa Vasquez) is a fictional super villain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

Publication history

Fer-de-Lance first appeared in Captain America #337 (January 1988) and was created by Mark Gruenwald and Tom Morgan.

Fictional character biography

Teresa Vasquez was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Hired as a personal assassin for the Viper, Fer-de-Lance and her allies Puff Adder, Black Racer, and Copperhead, the fourth Serpent Squad, pulled a number of bank heists in Las Vegas. Fer-de-Lance was trained in battle with razor-edged claws that retract from her gloves and boots. During one of their casino robberies, Captain America and his allies Falcon, Nomad, and Demolition-Man intervened and defeated the group of professional criminals, placing them in jail.^[1] Soon after, Fer-de-Lance and the others were rescued by Sidewinder,^[2] and initiated into the Serpent Society. However, she was secretly a double agent of the Viper, and enabled the Viper to teleport into Serpent Society headquarters.^[3]

Fer-de-Lance feigned a friendship with Diamondback during her first night with the Serpent Society, but quickly turned on her when Viper's scheme to overthrow Sidewinder as leader of the criminal organization succeeded. Betraying Sidewinder and Diamondback, Fer-de-Lance was the first to find the pair hiding in a control room. During the skirmish, Fer-de-Lance lunged at Diamondback, who promptly dodged her attack. Fer-de-Lance, pressing her retractable razors into a computer, suffered an electric shock and was defeated.^[4] After Viper abandoned the group of mercenaries, Fer-de-Lance continued to serve with the Serpent Society.

During one mission with the Serpent Society, Fer-de-Lance and her comrades Copperhead and Diamondback were ambushed by the mysterious Mister Jip. Later, at Diamondback's trial, Fer-de-Lance voted guilty.^[5] After Diamondback escaped, Fer-de-Lance and Cottonmouth were sent to spy on the Avengers headquarters. They later returned to the Serpent Citadel, but were attacked by Captain America, who shattered Fer-de-Lance's razors. After the battle, she and Cottonmouth, along with the defeated Serpent Society members Cobra, Bushmaster, Coachwhip, Black Racer, and Rattler were sent to the Vault.^[6]

Subsequently, Fer-de-Lance has also appeared with the Serpent Society as they battled Jack Flag, but was defeated by Force Works.^[7] Most recently, Fer-de-Lance was seen with the group as they attempted to exact revenge on Diamondback for her earlier betrayal, and auction Captain America off to several of his enemies. Captain America eventually escaped, and together with Diamondback defeated Fer-de-Lance and the Serpent Society.^[8]

She appeared in Brand New Day as one of the villains in The Bar With No Name.^[9]

During the Secret Invasion storyline, Fer-de-Lance rejoined the Serpent Society. The Society held a number of civilians hostage in a compound in the American Midwest claiming they were protecting themselves from the Skrulls. However, they were easily defeated by Nova and his new Nova Corps.^[10]

As part of the All-New, All-Different Marvel, Fer-de-Lance appears as a member of Viper's Serpent Society under its new name Serpent Solutions.^[11]

Powers and abilities

Due to a chemical enhancement of her musculature, Fer-de-Lance possesses enhanced strength and durability. She wears two retractable 8-inch (200 mm) omnium steel razor-edged claws which fit into a forearm sheath, one on each arm. She also has two 3-inch (76 mm) long spring-loaded retractable omnium steel spikes which extend from the toes of her boots.

She has extensive experience in street-fighting techniques.

Teresa Vasquez also speaks Spanish.

References

External links

• Fer-de-Lance at the Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe