William Drake

Real Name
William Robert Drake 

Occupation
Unrevealed
 
Citizenship
U.S.A.
 
Place of Birth
Unrevealed
 
Known Relative

Madeline Beatrice Bass Drake (wife), Anne Drake (sister), Mary Drake (neice), Joel Drake (nephew), Robert "Bobby" Drake (Iceman, son) 

Group Affiliation
None

Education
Unrevealed 

Height
Unrevealed

Weight
Unrevealed

Eyes
Blue

Hair
Brown

Powers
None

Abilities
William is not a mutant like his son and possesses no special powers, but he does has above-average strength for a man his age.

Other Info
William Robert Drake was a very strict man whom lived happily with his wife Madeline Drake and their son Bobby. At first, William Drake had great problems with his son being a mutant. He was mad at him for being a mutant and hoped to conceal it from their neighbors. However, when Bobby was chased down by an angry mob of townspeople (he put a bully temporarily in a block of ice to protect his grilfriend), William and his wife protected their son from harm. Soon after, he sent Bobby with Charles Xavier to his School for Gifted Youngsters in hope of letting him cope with his mutant powers. (To learn about the above highlighted characters and/or place, just click on their names above.)

William and his son never had an easy relationship. At one point, both William and Bobby got into a fight about a girl Bobby was dating, and William admitted to still having problems with his son being a mutant. A falling out occurred and the two rarely spoke to each other.

When mutant-hating hysteria broke loose during Operation: Zero Tolerance, William defended his son and tried taking down the sponsor behind Operation: Zero Tolerance--Bastion. However, William paid dearly for that. He was beaten up nearly to death by two of Bastion's body-guards. Before, Bobby thought his father hated him, but once and for all, Bobby knew how his father really felt about him, despite his problems with him being a mutant. (To learn about the program and/or character, just click on the highlighted names above. Also, the fifth picture posted shows William in the hospital after he was nearly killed.)

William eventually recovered from his wounds and now lives a peaceful life again with his wife.

There is nothing there, but click on the following link to William Drake's bio on Marvel.com, http://marvel.com/universe/Drake,_Willam.

Lord Shingen

Real Name
Shingen Yashida

Occupation
Former head of Clan Yashida, Yakuza
 
Citizenship
Japanese
 
Place of Birth
Unrevealed location in Japan
 
Known Relatives
Saburo Yoshida (brother, deceased); Tomo Yoshida (brother, deceased); Kenuichio Harada (Silver Samurai, son, deceased); Mariko Yashida (daughter, deceased); Noburu-Hideki (son-in-law, deceased); Amiko Kobayashi (adoptive granddaughter); Shin Harada (Silver Samurai, grandson); Shiro Yoshida (Sunfire, nephew); Leyu Yoshida (Sunpyre, niece, deceased); Yoshi (nephew, deceased); Ichiro (nephew); Fukuko (niece by marriage); Rikuto (grandnephew, deceased)
 
Group Affiliation
Clan Yashida
 
Education
Unrevealed

Height
5'10"

Weight
185 lbs.
 
Eyes
Brown

Hair
Bald


Powers
None

Abilities
Shingen Yashida was in peak physical condition despite his age and was one of the finest swordsmen in all of Japan. Highly intelligent, Shingen had extensive knowledge of human anatomy, pressure points, and also great knowledge of poisons and assassination techniques. He was highly skilled in the management of criminal organizations and very well connected in the international criminal underworld, particularly in areas of drug traffic. 

Other Info
Shingen Yashida was a Japanese Yakuza crime boss who disgraced his family name by turning his family clan into a criminal empire known as Clan Yashida. Lord Shingen was a master martial artist, a student of Bushido who specialized in sword fighting and pressure point attacks. He was the father of two children: a daughter named  Mariko Yashida and an illegitimate son named Kenuichio Harada. (To learn about the team and/or characters above, just click on their highlighted names.)

To settle a personal debt occurred in his rise to power, Lord Shingen forced Mariko (who was in love with Wolverine) to marry Noburu Hideki--another criminal boss. Hideki was cruel and beat Mariko. (To learn about Wolverine, click on his name above.)

After this, Shingen sent out his assassin, Yukio, to poison Wolverine and to bring the mutant to him. Lord Shingen then challenged Wolverine in his poisoned-state to battle. Shingen used his expert knowledge of human anatomy to secretly attack Wolverine's nerve endings in such a way to make the duel life-threatening. During the battle, Mariko was unaware that her father had saturated Wolverine's body with enough lethal poison to kill several dozen ordinary men or that her father was the one who was actually cheating in the duel and trying to actually kill Wolverine. So, when Wolverine attempted to use his claws against Shingen to save his own life, it appeared to Mariko that Wolverine was cheating in the duel. This had the effect of disgracing Wolverine in front of Mariko, which was Lord Shingen's design all along. Lord Shingen took advantage of this and mocked Wolverine and pointing out to his daughter that Wolverine's actions confirmed that he truly was an animal unworthy of Mariko's love. After Shingen defeated Wolverine, he ordered that his body be dumped onto the streets of Tokyo.  (Click on the highlighted name above to learn about Yukio.)

Soon after, Shingen ordered Yukio to slay a rival crimelord named Katsuyori, who was planning to kill Hideki, Mariko's husband. Yukio found Wolverine and manipulated him to come with her to kill Katsuyori. After this was done, Lord Shingen ordered Yukio to kill Wolverine; however, she ignored the order due to her crush on Wolverine. Therefore, Shingen sent the Hand to enforce his will. While battling with the ninjas of the Hand, Wolverine went into a berserker rage and battled the assassins. Mariko learned of her father's doings and vowed to kill him to prevent further dishonor from falling on Clan Yashida.

When Wolverine attacked the Lord Shingen's stronghold, Mariko's husband, Noburu Hideki, attempted to flee with his wife, threatening to kill Mariko unless he was allowed to escape. However, Mariko was saved by Yukio who slew Hideki. This lead to the final battle between Lord Shingen and Wolverine. Wolverine asked Lord Shingen if he was finally worthy, and Lord Shingen unsheathed the family Honor Sword and responded to him that he would see as only one would live at the end of their battle. Lord Shingen using his family sword, and Wolverine using his claws, they fought mercilessly cutting and slicing one another. But, Wolverine had the upper-hand due to his healing factor. At one point, Lord Shingen even managed to stab Wolverine clean through his torso. However, Wolverine used this opportunity to grab Lord Shingen, keeping him from disengaging, and finished him off.

More recently, Lord Shingen was resurrected by Phaedra as part of her campaign of revenge against Wolverine. In addition, Phaedra had "stolen" a piece of Wolverine's soul during his brief period under the Hand's control and turned it into a warrior (Shogun) under her command. Although Wolverine killed Phaedra and reclaimed his soul, Shingen apparently survived. His current whereabouts are unknown. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn about the different characters.)

There is nothing there, but her is the link to Lord Shingen's bio on Marvel.com, http://marvel.com/universe/Yashida,_Shingen.

Mariko Yashida

Real Name
Mariko Yashida

Occupation
Former head of Clan Yashida
 
Citizenship
Japanese
 
Place of Birth
Agarashima, Japan
 
Known Relatives
Shingen Harada (father, deceased), Noburu-Hideki (husband, deceased), Kenuichio Harada (Silver Samurai, half-brother), Shiro Yoshida (Sunfire, cousin), Saburo Yashida (cousin, deceased), Tomo Yashida (cousin, deceased), Leyu Yoshida (Sunpyre, cousin, deceased), Amiko Kobayashi (foster daughter) 
 
Group Affiliation 
Formerly Clan Yashida (oyabun--boss)

Education
Unrevealed

Height
5' 0"

Weight
100 lbs.
 
Eyes
Brown

Hair
Black 

Powers
None

Abilities
Mariko Yashida was an accomplished businesswoman and leader. 

Other Info
Mariko Yashida was the daughter of Japanese crimelord Lord Shingen--leader of Clan Yashida. When the X-Men sought the help of her cousin, Sunfire, Mariko met Wolverine for the first time. Although she was a first scared by the ferocious-looking Wolverine, Mariko found herself attracted to him. Similarly, Wolverine was charmed by her beauty and refined manner. The two ended up spending a great deal of time together in Japan, ultimately falling in love when she visited him in New York. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn about the characters and/or teams.)

Unfortunately, Mariko was forced by her father to marry Noburu Hideki--one of her father's criminal associates. He was a cruel man who beat Mariko. When Wolverine learned of the abuse he went to rescue her; however, Mariko refused to leave with him, feeling duty-bound to obey her father’s wishes.

Soon after, Wolverine was poisoned by Lord Shingen's assassin, Yukio, who brought him to Shingen. In a poisoned-state, Lord Shingen challenged Wolverine to battle. During the battle, Mariko was unaware that her father was actually trying to kill Wolverine and was shocked when Wolverine retaliated with deadly force. Noticing her dismay, Wolverine lost the will to fight and was beaten. (To learn about Yukio, click on the highlighted name above. Note: Beware of the low-cut outfit on Yukio's bio page.)

Later on, Lord Shingen ordered his assassin, Yukio, to kill a rival crimelord named Katsuyori, who was planning to kill Hideki. Wolverine accompanied Yukio and when they were attacked by assassins, he attacked back in a berserker rage. Horrified, Mariko fled back to her Shingen’s stronghold. Repulsed by her father's crimes, she vowed to kill him to prevent further dishonor to Clan Yashida. When Wolverine attacked the stronghold, Mariko's husband attempted to flee with his wife, threatening to kill Mariko unless he was allowed to escape. However, Mariko was saved by Yukio who slew Hideki. After this, Wolverine slew Lord Shingen in a savage duel. With their deaths, Mariko became head of Clan Yashida, and Mariko and Wolverine announced their engagement.

At one point, a giant dragon rampaged through Tokyo and Wolverine noticed a dying woman with her baby girl. The mother made Wolverine promise to take care of her daughter with her dying breath. Mariko and Wolverine fostered Amiko Kobayashi as their own. As Wolverine was serving with the X-Men, Mariko took care of Amiko. (To learn about Amiko, click on the highlighted name above.)

As the wedding approached, the X-Men’s long-time foe Mastermind used his psionic powers to compel Mariko to call off the wedding and strengthen Clan Yashida’s criminal ties. However, after Mastermind was defeated, Mariko felt shame at the actions she had performed under his control. Therefore, Mariko vowed to break Clan Yashida’s criminal connections, feeling that she could not marry Wolverine until she did so. Soon, Mariko became a force in the Japanese criminal underworld; however, her authority was soon challenged by both Matsuo Tsurayaba (leader of the ninja clan the Hand) and her own half-brother, Kenuichio Harada (Silver Samurai). Wolverine and his allies fought the Hand on her behalf, but when Mariko sought to make peace, Tsurayaba poisoned her. Wishing to avoid a prolonged death, Mariko begged Wolverine to grant her a quick death, which he reluctantly did. (To learn about the highlighted characters and/or team, just click on their names above. Note: Beware of the revealing outfit worn by one in the background of the Mastermind's bio page.)

To learn a little bit more about Mariko Yashida, click on the following link, http://marvel.com/universe/Yashida,_Mariko.

Yukio

Real Name
Yukio (full name unrevealed)

Occupation 
Ronin, adventurer, formerly assassin, mercenary
 
Citizenship
Japanese
 
Place of Birth
Unrevealed location in Japan
 
Known Relatives
Amiko Kobayashi (unofficial adopted daughter)
 
Group Affiliation
Mutant Underground, former employee of Lord Shingen

Education
Unrevealed

Height
5' 9"

Weight
130 lbs.

Eyes
Brown

Hair
Black

Powers 
None

Abilities
Yukio is a formidable hand-to-hand combatant with considerable expertise in Japanese martial arts. She is an expert with hurling bladed weapons with deadly accuracy, and is also a superb all-round athlete with great agility.

Other Info
Little is known about the early life of the woman known as Yukio. However, what is known is that in her youth she trained vigorously in multiple martial arts, under many martial arts masters. She considered herself a ronin (samurai without a master). Eventually, Yukio developed associations with with underground or notorious figures as a mercenary, thief, and assassin. Due to this, Yukio often found herself on the wrong side of the law. Interestingly, during her years of criminal activities, Yukio came into contact with a young Cajun thief named Gambit. Yukio spent a lot of time traveling, finding herself in various countries throughout the world. (To learn about Gambit, click on his highlighted name above.)

Eventually, she became an assassin for the Japanese crimelord Lord Shingen--leader of Clan Yashida. As part of Shingen’s campaign against Wolverine, Yukio poisoned Wolverine and brought him before Shingen who proceeded to shame him in battle. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn more about the characters and/or team.)

Soon after, Yukio grew to know Wolverine more and more and she developed a crush on him. When Lord Shingen ordered Yukio to slay a rival crimelord named Katsuyori, Wolverine accompanied Yukio. When they were attacked by assassins, he attacked back in a berserker rage. Shingen's daughter, Mariko, learned of her father's doing and vowed vowed to kill him to prevent further dishonor from falling on Clan Yashida. When Wolverine attacked the stronghold, Mariko's husband, Noburu Hideki, attempted to flee with Mariko, threatening to kill her unless he was allowed to escape. However, Mariko was saved by Yukio who slew Hideki. Wolverine then slew Lord Shingen in a savage duel, making Mariko head of Clan Yashida. Mariko and Wolverine were reunited and they announced their engagement. Eventually, she manipulated Wolverine into helping her kill Shingen’s rival, Katsuyori. As Wolverine and Shingen's daugther--Mariko--fell in love, Yukio decided to move on and  maintained a friendship with Wolverine instead. (To learn about Mariko Yashida, click on her name above.)

Later, Wolverine invited the X-Men to Japan for his wedding to Mariko, which Yukio joined as well. However, during a dinner that Wolverine hosted for them, the Viper and the Silver Samurai poisoned the X-Men. Wolverine, tasting the poison, warned Storm and knocked the cup from her hand before she could drink it. While the others were recuperating from the attack, Storm, Wolverine, Rogue (who had been largely unaffected), and Yukio went after Viper and the Silver Samurai to stop their assassination attempt of Mariko. Yukio posed as a decoy, disguising herself as Mariko to lead them away from her. During their altercation with Viper and Silver Samurai, Storm blasted the Silver Samurai with her lightning, finding to her horror that her powers were out of control. Storm drew the lightning back into herself, nearly electrocuting herself in the process. Yukio knocked Storm out of the path of her lightning bolts and dove with her into the nearby bay, enabling them to escape from the Silver Samurai. From this, Yukio and Storm's friendship began. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn about the team and/or characters. Note: Beware of the extremely revealing outfits worn by Storm on her bio page--block images if possible.)

Yukio later joined the Mutant Underground (a network of informants, spies, and operatives who aid Professor X in overseeing mutants and mutant rights activities around the world). Her activities led her to be targeted by the techno-organic alien collective the Phalanx. Fleeing to New York, Yukio allied with the X-Men and helped defeat the aliens. (To learn about the team, character, and/or race, just click on their highlighted names above.)

Later on, after the death of Mariko Yashida, Wolverine sent his adopted daughter, Amiko Kobayashi, to a foster family. He later discovered that her new foster parents were abusive and only interested in the money. Therefore, Wolverine took Amiko away from them and entrusted the care of his foster daughter to Yukio, who promised to raise her as if she were her own. This unofficial adoption was under the protection of the Silver Samurai--now an ally of Wolverine. Yukio trained Amiko in the martial arts and to her own surprise she enjoyed her new role as a mother. (To learn about Amiko, click on her highlighted name above.)

Sometime later, Yukio and Amiko were captured by a faction of the ninja clan the Hand, but they were rescued by Wolverine. However, Amiko remained partially within the Hand's thrall. When Yukio aided the ninja Elektra against the Hand, Amiko warned the assassins of her activities. Nevertheless, Yukio and Elektra escaped their encounter unharmed--although it remains unclear if the Hand maintained any hold over Amiko's mind. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn about the team and/or character. Note: Beware of the very skin-tight outfit worn by Elektra on her bio page.)

At one point, Sabretooth targeted Wolverine's friends and family by hiring Omega Red and Lady Deathstrike to kidnap Amiko. Yukio fought the two, but was overpowered and seriously injured--leaving her in a wheelchair. When Wolverine visited Yukio in the hospital, she asked him to kill her as she was unwilling to live as a paraplegic; however, Wolverine refused. (To learn about the characters above, just click on their highlighted names. Note: Beware of the revealing outfit on Lady Deathstrike's bio page. Also, Yukio in a wheelchair is shown in the fifth picture posted above.) 

After some time, Yukio fully recovered from her injuries and was seen teaming up with Storm to enter the Arena (a fight club for mutants). In the end Yukio, Storm, and Callisto took over the Arena. (To learn about Callisto, click on her highlighted name above. Note: Beware of the very revealing outfit on her bio page.)

Later on, Wolverine's girlfriend, Melita Garner, was being hunted and she called Yukio for help (using one of the emergency numbers given to her by Wolverine). Unfortunately, while still on the phone, Yukio was attacked by "Hellverine" (a demonic being who had taken over Wolverine's body in order to kill his loved ones). Soon after, Amiko returned from school, and after a brief fight and a few words between Amiko and Hellverine, Yukio attacked from behind, stunning Hellverine long enough for the Yukio and Amiko to escape out the window. Unfortunately, Yukio was seen motionless on the ground, appearing to have died from the fall.

More recently, Yukio was seen alive in Japan; however, she was once again in a wheelchair due to being permanently paralyzed from the waist down from her previous fall. However, for a ronin, it was not as big of a disadvantage as one may think. Yukio still has her mastery of martial arts and is still able to take down many armed men with a bowstaff in hand.

To learn a little bit more about Yukio, click on the following link, http://marvel.com/universe/Yukio. (Note: Beware of the low-cut outfit worn on her bio page.)

In the film, The Wolverine, Yukio appears to have the power to see the deaths of people before they happen. Which is a slightly different twist from the original comic book version.

Viper

Real Name
Ophelia Sarkissian

Occupation
Ruler of Madripoor, HYDRA leader; former terrorist, mercenary, subversive, smuggler

Citizenship
Hungary; criminal record in the USA and Bulgaria

Place of Birth
Székesfehérvár, Hungary

Known Relatives
Unidentified parents (deceased); unidentified sisters (presumably deceased); James Howlett (Wolverine), ex-husband

Group Affiliation
HYDRA; formerly H.A.M.M.E.R.; Hellfire Club (Inner Circle); ally of the Red Skull; servant of Chthon; employer of Silver Samurai and Boomerang; leader of Fangs, Serpent Society, and Serpent Squad

Education
Unrevealed

Height 
5'9"

Weight
140 lbs.  

Eyes
Green

Hair
Black, often dyed green

Powers
As a result of her pact with the Elder God Chthon, the Viper has slowed her aging process.

Abilities
Viper is a superb athlete and adept in martial arts, marksmanship, and the use of a bullwhip. She is proficient in the use of toxins and poisons, often creating her very own poisons for whatever a given situation dictates. Viper herself is immune to most toxins and has always found interesting and different ways for spreading her toxins, such as hollow fangs or poisoned lipstick. She herself has built up an immunity to most forms of venom and toxins.

Other Info
Ophelia Sarkissian was born in Hungary during the 1920’s. At a young age, Ophelia was orphaned due to her parents' death in a political revolution. In escaping the war-torn country, an unspecified accident scarred the right side of Ophelia's face; therefore, to compensate, she began wearing her hair so that it hid her disfigurement. As she struggled for survival in Europe, she found crime to be her only means of survival. (Viper's slightly disfigured face can be seen in the last picture posted.)

At some point, Ophelia entered into a pact with the Elder God Chthon, who was trapped in the mountain of Wundagore. This pact greatly slowed Ophelia's aging process, allowing her to become a fearsome mercenary and criminal as the years passed. (To learn about the character and/or place, just click on their highlighted names.)

Later, on the island of Madripoor, Ophelia found a mentor in Seraph--an adventurer and guardian against the ninja clan the Hand. The two once helped rescue Logan (aka Wolverine) from his arch-nemesis Sabretooth. Afterward, Logan also became one of Seraph’s pupils. However, before Seraph passed away, she made Wolverine swear an oath of loyalty to Ophelia. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn about the characters and/or team.)

Eventually, Ophelia was recruited into the terrorist organization called HYDRA. She quickly worked her way to the highest ranks. When the Supreme Hydra, Baron Wolfgang von Strucker, was believed to have died in the destruction of Hydra Island, the organization fragmented. Acting on this opportunity, Ophelia seized control of the faction operating out of New York City and now referred to herself as "Madame Hydra." Her first major operation as Madame Hydra was the attempted contamination of New York City's water supply; however, she was thwarted by Captain America and Rick Jones. For revenge, she launched a series of heat-seeking missiles at Captain America; but, Madame Hydra failed to kill him, seemingly dying herself. (To learn about the team, characters, and/or place highlighted above, just click on their names. Note: Beware of the revealing outfit worn by one in the background on Rick Jones' bio page.)

However, instead of dying, Ophelia was actually taken by one of the alien Space Phantoms. The alien took on Madame Hydra's physical form and appearance and transported Ophelia into the extra-dimensional Limbo. When her form had served its purpose, the Space Phantom returned to Limbo and Ophelia was returned to Earth, although she had since lost her position as HYDRA's leader. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn about the race and/or place.)

Wanting to regain her place with the international criminal elite, Ophelia reorganized the Serpent Squad and killed the original Viper and adopted his alias "Viper." Her new team joined Krang, in recovering the Serpent Crown (an ancient artifact that is mystically tied to the evil Elder God Set.) Viper tried to use the Crown (wanting to link to Set's essence and mind to gain great magic power and use the power for world domination); however, she was defeated by Captain America (as Nomad) and seemed to perish as the building collapsed around her. (To learn about the above highlighted team, characters, place, and/or item, just click on their names.)

Once again surviving a seeming death, Viper went on to organize her own international terrorist organization. Upon doing so, she hired the Silver Samurai as her personal bodyguard. In this position, she was opposed by many superheros such as Spider-Man, Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew), Captain America, Black Widow (Natasha Romanov), Shang-Chi, S.H.I.E.L.D., the X-Men, and the New Mutants. One time, she even tried to take over and crash the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier into the United States Capitol Building during a presidential address to Congress, but the government officials were saved by Spider-Man teaming up with Nick Fury. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn about the different characters, team, and/or vehicle. Note: Beware of the very form-fitting/revealing outfits on Spider-Woman, Black Widow, and the background on Nick Fury's bio pages.)

At one point, when the throne of Madripoor was left without an heir, Viper brainwashed many of the women in the life of Wolverine in order for them to capture him and bring Wolverine to her. She reminded Wolverine of his old debt to Seraph, their mutual mentor. Following his code of giri (or honorable debt), Wolverine agreed to marry Viper. The Viper had gambled that Wolverine's respectability in Madripoor would enable her to seize the throne. She also used him, along with Sabretooth and Shadowcat, to foil both HYDRA and the Hand's attempts to control the island. Soon after, the Viper was installed as the ruling princess of Madripoor. (Click on the highlighted name above to learn about Shadowcat.)

Later, the demonic ninja spirit named Ogun attacked and, after failing to possess Wolverine, possessed Viper. In order to exorcise the spirit, Wolverine seriously wounded Viper. In return for ensuring Viper receive medical treatment, Wolverine made her agree to divorce him. (Click on the highlighted name above to learn about Ogun.)

After some time, Viper has seen working for HYDRA once again. She tried to place Spider-Woman as a double-agent within S.H.I.E.L.D.--using HYDRA resources to restore the powers that she lost some time ago. Spider-Woman agreed to the exchange, but grew uncomfortable with the arrangement. When Spider-Woman was later offered membership in the Avengers, Viper urged her to accept the offer and continue being a double-agent for them as well. The situation came to a head when the Avengers captured Viper when she was attempting to restore the Silver Samurai in a position of power to take over the Japanese underworld. Viper forced Spider-Woman to help her escape from the plane. In the end, the escape endangered Captain America, who was tossed from the plane, and Spider-Woman helped save him. This resulted in Viper escaping unseen. (To learn about the Avengers, click on the highlighted name above.)

After this, Viper was briefly a member of one incarnation of the Hellfire Club, and was also associated with the Hand and resumed her ties with the Silver Samurai. However, she later betrayed him for the HYDRA cause. (To learn about the Hellfire Club, click on the highlighted name above. Note: Beware of the revealing outfits worn by some on the Hellfire Club's bio page.)

When HYDRA decided to go in a new, more aggressive direction towards world domination, Viper met and planned with the other five heads of HYDRA: Baron Strucker, Kraken, Hive, Gorgon, and the new Madame Hydra (Contessa). Soon, Viper and Gorgon were attacked by a rival organization known as Leviathan, and she was taken captive. It was then revealed that the traitor within HYDRA was the new Madame Hydra, who then shot and killed Viper. However, just a few hours after her death, the remaining HYDRA leaders discovered Viper's body and the Hive brought her back to life with one of his spawned creatures, giving her a new monstrous, tentacled form. Now, she once again called herself "Madame Hydra." (Click on the highlighted names above to learn about the different characters. Also, Viper in her tentacled form is shown as the fifth picture posted above.)

More recently, Norman Osborn orchestrated a breakout from prison and gathered a new roster of Dark Avengers, including Gorgon. Like the first team, this new squad targeted the Avengers to tarnish their reputation. Norman Osborn appointed Madame Hydra as a H.A.M.M.E.R. leader. In addition, he facilitated her to undergo a procedure to remove her tentacles and restore her former human appearance. Herself again, Madame Hydra aided Osborn in a mission to bring down Captain America; however, her true goal became apparent when Osborn failed and she took charge of his soldiers, turning them into a newer HYDRA with herself as the sole head. (To learn about the character and/or teams, click on the highlighted names above. Note: Beware of the skin-tight/revealing outfits worn by some on the Dark Avengers' bio page.)

To learn a little bit more about Viper, click on the following link, http://marvel.com/universe/Viper.

The Viper that appears in the film The Wolverine has more mutant abilities than the one that appears in the comics. In the movie, the Viper does have toxin immunity (like the comic version); however, in the movie she can also elongate her fingernails, has a snake-like tongue, and can heal from her injuries by shedding her skin.

New Marvel Studios Superhero Poll Results

So, after asking all you Marvel Maniacs which superhero(es) you would like to see Marvel Studios recreate in a movie now that Marvel Entertainment can front the bill, it appears that people want to see Daredevil the most (7 votes), followed by Blade (4 votes). Elektra, Ghost Rider, and Punisher received 2 votes each. Then Howard the Duck and Man-Thing each received only 1 vote. However, no one voted "None of Them."

Well, I think you people are in luck because Marvel has regained the filming rights to both Daredevil and Blade, and rumor has it that they already have both movies in the works. But, we'll just have to wait and see!

Thanks everyone for voting...and as always, Keep up the Madness!

Silver Samurai

Real Name
Kenuichio Harada
 
Occupation
Crimelord; former HYDRA agent, government operative, Clan Yashida leader, mercenary

Citizenship
Japan

Place of Birth
Unrevealed location in Japan

Known Relatives
Shingen Yashida (father, deceased), Mariko Yashida (half-sister, deceased), Noburu-Hideki (brother-in-law, deceased), Shiro Yoshida (Sunfire, cousin), Leyu Yoshida (Sunpyre, cousin, deceased), Saburo Yashida (cousin, deceased), Tomo Yashida (cousin, deceased)

Group Affiliation
Formerly HYDRA, Clan Yashida, Big Hero 6, former employee of Viper and Mandrill

Education
College graduate

Height 
6'6"

Weight 
(Without armor) 250 lbs.; (with armor) 310 lbs.

Eyes 
Brown

Hair
Black

Powers
The Silver Samurai is a mutant with the ability to generate a tachyon energy field from within his body. He typically focuses this field through his sword, allowing it to cut through almost any substance.

Abilities 

The Silver Samurai is a master of Kenjutsu, the art of wielding a katana, and is an expert in the art of bushido, the history and customs of the samurai class. He is also a highly skilled master of the Oriental martial arts.

Other Info
Keniuchio Harada was the illegitimate mutant son of the Japanese crimelord Shingen Yashida, head of Clan Yashida. As a youth, Keniuchio mastered the attendant disciplines of the medieval samurai and sought employment as a warrior for hire. His mutant ability allowed him to charge almost anything, usually his katana, with tachyon field--which enabled him slice through almost any known substance. In addition, Harada wore a suit based on traditional samurai armor made of a silver metal; hence, calling himself the "Silver Samurai." (To learn about the character and/or team above, just click on their highlighted names.)

At first, the Silver Samurai was hired by the criminal Mandrill. While serving Mandrill, the Samurai clashed with the blind hero Daredevil. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn about the characters.)

After this, Harada went and served as the bodyguard to the Viper--an agent of the terrorist organization HYDRA. In that role, the Silver Samurai battled opponents such as Spider-Man, Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew), Nick Fury, Black Widow, Shang-Chi, the X-Men, and the New Mutants. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn about the characters and/or teams. Note: Beware of the revealing and/or form-fitting outfits worn by some on Spider-Woman, Black Widow, Nick Fury, and the New Mutants' bio pages.)

Following his father’s death, the Silver Samurai sought the leadership of Clan Yashida from his half-sister Mariko Yashida. However, he was opposed by Yukio and Mariko’s lover--Wolverine. (To learn about the characters above, just click on their highlighted names. Note: Beware of the revealing outfit on Yukio's bio page.)

Even though Silver Samurai was one of Wolverine's greatest enemies, he had apparently impressed Wolverine so greatly that Wolverine entrusted him with the care of his adopted daughter, Amiko Kobayashi. After this, the Silver Samurai and Wolverine have joined forces and have worked together on many occasions. One time, the Samurai helped Wolverine destroy a monster known as "Doombringer." He assisted Wolverine in rescuing Amiko and Yukio from kidnappers. He even worked with Wolverine to free American private investigator Jessica Drew from the influence of Black Blade of Muramasa--a sword mystically imbued with its creator’s madness. Wolverine himself fell under the sword’s spell; however, he managed to overcome his possession. Afterwards, Harada took up the sword, finding himself worthy of its power. (To learn about Amiko Kobayashi, just click on her highlighted name above.)

After Mariko’s death, Harada claimed leadership of Clan Yashida and was briefly employed by the Japanese government as leader of their fledgling super hero team, Big Hero 6. Ultimately, the Silver Samurai's inability to lead Clan Yashida allowed the Mongolian crimelord Haan Kaishek to take control. But, the Samurai allied himself with Wolverine to defeat the Kaishek’s. However, the disgrace of losing leadership was too great for Harada, and he returned to his mercenary ways. (Click on the highlighted name above to learn about the team.)

Eventually, the Silver Samurai fell into the service of HYDRA once more. This time, Harada was dispatched to battle Elektra. In the battle between the two, the Samurai was seemingly killed. However, it was later revealed that he had actually survived. But, after a run-in with the mutant Blindspot, Silver Samurai was temporarily brainwashed into leaving his life as a hero and returned to his criminal career. (Note: Beware of the form-fitting and/or revealing outfits worn by Elektra and Blinspot on their bio pages.)

At one point, the Silver Samurai was abducted and incarcerated in the Raft prison in America without trial--official records stated he was dead. However, he was freed by Madame Hydra and the Hand, who transported him back to Japan. They did this, hoping that Harada would lead the Hand and unite the Japanese criminal underworld. However, Harada refused the offer and even helped the New Avengers defeat them. Afterward, he decided to try to earn his good name back by serving the people of Japan once again. This time, he was appointed as chief of security for the Prime Minister of Japan. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn about the place and/or teams.)

The Silver Samurai was one of the few mutants that kept their powers after the events of M-Day. (To learn about M-Day, click on the highlighted name above. Note: Beware of the revealing outfits worn by some on M-Day bio page.)

Later on, a reformed Silver Samurai fought off a demon horde while defending Clan Yashida's home. While defending his home, the Samurai was mortally wounded. With his last bit of power, he made his way to the grave of his half-sister Mariko and died. The Samurai believed that his life would not end there and that he would be reincarnated; however, he was later seen in the depths of Hell with the Devil. While there, he was tortured alongside Wolverine. Eventually, the Devil killed Harada with his Soulcutter sword.

To learn a little bit more about the Silver Samurai, click on the following link, http://marvel.com/universe/Silver_Samurai.

In the movie, The Wolverine, Kenuichio Harada and the Silver Samurai are actually two different characters, which was a little controversial to comicbook fans due to the characters being the same person in the comics. It also appears that Marvel Studios doubled up on actors again. The actor Dan Yun Lee, who portrayed Kenuichio Harada in The Wolverine also played Kirigi in the film, Elektra. (The second picture posted above shows Kenuichio Harada in the film.)