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 Marvel Universe  Asp (Cleo Nefertiti)
 

Universe
Marvel Universe

Real Name
Cleopatra "Cleo" Nefertiti

Aliases
The Temptress (her stage name)

Identity
Secret

Occupation
Professional criminal, mercenary, exotic dancer

Citizenship
Egypt

Place of Birth
Tanta, Egypt

Known Relatives
Unrevealed

Group Affiliation
B.A.D. Girls, Inc.; formerly Secret Avengers, Femizons, Serpent Society

Education
Unrevealed

Height
5'9"

Weight
115 lbs.

Eyes
Brown

Hair
Black

Powers
The Asp possesses the ability to generate and project an unknown form of radiant energy which causes paralysis in those exposed to it. Her body constantly produces this energy, which upon exceeding her body's storage capacity, discharges itself in minute amounts through her skin. (Prolonged physical contact with the Asp is fatal to human beings.) By tapping her body's total store of energy, she can emit directed, visible, lightning-like discharges she call her "venom bolts." She generally projects them from her fingertips. At maximum strength, these venom-bolts can kill an average size man standing six feet from her. The energy causes a rapid paralysis of its victim's nervous system. A non-fatal discharge will retain its potency for about four hours, depending upon the strength of the blast and the strength of the nervous system of the victim. The venom-bolt has effects on anything other than living organisms.

After discharging her body's total store of energy, it takes the Asp about one half hour to regenerate her power to peak levels. She can recharge her body's store of energy faster by accelerating her metabolic rate through physical activity. She generally rebuild her energy level by making swaying and undulating motions with her torso and arms. An accomplished dancer with superb muscular control, the Asp moves in a manner that is almost hypnotic in its provocativeness. Engaging in her "snake-dance," the Asp can regenerate her energy to peak capacity with in ten minutes.

Abilities
The Asp possesses the normal human strength of a woman of her age, height, and build who engages in intensive regular exercise. She possesses the skill, grace, coordination, and muscle control of an accomplished dancer. Deploring violence, she has never learned traditional methods of hand-to-hand combat.

Weapons
None

Paraphernalia
None

First Appearance
Captain America #310 (1985)

Significant Issues
Joined Serpant Society (Captain America #310 ,1985); advertised the Serpent Society to Kingpin (Captain America #311, 1985); vs. MODOK {Captain America #313, 1986); aided Diamondback on her date with Captain America (Captain America #371, 1990); helped Diamondback survive the Serpent Society's death sentence (Captain America #380-382, 1990); ambushed by Anaconda, joined the Femizons, betrayed Superia (Captain America #385-391, 1991); reunited with the B.A.D. Girls (Cable & Deadpool #20-23, 2005)

Little is known of Cleo Nefertiti, the Asp, including her origins and nature of her powers. She was recruited by the villain Sidewinder in becoming a founding member of his newly-formed criminal team, the Serpent Society. As Asp, she stayed with the Serpent Society for its entire tenure, often clashing with Captain America.

At one point, the Asp, fearing the repercussions of the Mutant Registration Act contemplated by the U.S. Congress, fled into Canada. Her presence was noticed by members of the Canadian team Alpha Flight, who assembled to fight her and other villains who similarly arrived. Unknown to all, however, the villains were subconsciously controlled by the evil Llan the Sorcerer, who used the resulting violence of the confrontation to help him create a mystical convergence.

During her time in the Serpent Society, the Asp became great friends with her teammates Black Mamba and Diamondback. In fact, when Diamondback began dating Captain America, the others defeated many villains and diffused many trouble spots behind the scenes to ensure the success of the pair's first date. However, Diamondback was ultimately put on trial by the Society because of the relationship, and the Asp and Black Mamba had to contact Sidewinder to rescue her. The Society in turn imprisoned the Asp and Black Mamba, and in was Diamondback’s turn to rescue them, this time with the mercenary Paladin and Captain America.

The three women split from the Serpent Society, forming their own team with an acronym of their names: B.A.D. Girls, Inc. Almost immediately, the three were contacted by Superia to join her team of Femizons, but they ultimately sided with Captain America and Paladin to overthrow her. They also tried to help Diamondback overcome her greatest fear, the villain Snapdragon, during which time they stole a Serpent Saucer from the Society’s old headquarters, fought Sersi, and with their friend Impala, overthrew Superia during a weapons expo organized by A.I.M. Despite their successes, the mercenary team drifted apart and never worked very closely for very long.

The Asp rejoined the Serpent Society with Black Mamba when King Cobra again targeted Diamondback, but this proved to be only an LMD android. However, the BAD Girls, Inc. was nevertheless reunited. They were most recently hired by Cable to battle Deadpool over purloined new computer technology, but they joined forced to defeat the true thief, the Cat.
 
 
 
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