OPHIDIAN

Real Name: Ophidian

Class: Magically-enhanced human/snake hybrid

Occupation: Un-Man

Group Affiliation: Un-Men

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: Balkans

First Appearance: Swamp Thing I #1 (December, 1972-January, 1973)

Powers: Ophidian's body was that of a constricting snake, and he could hypnotize a victim by establishing eye contact.

History: (Swamp Thing I #1, 2) - After WWII Anton Arcane gained possession of a castle in the Balkans and populated it with his unnaturally created undead Un-Men, including Ophidian. During this time he also discovered the newly dead body of his brother Gregor, and transformed him into the monstrous Patchwork Man. After years of waiting Arcane located Swamp Thing, and had his Un-Men bring him to his castle. Having been born only a few weeks before, Swamp Thing did not yet know Arcane, and was easily coerced by the sorcerer. Arcane promised him his human body back, and used his magic to assume Swamp Thing's form and shaped a human body for Swamp Thing. Arcane had finally gained a body suitable for eternal life. When Swamp Thing realized Arcane's evil intentions he reversed the spell, and Arcane fell from a tower window while fleeing the enraged elemental.  The Un-Men were unsure of what to do, knowing only blind obedience to Arcane, so they leapt out the window themselves.

Comments: Created by Len Wein & Berni Wrightson.

Ophidian's appearance in Swamp Thing I #1, 2 were reprinted in Roots of the Swamp Thing #1.