Fictional character biography
Ophelia Sarkissian was orphaned as a child in Hungary. Part of her face was scarred at one time, although it has since been healed. Among 12 other girls, Ophelia was taken in by Hydra and raised by Kraken. For 22 years, Ophelia excelled and became Kraken's best student. She eventually rose through the ranks of Hydra and frequently came into conflict with Captain America and the organization known as S.H.I.E.L.D. She first appeared as a leader of Hydra under the codename Madame Hydra, and first fought and captured Captain America while trying to contaminate New York City's water supply. Madame Hydra later severed ties with Hydra.
Madame Hydra helps Viper (Jordan Stryke) escape custody in Virginia, only to proceed in assassinating Stryke and usurping the Viper alias and leadership of the Serpent Squad. As the second Viper, she kidnapped Roxxon president Hugh Jones, in order to put the latter in thrall of the Serpent Crown. She battled Nomad and Namor the Sub-Mariner.
Viper battles Spider-Woman, believing herself to be her mother. Viper reveals herself to have been a pawn of Chthon for 50 years, but saves Spider-Woman's life by defying Chthon. Viper, employing Constrictor as her chief operative, captures Spider-Woman, believing she was responsible for making her think they were related. It was revealed that Chthon had given Viper false memories of mothering Jessica Drew as part of a plan to place both women under his control.
Madame Hydra has also been in conflict with the X-Men. She first came into contact with them upon trying to assassinate Mariko Yashida on behalf of her ally and presumed lover Silver Samurai, and tried to poison the team while disguised as Mariko's unconscious maid. She nearly killed X-Men members Rogue and Storm on two separate occasions, with Storm being nearly killed by Viper during the invasion of Khan.
Later she blackmailed Wolverine into marrying her as a means to secure her criminal empire in Madripoor. Although this was a marriage of convenience, she did request to consummate the arrangement. Some time later, her body was briefly inhabited by the spirit of Ogun, and Wolverine mortally wounded her as a means of driving the spirit from her dying body. In return for seeking medical attention to save her life, Wolverine demanded a divorce.
Viper was then a member of an incarnation of the Hellfire Club, working with Courtney Ross, briefly under the title "White Warrior Princess". She has also associated with the Hand and resumed her ties with the Silver Samurai. She has also retaken the name "Madame Hydra".
During the Dark Reign storyline, Viper is seen leaving her lover, the Silver Samurai, to rejoin Baron Strucker and the ruling council of Hydra. It was revealed that she is no longer Madame Hydra, as she was replaced by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine.
Viper is kidnapped by the mysterious group Leviathan, who are determined to find out the location of a mysterious box that both she and Madame Hydra procured from the Yashidas. Madame Hydra arrived at the Leviathan headquarters and offered the box to its leader, much to Viper's dismay. Madame Hydra then shot Viper to death. However, when Hydra arrived, Hive resurrected her, giving her tentacles that stemmed from her head, and she renamed herself Madame Hydra.
Following the Fear Itself storyline, Madame Hydra joins up with H.A.M.M.E.R. after Norman Osborn escapes from the Raft and regains leadership. After the defeat of Osborn and the Dark Avengers, Madame Hydra uses the resources of the now-defunct H.A.M.M.E.R. to begin rebuilding Hydra. She later tips off Spider-Woman and Hawkeye about a heist Mister Negative is planning on a S.H.I.E.L.D. warehouse. While the Avengers deal with Mister Negative, Madame Hydra attacks a different S.H.I.E.L.D. facility and steals several captive Skrulls.
During the "Hunt for Wolverine" storyline, Viper is seen in Madripoor, where she leads the Femme Fatales in ambushing Kitty Pryde, Domino, Jubilee, Psylocke, and Storm. Psylocke, Rogue, and Storm are defeated and taken prisoner, but Kitty escapes with Domino and Jubilee. After the Femme Fatales are defeated, Viper flees.
In the Ravencroft miniseries, Viper is seen as a member of J.A.N.U.S.