Roland Burroughs was a small time thug, after a while he was chosen to be recruited by HYDRA as one of their cybernetically enhanced agents. Roland is then given artificial gills and a bionic tail, as well as poison-tipped claws, to help him in his endeavors. As a side effect of this process his voice was rendered mute. He was later selected selected to be a member of the group designated Serpent Squad under the alias Death Adder.
Powers and Abilities[]
As a result of the bio genetic treatment and changes made to his body, Death Adder acquired a number of super-human powers. He was amphibious, able to breathe under the water by extracting oxygen molecules from the water by means of gills installed in his body. There was apparently no limit to the time that Death Adder could remain under water.
Death Adder's physiology was also transformed by means of a series of operations, giving him a tail and claws. The tail, which was around four feet in length. Death Adder's tail was connected to his nervous system, meaning he could control it like an extra limb. Adder could use the tail to strike at great speed, since it could reach a speed of up to 60 miles per hour through the air. In addition, the tail was decorated with sharpened prongs, impregnated with a fast-acting poison.
Death Adder's skin was modified allowing him to survive the low temperatures and the high pressures of the ocean depths, enabling him to descend to depths up to 400 feet. His strength was also enhanced in order for him to be able to survive the pressure of the ocean. A special membrane protected his retinas, to allow his eyes to adapt to the bluish-green light of the depths of the ocean.
Death Adder could swim at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour.