Sheoke Sanada, aka Snapdragon, is a Marvel villainess who has worked as a mercenary. A creation of Ralph Macchio and George Pérez,
she is not a superpowered individual, but is a highly skilled martial artist and proficient at many types of weapons.
Snapdragon was introduced in Marvel Fanfare #12 (October 1983) on a mission to take out Black Widow. Though she got the upper hand, Black Widow regained control and stopped Snapdragon.
Later she joined Superia’s Femizons, an all-female superpowered army, where she was reunited with her longtime enemy Diamondback. Anaconda had taught each of them how to be criminal mercenaries in Taskmaster’s academy, but Diamondback had dishonored Snapdragon during training. On Superia’s cruise ship, the two fought and Snapdragon launched Diamondback overboard, hoping her unconscious enemy would drown.
Diamondback survived the confrontation and trained with Crossbones to get revenge on Snapdragon. She tracked Snapdragon to an AIM weapons expo where the newly trained Diamondback got her revenge. Snapdragon was overpowered and Diamondback strangled her to death in a fountain.
Later she returned to life and started working with Kingpin and tried to take out Moon Knight. In a recent story, she joined the likes of Viper and Weeping Lion in an attempt take out Black Widow, but was once again thwarted by the superheroine.
Keep an eye on PREVIEWSworld.com's Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, or Instagram for more character profiles! And if you're interested in more stories featuring Snapdragon or Black Widow, head to your local comic shop and check out the following.
MARVEL COMICS
(W) Kelly Thompson (A) Elena Casagrande (CA) Adam Hughes
Something is very wrong with Natasha: She's...happy?! Kelly Thompson. Black Widow. 'Nuff said! The best-selling, Eisner Award-nominated writer of CAPTAIN MARVEL joins rising-star artist Elena Casagrande to change everything for Natasha Romanoff! The Widow has been a spy almost as long as she's been alive. And she's never stopped running, whether she was working for the good guys or the bad. But retirement definitely agrees with the world's deadliest woman as she revels in the perfect life she never dreamed she could have. But scratch the surface of that perfect life and you'll find something very wrong lurking beneath it - and a woman like Nat just can't help but scratch. Beyond San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge lies a mystery only the Marvel Universe's greatest spy can solve! Prepare for a can't-miss thrill ride! Collecting BLACK WIDOW (2020) #1-5.
Rated T+
In Shops: Apr 21, 2021
SRP: $15.99
MARVEL PREVIEWS Page #90
MARVEL COMICS
(W) Brian Michael Bendis (A) Alex Maleev, Alex Maleev
Captain America. Wolverine. Spider-Man. There's not a more powerful set of heroes you'd want to have your back than this trio of Avengers. The problem is, the guys who have Moon Knight's back are all in his head - symptoms of Marc Spector's schizophrenia. But as Spector tries to find balance in his new home of Los Angeles, a criminal mastermind makes deadly maneuvers - trafficking the temporarily inert robot body of Ultron. Can Moon Knight get his act together in time to take on this deadly threat? Or will it take another personality on the scene - Maya Lopez, the former Avenger Echo - to tip the odds in Moon Knight's favor? Collecting MOON KNIGHT (2011) #1-7.
In Shops: Jun 06, 2012
SRP: $19.99
MARVEL PREVIEWS Page #94
MARVEL COMICS
(W) Various (A) Various (CA) George Perez
It's been a long, lively life for Natasha Romanova, the former Russian spy known as the Black Widow - fighting side by side with the Avengers, the Champions, S.H.I.E.L.D. and others. But could it end with the Widow surrounded by international assassins? Old enemies and new are using Natasha's instructor, her mentor and her ex-husband against her - or so it seems - but who and what can be trusted in a spy's landscape of lies? Guest-starring Nick Fury, Jimmy Woo and other espionage experts! Collecting BLACK WIDOW: THE COLDEST WAR, and material from MARVEL FANFARE (1982) #10-13 and BIZARRE ADVENTURES #25.
Parental Advisory
In Shops: Dec 21, 2016
SRP: $24.99
MARVEL PREVIEWS Page #133
MARVEL COMICS
(W) Ralph Macchio, More (A) More (A/CA) George Perez
Natasha Romanoff, the deadly Black Widow, showcases her highly particular set of skills as she is put to the test - by S.H.I.E.L.D. itself! As the Widow takes on an army of armored agents, Nick Fury recounts Natasha's incredible life - from her origins as a Russian secret agent, to her change of heart and alliance with the Avengers! But all the while, Natasha is closing in on identifying the enemy - and soon, she will be targeting S.H.I.E.L.D. for answers! Featuring some of the most sensational Black Widow art ever seen, by the legendary George Pérez! Plus, A backup tale featuring Mowgli, star of The Jungle Book - adapted from a tale by none other than Rudyard Kipling! It's one of the all-time great Marvel comic books, boldly re-presented in its original form, ads and all! Reprinting MARVEL FANFARE (1982) #10.
Rated T+
In Shops: Oct 07, 2020
SRP: $3.99
MARVEL PREVIEWS Page #28
This article originally appeared in Gemstone Publishing’s e-newsletter Scoop.
