REPTILE

Real Name: Webster (last name unrevealed)

Identity/Class: Normal human (World War II era)

Occupation: Criminal

Group Membership: None

Affiliations: (formerly) Chloe

Enemies: Chloe, Gus, The android Human Torch, Toro

Known Relatives: Chloe (wife) (see Comments)

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: Louisiana swamp; World War II era

First Appearance: Sub-Mariner Comics#23/4 (Summer, 1947)

Powers/Abilities: The Reptile possessed athlete level strength, enabling him to beat people to death with his bare hands. He was very familiar with the swamp where he resided, and was fond of luring foes into quicksand.

History: (Sub-Mariner-Comics#23/4 (fb) - BTS) - Webster got engaged to Chloe, a Louisiana plantation owner. He intended to kill her to gain ownership of the plantation.

(Sub-Mariner-Comics#23/4 (fb)) <1943> - Webster threatened Gus, a former suitor of Chloe, and ran him off the plantation. Right after Webster's marriage to Chloe he assumed the identity of the Reptile. As the Reptile he attacked a wedding guest, and murdered a number of people on the plantation. He threatened to kill anyone who didn't leave the property, prompting Chloe to seek the aid of the Human Torch and Toro. Back in his civilian identity he told the duo that Gus was obviously the Reptile, and had them investigate the nearby swamp. The Reptile fought the pair in his swamp, and temporarily trapped them in quicksand. He then returned to the plantation and attempted to kill Chloe. The recently freed Torch arrived in the nick of time, defeating and unmasking him. The Reptile was sent to jail.

 

 

 

 

Comments: Created by an unidentified writer and Al Bellman.

    This story was a flashback featuring the Human Torch reminiscing about a case "four years ago." The story ends saying that Chloe and Gus lived happily ever after. Does this mean that Chloe divorced the Reptile? Probably.

    "Reptile's Revenge!" was reprinted in Human Torch#3 (January, 1975)

Captain America fought an almost identical villain named the Crocodile in Captain America Comics#19 (October, 1942).
--Gammatotem

PROFILE BY FUTURE

CLARIFICATIONS: Not to be confused with:

Chloe

Wealthy plantation owner. She had feelings for Gus, but forgot about him when she married Webster. After the Reptile began tearing apart her plantation she sent a telegram to the Human Torch and Toro requesting aid. The Reptile nearly killed her before the Human Torch stopped him. Realizing her husband was a murderer she gladly reunited with Gus.

-- Sub-Mariner Comics#23/4

 

 

 

Gus

Unsuccessfully attempted to woo Chloe. Webster chased him off into the swamp, and Gus fell under suspicion of murder when the Reptile appeared. Gus saved the Human Torch and Toro from the Reptile's quicksand trap. After the Human Torch saved Chloe's life she and Gus reunited.

-- Sub-Mariner Comics#23/4

 

 

 

images:
Sub-Mariner Comics#23/4, p5, pan4 (main)
Sub-Mariner Comics#23/4, p7, pan4 (head shot)
Sub-Mariner Comics#23/4, p3, pan2 (Chloe)
Sub-Mariner Comics#23/4, p2, pan3 (Gus)

Appearances:
Sub-Mariner Comics#23/4 (Summer, 1947) - unidentified writer, Al Bellman (artist), Stan Lee (editor)

First Posted: 03/18/2004
Last updated: 06/23/2019

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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