SENSATIONAL HYDRA

Real Name: Sn'Tlo

Identity/Class: Extra-terrestrial (Skrull)

Occupation: Supreme Hydra, Skrullian spy

Group Membership: Skrull Empire, HYDRA

Affiliations: HYDRA, Supreme Intelligence

Enemies: Avengers, Captain America, the human race

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: Captain America, Gordon Winchester

Base of Operations: Mobile

First Appearance: Captain America III#3 (March, 1998)

Powers: Like all deviant Skrulls, the Sensational Hydra possessed the ability to change his shape at will. He is also a master strategist and an influential leader.

History: (Captain America III#5 (fb), Captain America III#3) - An unnamed Skrull and two of his lackeys became stranded on Earth. The unnamed Skrull wanted to exact vengeance from the inhabitants of Earth for all the suffering they had caused the Skrull race. Posing as a human he infiltrated HYDRA, and quickly rose to the position of Supreme Hydra. Deciding that the term 'Supreme Hydra' didn't fit his flamboyant personality he redubbed himself the Sensational Hydra. There were dissenters in his ranks who didn't view him as a fit leader, but he quickly silenced them by chopping off one HYDRA's arm with Baron von Strucker's sword. The Sensational Hydra sent men to take over the Smithsonian Institute, but Captain America quickly captured them.

(Captain America III#4) - The Sensational Hydra initiated his plan to raise Captain America's status from superhero to icon in the public's view. He sent Batroc the Leaper to fight Cap in a public spectacle at Rockefeller Plaza. After the fight Batroc revealed to Cap that he had been ordered by HYDRA to take a dive.

(Captain America III#5) - Captain America dismantled a London branch of HYDRA, and learned from one of the captured HYDRAs that the Sensation Hydra was gunning for him. The Sensational Hydra was also present, disguised as a member of S.H.I.E.L.D. He shot the HYDRA who was talking to Cap and quickly ran away. The Sensational Hydra next showed up on the observational deck of the Empire State Building, haven taken hostages and demanding a one-on-one confrontation with Cap. As Cap entered the skyscraper he was followed by reporter Gordon Winchester, actually a disguised The Sensational Hydra. When Cap reached the observation deck the two hostages and the Sensational Hydra all revealed themselves as Skrulls. After slaughtering the present members of HYDRA they shackled Cap with "Skrull Handcuffs." Cap was tossed in a utility closet, and Sensational Hydra assumed the identity of Captain America and greeted the press.

(Captain America III#6) - As Captain America the Sensational Hydra moved into Avengers Mansion. He orchestrated an assassination attempt on President Clinton, with his two lieutenant Skrulls disguised as terrorists. As Captain America he saved the President, and announced that he needs to immediately organize a press conference. He made the claim that one in twenty Americans is a Skrull spy, and to drive the point home he forced his two lieutenant Skrulls to reveal themselves. The crowd killed the two Skrulls, and the false Cap ordered the public to take to the streets and kill any suspected Skrullian spys. At this point the real Captain America escaped his bondage, and Sensational Hydra beat a hasty retreat, but rioting and killing had already begun throughout Manhattan.

(Captain America III#7) - A combination of the public's trust for Captain America, and people's natural fear of the unknown led to the escalation of the Skrullian witchhunt to nationwide violence. The Sensational Hydra was pleased, but wanted to add more fuel to the fire so he arranged another press conference as Captain America. He accused the President and members of Congress of being Skrulls, and urged the masses to take arms to Washington D.C. and tear it down. The real Cap then reappeared and zapped him with a device designed by Mr. Fantastic and Tony Stark. The device transformed the Sensational Hydra back into his natural form, forcing the public to realize they had been lied to. Captain America, the Avengers, Mr. Fantastic and the Thing ganged up on the Sensational Hydra and defeated him with ease.

Comments: Created by Mark Waid & Ron Garney.

Michael Fisher adds: "The "Live Kree or Die" storyline made it clear the Sensational Hydra was under the mental influence of the Supreme Intelligence.
Specifically Avengers III#7--Snood

His real name was revealed in his profile in Captain America: America's Avenger (2011).

PROFILE BY FUTURE

CLARIFICATIONS: Not to be confused with:

• Hydra of Earth X
• Imperial Hydra @ Strange Tales I#135
• Madame Hydra, currently known as "Viper" @ Captain America I#110
• Madame Hydra @ Nick Fury vs. SHIELD#3
• Any of the other (so far unseen) Madame Hydras that came between those two
• Any other Hydras

"Skrull Handcuffs"

Device designed by Skrulls to imprison shapeshifters. The handcuffs instantly react to any physical changes of whatever they bind, freezing to prevent being burnt, hardening to prevent being smashed, etc. They also constrict and expand to tightly bind a shapeshifting prisoner.

--Captain America III#5, 6

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Captain America III#3, p7, pan5 (main image)