SNAKES of MANY COLORS

Classification: Terrestrial (presumably) magical, intelligent giant snakes

Location/Base of Operations: The Unknown Land, in the Vendhyan Sea, Hyborian era

Known Members: Jandlinatjari, Yarralamundu

Affiliations: Conan, Serpent Men, Thoth-Amon, Thulsa Doom

Aliases: Rainbow Serpents

First Appearance: Savage Sword of Conan#193 (January, 1992)

Powers/Abilities: The Snakes are very large, approximately 50-75 feet in length, and have at least the expected strength of a constrictor of that size. I'd say it's a good bet that they're venomous as well, but that was not demonstrated. They possess human level intelligence and can manipulate energy for a variety of effects. They can create a rainbow (regardless of time of day or weather conditions), along which they can travel virtually instantaneously across great distances. They possess great magical abilities, enabling them to banish others across time and/or space. Their powers dwarf even reknown sorcerers such as Thoth-Amon and Thulsa Doom (although he was not at his full power).

Traits: Only two were seen, and they were enemies. It is unknown if others exist, and if so how many. They are apparently worshipped by some of the monkey-like natives of the Unknown Land.

History: (Marvel Zombies: The Book of Angels, Demons & Other Various Monstrosities) - The Snakes of Many Colors were children of Echidna, daughter of Phorcys, the son of Set.

(SSoC#193)-During the "Skull on the Seas" storyline, the sorcerer Thulsa Doom had his skull brought to the Unknown Land by his Serpent Men, to be reunited with his body. Conan and his allies (which at the time included, by necessity, Thoth-Amon) managed to escape from Thulsa and flee into the jungle. Conan and Thoth-Amon encountered Jandlinatjari and convinced her to aid them in preventing Thulsa from performing the ritual to regain his full power. She transported them to the ritual site (the great rock), but upon arriving found that one of the Serpent Men, Omeyocantli, had prepared for the interference of the "Rainbow Serpents." Omeyocantli had made an alliance with Yarralamundu, who dwelled within the great rock itself. The two giant Snakes attacked each other, but they soon found that the females are the more powerful of the race, as Jandlinatjari slew Yarralamundu. Now able to focus her powers on the trespassers in her realm, Jandlinatjari banished both Thoth-Amon and Thulsa Doom.

Comments: Created by Roy Thomas and John Buscema.

It just struck me as odd to do the Snakes of Many Colors in a black-and-white title. They weren't even seen on the cover (which is color). They're supposed to have multiple bright colors in their scales, hence the name.

I place the Hyborian era @ 12, 000 BC-10, 000 BC.
For a truly excellent pre-modern era Chronology of the Marvel Universe, check out Robert Wicks' Unofficial Chronology of the Marvel Universe.

Clarifications:No known connection to:
The Horse of a Different Color, from the Wizard of Oz.

The Serpent Men were the original offspring of Set, active back in pre-cataclysmic Atlantis, most wiped out by Kull, and later Conan and his son Conan (Conn), @ Kull the Conqueror I#1. They should be distinguished from:

• --The Serpent Men of Starkesboro, who were the human followers of Set, who took on reptilian characteristics, and some even became hosts for the spirits of the original Serpent Men, @ Marvel Premiere#4.
  --The Serpent Men, humans mutated by a chemical from Tyrannus, that mutated them into semi-reptilian form, under the control of himself, Ghaur, Llyra, and the other major players in Atlantis Attacks. A prototype of this serum was used by Viper against Washington, DC, and temporarily mutated Ronald Reagan, @ Captain America I#344, Spectacular Spider-Man Annual#9
  --The Serpent Men of Snake Dance, warriors of the Apache tribe who fell under Snake Dance's influence and fought for him, @ Marvel Spotlight I#8
  --Man-Serpents (not Men-Serpent), also known as the Sons of Set, who were giant snakes with a human head, and Medusa-like snakes in place of hair, were distinct from any of the Serpent Men (although they have a common origin), who were snake-like humanoids, @ Conan the Barbarian I#7

Jandlinatjari was the female. Conan and Thoth-Amon were brought to her by a race of monkey people who worshipped her and hoped she would aid Conan. She initially attacked Conan, perhaps to test his mettle, and spared him because she loves a brave heart. She agreed to help him and transported them tot he Great Rock, where she battled and slew Yarralamundu, and then banished both sorcerers from her land. After this, she vanished herself.

Yarralamundu was the male. He lived within the Great Rock itself. The Serpent Man Omeyocantli found him and made a pact with him to aid the Serpent Men and Thulsa Doom against any of the other Rainbow Snakes if they interefered. He attacked Jandlinatjari, but was slain by her.

Appearances:
Savage Sword of Conan#193 (January, 1992) - Roy & Dann Thomas (writers), John Buscema (pencils), Ernie Chan (inks), Mike Rockwitz (editor)

Last updated: 08/01/02

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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