The Serpent (Cul Borson)

• Core Identity: The Serpent, Cul Borson, is the long-forgotten Asgardian God of Fear and the elder brother of Odin, who embodies terror as a divine right to rule and seeks to reclaim Asgard by plunging the universe into despair.
• Key Takeaways:
  • Role in the Universe: Cul is an ancient, primordial force of divine terror, predating much of the known Asgardian pantheon. He functions as a dark mirror to Odin's rule, believing that fear, not wisdom or honor, is the only true method of governance. His existence was a deeply guarded secret, a skeletal shame in the All-Father's closet, until his re-emergence during the Fear Itself crossover event.
  • Primary Impact: The Serpent's most significant act was initiating the Fear Itself crisis, a global event fueled by panic and terror. By dispatching eight mystical hammers to Earth, he transformed powerful heroes and villains into his avatars, The Worthy, creating a worldwide conflict that pushed Earth's defenders to their absolute limit, resulting in the heroic death of Thor.
  • Key Incarnations: The Serpent is a major antagonist exclusive to the Earth-616 comic book continuity. He has not appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). His narrative role as the forgotten, more powerful, and imprisoned elder sibling of the Asgardian ruler shares strong thematic parallels with Hela as depicted in the film Thor: Ragnarok.

The Serpent first appeared in Fear Itself #1, published in June 2011. He was co-created by writer Matt Fraction and artist Stuart Immonen as the central antagonist for the 2011 Marvel Comics crossover event, Fear Itself. Fraction designed Cul Borson to be a figure of mythological gravitas, an enemy who could challenge the entire Marvel Universe on a fundamental, psychological level. The concept was to introduce a threat that didn't just require physical opposition, but also a conquest of the very emotion of fear. His name, Cul, is derived from the proto-Celtic word for “chariot,” and his surname “Borson” explicitly establishes him as the son of Bor, and therefore, Odin's brother. Immonen's design for The Serpent was crucial, depicting him first as a withered, ancient king and later as a powerful, armor-clad deity, visually communicating his escalating threat level as he fed on the world's growing terror. The introduction of Cul served to retroactively add a significant new player to the Asgardian mythos, creating a previously unknown family conflict for Odin that added layers of tragedy and ancient sin to the All-Father's long history.

The Serpent's history is one of ancient betrayal, cosmic power, and a philosophical war for the soul of Asgard itself.

In the primordial history of Asgard, long before Thor was born, Cul Borson was the firstborn of Bor and the rightful heir to the throne. While his younger brother, Odin, valued wisdom, sacrifice, and inspiration as the foundations of kingship, Cul held a darker conviction: true power and lasting order could only be achieved through fear. He believed that mortals and gods alike were base creatures, best governed by the terror he could instill in their hearts. His reign as the All-Father of Asgard was a dark age of oppression and dread. He was a ruthless and effective king, but his methods horrified Odin. The breaking point came when Cul, in a fit of rage, broke the sacred Yggdrasil, the World Tree itself. This act of sacrilege was the final straw for Odin. He marshaled all his might and waged a terrible war against his own brother. The conflict was so devastating that it reshaped the very firmament of Asgard. Ultimately, Odin was victorious. He stripped Cul of his power and name, erasing his brother from every saga, scroll, and memory in the Nine Realms. He became “The Serpent,” a nameless dread. Odin then sealed his brother in the deepest, most lightless place he could conceive: the Marianas Trench on Midgard (Earth). For millennia, The Serpent lay dormant, imprisoned in a tomb of his own rage, his existence a secret known only to Odin. His legend lived on only in a single, cryptic prophecy: “It is said that the Serpent will one day return. He will be freed by one of his own blood, and he will gather his chosen, The Worthy. They will visit their terror upon the world of men, and in the end, the son of the Serpent's brother will face him. It is a battle that the son of his brother will not survive.” This prophecy loomed over Odin for eons, a constant reminder of the day his greatest sin would return to haunt him. The Serpent's prison was eventually discovered by the forces of Baron Zemo and Red Skull's daughter, Sinthea Schmidt. Acting on ancient texts, Sin performed a ritual that shattered the prison, freeing the ancient God of Fear and setting the stage for the Fear Itself crisis.

The Serpent, Cul Borson, does not exist within the established canon of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The character and the Fear Itself storyline have not been adapted into any of the films or television series produced by Marvel Studios. However, the core concept of a powerful, previously unknown, and imprisoned elder sibling of an Asgardian ruler was adapted in a thematically similar way for the film Thor: Ragnarok (2017) with the character of Hela. A comparative analysis reveals several key parallels and differences:

• The Forgotten Sibling: Both Cul and Hela are the firstborn children of their respective fathers (Cul of Bor, Hela of Odin) who were written out of Asgardian history due to their extreme violence and dangerous ambition. Both were imprisoned for eons by Odin.
• Source of Power: While Cul's power is directly tied to and amplified by the fear of others, Hela's power is innately tied to Asgard itself. The longer she is on Asgard, the more powerful she becomes.
• Claim to the Throne: Both characters return from their imprisonment with the singular goal of reclaiming the throne of Asgard, which they believe is their birthright. They view the current rulers (Odin and later Thor) as weak and unworthy successors.
• Method of Conquest: The Serpent uses proxies, The Worthy, to spread fear globally, thereby increasing his own power. Hela is a more direct conqueror, single-handedly defeating the Asgardian armies and appointing her own executioner, Skurge.
• Adaptation Rationale: The MCU's decision to use Hela instead of The Serpent was likely driven by several factors. Hela was a more established character in Thor's comic book rogues' gallery, making her a more recognizable choice. Furthermore, her story as Odin's direct daughter (a change from her comic origins where she is Loki's daughter) created a more intimate and personal family drama, which was central to the themes of the Thor film trilogy. Condensing the “dark secret of Odin's past” into a single character streamlined the narrative for a two-hour film, whereas The Serpent's storyline is intrinsically tied to a massive, multi-title crossover event.

While Cul Borson remains a comic-exclusive entity, his narrative DNA can be seen in the MCU's portrayal of Hela, serving as a powerful example of how Marvel Studios adapts complex comic book lore for a cinematic audience.

The Serpent's power is immense, rivaling and at times surpassing that of Odin himself. His primary strength is derived from the abstract concept of fear, making him a unique and terrifying threat.

• Asgardian Physiology: As the firstborn son of Bor, Cul possesses all the superhuman attributes common to Asgardian gods, but amplified to a degree far exceeding most of his kin. This includes superhuman strength, speed, durability, stamina, and a vastly extended lifespan. His strength is sufficient to engage Odin in direct combat and effortlessly shatter Captain America's Vibranium shield with his bare hands.
• Fear Empowerment & Manipulation: This is Cul's most defining and dangerous ability. He is a literal God of Fear. He feeds on the terror of sentient beings, and the more fear that exists in the universe, the more powerful he becomes. At the height of the Fear Itself crisis, with the entire planet gripped by panic, he became powerful enough to challenge the combined might of the Avengers and the Asgardians. He can project this fear, inducing crippling terror in his opponents, turning allies against each other, and breaking the will of even the most stalwart heroes.
• All-Father Abilities (The Serpent-Force): As a former All-Father of Asgard, Cul possesses a connection to a primordial cosmic power similar to the Odin Force. This grants him vast energy manipulation abilities, including the power to fire destructive energy blasts and warp reality on a significant scale. At his peak, he transformed himself into a colossal, world-threatening serpent.
• Master Sorcerer: Cul is a highly adept magic user, capable of complex spells and rituals. His most significant magical feat was the creation and distribution of the Hammers of the Worthy, enchanting them to seek out suitable hosts and transform them into his avatars.
• Master Combatant & Tactician: Having reigned during a brutal and violent era of Asgard's history, Cul is a masterful warrior and a brilliant, ruthless strategist. He orchestrated a global war with his eight Worthy, effectively fighting on multiple fronts and pushing Earth's heroes to the brink of collapse.

The Serpent's primary weapons in his war against Earth were The Worthy, eight individuals empowered by mystical hammers he created. Each hammer contained a fraction of his essence, transforming its wielder into an avatar of destruction, driven by their deepest fears and insecurities. Answering the common question, “Who are The Worthy in Marvel Comics?”, here is a complete breakdown of their identities and roles:

As The Serpent does not exist in the MCU, he has no depicted powers or abilities. If a similar character were to be introduced, their powers would likely be adapted for cinematic clarity. Drawing from the Hela comparison:

• Source of Power: An MCU Serpent would likely have a more tangible source of power than the abstract concept of fear, perhaps drawing energy from a specific realm, object, or from the dark energies of Asgard itself.
• The Worthy: The concept of The Worthy could be streamlined. Instead of eight individuals, an MCU adaptation might feature two or three key lieutenants empowered by The Serpent, or perhaps an army of enchanted soldiers, similar to Hela's undead Berserkers. This would focus the narrative and reduce the number of new characters requiring introduction.

Cul's relationships are defined entirely by conflict, domination, and ancient grudges. He is a solitary figure who sees others not as peers, but as tools or obstacles.

The Serpent does not have allies in the traditional sense; he has followers and weapons.

• Sin (as Skadi): Sinthea Schmidt, the daughter of the Red Skull, was instrumental in The Serpent's return. She was not merely a follower but a true believer in his philosophy of fear. As his chosen avatar, Skadi, she acted as the high priestess of his new world order. Their relationship was one of a dark god and his fanatical herald. Cul saw in her the burning hatred and ambition of her father, making her the perfect vessel to carry out his will on Earth.
• The Worthy: The eight individuals chosen to wield his hammers were not allies but slaves to his will. Cul selected them based on their inherent fears, resentments, and capacity for destruction. He offered them power, but it was a power that stripped them of their agency, turning them into puppets of rage and terror. He had no personal connection to them beyond their use as instruments of his global campaign of fear.

• Odin: Cul's deepest and most personal animosity is reserved for his younger brother, Odin. Their conflict is the central pillar of his existence. It is a clash of ideologies: Cul's rule of fear versus Odin's rule of wisdom. Cul sees Odin as a weak, hypocritical usurper who stole his birthright and then cowardly hid the truth. He resents Odin not just for imprisoning him, but for erasing him from history. His entire war is, on a personal level, an act of revenge against the brother who cast him out. Odin, in turn, views Cul as his greatest failure and the embodiment of the dark path Asgard could have taken.
• Thor: As Odin's son and champion, Thor represents everything The Serpent despises: heroism, hope, and self-sacrifice. Cul views Thor as the coddled, naive heir of a failed philosophy. The ancient prophecy that foretold Thor's death at his hands made their conflict an inevitability. For Cul, killing Thor was not just about defeating a powerful enemy; it was about proving the ultimate failure of Odin's legacy and shattering the world's greatest symbol of hope. Their final battle was a clash between the God of Fear and the God of Thunder, embodying the fight between despair and courage.
• The Avengers: The Serpent viewed the Avengers and Earth's other heroes as insignificant insects—brief flashes of defiance in a world destined to kneel. He held them in contempt, seeing their attempts to inspire hope as a futile gesture against the overwhelming tide of fear he commanded. He did not see them as individual threats but as a symptom of the “sickness” of hope that Odin had allowed to fester in the Nine Realms. He sought to break them not just physically with his Worthy, but spiritually, to make them watch as the world they protected chose to embrace fear over freedom.

The Serpent's only true affiliation is with the dark, ancient pantheon of Asgard that he represents. He is the head of his own faction, seeking to establish a new, fear-based dynasty.

• Asgardian Royal Family: Cul is the firstborn son of Bor and the rightful heir to the throne by primogeniture. His entire identity is rooted in his blood connection to the throne of Asgard. His return forces a schism in the family, with Odin advocating for a tactical retreat and the destruction of Earth, while Thor defies him to stand with humanity.
• The Serpent's Army: During Fear Itself, Cul was the supreme commander of his own forces, comprised of The Worthy and legions of fanatical followers empowered by dark magic, including a significant contingent of Nazi Mecha. This army represented his vision for a new world order, built on military might and absolute terror.

The Serpent's history in the Marvel Universe is almost entirely defined by one singular, cataclysmic event.

Fear Itself (2011) is the quintessential and, to date, only major storyline featuring Cul Borson. The entire event revolves around his escape, his campaign of terror, and the heroes' desperate struggle to stop him. The storyline begins with Sin discovering The Serpent's underwater prison and releasing him. A frail and withered Cul immediately announces his return by dispatching his seven mystical hammers across the globe. These hammers crash-land and seek out their hosts, transforming Juggernaut, Hulk, Titania, Attuma, Grey Gargoyle, Absorbing Man, and The Thing into his Worthy. The eighth hammer finds Sin, anointing her as Skadi. The world descends into chaos. The Worthy, acting as living embodiments of fear, begin their rampage. Kuurth (Juggernaut) is unstoppable, Nul (Hulk) creates massive destruction, and Angrir (The Thing) tragically lashes out at his own home. Global panic escalates, which in turn feeds The Serpent, restoring him to his full, youthful power. He raises his dark, underwater citadel from the depths and begins his march on the world. The heroes are fractured and overwhelmed. Captain America, leading the Avengers, finds his strategic plans failing against an enemy that thrives on the panic his forces cause. Thor, upon learning the truth of The Serpent's identity from a guilt-ridden Odin, defies his father's command to abandon Earth. Odin's plan is to raze the planet to the ground to starve The Serpent of the fear he feeds on—a price Thor is unwilling to pay. The climax sees The Serpent's forces laying siege to Washington D.C., with Cul himself arriving and shattering Captain America's shield. In Asgard, Iron Man gains an audience with Odin and is granted access to the realm's workshops, where he and the Dwarves of Svartalfheim forge new Uru-enchanted weapons for the Avengers. In the final battle in Broxton, Oklahoma (the site of the fallen Asgard), Thor, armed with the Odinsword Ragnarok, confronts his uncle. They engage in a mythic duel that fulfills the prophecy. Thor succeeds in striking a mortal blow against The Serpent, killing the God of Fear. However, just as the prophecy foretold, The Serpent takes a final few steps and strikes Thor down, killing him. With The Serpent's death, his spell over The Worthy is broken, and the hammers are rendered inert. Thor's body is carried away in a funeral procession by a grieving Odin, and Captain America reassembles his broken shield, a symbol of the world's resilience in the face of absolute fear. Though victorious, the world is left to mourn the loss of one of its greatest heroes.

As a character intrinsically tied to a single, major crossover event, The Serpent has had very limited exposure in alternate realities.

• Earth-12091 (Marvel Avengers Alliance): A version of The Serpent and his Worthy appear as the main antagonists in the ninth Spec-Ops of the Facebook/mobile game Marvel: Avengers Alliance. The plot largely follows the beats of the comic book event.
• Earth-TRN562 (Marvel Future Fight): Cul Borson appears as a playable character and World Boss in the mobile game Marvel Future Fight, where his moveset is based on his fear-based powers from the comics.

Unlike major villains such as Doctor Doom or Magneto, The Serpent has not been featured in prominent alternate reality comic storylines like the Ultimate Universe (Earth-1610) or Age of Apocalypse (Earth-295). His narrative is so tightly bound to the specifics of the Fear Itself prophecy and his relationship with the Earth-616 Odin that he has rarely been reinterpreted outside of his original context.

• Fear Itself
• Odin
• Thor
• The Worthy
• Sin (Sinthea Schmidt)
• Asgard
• Captain America's Shield

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