Cottonmouth (Cornell Stokes)

Cottonmouth
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Power Man #18 (June 1974)
Created by	Len Wein (writer) George Tuska (artist)
In-story information
Alter ego	Cornell Cottonmouth
Team affiliations	Flashmob
Abilities	Superhuman strength Sharp teeth Good knowledge of the different poisons

Cottonmouth is a fictional villain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character is portrayed by Mahershala Ali in Netflix's Luke Cage, which is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Publication history

Cornell Cottonmouth first appeared in Power Man #18 (June 1974) in a story written by Len Wein and drawn by George Tuska. Cornell Cottonmouth, or just Cottonmouth, started out as a drug kingpin in New York City, involved in the events that led to Luke Cage gaining super powers becoming "Power Man". Cottonmouth tried to recruit Cage to his organization, but ultimately Cage knocked Cottonmouth out and turned him over to police. During the Shadowland storyline Cottonmouth returned as part of Nightshade's gang where they come into conflict with Daredevil as well as a new Power Man, who, like his predecessor, knocked Cottonmouth out and turned him over to police.

Fictional character biography

Not much is known about Cottonmouth's history except that he has established himself as a drug lord in New York. When Willis Stryker wanted to frame Carl Lucas, he stole a shipment of heroin from Cottonmouth's organization.

Upon changing his name to Luke Cage, Carl decided to track down the drugs that were used to frame him. Luke Cage used a number of informants in his search. The informant Flea was successful in his search yet his investigations were discovered. Before dying from the poisons inflicted on him by Cottonmouth's men, Flea managed to inform Luke Cage of his discovery. Upon learning who sent Flea to infiltrate his organization, Cottonmouth got the idea of recruiting Luke Cage to his organization. He sent his trademark of snakes to Luke Cage's office "to show him that he means business." Cottonmouth then sent his henchmen Mike and Ike to make an offer to Luke Cage. Luke Cage managed to take out the snakes and defeat Mike and Ike. Mike ended up snitching to where Cottonmouth was located. Luke Cage then met Cottonmouth somewhere. After a scuffle, Luke Cage agreed to join his organization (obviously for Luke Cage to learn where his records were kept). Cottonmouth then began to test Luke Cage's loyalty by sending him to steal a shipment of heroin from the rival crimeboss Morgan. Luke Cage succeeded in that. Luke Cage earned Cottonmouth's trust and began working for him until Cottonmouth caught Luke Cage attempting to steal his records. Cottonmouth attacked Luke Cage and was assisted by his henchman Slick. Luke Cage then knocked Cottonmouth into Slick who fell out the window to his death. When Cottonmouth stated that the supposed records were in Slick's mind, Luke Cage slammed Cottonmouth into an oak desk where Cottonmouth fell unconscious and then called the police to come pick up Cottonmouth.

During the Shadowland storyline, Cottonmouth appeared as a member of Nightshade's gang called the Rivals. Cottonmouth established a section of turf where he sold drugs and hired out prostitutes only for him to be attacked by Hand ninjas that were sent by Daredevil. However, Power Man arrived dispersing the Hand ninjas and then Power Man broke Cottonmouth's teeth. Cottonmouth later had his broken teeth replaced by gold-capped sharp teeth. When Power Man was apparently beaten and defeated by five corrupt police officers, Cottonmouth prepared to bite off a part of Power Man's face only to be leashed by Nightshade. At first, Cottonmouth was surprised when Nightshade offered Power Man to become her enforcer. Cottonmouth then became pleased when Nightshade had set up Power Man to fight Iron Fist. To Nightshade's surprise, Power Man managed to side with Iron Fist and knocked out Cottonmouth while Nightshade escaped.

During the Spider-Island storyline, Cottonmouth alongside Nightshade and Flashmob (consisting of Chemistro III, Cheshire Cat, Commanche, Dontrell "Cockroach" Hamilton, Mr. Fish II, and Spear) tried to leave a spider-infested Manhattan by crossing a bridge only to be stopped by Misty Knight and her Heroes for Hire (consisting of Black Cat, Falcon, Gargoyle II, Paladin, and Silver Sable).

Powers and abilities

Cottonmouth has super-strength that rivals Luke Cage. He also has sharp teeth that he had sharpened to resemble fangs. Cottonmouth also has a good knowledge of the different poisons.

In other media

Cottonmouth, renamed Cornell Stokes, appears in Luke Cage, portrayed by Mahershala Ali. "Cottonmouth" was a nickname given to him when his teeth were knocked out when he was younger. He was the owner of the club Harlem's Paradise and the mastermind behind a number of illegal deals in Harlem while aiding his cousin Mariah Dillard's political career. When he was a baby, he was raised by his Aunt "Mama" Mable Stokes and Mariah after his parents left him. He has musical talent and was encouraged to become a pianist by his Uncle Pete Stokes. However, Mable forced him to grow up in the family mob and kill Pete after he made some deals with other criminal organizations and raped Mariah. Stokes's operations come to a halt thanks to the new vigilante, Luke Cage, and receives unwanted media attention for both himself and Mariah. During a confrontation in the club, Mariah kills Cornell in rage after he accused her of wanting Pete to sexually molest her. Mariah uses his death to frame Luke Cage for murder, later pinning the crime on Stokes' benefactor Diamondback, and eventually taking control of the family business.

External links

• Cottonmouth I at The Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe