Chameleon (comics)
| Chameleon | |
|---|---|
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The Chameleon.
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| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | The Amazing Spider-Man #1 (March 1963) |
| Created by |
Stan Lee Steve Ditko |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Dmitri Anatoly Nikolayevich Smerdyakov |
| Team affiliations |
KGB Sinister Twelve Sinister Six HYDRA Exterminators Kravinoff Family |
| Partnerships |
Red Skull Electro Kraven the Hunter Kingpin Leader Hammerhead Doctor Octopus |
| Notable aliases | Peter Parker, J. Jonah Jameson, General Ross, Dr. Turner, many others |
| Abilities | Master of disguise Brilliant method actor and impressionist Enhanced strength and endurance Longevity |
The Chameleon (Dmitri Smerdyakov) is a fictional character, a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.
The character first appears in The Amazing Spider-Man #1 (March 1963), and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko; the Chameleon is the first member of Spider-Man's rogues' gallery, based on issue publication date, excluding the burglar who murdered Ben Parker (Supercharger was the first Spider-Man supervillain chronologically).
The Chameleon was born a Soviet citizen named Dmitri Smerdyakov (Дмитрий Смердяков). In his youth, he was a servant and half-brother to Kraven the Hunter (Sergei Kravinoff) and eventually became a minor associate to Gustav Fiers. Although Dmitri and Sergei were friends, Sergei was often abusive to Smerdyakov, leading to a combination of admiration and resentment towards Kravinoff. Eventually, Smerdyakov emigrated to the United States of America. As he had made a talent for himself during his youth, impressing his brother by impersonating friends and neighbors, he assumed an even more impressive disguise: the identity of Chameleon. During his first known criminal outing, he impersonated Spider-Man, though he was exposed and arrested. Shortly afterward, Kravinoff, now Kraven the Hunter, himself came to America, and the Chameleon set his old associate's sights on Spider-Man. Both men became long-time enemies of Spider-Man, part of his primary rogues' gallery.
The Chameleon inspired Kraven to begin hunting Spider-Man, inviting Kraven to dispose of the hero. With Kraven, the Chameleon battled Iron Man, and then confronted the Hulk. At one point, the Chameleon disguised himself as Hank Pym, and robbed Pym's laboratory for documents to combat Virus Nine. While delivering the documents and a shrunken Hulk to HYDRA, he was encountered and defeated by Ant-Man. The Chameleon disguised himself as the Torpedo and battled Daredevil.
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