Born into an aristocracy that had come to an
end, Dmitri Smerdyakov
was the half-brother of the Russian Sergei
Kravinov (a.k.a. Kraven the Hunter). Kraven became
one of the world's greatest hunters to fulfill his sense of lost nobility, and
Smerdyakov served as a man-servant for his brother. Eventually, Smyerdyakov
would become the internationally notorious Soviet subversive known only as the
Chameleon.
The Chameleon originally used his skills at espionage and disguise to obtain
secret plans and government documents, until at one point he was defeated by Spider-Man, early in that hero's
career. The Chameleon's initial face-changing powers were caused by a special mask which could be
formed into a life-like copy of a chosen person's face. When sprayed with a
special gas, the mask dissolved and reverted to another shape or to his normal
white mask. His specially-designed clothing could similarly change when sprayed
with the gas.
Chamey came into conflict with
Shellhead early in IM's
career. He and Kraven
snuck back into the US, but IM
saw Kraven, knocked him senseless, and took him into custody. But Chameleon
escaped unnoticed, and came up with a plan. He took on the guise of
Captain America, and fed
Iron Man a story that "the Chameleon had captured
me (Cap), and read my thoughts using a machine...but I recovered and managed to
escape!" IM then jetted
off to confront who he thought was the Chameleon, but it was really Cap! A
donneybrook ensued with confusion reigning, but eventually the truth is
discovered and Chamey is nabbed.
First ever appearance: Amazing Spider-Man #1.
First IM appearance: Tales of Suspense
#58.
|
|
Last Updated ( Friday, 11 July 2008 )
|
