The Eel
Real Name: Leopold Stryke
First Appearance: Strange Tales 112. There is a second Eel who first showed up in Power Man/Iron Fist 92--editor Jeanne
Died in: Ghost Rider (second series) 21
What's His Problem? Hard to say. Leo was an aquarium caretaker and noted marine life expert who led a double life as a costumed thief -- guess the fishes didn't pay well enough. Whatever his reasons, Stryke electrified the world as the evil Eel until his senseless murder by the original Gladiator. Since then, a crook named Edward Lavell has donned the Eel suit in pursuit of fame, fortune and super-heroic beatings.
Abilities: Stryke knew his fish, and was also an electronics whiz; he was an agile but mediocre fighter. Lavell is more formidable at fisticuffs but has no other special skills to speak of.
Weapons: Stryke's Eel costume was coated with a grease-like substance that made him as slippery as his namesake; it also housed circuitry capable of generating electricity sufficient to stun or kill an ordinary human with a touch, though insulation shielded Stryke himself from its effects. Stryke could also release this electricity as a luminous glow or bolts of electrical energy. Lavell's version of the costume has all of the above features and also generates a constant bodily electrical field through which the Eel can detect any movement near his person.
Favorite Quote: "I'm called the Eel, remember--and I'm electrified head to toe! You got me, okay--but can you let go?" Defenders 38. Stryke shows off his villainous versatility by zapping Luke Cage while boasting in rhyme. Fish expert, master criminal and poet all rolled into one--what a guy!
Heroes He Kept Running Into: Johnny (Human Torch) Storm first exposed and defeated Stryke, though their recurring enmity didn't last long. Captain America often netted the Eel. Stryke also struck out against Daredevil, the Fantastic Four, the X-Men and the Defenders. The new Eel has faced such foes as Power Man and Iron Fist, the Fantastic Four and Spider-Man.
People Who Think He's Not So Bad: Stryke was quite fond of his criminal brother, Jordan (AKA Viper), with whom he co-founded the Serpent Squad. Eel was also pretty chummy with his frequent criminal partner, the Porcupine; they worked with guys like the Scarecrow, Unicorn and Plantman under such bosses as Count Nefaria, the Cowled Commander and Nebulon. The new Eel has served as a member of the criminal Enforcers.
Most Despicable Act: Though seldom a significant solo threat, the original Eel once endangered thousands of lives by stealing a dangerously unstable atomic device.
by Sean McQuaid
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