Who is Madame Hydra in the pages of Marvel Comics? Here are some fun facts that will help you learn more about her and the woman who might be holding that mantle.
Valentina Allegra de Fontaine made her Marvel Cinematic Universe debut in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. This writer wondered if she was someone we’d see in the MCU. And, if so, who’d play her? Those questions were answered in the Disney Plus series. Valentina Allegra de Fontaine is here and she is portrayed by the award-winning Julia Louis-Dreyfus. And now fans are wondering if she’s also Madame Hydra.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus fit right into the role. She doesn’t seem like the Valentina that we’ve seen in the comics, but that’s okay. The sarcasm and charm works for the MCU. If Valentina is Madame Hydra, this is even better. The antagonists in the MCU aren’t always doom and gloom. Most of the time they’re fun – sometimes to the chagrin of viewers. If the little bit we saw of her is an indication of what’s coming, she will have the balance we want from the character.
The assumption that Valentina is Madame Hydra as well makes sense. She was Madame Hydra in the comics. However, we’ve guessed wrong before. Everyone was certain we would see Reed Richards, Blue Marvel, or Mephisto in WandaVision and none of those characters turned up in the series. Nonetheless, since both Valentina and Madame Hydra are popular topics, let’s discuss who both characters are in the comics and learn a little bit more about Madame Hydra and some of the women who hold that title.
Viper
Fans of Marvel Comics may know this, but one of the characters to go by Madame Hydra also went by Viper. It wasn’t just because she’s a deadly assassin; no, she can literally be poisonous to people. And those poisons are powerful enough to affect healing factors. She once held Sabretooth prisoner (Death of Wolverine issue No. 2). During that time as long as Sabretooth was, as she said, a “good doggie” he got the antidote. If he wasn’t, he would have been killed. It further shows how ruthless and dangerous she is. Which leads us to where she’s done her worst.
Ruled Madripoor
Madripoor has had more than its share of rulers. Most of them were vile human beings who preyed on the misfortune and greed of others. None of them were as evil and, for some reason, as beloved by people as Madame Hydra.
Madame Hydra would allow anything as long as she could get something out of it. It wasn’t always money she was after. Since she had eyes and ears all over Lowtown, she could get information. That info usually led to her blackmailing people and calling in favors down the line.
If it benefits Madame Hydra, she lets it happen. If it doesn’t, she shuts it down and will likely kill whoever didn’t cut her in on what they made.
Undercover work
Valentina Allegra de Fontaine was one of the premier S.H.I.E.L.D. agents along with Nick Fury and Dum Dum Dugan. Later in life, she took on another role. She became Madame Hydra and used her incredible skills as a spy to gather information on her enemies. She was in deep cover and is lucky that she made it out alive. Being a triple agent isn’t easy. When you’re surrounded by Viper, the Gorgon (Tomi Shishido), and other dangerous killers, you have to be versed in the art of secrecy. Valentina is one of the best. It’s not shocking she did a good job.
Loves Nick Fury
Valentina loves Nick Fury. The two of them have gone through more dangerous situations than any other S.H.I.E.L.D. agent. During their time together, they ended up falling in love. Nick Fury being himself ended up ruining their relationship. She didn’t take it to heart as got to work on saving the world.
She knows that Nick Fury has a very singular vision. He has to keep the world spinning. Everything else in between doesn’t matter. What’s funny is when she did something similar to Nick Fury, he took it personally. Considering all the things he’s done, you’d assume he’d be better about it. However, in the end, he was there when she needed him to break her out of jail.
Relationship with Jessica Drew
Jessica Drew was given her powers back by Hydra. Hydra wanted to use her to spy on Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D. She told Fury and he wanted her to spy on them for him. When she became an Avenger, Hydra wanted her to spy on the Avengers too. .
On a mission to Japan (New Avengers: Ronin), we find all this out. We also see that Viper has a hold on Jessica. Viper was more than willing to have Jessica killed if she didn’t listen but she needed her. However, we later find out that this wasn’t really Jessica Drew. It was the Skrull Queen Veranke.
Abducted by the Skrulls
Jessica Drew was only one of the beings abducted by the Skrulls. They were replacing anyone that had a connection to major groups on Earth. Among those groups is S.H.I.E.L.D.
S.H.I.E.L.D. have some of the best weapons and tech in the world so it makes sense to infiltrate them. That’s why one of the first people the Skrulls replaced was Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. Using her face, they abducted Dum Dum Dugan and almost got Nick Fury. If they had succeeded in getting Nick Fury, they would have won the war.
Married to Wolverine
Viper hates Wolverine. A lot of it has to do with him constantly ruining her plans. As much as she hates him, there was a time when she needed him. Viper was looking to gain control over Madripoor and, because Logan is highly respected in Madripoor, she figured it would help her gain control. She also used Sabretooth and Kitty Pryde in her plan to get what she wanted.
Their marriage was short-lived. While being possessed by Ogun (Logan’s former sensei), Logan stabbed Viper in the stomach to get Ogun to leave her body. He then said the only way he’d help her is if she agreed to a divorce. She agreed and the two are no longer together.
Octopus head
The moment where to Madame Hydras collide, Viper encountered one of the weirdest moments in her life when she was shot and killed by the other Madame Hydra: Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. The Hive used his powers to bring her back to life, however, the result included having an octopus on her head. Thankfully, this didn’t last long. It wasn’t an absurd look.
Tired of losing to Captain America, the Avengers, and Nick Fury, Viper joined Norman Osborn and H.A.M.M.E.R. With H.A.M.M.E.R. came A.I.M. scientists. They were the ones who put Viper back to normal. No one was shocked that Viper was using Norman. Her plan was to betray them as soon as they won. Alas, she lost yet again.
What do you think? What are some things about Valentina Allegra de Fontaine in Marvel Comics that people should know? Are you looking forward to seeing Madame Hydra in the MCU? Let us know in the comments below.