VENIPEDE
Classification: Extraterrestrial
metameric aquatic arthropods
Location/Base of Operations: Swamp of Death,
Symbion
Known Members: None named
Affiliations: None
Enemies: Sectaurs
First Appearance: Sectaurs#1 (June, 1985)
Powers/Abilities: Venipedes are giant
aquatic-based serpentine-like creatures. Like Earth centipedes, they
have hard chitinous plates, each linked to a pair of legs that aid in
short land sprints and steering underwater. Venipedes have nostrils and
require air to breathe, but can hold their breath for extended periods.
With only large incisor teeth, venipedes are predatory carnivores.
Venipedes
(presumably both genders) have venom sacs inside the throat;
the highly toxic venom can be sprayed out at victims, but rapidly loses
potency if extracted from a dead creature. A venipede's
palate (roof of the mouth) is virtually bulletproof, able to prevent
piercing from a blade. Although quick in movement, a venipede is not
particularly strong.
Traits: Venipedes generally generally travel
alone except during mating season. They swim near the surface to keep
close to air and near land, presumably for food. They cannot be tamed.
Type: Bilaterally symmetric arthropods
Eyes: Two (on head, blue compound)
Skin color: Magenta chitinous scales/carapace
Average height: Unrevealed (one found approximately 35' in
length)
History:
(Sectaurs#1 (fb) - BTS) - A long time ago, a great
cataclysm hit the planet Symbion, ending the careful ecological control
of the insect-evolved dominant race. Slowly, civilization re-emerged of
an organic nature, but warring division between the Dark Domain and the
Shining Realm gave rise to weapons, such as venguns (venom-guns) and
slazors
empowered by venom from dangerous venipedes (although this venom
apparently needed slight modification). Venipede venom could sometimes
be purchased at markets, although extracting it was perilous.
Heir to the throne of the Shining Realm
and enjoying
the thrill of the hunt, Prince Dargon hunted a venipede so that he
could
personally extract fresh venom; he was accompanied on the hunt by his
friend Zak and his giant bug companion Bitaur, but secretly watched by
ally Gnatseye and also monitored separately by Dargon's mentor Mantys.
(Sectaurs#1) - Dargon rode atop his telepathically
linked flying ("insectoid") beetle-steed Dragonflyer, but an angry
venipede attacked them while Bitaur clamped on the beast's tail from
land. Zak suggested dragging the venipede to land to destroy it but
Dargon insisted on extracting the venom fresh to ensure its potency.
Despite the danger, Dargon and Zak treated the task as fun and bravely
kept tackling the thrashing beast. The venipede squirted its venom at
Dargon, but he protected himself with his shield molded from Skall (the
strongest known substance on Symbion). Dargon had Dragonflyer clamp
onto the venipede while he used his spear to keep the creature's maw
open. Dargon reached into the venipede's throat, but the creature broke
free and submerged to escape; however, Dargon still proved successful.
Later, during tavern celebrations for his success, Mantys chided Dargon
for his recklessness.
Comments: Sectaurs created by Lawrence Mass, Tim Clarke & Maureen Trotto. Further developed for Marvel by Bill Mantlo, Mark Texeira, Joe Delbeato & Art Nichols.
There was also a 7" vinyl record + book "Sectaurs:
Attack of the Venipedes" produced by Kid Stuff Records in 1984, which
describes Dargon caught in a frenzied attack during venipede mating
season. The cover shows a very similar-looking creature, but Marvel's
has a more dinosaur-type head and smaller legs. This profile is confined
to the Marvel
appearances.
The venipede is shown with blue compound eyes once in close up; otherwise they appear white.
The planet Symbion exists "somewhere in space,
somewhere in time", so I think this ambiguity lets it fit neatly in
Reality-616 (or many other realities).
Sectaurs began formally in 1984 as a toy line (with accompanying mini-comics), followed in 1985 as a Marvel comic series, plus a 1986 short-lived TV animated series (with subtle differences from the comics).
This profile was completed 03/05/2026, but its publication was delayed as it was intended for the Appendix 25th anniversary's celebratory event.
Profile by Grendel Prime.
CLARIFICATIONS:
Venipedes have no known connections to:
images: (without ads)
Sectaurs#1, p7, pan5 (main image)
p8, pan1 (headshot shooting venom)
Appearances:
Sectaurs#1 (June, 1985) - Bill Mantlo (writer), Mark Texeira (pencils),
Joe Delbeato & Art Nichols (inks), Bob Budiansky (editor)
First Posted: 09/28/2026
Last updated: 03/05/2026
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
Non-Marvel
Copyright info
All other characters mentioned or pictured are ™ and
© 1941-2099 Marvel Characters, Inc. All Rights Reserved. If you
like this stuff, you should check out the real thing!
Please visit The Marvel Official Site at: http://www.marvel.com
Special Thanks to www.g-mart.com for hosting the Appendix, Master List, etc.!