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Sinister Syndicate

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Sinister Syndicate
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceThe Amazing Spider-Man #280 (Sep 1986)
Created byTom DeFalco
Ron Frenz
In-story information
Base(s)New York
Member(s)See Membership

The Sinister Syndicate is a group of supervillains appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The characters serve as a collection of lesser-known Spider-Man villains. The group was the focus of the 1991 Deadly Foes of Spider-Man mini-series.

Publication history

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The Sinister Syndicate first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #280 and was created by Tom DeFalco and Ron Frenz.[1]

Fictional team history

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First version

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Patterned after the conglomeration of Spider-Man's deadliest foes who call themselves the Sinister Six, the Sinister Syndicate was originally formed by the super-villain Beetle. The original roster of the group consisted of Beetle, Hydro-Man, Rhino, Boomerang, and Speed Demon, who collectively gathered together under the Beetle's leadership.[2] Unlike the Sinister Six, which was formed to destroy Spider-Man, the Syndicate was formed to act as a mercenary group that worked for the highest bidder.[3][4]

Second version

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The group, now featuring Boomerang's girlfriend Leila Davis, was the focus of the 1991 mini-series Deadly Foes of Spider-Man. The series focuses upon the group's break-up due to Beetle's jealousy towards Boomerang and his attempts to usurp control of the group. Beetle betrays Boomerang by allowing him to be caught during a robbery and then convincing him to use Beetle's lawyer Steve Partridge, not knowing that Beetle had instructed his lawyer to throw the trial to ensure Boomerang's conviction.[5]

Third version

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As Hardshell, Leila Davis assembles Boomerang, Rhino, and Vulture for her version of the Sinister Syndicate. All three seek a nuclear blaster, with Boomerang and Rhino wanting to sell the weapon for money while Vulture wants to use it to cure his cancer. Beetle and Stegron make off with the Nuclear Blaster and battle Spider-Man. The battle ends with Boomerang, Rhino, and Vulture being incapacitated alongside Beetle and Stegron.[6]

Unofficial versions

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Komodo and The Sinister Syndicate fighting Spider-Man.
Art by Jim Cheung.

In Avengers: The Initiative, half of the Syndicate (Hydro-Man, Shocker, and Boomerang) reunite and fight Spider-Man. The battle is interrupted by Komodo and War Machine. They are later apprehended by the Initiative's Scarlet Spiders.[7]

Some members of the Sinister Syndicate are reunited in the 2013 series Superior Foes of Spider-Man. Boomerang is the leader of the new Sinister Six, which includes Shocker, Overdrive, Speed Demon, and Beetle (Janice Lincoln).[8]

Fourth version

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Operatives of Mayor Wilson Fisk free Electro (Francine Frye) so that she can be part of a female version of the Sinister Syndicate. Janice Lincoln introduces Electro to the team, which consists of Lady Octopus, Scorpia, Trapstr, and White Rabbit.[9] In the "Sinister War" storyline, Ana Kravinoff joins the group.[10]

Fifth version

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The Life Foundation formed their own Sinister Syndicate, recruiting the symbiotes Scream, Phage, Lasher, Riot and Agony.

Membership

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The following is the known membership of the Sinister Syndicate:

First Sinister Syndicate

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Second Sinister Syndicate

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  • Beetle (leader)
  • Boomerang
  • Hydro-Man
  • Rhino
  • Speed Demon
  • Hardshell (driver)
  • Shocker

Third Sinister Syndicate

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  • Leila Davis (leader)
  • Boomerang
  • Rhino
  • Vulture

Fourth Sinister Syndicate

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Fifth Sinister Syndicate

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In other media

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References

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  1. ^ DeFalco, Tom; Sanderson, Peter; Brevoort, Tom; Teitelbaum, Michael; Wallace, Daniel; Darling, Andrew; Forbeck, Matt; Cowsill, Alan; Bray, Adam (2019). The Marvel Encyclopedia. DK Publishing. p. 335. ISBN 978-1-4654-7890-0.
  2. ^ Cowsill, Alan; Manning, Matthew K. (2012). Spider-Man Chronicle: Celebrating 50 Years of Web-Slinging. DK Publishing. p. 157. ISBN 978-0756692360.
  3. ^ The Amazing Spider-Man #280 (September 1986)
  4. ^ Rovin, Jeff (1987). The Encyclopedia of Super-Villains. New York: Facts on File. p. 402. ISBN 0-8160-1356-X.[1]
  5. ^ Deadly Foes of Spider-Man #1 (May 1991)
  6. ^ Lethal Foes of Spider-Man #1 - 4 (September - December 1993)
  7. ^ Avengers: The Initiative #3 (August 2007)
  8. ^ The Superior Foes of Spider-Man #1 (September 2013)
  9. ^ The Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 5) #25 - 26 (September 2019)
  10. ^ Sinister War #2 (September 2021)
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