| Character Name: | King Snake |
| Real Name: | Sir Edmund Dorrance |
| Publisher: | DC Comics |
| Debut: | Robin #2 (February 1991) |
| Creators: | Chuck Dixon (writer) Tom Lyle (artist) |
| Species: | Human |
| Alliances: | Royal Artillery The Ghost Dragons Kobra Black Lantern Corps |
| Powers: | Master martial artist Steel-reinforced spine |
King Snake (Sir Edmund Dorrance) is a character appearing in media published by DC Comics, usually as an adversary of Robin (Tim Drake) and Batman. Created by writer Chuck Dixon and artist Tom Lyle, King Snake first appeared in Robin #2 (1991).[1] He is a master martial artist and the father of the villain Bane.
Edmund Dorrance is a British mercenary and former member of the Royal Artillery. While in Santa Prisca, he has a one-night stand with a fellow rebel before being injured and blinded in a fight and forced to leave the country. Both the woman and her child are imprisoned for Edmund's crimes, with the latter growing up to become Bane.
Edmund subsequently moves to Hong Kong and becomes a drug trader masquerading as a legitimate businessman. After Lady Shiva breaks his back, he has his spine reinforced with steel to assist in his recovery.[2]
King Snake later joins the terrorist cult Kobra and battles Danny Temple for leadership. After being defeated, he reunites with Bane, who kills him in a fight.[3]
In Blackest Night, King Snake is temporarily revived as a Black Lantern.[4] [5] He later returns permanently following the DC Rebirth relaunch.[6]
King Snake has no superhuman powers. However, he is a master of several of the world's most deadly martial arts. After being blinded during an operation in Santa Prisca, he hones his other senses to compensate.