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Nightshade

Nightshade

Nightshade is a biochemist with a strong interest in lycanthropy. She uses potions, manipulation and seduction as a means to get her own way and if that doesn't work she also has an army of wolves ready to tear you apart.

Name:
Nightshade
Publisher:
Real name:
Tilda Johnson
Aliases:
  • Deadly Doctor Nightshade
  • Dr. Nightshade
  • Dr. Deadly Nightshade
  • Deadly Nightshade
  • Tilda Johnson
  • Queen Of The Werewolves
  • Nighthawk
Birth date:
None
Gender:
Female
Powers:
  • Animal Control
  • Gadgets
  • Intellect
  • Pheromone Control
  • Unarmed Combat
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Origin

Despite being born into poverty, Tilda Johnson learned that she had a natural aptitude for science. She began her criminal career when she was a teenager.

Creation

Nightshade was created by Steve Englehart and Alan Weiss in 1973 and first appeared in Captain America #164.

Major Story Arcs

Life of Nightshade

Over the years she has worked with a wide variety of criminals, developed methods to turn normal humans into obedient werewolves with a little help from Yellowclaw, and was second-in-command of Superia's Femizons.

Later on, Nightshade tried to start her life over without crime. Despite her skill and intelligence, the only medical job she was able to get was as a receptionist - she was self-taught and, as such, had no official degrees. She was promptly fired after pointing out a mistake made by one of the doctors.

Despondent, she was considering suicide until MODOK contacted her to hire her for a heist. She agreed, feeling as though she had already used up all her second chances and couldn't afford to turn down MODOK's offer.

More recently she was contacted by Misty Knight and was employed by the Heroes for Hire. She fought against the new Death-Stalker but quit the team early on.

Powers and Abilities

Nightshade is a brilliant scientist and has displayed expertise in the fields of biochemistry, genetics, cybernetics, robotics and physics. She is a proficient unarmed combatant, having been extensively trained in martial arts and acrobatics during her time with the Femizons, and is known to use her beauty and personality to cause others to underestimate her.

Other Media

Live Action

Luke Cage

Gabrielle Dennis as Tilda Johnson in Luke Cage
Gabrielle Dennis as Tilda Johnson in Luke Cage

Tilda Johnson appears in the second season of the Marvel Netflix series, "Luke Cage". In the series, she is the daughter of Mariah Dillard, who is also known as Black Mariah. She is played by Gabrielle Dennis.

Games

Marvel Avengers Academy

Nightshade in Marvel Avengers Academy
Nightshade in Marvel Avengers Academy

Nightshade in a playable character in the game, released during the Luke Cage Event.

She in voidec by Keyondra Shanae.

Issues

August 1973

September 1975

October 1975

June 1978

August 1978

October 1978

November 1980

August 1983

October 1984

February 1986

April 1986

August 1991

September 1991

July 1992

August 1992

September 1992

October 1992

September 1996

March 2000

April 2000

January 2002

February 2002

March 2002

April 2002

June 2002

Volumes

1968

1976

1978

1983

1985

1990

1996

1998

2002

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2014

2015

2016

2019

2020

2022

2023

2024

Authors

Friends

Enemies

Teams

Friendly teams