Who Is Chameleon? Origin, Powers and Key Facts

Chameleon is a Marvel comic book character, the alter ego of Dmitri Anatoly Nikolayevich, with over 489 comic issue appearances. Dmitri Smerdyakov, AKA Chameleon, was first member of an inexperienced Spider-Man's rogue's gallery. The Chameleon is an elite spy and a master of disguise, using a variety of masks, technology, and other inventive techniques to flawless mimic the appearance and mannerisms of virtually anyone. Although he has been revealed to be the half-brother of Kraven The Hunter, the face behind his trade-mark white mask – worn even beneath his other masks – has never been seen.

Who is Chameleon?

Origin The Chameleon was born a Soviet citizen named Dmitri Smerdyakov . In his youth, he was a servant and half-brother to Kraven the Hunter , Sergei Kravinoff, and eventually became a minor associate to one Gustav Fiers. Although Dmitri and Sergei were friends, Sergei was often abusive to Smerdyakov, leading to a combination of admiration and resentment towards Kravinoff. Eventually, Smerdyakov emigrated to the United States of America. As he had made a talent for himself during his youth, impressing his brother by impersonating friends and neighbours, he assumed an even more impressive disguise: the identity of the Chameleon. During his first known criminal outing on a spy gig, he impersonated Spider-Man, though he was exposed and arrested. Shortly afterward, Kravinoff, now Kraven the Hunter, himself came to America, and the Chameleon set his old associate's sights on Spider-Man. Both men became long-time enemies of Spider-Man, part of his primary rogues' gallery.

Key facts

Chameleon is of human origin and first appeared in "Spider-Man; Spider-Man Vs. The Chameleon". The character is published by Marvel. With 489 recorded issue appearances, Chameleon ranks among the most featured characters in comics.