Goanna

Cooper Seidel was lucky enough to always know what he wanted to be when he grew up: a herpetologist, just like his father, Kevin. Cooper went everywhere with his father, much to his mother’s chagrin. No location was too remote, no snake too deadly, and no reptile too elusive. For him, life was an adventure filled with Aboriginals, field research, and snakes.
The adventure ended for Cooper at ten years old, when his father was bit by a common taipan. He had wandered away from the expedition and his father went after him. Focused on young Cooper, Dr. Seidel didn’t notice the snake until it was too late. The bite itself was not more than a scratch, but venom coursed through his veins. Cooper went for the antivenin ampoule, but broke open the top and spilled the serum onto the ground. He could only scream for help as his father died.
Cooper’s love of snakes became an obsession. His goal was simple: no one would ever die, or lose a loved one, to a poisonous animal ever again. He spent every moment studying snakes and their venom. After secondary school, Cooper went to university, taking whatever herpetology courses were offered before transferring to the next school. Finally settling at Freedom City University, he was bound for a position at ASTRO Labs after graduation.
Cooper’s research centered on creating an injectable protein that would function as a universal anti-venom. He worked for years to create the protein, gathering genetic material from dozens of poisonous species from across the globe, barely noticing the constant stream of interns and co-workers as they came and went However, Dr. Sophia Marks noticed him. Dedicated in her own right, Sophia made it a point to draw him out into the world.
After a few years of dating, they settled into an agreement: once his research was complete, they would marry. When his work neared the final stage—human trials—he saw the end in sight and finally proposed. Breaking from his standard demeanor, Cooper planned an elaborate and romantic dinner. He placed the engagement ring into a glass of champagne, and dropped to one knee when Sophia noticed it.
The next day Cooper was informed that his serum was rejected for testing on humans and his funding was pulled. Furious, he tore through his lab, smashing whatever was within reach. Finally exhausted and his lab in a shambles, he collapsed behind his desk, clutching a syringe containing his antivenin protein. Determined he was right and his protein would save thousands of lives, he did the only thing he could: he injected himself.
Hearing the news about Cooper’s funding, Sophia rushed to his lab. She opened the door to find him in the process of transforming into the monster, Goanna. He reached out to her, but barely managed a noise somewhere between a whimper and a hiss before Sophia fainted.
He flew into a rage. With his newfound strength, Goanna tore through the walls of the lab and out onto the streets of Freedom City. The Raven II managed to fight him to a standstill and eventually calm Goanna enough for him to revert to the human form of Dr. Seidel.
Cooper worked closely with Daedalus for several months searching for a cure for his condition. Using Cooper’s amassed notes, they were able to synthesize the protein that caused his initial transformation. With the protein in hand they began the long process of finding a way to reverse the genetic changes it wrought. Daedalus and Cooper stumbled across a formula that might work as hoped; knowing there was no guarantee, Cooper injected himself again.
The result was tragic. Cooper again transformed into Goanna, only this time he was stronger and more cunning. No longer a savage monster, Goanna had become an individual in his own right. He broke out of the secured lab they were working in, his only goal: escape and survive.

Physical Description

Special abilities

Goanna is a powerful humanoid reptile, strong enough to lift a car overhead. His reptilian adaptations include a tough, scaly hide able to shrug off small caliber gunfire and change colors to blend into his surroundings. His powerful legs allow him to leap hundreds of feet, between buildings and from rooftop to street to rooftop.
He can crawl close to the ground, scale sheer walls like a gecko, and even skip across water at a run for short distances. Goanna is well adapted from swimming and able to breathe under water, while ignoring chill and water pressure (unlike other reptiles, he is not cold blooded, nor slowed by cold environments). He uses his powerful tail for propulsion, as well as a whip-like weapon in combat.
Goanna’s senses are sharp, able to see in dim light, with a long tongue able to taste scents in the air and track by scent. He is capable of spitting a powerful venom over short distances, as well as injecting it through the fangs in his mouth, which causes gradual paralysis in its victims.
Goanna’s claws are powerful enough to score metal. He can fly into an animalistic rage in combat, a pure fight-or-flight survival mode, where he becomes stronger and virtually immune to fear, if somewhat heedless of his own defense.
Lastly, Goanna heals swiftly and, like many reptiles, can regenerate lost or damaged parts of his body. He can completely recover from injuries in a matter of minutes.

Mental characteristics

Intellectual Characteristics

Goanna has become a split personality. At times Cooper is dominant and seeking to cure his condition, but when Goanna is dominant, he wantonly steals and maims. Cooper is detached, cold, and analytical, but with an edge of desperation; Goanna is a rage-filled monster with moments of cold, reptilian intelligence. Cooper’s goal is to become human again and reclaim the life he left behind, including his beloved Sophia. Goanna is cruel and malicious, often targeting the very things Cooper holds dear.
Observers fear that Cooper Seidel’s personality is slowly fading or, worse, the two are merging to form a third persona with all of Seidel’s intellect and acumen, controlled by Goanna’s monstrous mind.