View source for Melati Kusuma (Earth-616) | Marvel Database

{{Marvel Database:Character Template
| Image                   = Melati Kusuma (Earth-616) from Avengers Assemble Vol 1 1 0001.jpg
| RealName                = Melati Kusuma
| CurrentAlias            = Komodo
| Aliases                 = "Reptilla",{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #3}} "that poor girl in the wheelchair"{{r|Avengers: The Initiative Special #1}}
| Identity                = Known to Authorities
| Affiliation             = {{M|Briggs Chemical LLC}}; formerly {{M|New Warriors|Avengers Resistance}}, {{M|Desert Stars}} ([[Arizona (State)|Arizona]] {{M|50-State Initiative|Initiative}}), {{M|Shadow Initiative}}
| Relatives               = 
| Universe                = Earth-616
| BaseOfOperations        = [[Arizona (State)|Arizona]]; Formerly [[Camp Hammond]]

| Gender                  = Female
| Height                  = 4'3"
| Height2                 = (as human); [[:Category:Height 5' 8"|5'8"]][[Category:Height 5' 8"]] (as Komodo)
| Weight                  = 110 lbs
| Weight2                 = (as human); 148 lbs (as Komodo)
| Eyes                    = Brown
| Eyes2                   = (as human); solid [[:Category:Amber Eyes|Amber]][[Category:Amber Eyes]] {{r|Avengers Assemble #1}} or [[:Category:White Eyes|White]][[Category:White Eyes]]{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #27}}{{r|Fear Itself: Youth in Revolt #4}} (as Komodo)
| Hair                    = Black
| Hair2                   = (as human); [[:Category:No Hair|None]][[Category:No Hair]] (as Komodo)
| UnusualSkinColour       = Green
| UnusualFeatures         = In human form, she is [[:Category:Legless|Legless]][[Category:Legless]]. In lizard form, she has a more reptilian appearance, including claws, scaly skin, pointed ears, fangs, a tail, and a crest fin.
| CharRef                 = {{c|Avengers Assemble #1}}

| Citizenship             = American
| MaritalStatus           = Single
| Occupation              = Vigilante; former licensed super hero, Geneticist, Inventor, Engineer, Chemist

| Education               = BS (unspecified); graduate studies at [[Empire State University]] (incomplete)

| Origin                  = [[Homo sapiens|Human]] [[Mutate]]d by a version of the [[Connors Formula]]{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #2}}

| PlaceOfBirth            = 
| Creators                = Dan Slott; Stefano Caselli
| First                   = Civil War Battle Damage Report #1
| First2                  = {{Cameo}}{{cid|Avengers: The Initiative #1}}{{g|First full appearance}}

| HistoryText             = [[File:Avengers_The_Initiative_Special_Vol_1_1_page_13_Melati_Kusuma_(Earth-616).jpg|thumb|175px|left]]
===Origin===
'''Melati Kusuma''' lost both her legs in a car accident due to her fast and reckless driving, six weeks after getting her license. The crash was so violent it took two hours to extract her from the wreck. She became sick of people seeing her as ''"that poor girl in the wheelchair"''. She devoted herself to academics, having "no life", and earned a full scholarship to [[Empire State University]].{{r|Avengers: The Initiative Special #1}}

Melati secured an internship under [[Curtis Connors (Earth-616)|Doc Connors]]' supervision the day she applied. Connors knew that she was interested in the [[Connors Formula]], and promised her they would work to make it safe, forcing her to swear she wouldn't do anything reckless.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative Special #1}}

Eager to regain her legs, she work efficiently and earn Connors' trust, and eventually gain access to the Formula{{r|Avengers Assemble #1}} stole it{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #1}}{{r|Avengers: The Initiative Special #1}} and modified it so that it would work on her and would merely grant her the regenerative properties Dr. Connors desired or at least allow her to keep her mind.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #3}} As she knew perfecting the formula would take too long, she decided to make it good enough, and if the mutation was unexpected, she was fine with it.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative Special #1}}

===[[Initiative]]===
Although he was upset, Connors understood her and was impressed.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative Special #1}} encouraged her to register and to become a trainee,{{r|Avengers Assemble #1}} unwilling to press charges and wanting her to be responsible about her powers.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative Special #1}}

She joined the [[50-State Initiative (Earth-616)|Initiative]] at [[Camp Hammond]], arriving in the same batch of students that include [[Terrance Ward (Earth-616)|Trauma]], [[Abigail Boylen (Earth-616)|Cloud 9]], [[Duc No Tranh (Earth-616)|Bengal]], [[Tsu-Zana (Earth-616)|Ultragirl]], [[Steven Harmon (Earth-616)|Slapstick]], [[Roger Brokeridge (Earth-616)|Hardball]], [[Tarene (Earth-616)|Thor Girl]], [[Elvin Haliday (Earth-616)|Rage]] and [[Violet Lightner (Earth-616)|Armory]].{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #1}}

On the first day, she choose her codename: '''Komodo'''. She was present in the [[Combat Simulator]], assisting to Trauma's and Armory's powers test, and had her arm cut off by one of Armory's blast after she lost control. Once the situation debunked, she was consequently among those sworn to silence by [[Henry Gyrich (Earth-616)|Henry Gyrich]] about [[Michael van Patrick (Earth-616)|MVP]]'s death.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #1}}

She was sent along with the other trainees to [[Prairie Chapel Ranch]] (the "Western White House") when [[Hydra (Earth-616)|Hydra]] targetted the [[George W. Bush (Earth-616)|President]] there.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #2}}

Returning from a ceremony for [[Criti Noll (Clone) (Earth-616)|"Pym"]]'s bravery during the battle, Komodo fell asleep in their jet, and her human form (including her missing legs){{r|Avengers: The Initiative #8}} was witnessed by Hardball, causing her to assault him.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #3}}

Though Pym and Rhodes were initially concerned about her aptitude as a superhero due to the circumstances under which she obtained her powers, she became one of the most successful recruits, and was sent into the field to neutralize [[Herman Schultz (Earth-616)|Shocker]], [[Frederick Myers (Earth-616)|Boomerang]], [[Morris Bench (Earth-616)|Hydro-Man]] and [[Peter Parker (Earth-616)|Spider-Man]] by injecting them with [[S.P.I.N.]] nanites. She nearly succeeded, but was severely shaken when Spider-Man managed to stun her and escape, fearing that her failure would mean the end of her powers.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #3}}

===[[World War Hulk]]===
During the [[World War Hulk|return from exile]] of the [[Bruce Banner (Earth-616)|Hulk]], Komodo was deployed on ground in [[New York City]] a, and took down a band of looters. Terrified by the threat of having her powers removed, Komodo was the sole trainee to not break ranks to fight Hulk's troops and to follow instructor-in-training  [[Delroy Garrett Jr. (Earth-616)|Triathlon]]'s orders.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #4}}

In the aftermaths, Komodo was among the numerous trainees, registered and unregistered heroes to volunteer in the rebuilding of New York City. As the [[Chrysler Building]] became alive due to the infiltration of [[Shadow-Stone]] left after the invasion, many heroes tried to fight it in vain and were defeated, including Komodo.{{r|World War Hulk Aftersmash: Damage Control Vol 1 #1|3}}

Komodo was later confronted to the statements of Cloud 9 and Hardball regarding MVP's status, before the conversation was ended by an intruding Yellowjacket.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #6}}

She began dating Hardball at some point.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #8}}

===Zodiac===
Led by Triathlon,{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #8}} and along with Cloud 9, Hardball and Thor Girl, Komodo was dispatched in [[Manhattan]] against the [[Zodiac (Baal Abib) (Earth-616)|Zodiac]]. The whole squad was defeated but were saved by the arrival of the [[New Warriors (Earth-616)|New Warriors]]. [[Jonothon Starsmore (Earth-616)|Decibel]] had the trainees secured. The disaster of that event directly caused a PR issue for the Initiative{{r|New Warriors Vol 4 #4|5}}{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #8}}

===Dragon Man===
A squad comprised of Cloud 9, Hardball, Komodo, Triathlon and Thor Girl were able to capture [[Dragon Man (Earth-616)|Dragon Man]] without harm and bring in to Camp Hammond for deportation to [[Prison 42]], thanks to his attraction for Komodo. Same attraction caused him to free himself and brawl in the Camp when Komodo demonstrated her relation to Hardball. Due to her actions during fights against Hydra, Dragon Man and others, Triathlon even proposed to nominate Komodo for a commendation, but was refused by Gyrich due to their Zodiac debacle, causing Hardball to expose his grief, reminding about MVP's secret. Turned on by Hardball's burst, Komodo and her boyfriend bounded to which point she agreed to reveal herself to him in human form.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #8}}

===KIA===
When [[Michael van Patrick (KIA) (Earth-616)|KIA]] (an insane clone of MVP using the [[Tactigon]]) emerged, he added to his "list" Komodo, as she witnessed the incident that killed "him".{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #9}} For the first part of the massacre, Komodo and Hardball remained unharmed, as they were "fraternizing" in the [[Cadet Barracks Bravo]], until Cloud 9 burst in.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #10}}

Assembling a squad with [[Isaac Christians (Earth-616)|Gargoyle]], [[Kyle Richmond (Earth-616)|Nighthawk]], [[Walter Newell (Earth-616)|Stingray]], [[Cassandra Lang (Earth-616)|Stature]] and Hellcat, they confronted KIA, taking severe damages, including Komodo's guts spread on the court.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #10}} Once [[Wernher von Blitzschlag (Earth-616)|Blitzschlag]] explained his plan in order to take KIA, involving using the [[Michael van Patrick (Clone) (Earth-616)|MVP clone]]'s psyche, Hardball and Komodo left with Cloud 9, Komodo assuming the role of human shield in case KIA would try to blast them off. Using the Negative Zone Portal, they went to [[Tennessee (State)|Tennessee]], where the MVP clone and "his" father lived then, and tried to capture MVP, only to be countered by the former [[New Warriors (Earth-616)|New Warriors]] gone rogue from the Initiative.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #10}}{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #11}}

While Komodo, Hardball and Cloud 9 tried to persuade MVP's clone to undergo Blitzschlag's plan of using his psyche (possibly wiping his own mind), KIA retrieved them after rampaging the [[Initiative Headquarters (Tennessee)|Initiative Headquarters]] of [[Tennessee (State)|Tennessee]]. After he took down both Slapstick and Justice, Komodo and Hardball assaulted him at once, only for the former to be infected by [[Rigellian Snake Venom]], ''"the fastest working poison in this universe"'' and left her behind, "killed in action".{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #11}}

The arrival of the [[Mighty Avengers (Initiative) (Earth-616)|Avengers]] gave a break to the trainees, and Hardball managed to save Komodo by severing her legs, forcing her to go through that experience once again. KIA was eventually defeated by Cloud 9's ruses.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #11}}

===Desert Stars===
Komodo visited Trauma's body before the funeral, along with Gauntlet and her fellow trainees, and witnessed his unannounced resurrection.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #12}} The next day, the squad graduated, and Komodo was assigned to [[Arizona (State)|Arizona]]'s [[Desert Stars (Earth-616)|Desert Stars]] team. She and Hardball promised to visit each other, the later being assigned to the [[Nevada (State)|Nevada]]'s [[Heavy Hitters (Earth-616)|Heavy Hitters]].{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #12}}

===Secret Invasion===
Komodo and her new team had to deal with the civilians due to the loss of power caused by the first steps of the [[Secret Invasion]]. When the [[Delroy Garrett Jr. (Earth-616)|3-D Man (formerly Triathlon)]] and the [[Skrull Kill Krew (Earth-616)|Skrull Kill Krew]] arrived and identified team member the [[Blacksmith (Skrull) (Earth-616)|Blacksmith]] as a Skrull, Komodo and her team were first surprised but quickly helped them fight and kill him. As the rest of the Desert Stars team was incapacitated during the fight, Komodo left with 3-D Man and the Skrull Kill Krew to travel to [[Nevada (State)|Nevada]] to help Hardball's team and find the Skrull infiltrators on the other Initiative teams.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #16}}

The Krew took down the Heavy Hitters' infiltrator and were joined by Hardball. They pursued to [[Utah (State)|Utah]] and killed [[Called (Earth-616)|The Called]]'s infiltrator as well, before being rejoined by [[Jocasta Pym (Earth-616)|Jocasta]] and [[Eric Payne (Earth-616)|Devil Slayer]], who intended to use his [[Shadow Cloaks|Shadow Cloak]] for the gathering to travel faster from state to state to eliminate all infiltrated Skrulls.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #17}}

Rejoined by Heavy Hitters [[Greg Willis (Earth-616)|Gravity]] and [[Madeleine Michaels (Earth-616)|Nonstop]], the Krew went to [[Billings (Montana)|Billings]], [[Montana]], home of the [[Freedom Force (Initiative) (Earth-616)|Freedom Force]]. They had trouble to take down its infiltrator, [[Terrance Sorenson (Skrull) (Earth-616)|"Equinox"]], until Cloud 9 sniped him, and then joined them as well. In [[Philadelphia (Pennsylvania)|Philadelphia]], the [[Liberteens (Earth-616)|Liberteens]] Skrull [[Revolutionary (Skrull) (Earth-616)|"Revolutionary"]] was killed and speedster [[Whiz Kid (Earth-616)|Whiz Kid]] recruited into the rampaging group. Same fate went for [[Tarene (Skrull) (Earth-616)|"Thor Girl"]], but the crew was attacked by Skrulls tracking Devil Slayer's cloak energy signature. Komodo was able to spot [[Eric O'Grady (Earth-616)|Ant-Man]] who was hiding among the Skrulls assailants and managed to jump on Cloud 9's back.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #18}}

As Ant-Man explained the Skrulls' plan to blow up the planet (by opening multiple [[Negative Zone Portal]]s from different Initiative bases in order to sent a portion in the that dimension) he had learned by spying on them, the Krew and Initiative group split in six groups in order to target the six remaining bases and (for the speedsters) destroy the formerly cleared bases. Komodo separated from Hardball and the six groups teleported through Devil Slayer's cloak.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #18}}

Teaming up with [[Heidi Sladkin (Earth-616)|Riot]], she went to [[Florida (State)|Florida]] and help [[Command (Earth-616)|The Command]] members [[Wundarr (Earth-616)|Aquarian]] and [[Jennifer Kale (Earth-616)|Jennifer Kale]] defeat [[Devil Dinosaur (Skrull) (Earth-616)|"Conquistador"]], who changed himself to a [[Devil Dinosaur]] form.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #19}}

Along the whole Skrull Kill Krew (including her Initiative allies), [[Greer Grant (Earth-616)|Tigra]] (of the [[Battalion (Earth-616)|Battalion]]) and the [[Rangers (Earth-616)|Rangers]], Komodo reappeared at Camp Hammond through a Initiative jump gate, to take down the Skrull central command.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #19}}

===After the Skrull War===
As [[Zzzax (Earth-616)|Zzzax]] attacked [[Hoover Dam]] at the Arizona/Nevada border, urging both states teams to respond the threat. As both teams were unsuccessful against it, Komodo devised a plan involving countering Zzzax's by having Hardball expanding one of his own electromagnetic energy ball in its electromagnetic field being, taking on herself to attract the monster's attention.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative Special #1}}

The lovers later celebrated in [[Las Vegas]] at the [[Heavy Hitters Hotel and Casino]] (their headquarters), and both shared their tragic histories, Roger telling her about his [[Paul Brokeridge (Earth-616)|brother Paul]], a former powered wrestler now paralyzed. As Roger (under mission of Hydra to retrieve the formula) asked her about her powers, she told him it was at Connors' lab in [[Los Angeles]].{{r|Avengers: The Initiative Special #1}}

The very next day, Hardball infiltrated [[California State University]], where Komodo was waiting for him. Roger revealed the services he had for Hydra, and Melati offered to isolate the formula for him, but intending to take down Hydra with the help of the Heavy Hitters and secure Hardball's status. The day after, she gave Hardball the sample, and as Hydra leader [[Arthur Woodman (Earth-616)|Woodman]] and him were dealing, attacked both of them along with the Nevada team. Woodman took the formula and turned into a giant lizard creature. Hardball tried to take down Komodo but after she explained her plan to him, he decided to kill Woodman. He then took the lead of the Hydra cell, in order to protect Komodo, leaving her bitter.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative Special #1}}

===Dark Reign===
====Stegron====<!-- Osborn is in charge -->
Along with Tigra, [[Richard Gilmore (Earth-616)|Prodigy]], [[James Santini (Earth-616)|Batwing]], Cloud 9 and [[Andrea Roarke (Earth-616)|Sunstreak]], Komodo was sent to recruit [[Humberto Lopez (Earth-616)|Reptil]] in order to use his empathic link to dinosaurs to detect [[Vincent Stegron (Earth-616)|Stegron]]. She later briefly acted as her "The Tail As A Weapon" instructor, but was seemingly more focused on her grudge against Hardball.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative Featuring Reptil #1}}

The same squad later attacked Stegron and his herd of dinosaurs in [[South Dakota (State)|South Dakota]]. Komodo was affected by Stegron's control over reptiles. On the following encounter in the [[Wyoming (State)|Wyoming]] [[Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division (Earth-616)|S.H.I.E.L.D.]] regional base, she was given a thought-scrambler in order to shield her mind from Stegron. The squad managed to defeat Stegron there, and he revealed his goal which was to free [[Moon-Boy (Earth-78411)|Moon Boy]] (abducted by S.H.I.E.L.D. scientists for study) and return him to his friend [[Devil Dinosaur (Earth-78411)|Devil Dinosaur]] in the [[Savage Land]].{{r|Avengers: The Initiative Featuring Reptil #1}}

====Shadow Initiative====
Komodo forced [[Joseph Green (Earth-616)|Gauntlet]] into letting her join the [[Shadow Initiative (Earth-616)|Shadow Initiative]] ([[Mary Fitzpatrick (Earth-616)|Mutant Zero]], Bengal, [[Frank Payne (Earth-616)|Constrictor]], led by Taskmaster) to take down Hardball in [[Madripoor]], in exchange for her intel on him.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #20}}

On the plane to [[Madripoor]], Mutant Zero revealed to Komodo her identity: Typhoid Mary, without bringing much reaction.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #21}} The group was quickly ambushed by Hydra's troop led by Hardball and his new lover [[Carmilla Black (Earth-616)|Scorpion]],{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #22}} Under provocation, Komodo assaulted them and was depowered by Hardball, using a S.P.I.N. tech dart. Although Bengal tried to evacuate her, she was abandoned in the hurry against his will and captured by Hydra.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #23}} Komodo was held in Hardball's quarter, stating Hydra's scientists were on their way to take a sample of her in order to extract the regeneration serum from her blood. Komodo took the opportunity to burst at Hardball's face, reminding him of Hydra's unfulfilled promises about his brother and of the disgrace of his family due to his treason. After a brawl outside, Hardball led Constrictor to his quarters where Komodo was and surrendered.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #24}}

She was freed and repowered, and the whole team was debriefed at the [[Stark Tower|Avengers Tower]]. Komodo learned then from [[Norman Osborn (Earth-616)|Osborn]] that Hardball had been sent to Prison 42.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #24}}

Along with the [[Hood's Gang (Earth-616)|Hood's army]] and the remaining Initiative staff, Komodo was sent to the new Initiative headquarters at [[Camp H.A.M.M.E.R.]], [[New Mexico (State)|New Mexico]].{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #25}}

Komodo was stuck there as a favor for Osborn's help but quickly wished to be reintegrated to Arizona team, feeling surrounded by mental cases (from Hood's army). Nevertheless, she accepted to take part again in the Shadow Initiative as they were to be sent to 42 which was under aliens' control.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #26}}

That Shadow Initiative (transformed into a cannon fodder team) was sent to soften the enemy by Taskmaster. Facing a massacre, Komodo devised a plan by using Batwing to drop invulnerable [[Emery Schaub (Earth-616)|Butterball]] among the enemy troops as a diversion, allowing the Initiative to launch an effective attack. As Hardball urged [[Arthur Nagan (Earth-616)|Nagan]] to release Dragon Man, Komodo used the Dragon's crush on her to make him decimate the aliens by letting herself get wounded (as planned by Hardball).{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #27}}{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #35}}

When Hardball was released for his assistance from Prison 42 and presented as having been a hero from the beginning, Komodo refused to be on a team with him, and rather preferred to be depowered (and consequently crippled) and washed out of the Initiative.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #28}} During the depowerment procedure, she was able to spot a captured [[Donyell Taylor (Earth-616)|Night Thrasher]] in the lab.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #29}}

====Avengers Resistance====
She went to [[Heavy Hitters Hotel and Casino]] where the Hood's henchmen [[Douglas Scott (Earth-616)|Razor-Fist]], [[Daniel Leighton (Earth-616)|Cutthroat]] and [[Percy & Barton Grimes (Earth-616)|Grim]] setting up a trap against Tigra who was tracking them in order to retrieve Night Thrasher. Assisting in the defeat of the villains, she gave her the information. While Tigra offered her to exfiltrate her from the country, Komodo refused, offering her knowledge of Camp H.A.M.M.E.R. and her scientific skills to the [[New Warriors (Earth-616)|Avengers Resistance]].{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #29}}

After Night Thrasher [[Avengers: The Initiative Vol 1 30|was freed]], the team gathered at a hideout at the [[Inland Empire]], [[California (State)|California]]. Komodo (now the team's tech support) was presented to Thrasher, who presented her findings about [[U-Foes (Earth-616)|U-Foes]]' suspicious banking operations.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #31}}

As the last steps of H.A.M.M.E.R. fell, Komodo infiltrated Blitzchlag's lab in order to  prevent him from erasing all data incriminating him. She was joined by Cloud 9 and Hardball. The former prevented Komodo from shooting the later, who injected her with a formula neutralizing the SPIN tech. Cloud 9 urged Komodo to listen to Hardball, insisting he had tried to protect her from the beginning.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #35}} The two consequently reconciled.{{r|Avengers Assemble #1}}{{r|Heroic Age: Heroes #1}}

Komodo later celebrated the end of the Superhuman Registration Act, the Initiative and Osborn's reign at the Avengers Towers along with all the Avengers.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #35}}

===After the Dark Reign===
Komodo was invited to the [[Avengers Academy (Earth-616)|Avengers Academy]]'s prom by Tigra. She tried to hit on Reptil, as he was stuck in his [[Humberto Lopez (Earth-11511)|future-self]]'s body, but retreated learning he was a minor. That situation caused Hardball to assault Reptil, although he wasn't back with Komodo. The brawl was quickly stopped by Pym, and Komodo and Hardball violently argued and finally made out, and the rest of the night went pretty smooth (despite numerous tense situations).{{r|Avengers Academy #13}}

===[[Fear Itself]]===
A week later, in the wake of the [[Fear Itself|Fear]], a new Initiative initiated by [[Steven Rogers (Earth-616)|Steve Rogers]] and led by Prodigy was assembled on a voluntary basis. Komodo went to [[Illinois (State)|Illinois]] to try to recruit Cloud 9, in vain.{{r|Fear Itself: Youth in Revolt #1}}

She then went to the gathering of that Initiative at [[Washington, D.C.]], where she rejected Hardball.{{r|Fear Itself: Youth in Revolt #1}}

She rejoined the [[Desert Stars (Earth-616)|Desert Stars]] and help fight chaos, preventing a robbery.{{r|Fear Itself: Youth in Revolt #1}} She then went to Las Vegas, persuaded to do so by Hardball who had declared (along with the [[Lavs Vegas Police Department (Earth-616)|LVPD]]) martial law over the city. There, she tried to keep in touch with Cloud 9, without getting answers. They and [[Marina Zane (Earth-616)|Telemetry]] were informed that the [[Cain Marko (Earth-616)|Juggernaut]] was heading towards them and they had to stop him.{{r|Fear Itself: Youth in Revolt #2}}

Hardball assembled a squad composed of [[Madeleine Michaels (Earth-616)|Nonstop]], Telemetry, Rage, [[Deborah Fields (Earth-616)|Debrii]] and Komodo and set a trap, after having secured all civilians. The plan went south, and the heroes made their best to stop Juggernaut. The fight moved to the storm drains, where other civilians were hiding. Nonstop and Komodo tried in vain to evacuate them, against their wishes, and had to retreat with the rest of the Initiative forces, leaving Hardball to handle the Juggernaut with a massive energy ball without further care for the bystanders. The area was destroyed, with the civilians killed.{{r|Fear Itself: Youth in Revolt #3}}

Hardball survived, but his act caused Komodo to reject him further and go elsewhere to rescue people. The issue caused Debrii and Nonstop to argue, and Gravity to attack Hardball. The ensuing duel provoked a series of tremors and quakes damaging the buildings.{{r|Fear Itself: Youth in Revolt #4}}

Komodo was rejoined by Cloud 9 who informed her from the ongoing duel. Arriving timely to stop Gravity from achieving Hardball, the former hit her. Rushing to her to apologize and check if she was okay, he was attacked by Hardball. That last attack caused an earthquake devastating the city.{{r|Fear Itself: Youth in Revolt #4}}

Komodo reunited with Cloud 9 just in time to assist to the Prodigy/Thor Girl argument,{{r|Fear Itself: Youth in Revolt #5}} see Tarene transform in her true form, be assailed by most of the Initiative members present, and finally give her judgment that humanity wasn't worthy yet.{{r|Fear Itself: Youth in Revolt #4}}

Before leaving, Tarene brought back Gravity, Hardball, Firestar and Telemetry, who were trapped underground after an expedition to stop the tremors. Komodo rushed to kiss Hardball.{{r|Fear Itself: Youth in Revolt #6}}

Helping in the rescue and the reconstruction, Hardball and Komodo were present at the finding of Butterball, seemingly shocked.{{r|Fear Itself: Youth in Revolt #6}}

===[[Briggs Chemical LLC (Earth-616)|Briggs]]===
She later joined the [[Briggs Chemical LLC (Earth-616)|Briggs Chemical LLC]] with Prodigy, Cloud 9 and Hardball. Studying, and approaching a solution to regrowing missing limbs.{{r|Avengers Academy #26}}

Along with her teammates and [[Jeremy Briggs (Earth-616)|Jeremy Briggs]], she attacked the [[Avengers Compound]] in order to shut down the Avengers Academy, and proposed her vision of Briggs' proposal. Having recruited [[Robert Farrell (Earth-616)|Rocket Racer]] and [[Autonomously Decisive Automated Mechanism (Earth-616)|Teen Machine]], the group retreated, leaving a status quo in their relations with the Academy.{{r|Avengers Academy #26}}

| Powers                  = '''Lizard Physiology:''' Melati can take a lizard-form at will.{{r|Avengers Assemble #1}} Melati took a serum derived from the Lizard serum created by Dr. Curt Connors. The serum was created from lizard DNA in an attempt to create a serum capable of granting humans the regenerative properties of lizards. Unlike Connors, she maintains control of her human consciousness when she is in her lizard form, and has the ability to control transformations between human and lizard forms for the most part. Since her serum is derived from Dr. Curt Conners, it's likely her powers are comparable to or at least close to the same level as [[Curtis Connors (Earth-616)#Powers|Lizard's]].

*'''Superhuman Strength:''' Komodo can lift 1 ton.{{r|Avengers Assemble #1}}
*'''Superhuman Speed''' Komodo's lizard musculature permits her to run faster than a ordinary human
*'''Superhuman Agility'''
*'''Superhuman Reflexes'''
*'''Superhuman Stamina'''
*'''Superhuman Durability/Scales'''
*'''Regenerative Healing Factor:''' Komodo possesses an accelerated healing factor, the extent of it is unknown, but it is shown she is able to regenerate lost limbs in seconds,{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #1}}{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #16}} eyes in instants{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #11}} and was confident about her survival after having her body pierced by blasts,{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #10}} healing such wound in seconds.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #16}}{{r|Avengers Assemble #1}} Her healing's factor limit was seen with the [[Rigellian Snake Venom]], the ''"fastest working poison in this universe"'', faster than her healing factor and reaching the heart in a minute of the inoculation.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #11}} The only limit to her regeneration is in her human form where her legs recede when she transforms. 
*'''Prehensile Tail:''' Komodo can use her tail to keep balance or use it as an offensive weapon.
*'''Fangs and Claws:''' She possesses razor-sharp teeth and claws on each of her fingers, able to pierce a [[Hydra Viper Jet]].{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #2}}

| Abilities               = * '''Scientist:''' [[Steve Rogers (Earth-616)|Steve Rogers]] stated she was a gifted scientist, and that he would like to make use of her skills.{{r|Heroic Age: Heroes #1}}
** Komodo is a skilled biochemist,{{r|Avengers Assemble #1}}{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #31}} having demonstrated it by perfecting the serum for her own DNA.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #3}} She stated she was able to synthesize a [[Connors Formula|regeneration formula]].{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #29}}
** She also seemingly have at least some knowledge in physics.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative Special #1}} 
* '''Strategist:''' Komodo proved herself to be at least a decent strategist on occasions.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative Special #1}}{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #27}}
* She was trained to first aid by [[Patricia Walker (Earth-616)|Patricia Walker]].{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #3}}
| Strength                =
| Weakness                = * '''Physically Handicapped:''' Melati lost both her legs at some point prior to gaining her powers. Though her legs regenerate in lizard form, whenever she takes human form, she loses them once more, and thus has less mobility as a human.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #8}}{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #23}}
* '''Fears:''' Also, Melati unconsciously revert to human form when sleeping.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #3}}{{r|Avengers Assemble #1}} Additionally, Melati had an intense fear of being depowered, a fear that has on at least one occasion been successfully employed against her.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #3}} She also has issues about the loss of her legs.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #8}}{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #11}} She seemingly overcame both fear when faced to Osborn's Initiative.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #28}}
* She was stated to be ''"abrasive"'' and ''"unpleasant"'' on occasions.
* She can be mind-controlled by reptilian villains possessing such reptile-control abilities.{{r|Heroic Age: Heroes #1}}{{r|Avengers: The Initiative Featuring Reptil #1}}

| Equipment               = * She was once given a thought-scrambler in her ear in order to shield her mind from Stegron.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative Featuring Reptil #1}}
* Parachute on occasion.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #21}}
| Transportation          = She used various Initiative means of transportation, including an [[Avengers Issue Jet-Pack]],{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #2}} a jumbo jet,{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #3}} a speeder (INIT 002),{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #3}} a [[Shadow Initiative (Earth-616)|Shadow Initiative]] plane,{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #21}} as well as a [[Skrull Kill Krew (Earth-616)|Skrull Kill Krew]] bike.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #16}} A wheel-chair while not powered.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative Special #1}}{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #28}}
| Weapons                 = * She used a gun with [[S.P.I.N.]] ammunition,{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #3}} blast rifles,{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #10}}{{r|Avengers: The Initiative Special #1}}{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #27}} a regular gun.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #35}}
* She mostly used her claws,{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #2}}{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #3}} and also her tail.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative Featuring Reptil #1}}

| Notes                   = 
==Relationships==
* She dated [[Roger Brokeridge (Earth-616)|Hardball]],{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #8}} and have been on-and-off since.{{r|Avengers Academy #13}}{{r|Fear Itself: Youth in Revolt #1}}{{r|Fear Itself: Youth in Revolt #6}}
* [[Dragon Man (Earth-616)|Dragon Man]] had a violent crush on her.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #8}}{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #27}}
| Trivia                  = * She stated she hated regrowing limbs.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #1}}
* [[Tony Masters (Earth-616)|Taskmaster]] stated Komodo had a Facebook page about [[Roger Brokeridge (Earth-616)|Hardball]] about his defaults,{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #28}} seemingly as a joke.
* [[Greer Grant (Earth-616)|Tigra]] stated that Melati had a scent a little more metallic in reptile form.{{r|Avengers: The Initiative #29}}
| Links                   = 
}}
[[Category:Regeneration]]
[[Category:Trained by Taskmaster]]
[[Category:Curt Connors Experiment]]
[[Category:Genetically Engineered]]
[[Category:Camp Hammond Trainees]]
[[Category:Empire State University Student]]
[[Category:Strategists]]
[[Category:Connors Formula]]
[[Category:Human/Lizard Hybrids]]