Young biochemist Dr. Theodore was working in the Everglades as part of Dr. Wilma Calvin's Project: Gladiator team, which includes Dr. Barbara Morse and her fiancé Dr. Paul Allen. A Dr. Wendell is later cited as being on the staff after Dr. Calvin is shot.[26] The group was attempting to recreate the "Super-Soldier Serum" that had created Captain America. Dr. Curt Connors shortly after Connors' arm was amputated, driving the research that would eventually transform Connors into the Spider-Man foe the Lizard. Though warned that the technological terrorist group Advanced Idea Mechanics (AIM) has been operating in the area, Sallis breaches security by bringing with him his lover, Ellen Brandt (referred to here as "Miss Brandt", but later retconned to be his wife). He destroys his notes to his formula, which he has memorized. Later, he is ambushed and learns Brandt has betrayed him. Fleeing with the only sample of his serum, he injects himself with it in hopes of saving himself. However, he crashes his car into the swamp where chemical and magical forces instantly transform him into a slow-moving plant-matter creature with large, solid red eyes. Unable to speak, and with dim memories
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