NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Illuminati (Marvel Comics)

The Illuminati are a fictional group of superheroes who joined forces and secretly work behind the scenes in the Marvel Universe. The group was formed after the Kree-Skrull War. That war was depicted in Avengers #93-97 (1971-1972^[1]), however the Illuminati were not established to exist until their first appearance in New Avengers #7 (July 2005) ^[2], written by Brian Michael Bendis. Their history was discussed in the special New Avengers: Illuminati (May 2006) ^[3]. This article is about the comic book company. ... In comic books, first appearance refers to first comic book to feature a character. ... Brian Michael Bendis (born August 18, 1967) is an American comic book writer and erstwhile artist. ... Cover to Marvel Knights 4 #2, featuring the Thing. ... Black Bolt (Blackagar Boltagon) is a fictional character that appears in the Marvel Universe and king of the offshoot of humanity known as the Inhumans. ... This article is about the Marvel comics superhero. ... For the upcoming film and video game based on the superhero, see Iron Man (film) and Iron Man (video game). ... Mr. ... Namor the Sub-Mariner is a fictional comic-book character in the Marvel Comics Universe, and one of the first superheroes, debuting in Spring 1939. ... Charles Francis Xavier, also known as Professor X, is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero, known as the leader and founder of the X-Men. ... For other uses, see Superhero (disambiguation). ... This article is about the shared universe setting used by many Marvel Comics titles. ... The Kree-Skrull War, in the fictional Marvel Universe, was a series of conflicts between the Kree Empire of the Greater Magellanic Cloud and the Skrulls of the Andromeda Galaxy that lasted for several million years. ... The Avengers are a fictional superhero team appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. ... This is a list of comics-related events in 1971. ... New Avengers is a comic book series published by Marvel Comics. ... This is a list of comics-related events in 2005. ... Brian Michael Bendis (born August 18, 1967) is an American comic book writer and erstwhile artist. ... 2006 2005 in comics 2007 in comics Notable events of 2006 in comics. ...

The members include Professor X, Doctor Strange, Mister Fantastic, Namor, Iron Man, and Black Bolt. Charles Francis Xavier, also known as Professor X, is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero, known as the leader and founder of the X-Men. ... This article is about the Marvel comics superhero. ... Mr. ... Namor the Sub-Mariner is a fictional comic-book character in the Marvel Comics Universe, and one of the first superheroes, debuting in Spring 1939. ... For the upcoming film and video game based on the superhero, see Iron Man (film) and Iron Man (video game). ... Black Bolt (Blackagar Boltagon) is a fictional character that appears in the Marvel Universe and king of the offshoot of humanity known as the Inhumans. ...

Members

Creator Bendis says on the group's members, "They each represent a certain something that is very special to the Marvel Universe:

They all bring with them a unique viewpoint and perspective that isn’t shared by the others."^[4] Namor the Sub-Mariner is a fictional comic-book character in the Marvel Comics Universe, and one of the first superheroes, debuting in Spring 1939. ... For the upcoming film and video game based on the superhero, see Iron Man (film) and Iron Man (video game). ... Mr. ... Black Bolt (Blackagar Boltagon) is a fictional character that appears in the Marvel Universe and king of the offshoot of humanity known as the Inhumans. ... The Inhumans are a fictional race of superhumans in the Marvel Comics Universe, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. ... This article is about the Marvel comics superhero. ... Charles Francis Xavier, also known as Professor X, is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero, known as the leader and founder of the X-Men. ... In Marvel comic books, particularly those of the X-Men mythos, a mutant is a member of the species Homo sapiens superior, an offshoot of regular humanity, Homo sapiens sapiens. ...

The group forms at some time in the aftermath of the Kree-Skrull War, and probably after the Avengers/Defenders war. Iron Man realizes that each of the individual members had information about these alien races beforehand, and they could have collectively stopped it. He brings together the Illuminati with the Black Panther in Wakanda, and proposes that they form a government of superhumans. Namor refuses, on the grounds that too many superheroes are violent outsiders (such as Hawkeye and Quicksilver, both former criminals). Xavier refuses on the grounds that mutants are already feared and hated, and if Iron Man thinks he can fight this with iconic superheroes, it'll result in heroes being feared and hated as much as mutants. Dr. Strange refuses on the grounds that too many heroes are anti-establishment and that the group Iron Man has assembled to form a governing body would not be 'anti-establishment', but rather a form of 'counter-establishment'. The group does, however, agree to meet to exchange information regularly. The only member present who refuses is the Black Panther, who fears the association will end in less than altruistic actions. The Kree-Skrull War, in the fictional Marvel Universe, was a series of conflicts between the Kree Empire of the Greater Magellanic Cloud and the Skrulls of the Andromeda Galaxy that lasted for several million years. ... The Black Panther (TChalla) is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe who is the first modern Black superhero. ... Wakanda is a fictional nation in the Marvel Universe. ... Hawkeye (Clint Barton) is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero, a longtime member of the Avengers. ... For Quicksilver (DC Comics), see Max Mercury. ...

Publication History

The Illuminati first appeared in the Sentry story arc of [[New Avengers (comics)|New Avengers], written by Brian Michael Bendis. Bendis explored their history in the New Avengers: Illuminati one-shot (May 2006), which built up to the Civil War event that summer. Bendis, along with co-writer Brian Reed and artist Jim Cheung, produced a five-issue miniseries filling out what the group does behind the scenes between their formation and dissolution. The first issue of The New Avengers: Illuminati was released in December 2006 ^[5] ^[6] and the final issue was released in November 2007. Brian Reed (born July 1, 1973 in Anderson, Indiana) is an American comic book and video game writer, currently residing near Atlanta, Georgia. ... Cover art from Young Avengers #2. ... The limited series is a term referring to a comic book series with a set finite number of issues. ...

History

First Meeting

Iron Man (representing the Avengers), Mr. Fantastic (representing the Fantastic Four), Namor (representing Atlantis), Black Bolt (representing the Inhumans), Professor Xavier (representing the X-Men), Black Panther (representing Wakanda), and Dr. Strange meet in Wakanda in the aftermath of the Kree-Skrull War that ravaged Earth. Iron Man highlights the fact that numerous heroes possessed information that could have prevented the war had they been combined, as well as the fact that Earth’s heroes are the only defence against an attack on that scale. From this, he concludes that a representative body, similar to the United Nations, be established amongst the heroes. The others in attendance debate the effectiveness of such a body, pointing out issues of trust amongst heroes and the bureaucracy that would result; however, most agree that continued secret meetings such as this one could help deal with larger threats in the future. All agree to this except the Black Panther, who takes issue with their self-righteous attitudes and predicts disaster when they disagree.^[7] For other uses, see Fantastic Four (disambiguation). ... The Inhumans are a fictional race of superhumans in the Marvel Comics Universe, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. ... The X-Men are a group of comic book superheroes featured in Marvel Comics. ... The Black Panther (TChalla) is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe who is the first modern Black superhero. ... Wakanda may have several meanings: Wakanda from Native American Lakota mythology, Omaha Tribe - Great Spirit (sacred or divine), alternative spelling of Wakan Tanka. See Wakanda (Marvel) for the fictional nation in Marvel Comics. ...

Skrull Empire

The Illuminati travel to the homeworld of the Skrulls, who are still reeling from their defeat during the Kree-Skrull War on Earth. The group warns the Empire not to attack Earth again, but are unable to escape afterwards. The Skrulls analyze their captors (physiology, genetics, technology, etc) and glean information from their behaviour, until Iron Man is able to lead an escape. The Illuminati recognize that another attack is inevitable, while the Skrull Empire begins to make use of the data they compiled. ^[8] The Skrulls are a fictional alien race in Marvel Comics universe. ...

Infinity Gauntlet

Mr. Fantastic reveals to the group that he has been collecting the Infinity Gems, and hopes to collect them all with the help of the Illuminati. Despite a general apprehension, the group manages to acquire all six gems. Upon doing so, Mr. Fantastic attempts to will them out of existence, but he is unable to do so. Faced with this failure, and a reprimand from Uatu, the Watcher, he makes the controversial decision to give each Illuminati member one gem to hide so that they may never be combined and used again.^[9] Thanos wields the Infinity Gauntlet. ... The six Infinity Gems The Infinity Gems are six fictional gems that exist in the Marvel Universe. ... In the fictional Marvel Comics universe, Uatu is the member of the extraterrestrial species known as the Watchers assigned to observe Earth and its solar system. ...

The Beyonder

After the Secret Wars, Xavier reveals that the Beyonder is an Inhuman who was a mutant before he was exposed to the Terrigan Mists. He also senses the Beyonder’s presence in the Asteroid Belt of the solar system, prompting the Illuminati (excluding Iron Man) to go and confront him. They find that he has created his own version of Manhattan to play with, and they tell him to stop meddling with reality and the natural order of things. He accuses them of meddling with their own species, but is eventually convinced to leave the universe after a reprimand from Black Bolt, who is still his king. ^[10] Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars is the name of a twelve-issue Marvel Comics comic book limited series produced between 1984 and 1985, and a Mattel toy line that reflected the series. ... Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars is the name of a twelve-issue Marvel Comics comic book limited series produced between 1984 and 1985, and a Mattel toy line that reflected the series. ... The Beyonder is a fictional character in comic books published by Marvel Comics. ...

Marvel Boy

The Illuminati approach Noh-Varr, a Kree warrior who tried to take over the Earth, in his prison. They demonstrate the Kree connection to the Inhumans, and their desire to protect Earth. They demonstrate the primitive nature of humanity, but also the potential of the race to evolve and better itself. Ultimately, using Captain Marvel (a deceased, Kree-born superhero), they try to convince Noh-Varr to use his powers to protect the Earth and guide humans to better themselves.^[11] Noh-Varr is a fictional alien appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. ... Noh-Varr is a fictional alien appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. ... The Kree, also known as the Ruul, are a scientifically and technologically advanced militaristic alien race in the fictional Marvel Universe. ... Captain Marvel is the name of several fictional Marvel Comics superheroes. ...

The Sentry

Iron Man informs the Illuminati of the formation of a new Avengers team in light of the breakout from the Raft. All but Namor wish him well in his endeavour, and Iron Man moves on to the issue of the Sentry. Although none of the Illuminati have any recollection of him, Mr. Fantastic discovers that he has files on the Sentry and Professor Xavier discovers that his mind has been tampered with. Mr. Fantastic is able to use the files to get through to Robert Reynolds, aka the Sentry, and help him reverse what has been done to him. Iron Man tells the group that the Avengers take full responsibility for the Sentry, should he ever lose control, but dodges their questions about other recent Avengers inquiries. ^[12] Sentry is the codename of several unrelated fictional characters of the Marvel Universe. ...

Hulk

Maria Hill, Director of SHIELD, approaches Iron Man concerning the Hulk, who has recently destroyed Las Vegas. Iron Man presents a solution to the problem of the Hulk to the Illuminati (excluding an absent Professor Xavier), suggesting that they shoot him into space. Namor, alone, dissents to the plan. He believes that they have no right to banish their ally from Earth and accuses them of not helping to cure Bruce Banner to the best of their abilities. The other four members vote in favour of the plan, and Namor departs. While leaving, he says that the Black Panther was correct, and predicts that the Hulk will return to seek justified revenge. ^[13] Maria Hill is a fictional character of the Marvel Universe. ... Incredible Hulk, The Hulk and The Incredible Hulk redirect here. ...

Registration and the Road to Civil War

Despite deciding not to meet again, Iron Man calls together the Illuminati (excluding Professor Xavier, who is off world pursuing the mutant Vulcan during the meeting and Civil War) to introduce them to the Superhero Registration Act. He illustrates the fact that recent events has raised suspicion of all super-powered individuals and groups, and that one wrong move on the part of a hero will trigger disaster. Vulcan (Gabriel Summers) is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe. ...

If the Act passes, a war amongst heroes will result and cause untold damage. In order to avoid it, Iron Man reiterates his idea of a representative body of superheroes, and urges the group to come out in favour of registration prior to a disaster. Namor dismisses the issue as none of Atlantis’ business, Dr. Strange and Black Bolt disagree on principle, but Mr. Fantastic agrees with Tony. The damage is done, however, and the Illuminati dissolve. ^[14]

Civil War

Although the Illuminati never met or operated as a group during Civil War, their actions in the conflict reflect their reactions at the last meeting. Iron Man and Mr. Fantastic became two of the leading members of the pro-registration side, and worked closely with the United States government and SHIELD. Dr. Strange stayed out of the conflict, meditating and fasting ^[15]. Afterwards, he would join the New Avengers, who continue to operate underground without registering. Black Bolt and the Inhumans stayed out of the conflict, but began their own Cold War with the United States. Namor was involved only so far as it served his interests. This included avenging the death of his cousin in the Stamford tragedy, and coming to the aid of his friend Captain America’s forces in the final battle ^[16]. Professor Xavier was not on Earth during the conflict. Civil War is a 2006-2007 Marvel Comics crossover event built around a seven-issue limited series of the same name written by Mark Millar, and penciled by Steve McNiven. ...

World War Hulk

During Civil War, Reed is contacted by Mastermind Excello, who informs him that Hulk did not land on the intended planet. When the Hulk ultimately returns to Earth, he seeks revenge on the Illuminati. His first act is to attack and defeat Black Bolt on Inhuman settlement on the moon. After providing New York with a twenty-four-hour time limit to hand the other three Illuminati over to him, the Hulk approaches Xavier at his mansion to determine whether he would have supported the Illuminati plan had he been present. He battles the X-Men, but after learning of the mutant population's recent severe losses as a result of M-Day, the Hulk decides that the X-Men have suffered enough and departs ^[17]. Having then taken over Manhattan Island, the Hulk is attacked by Iron Man in a new 'Hulkbuster' armour, only for him to be defeated and Stark Tower to be destroyed. Despite the aid of the other members of the Fantastic Four- including temporary members the Black Panther and Storm, the same fate befalls Mr. Fantastic. Dr. Strange tries to enter the Hulk’s mind, but Hulk tricks Strange into presenting himself in a physical form that he attacks upon appearance. Strange later invokes and is possessed by the demon spirit of Zom, hoping that he could stop the Hulk before it was too late. However he loses control of his new found power, and he almost caused some civilians to die during his battle with the Hulk. Although the Hulk saves them, this action makes Strange lose his confidence in his powers and makes him weak enough for the Hulk to defeat. World War Hulk is a comic book crossover storyline published by Marvel Comics beginning in May 2007. ... Mastermind Excello is the name of two unrelated fictional superheroes in the Marvel Comics Universe, Earl Everett and Amadeus Cho. ... Decimation event logo, as shown on the covers of tie-in comics Decimation is the name of the late 2005 Marvel Comics storyline spinning out of the House of M limited series, that focuses on the ramifications of the Scarlet Witchs stripping nearly all of the mutant population of... Hulkbusters is the name of three fictional organizations in the Marvel Universe. ... Stark Tower is a fictional high-rise building, named after its owner Tony Stark (AKA Iron Man). ... This article is about the X-Men character. ... Zom is a fictional character appearing in the Marvel Comics universe. ...

Hulk then, fits the Illuminati members with obedience collars and forces them to fight each other in his makeshift gladitorial ring in Madison Square Garden. However the Hulk spared them from killing each other, showing them that he proved his point to the world. They survived the encounter by Hulk's mercy and the timely invention of the Sentry, who weakens Hulk enough for Stark to use prototype defense satellites to negate the Hulk's powers. The Illuminati is also cleared from the responsibility of Sakaar's destruction when Miek admits he saw the Red King forces breach the ship's warp core and kept quiet to initiate what Miek felt was Hulk's destiny as the "Worldbreaker"^[18]. Namor remained uninvolved throughout the conflict as he opposed the plan from the beginning.

Secret Invasion

Iron Man calls the Illuminati together one more time to show them the body of the Skrull that was posing as Elektra. He feels that the Skrull represents a secret invasion of Earth, and that the group is responsible (after travelling to the Skrull homeworld years before). His suspicions are proved correct when Black Bolt reveals himself to be a disguised Skrull. The five remaining members are able to barely defeat it, and its two compatriots, and begin making plans to detect and defeat the remaining Skrulls. They soon realize, however, that this is pointless, as they cannot trust each other. ^[19] Secret Invasion is an upcoming comic book storyline scheduled for 2008, to be published by Marvel Comics. ...

Video Games

The team makes a brief cameo in the game Marvel: Ultimate Alliance; at the conclusion of the game, if the player collected the seaweed needed to provide a medicine that would cure Namor, Uatu reveals that Namor will thus grow to trust surface-dwellers and participate in the creation of a worldwide organization of superheroes that will save the Earth many times, a subsequent picture showing him at a table with Professor X, the Black Panther, Captain Britain and other heroes in the background, suggesting that this is the Ultimate Alliance version of the Illuminati. In the fictional Marvel Comics universe, Uatu is the member of the extraterrestrial species known as the Watchers assigned to observe Earth and its solar system. ... Captain Britain (Brian Braddock), briefly known as Britannic, is a fictional character, a superhero appearing in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. ...

References

^ http://www.comics.org/details.lasso?id=24632
^ CGD – New Avengers #7
^ CGD – New Avengers: Illuminati
^ Illuminating the Illuminati with Brian Bendis, November 7, 2005, Newsarama
^ Marvel Catalog
^ WW: Chicago '06 - Bendis Talks Illuminati Miniseries, Newsarama
^ New Avengers: Illuminati One-Shot
^ New Avengers: Illuminati #1
^ New Avengers: Illuminati #2
^ New Avengers: Illuminati #3
^ New Avengers: Illuminati #4
^ New Avengers #7-10
^ New Avengers: Illuminati One-Shot
^ New Avengers: Illuminati One-Shot
^ Civil War #6
^ Civil War #7
^ World War Hulk: X-Men
^ World War Hulk #5
^ New Avengers: Illuminati #5

Contents

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