Villains United is a six-issue comic book limited series, written by Gail Simone with art by Dale Eaglesham and Wade von Grawbadger, published by DC Comics in 2005. Due to illness, Eaglesham could not provide the interior art for the third issue, so Val Semeiks stepped in to produce the pencils with Prentis Rollins supplying the inks. DC Comics is an American comic book and related media company. ... The Secret Six is the name of three distinct, fictional comic book teams in the DC Comics universe, plus an alternate universes fourth team. ... The Secret Society of Super Villains (SSoSV) is a group of comic book villains that exist in the DC Universe. ... Gail Simone at the 2002 SDCC. Photo copyright 2002-2005 Lea Hernandez Gail Simone is a popular American writer of comic books. ... Dale Eaglesham is a veteran comic book illustrator who has been working in the industry since 1986. ... Val Semeiks is a veteran comicbook artist who has mostly worked for DC Comics and Marvel Comics. ... E. Nelson Bridwell was a writer for Mad magazine and for DC Comics. ... Frank Springer (born December 6, 1929) is an American comic book and comic strip artist best known for Marvel Comics Dazzler and Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.; and, with writer Michael ODonoghue, for one of the first adult-oriented comics features in the U... A comic book is a magazine or book containing the art form of comics. ... The limited series is a term referring to a comic book series with a set finite number of issues. ... Gail Simone at the 2002 SDCC. Photo copyright 2002-2005 Lea Hernandez Gail Simone is a popular American writer of comic books. ... Dale Eaglesham is a veteran comic book illustrator who has been working in the industry since 1986. ... DC Comics is an American comic book and related media company. ... Val Semeiks is a veteran comicbook artist who has mostly worked for DC Comics and Marvel Comics. ...

Villains United is one of four limited series leading up to DC Comics' Infinite Crisis event and seven-issue limited series. This story follows the evolution of the latest incarnation of the Secret Six, and the group's ongoing plight against the machinations of the various supervillains belonging to Lex Luthor's expansive Secret Society of Super Villains. Infinite Crisis was a seven-issue limited series of comic books published by DC Comics, beginning in October of 2005. ... The Secret Six is the name of three distinct, fictional comic book teams in the DC Comics universe, plus an alternate universes fourth team. ... Doctor Doom, one of the most archetypal supervillains and his arch-enemies The Fantastic Four (in background). ... Lex Luthor is a fictional DC Comics supervillain. ... The Secret Society of Super Villains (SSoSV) is a group of comic book villains that exist in the DC Universe. ...

Like all major intercompany events, there are a number of tie-ins with monthly DC Comics titles (including, but not limited to, Nightwing #109-111, Breach #7, The Flash #225, Superman #221, Action Comics #831, Firestorm #17, and Catwoman #46-49). Dick Grayson is a fictional character, a superhero in the DC Comics Universe. ... Breach is a fictional character, a comic book series from DC Comics. ... The Flash is a name shared by several DC Comics superheroes. ... Superman began as a feature in Action Comics #1 in June 1938. ... Cover of Action Comics #1, which featured the debut of Superman. ... Jason Rusch is a fictional hero from the DC Comics Universe and is the third person to take the mantle of Firestorm. ... Catwoman is a fictional character associated with DC Comics Batman franchise and created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane. ...

In December 2005, the series was collected in a 160-page trade paperback. In comics, a trade paperback (TPB) specifically refers to the periodic collections, published in book format, of stories published in comic books, usually capturing one story arc in the series. ...

Plot summary

Luthor

For months now, former President Lex Luthor has been using his resources to assemble an army against the superheroes. Luthor's team now has over two hundred members with a six-member core team consisting of Luthor, Talia al Ghul, Doctor Psycho, Deathstroke, Black Adam, and the Calculator. But not all the villains offered a chance to join this army are thrilled with this idea. Batman villain Catman has joined a team of five supported by the mysterious Mockingbird including Cheshire, Deadshot, Scandal, Ragdoll, and Parademon to oppose this new Secret Society. Catman replaced the first Fiddler, after he was killed by Deadshot on Mockingbird's orders when Mockingbird felt he had not fulfilled his part in a mission. Lex Luthor is a fictional DC Comics supervillain. ... Talia al Ghul is a fictional character in the DC Comics universe, the now-estranged daughter of the supervillain Ras al Ghul, and a love interest of Batman. ... Doctor Psycho is a supervillain in Wonder Womans rogues gallery. ... Deathstroke the Terminator (Slade Wilson), also called simply Deathstroke (and originally simply the Terminator) is a fictional character, a supervillain in the DC Comics Universe. ... Black Adam is a fictional comic book character whose morally ambiguous nature has his character fall between the lines of heroism and villainy; as a result, he has associated himself with both superheroes and supervillains in the past. ... The Calculator is a DC Comics supervillain, initially created by Bob Rozakis in the 1970s. ... Batman (originally referred to as the Bat-Man and still referred to at times as the Batman) is a DC Comics fictional superhero who first appeared in Detective Comics #27 in May 1939. ... Catman is a fictional character in the DC Comics Rogues Gallery. ... Mockingbird is the code name of several characters in the DC Comics Universe, denoting whoever is in charge of the Secret Six. ... Cheshire, real name Jade Nguyen, is a DC Comics villain, one of the worlds top assassins and mercenaries. ... Deadshot (real name Floyd Lawton), is a fictional character in the DC Universe. ... Scandal is a DC Comics supervillain. ... The Rag Doll (also interchangeably known as Ragdoll) is a colorful supervillain in the DC Comics universe. ... In the DC Universe, parademons are monstrous shock troops of Apokolips used by Darkseid to maintain the order of Apokolips. ... The Fiddler is a DC Comics supervillain and a reoccurring foe of the first Flash (Jay Garrick). ...

The Mockingbird

Late one night in the mansion of the Secret Six, Catman and Deadshot have a discussion about their unknown leader, Mockingbird and the dramatic change in Catman's life, while Cheshire secretly listens in the shadows. After a short while Scandal informs everyone that Mockingbird has just assigned them to steal Thanagarian weaponry from a tanker in Gotham harbor. The Secret Six is the name of three distinct, fictional comic book teams in the DC Comics universe, plus an alternate universes fourth team. ... Catman is a fictional character in the DC Comics Rogues Gallery. ... Deadshot (real name Floyd Lawton), is a fictional character in the DC Universe. ... Scandal is a DC Comics supervillain. ... The Gotham skyline with the Bat-signal. ...

Upon their arrival to the tanker they are ambushed by members of the Society, which include Weather Wizard, Cheetah, Doctor Polaris, Count Vertigo, Killer Frost, Captain Nazi, Hyena, Crazy Quilt, and others. After their capture, the Crime Doctor tortures the Secret Six, asking them the identity of Mockingbird among other questions. After a few rounds of torture, Catman breaks free and rescues his villainous teammates. While escaping they decide to send the Society a message by murdering the Hyena. The Secret Society of Super Villains (SSoSV) is a group of comic book villains that exist in the DC Universe. ... Weather Wizard is the name of a fictional DC Comics supervillain. ... The Cheetah is a fictional character in the Wonder Woman stories published by DC Comics, and is also the archenemy of Wonder Woman. ... Dr. Polaris is a DC Comics supervillain, often clashing with Green Lantern Hal Jordan. ... Count Werner Vertigo is a DC Comics supervillain. ... Killer Frost is either of two DC Comics supervillains and one of Firestorms foes. ... Captain Nazi is a Fawcett Comics and DC Comics supervillain, a rival of Captain Marvel and Captain Marvel, Jr. ... DC Comics had at least two villains called Hyena, one male and one female. ... Crazy Quilt was a villian in the Batman comic books. ... The Crime Doctor (Dr. Bradford Thorne) is a supervillain appearing in the DC Comics universe, primarily as an enemy of Batman. ... The Secret Six is the name of three distinct, fictional comic book teams in the DC Comics universe, plus an alternate universes fourth team. ... DC Comics had at least two villains called Hyena, one male and one female. ...

After their escape the Six infiltrated a Society installation in Brazil. After fighting their way through a legion of H.I.V.E. troopers, apparently led by the Queen Bee, they discover the Society's plans for the 'Vindication Scenario' - erasing the memories of all of Earth's superheroes. The facility is a giant battery, powered by a duo of kidnap victims, Firestorm and Gehenna. They release Firestorm just as Black Adam was arriving with a response team and the facility is destroyed. The H.I.V.E., which stands for the Hierarchy of International Vengeance and Extermination, is the name of a DC Comics supervillain team. ... Queen Bee is the name of four different DC Comics supervillainesses. ... Firestorm is a DC Comics superhero. ... In the DC Comics universe, Gehenna is a mysterious young girl with the power to teleport. ...

Betrayal

Once the Six return to their base Cheshire and Catman are in bed together when Cheshire accuses Catman of being a spy and wanting to be a hero. However, she reveals that she has slept with him in order to conceive a child.

A short time later, most of the Society's founding council votes to mount a final strike on the Secret Six — Lex Luthor disagrees with a preemptive attack, but the remaining four members (Black Adam is absent for unknown reasons) decide the action is necessary. Simultaneously, the Six agree to a last stand, but only under the condition that any survivors be set free from Mockingbird's control with no strings attached. Preemptive war (or preemptive attack) is waged in an attempt to repel or defeat a perceived imminent offensive or invasion, or to gain a strategic advantage in an impending (allegedly unavoidable) war. ... Black Adam is a fictional comic book character whose morally ambiguous nature has his character fall between the lines of heroism and villainy; as a result, he has associated himself with both superheroes and supervillains in the past. ...

Previous to the battle between the Society and the Six, Deadshot visits Scandal's room to talk about the team's future. A framed picture on the woman's desk reveals that her father is the immortal Vandal Savage. Vandal Savage is a fictional character and supervillain in the DC Comics universe. ...

The Six hunted

Before the conversation has a chance to progress past base greetings, Lawton is ambushed by an irate Catman; he admits knowledge that Deadshot masqueraded as the villainous Deathstroke and murdered the lions comprising his pride. The two engage in a scuffle before pausing to find Deathstroke (the genuine article) leading a small band of villains to the front door of the House of Secrets. Deadshot (real name Floyd Lawton), is a fictional character in the DC Universe. ... Binomial name Panthera leo (Linnaeus, 1758) Distribution of Lions in Africa Synonyms Felis leo (Linnaeus, 1758) The lion (Panthera leo) is a mammal of the family Felidae and one of four big cats in the genus Panthera. ... The House of Secrets #92 (July 1971), introducing Swamp Thing. ...

As the motley crew debates as to how the Society was able to find them, Cheshire confesses to several traitorous deeds including giving Luthor the coordinates of the Six's base and covertly joining the Society. When asked what would possess her to do such a thing, considering the fact that the enigmatic Mockingbird has threatened to eliminate her daughter if she refuses utter compliance, Cheshire points out that the baby she's having with Catman would make a fine replacement for a lost child. Traitor redirects here. ... Regulatory compliance refers to systems or departments at corporations and public agencies to ensure that personnel are aware of and take steps to comply with relevant laws and regulations. ...

Mockingbird revealed

The Society storms through the castle, and Cheshire is shot and possibly killed by Deathstroke, who comments that "The Society doesn't need traitors". The Secret Six manages to fight successfully, though. Talia al Ghul and Scandal Savage, daughters of immortals Ra's al Ghul and Vandal Savage respectively, fight each other. Just when Talia has the upper hand, Scandal's mole in the Society, Knockout, knocks out Talia (it is also revealed that Knockout is Scandal's lover). Ragdoll convinces Solomon Grundy, a fellow "ugly monster," to switch sides. Ragdoll and his father fight until Parademon beats the elder Ragdoll. Catman and Ragdoll Jr. escape from Black Adam's group while Parademon blows himself (and the battleground) up, along with Ragdoll. Deathstroke and Deadshot duel, ultimately shooting each other at the same time. Vandal Savage, to save his daughter Scandal, infiltrates the Society's headquarters and threatens to kill Luthor if he does not disengage the Society's attack against the Six. Luthor reluctantly calls an end to the battle over Black Adam's objection; Deadshot is led away to medical help from the surviving Secret Six. Cheshire, real name Jade Nguyen, is a DC Comics villain, one of the worlds top assassins and mercenaries. ... Deathstroke the Terminator (Slade Wilson), also called simply Deathstroke (and originally simply the Terminator) is a fictional character, a supervillain in the DC Comics Universe. ... ‹ The template below (Comics-in-universe) has been proposed for deletion. ... Vandal Savage is a fictional character and supervillain in the DC Comics universe. ... Knockout is a fictional superheroine published by DC Comics. ... Solomon Grundy is a DC Comics character, a large, strong zombie supervillain. ... Black Adam is a fictional comic book character whose morally ambiguous nature has his character fall between the lines of heroism and villainy; as a result, he has associated himself with both superheroes and supervillains in the past. ... Vandal Savage is a fictional character and supervillain in the DC Comics universe. ...

The central revelation of the book, however, is that Mockingbird is actually Lex Luthor, and that the Luthor organizing the Secret Society is some sort of "imposter". Mockingbird/Luthor reveals that he chose those six individuals because each had different knowledge and experience that could be used to oppose the Society: Catman, for his knowledge on Batman villains; Deadshot, for his knowledge on the remaining Suicide Squad members; Parademon, for his experience living on Apokolips; Ragdoll, because he grew up as a "nephew" to the members of the Injustice Society; Scandal, because she grew up with Vandal Savage and his associates; and Cheshire, for her knowledge on the villains of the Teen Titans. Mockingbird/Luthor reveals to Scandal that he had never placed the families and children of the Six in danger, and disbands the team. Also notable is the Society Luthor's apparent murder of Pariah, a character from the original Crisis. Batman (originally referred to as the Bat-Man and still referred to at times as the Batman) is a DC Comics fictional superhero who first appeared in Detective Comics #27 in May 1939. ... Suicide Squad is a name for a number of fictional organizations created for and owned by DC Comics. ... In the DC Comics fictional shared Universe, Apokolips was the planet ruled by Darkseid, established in Jack Kirbys Fourth World series. ... The Injustice Society (also called the Injustice Society of the World) is a group of fictional supervillains in the DC Comics universe. ... The Teen Titans, also known as “The New Teen Titans”, “New Titans”, or “The Titans”, a DC Comics superhero team. ...

Villains United Special: A Hero Dies but One

Main article: Battle of Metropolis

In the Villains United: Infinite Crisis Special, the Secret Six meet to discuss their future as a team, with Deadshot recommending they be a mercenary team for good or evil, "as long as we get paid." The Battle of Metropolis is a fictional DC Comics event. ... The Secret Six is the name of three distinct, fictional comic book teams in the DC Comics universe, plus an alternate universes fourth team. ... Deadshot (real name Floyd Lawton), is a fictional character in the DC Universe. ...

In phase one of a master plan, the Society executes "Operation: Hope Abandoned," engineering breakouts at metahuman holding facilities worldwide. Oracle masses responses as fast as possible, but with the "Big Guns" of the Justice League unavailable, the heroes are having problems just holding the line. Contacting the Martian Manhunter, Oracle organizes a global telepathic link. Barbara Gordon is a fictional character appearing in DC Comics and related media. ... This article or section needs copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone and/or spelling. ...

Meanwhile, the Secret Six intercept the Scarecrow and Amos Fortune fleeing Enclave M, and discover that all supervillains, once freed, are to head to Metropolis. They relay this information to Green Arrow, who informs J'onn. Lady Blackhawk commandeers aircraft to traffic all available heroes and national guardsmen to Metropolis. The Scarecrow (Dr. Jonathan Crane) is a DC Comics supervillain, an enemy of Batman. ... This article is about a comic book character. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this comics-related article or section may require cleanup. ... Lady Blackhawk is the alias used in Quality Comics and DC Comics comic books by two fictional characters. ...

An army of second-stringers, vigilantes, and retired metas (including Argus, Geist, Manhunter, and El Diablo) align with the authorities to fend off the Society's assault. Leading the villains' charge is Doctor Psycho, flanked by the monster he and "Monsieur" Warp unleashed from imprisonment: Doomsday. This page is a candidate for speedy deletion. ... Geist is one bad ghost guy. ... Manhunter is a fictional character, a superhero in publications from DC Comics. ... El Diablo is a name shared by at least two fictional characters whose adventures have been published by DC Comics and that of a completely different character featured in Irrational Games Freedom Force series of video games and a six-issue comic book miniseries based on those games published by... Doctor Psycho is a supervillain in Wonder Womans rogues gallery. ... Warp is the name of a fictional DC Comics supervillain that has fought the Teen Titans on different occasions. ... Doomsday is the name of a fictional character in the DC Comics Universe, a supervillain best known for fighting and killing Superman in the Death of Superman storyline in 1993. ...

High above the battle, Catman informs the rest of the Six they are to remain neutral, even after the battle. The Six leave, determined to be an independent group, while the battle continues with "the line between hero and villain... inescapably clear."

The Society's roster

See List of Secret Society of Super Villains members The Secret Society of Super Villains is a team of comic book supervillains in the DC Comics universe. ...

External links

• Guide to Infinite Crisis: Villains United -- study of series as part of Infinite Crisis