Madripoor
Encyclopedia
The Principality of Madripoor is a fiction
al island located in Southeast Asia
in the Marvel Comics
universe
. Based on illustrations, it is in the southern portion of the Strait of Malacca
, southwest of Singapore
.
#32 (October 1985). It was created by Chris Claremont
and Steve Leialoha
.
Madripoor received an entry in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Update '89
#4.
; they are both Southeast Asian island port nations with a single major city. Its capital and single large city is Madripoor, which is divided between wealthy Hightown and impoverished, crime-ridden Lowtown. This serves to represent the extreme social inequality in Madripoor, described as "a place for the very rich and the very poor".
Madripoor was once a haven for pirates, and that tradition is somewhat continued today with its lawless quality; the principality does not allow other nations to extradite
criminals. However, it is one of the business capitals of the Pacific Rim
, with its own Trade Center.
Other locations of note in the Central Business District are the Bank of Hong Kong and the Bank of Malaysia, luxurious Sovereign Hotel, and the Prince's Palace, said to rival Versailles
.
The nation was taken over by HYDRA with Madame Hydra as de facto ruler, using the nation to finance terrorist plots against the world. Side-effects of this are seen in Spider-Woman: Agent Of S.W.O.R.D. With Hydra's terrorist operations causing deaths in the thousands, Iron Man
and SHIELD
took it upon themselves to overthrow the HYDRA regime and place the nation in the hands of Tyger Tiger
, as she was the only person - apart from the long-absent Patch
- who the natives would follow in the event of a revolt.
Madripoor is now controlled by Wolverine's son Daken, after he managed to wrestle and manipulate power away from Tyger Tiger.
and inlet
s. The center of the island is a large plateau with steep cliffs.
Fiction
Fiction is the form of any narrative or informative work that deals, in part or in whole, with information or events that are not factual, but rather, imaginary—that is, invented by the author. Although fiction describes a major branch of literary work, it may also refer to theatrical,...
al island located in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
in the Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
universe
Marvel Universe
The Marvel Universe is the shared fictional universe where most comic book titles and other media published by Marvel Entertainment take place, including those featuring Marvel's most familiar characters, such as Spider-Man, the Hulk, the X-Men, and the Avengers.The Marvel Universe is further...
. Based on illustrations, it is in the southern portion of the Strait of Malacca
Strait of Malacca
The Strait of Malacca is a narrow, stretch of water between the Malay Peninsula and the Indonesian island of Sumatra. It is named after the Malacca Sultanate that ruled over the archipelago between 1414 to 1511.-Extent:...
, southwest of Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
.
Publication history
Madripoor first appeared in New MutantsNew Mutants
The New Mutants are a group of teenaged mutant superheroes-in-training published by Marvel Comics. They have been the main characters of three successive comic book series, which were spin-offs of the popular X-Men franchise....
#32 (October 1985). It was created by Chris Claremont
Chris Claremont
Chris Claremont is an award-winning American comic book writer and novelist, known for his 17-year stint on Uncanny X-Men, far longer than any other writer, during which he is credited with developing strong female characters, and with introducing complex literary themes into superhero...
and Steve Leialoha
Steve Leialoha
Steve Leialoha is an American comic book artist whose work first came to prominence in the 1970s. He has worked primarily as an inker, though occasionally as a penciller, for several publishers, including Marvel Comics and later DC Comics.-Biography:Leialoha's professional career began in 1975...
.
Madripoor received an entry in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Update '89
Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe
The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe is an encyclopedic guide which details the fictional universe featured in Marvel Comics publications...
#4.
Description
Madripoor is a fictional island apparently modeled on SingaporeSingapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
; they are both Southeast Asian island port nations with a single major city. Its capital and single large city is Madripoor, which is divided between wealthy Hightown and impoverished, crime-ridden Lowtown. This serves to represent the extreme social inequality in Madripoor, described as "a place for the very rich and the very poor".
Madripoor was once a haven for pirates, and that tradition is somewhat continued today with its lawless quality; the principality does not allow other nations to extradite
Extradition
Extradition is the official process whereby one nation or state surrenders a suspected or convicted criminal to another nation or state. Between nation states, extradition is regulated by treaties...
criminals. However, it is one of the business capitals of the Pacific Rim
Pacific Rim
The Pacific Rim refers to places around the edge of the Pacific Ocean. The term "Pacific Basin" includes the Pacific Rim and islands in the Pacific Ocean...
, with its own Trade Center.
Other locations of note in the Central Business District are the Bank of Hong Kong and the Bank of Malaysia, luxurious Sovereign Hotel, and the Prince's Palace, said to rival Versailles
Versailles
Versailles , a city renowned for its château, the Palace of Versailles, was the de facto capital of the kingdom of France for over a century, from 1682 to 1789. It is now a wealthy suburb of Paris and remains an important administrative and judicial centre...
.
The nation was taken over by HYDRA with Madame Hydra as de facto ruler, using the nation to finance terrorist plots against the world. Side-effects of this are seen in Spider-Woman: Agent Of S.W.O.R.D. With Hydra's terrorist operations causing deaths in the thousands, Iron Man
Iron Man
Iron Man is a fictional character, a superhero in the . The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee, developed by scripter Larry Lieber, and designed by artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby, first appearing in Tales of Suspense #39 .A billionaire playboy, industrialist and ingenious engineer,...
and SHIELD
Shield (comics)
Shield, in comics, may refer to:* S.H.I.E.L.D., the Marvel Comics organization* Shield , a number of characters who appeared in Archie and Impact Comics publications...
took it upon themselves to overthrow the HYDRA regime and place the nation in the hands of Tyger Tiger
Jessan Hoan
Tyger Tiger is a fictional character most often appearing in Wolverine stories in the Marvel Comics universe. She is a former banker turned crime lord.-Fictional character biography:...
, as she was the only person - apart from the long-absent Patch
Wolverine (comics)
Wolverine is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Born as James Howlett and commonly known as Logan, Wolverine is a mutant, possessing animal-keen senses, enhanced physical capabilities, three retracting bone claws on each hand and a healing...
- who the natives would follow in the event of a revolt.
Madripoor is now controlled by Wolverine's son Daken, after he managed to wrestle and manipulate power away from Tyger Tiger.
Geography
Madripoor is estimated to be 100 miles (160.9 km) in diameter. Its coastline is pockmarked with deep water baysHeadlands and bays
Headlands and bays are two related features of the coastal environment.- Geology and geography :Headlands and bays are often found on the same coastline. A bay is surrounded by land on three sides, whereas a headland is surrounded by water on three sides. Headlands are characterized by high,...
and inlet
Inlet
An inlet is a narrow body of water between islands or leading inland from a larger body of water, often leading to an enclosed body of water, such as a sound, bay, lagoon or marsh. In sea coasts an inlet usually refers to the actual connection between a bay and the ocean and is often called an...
s. The center of the island is a large plateau with steep cliffs.
Associated residents
Notable current and former residents of Madripoor include:- Archie CorriganArchie CorriganArchie Corrigan is a fictional comic book character from the Marvel Comics universe.-Fictional character biography:He is a friend of Patch and is a pilot. He owns and operates South Seas Skyways, of which he was the entire company. He lives in Madripoor....
(deceased), owner of South Seas Skyways - HarriersHarriers (comics)The Harriers are a fictional organization in the Marvel Universe.The Harriers are a group of mercenary soldiers who operate in Madripoor and have clashed with Wolverine.-Fictional team biography:...
, a team of mercernaries. - Tyger Tiger (alias of Jessan HoanJessan HoanTyger Tiger is a fictional character most often appearing in Wolverine stories in the Marvel Comics universe. She is a former banker turned crime lord.-Fictional character biography:...
), former revolutionary and current head of state - Prince BaranPrince BaranPrince Baran is a fictional Marvel Comics character.-Fictional character biography:He was the Prince and absolute ruler of Madripoor. His personal home is extravagant, including rarities such as a tentacled monster in the garden pond. While not actually a supervillain, he was sometimes on the "bad...
, former ruler (murdered by General Coy) - Scorpion, born in Madripoor
- Patch (alias of WolverineWolverine (comics)Wolverine is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Born as James Howlett and commonly known as Logan, Wolverine is a mutant, possessing animal-keen senses, enhanced physical capabilities, three retracting bone claws on each hand and a healing...
), co-owner of the Princess Bar - Jessica Drew, private investigator and super-heroine, Spider-WomanSpider-Woman (Jessica Drew)Spider-Woman is a fictional character, a superheroine in the Marvel Comics Universe. The character first appeared in Marvel Spotlight #32 , and 50 issues of an ongoing series titled Spider-Woman followed...
- KarmaKarma (comics)Karma is a fictional superheroine from Marvel Comics created by Chris Claremont and Frank Miller.Karma is a mutant endowed with the ability to seize control of another's mind, though she has sometimes been depicted with other more extensive psionic abilities...
, member of the New MutantsNew MutantsThe New Mutants are a group of teenaged mutant superheroes-in-training published by Marvel Comics. They have been the main characters of three successive comic book series, which were spin-offs of the popular X-Men franchise....
and niece to General Nguyen Ngoc Coy - Roughouse, enforcer to General Coy and Viper
- BloodscreamBloodscreamBloodscream is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe and an enemy of Wolverine.-Publication history:Bloodscream's first appearance was in Wolverine vol...
, enforcer to General Coy and Viper - ViperViper (Madame Hydra)Viper, formerly known as Madame Hydra, is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe who is a foe of the Avengers and the X-Men...
, terrorist, recently deposed ruler of Madripoor - DragonessDragoness (comics)Dragoness is a fictional mutant villain character in the Marvel Comics Universe, created for their on-going series New Mutants and X-Force. Dragoness was created by Louise Simonson and Rob Liefeld.-Fictional character biography:...
, former MLFMutant Liberation FrontThe Mutant Liberation Front, or MLF, is a Marvel Comics supervillain group, primarily enemies of X-Force. Created by writer Louise Simonson and artist/co-writer Rob Liefeld, the original MLF first fully appeared in The New Mutants #87 ....
member, current resident of UtopiaUtopia (comics)"Utopia" is a 2009 comic book crossover story arc written by Matt Fraction and published by Marvel Comics, starring the X-Men and the Dark Avengers... - Seraph (deceased), former lover and trainer of Wolverine
- Tran Coy Manh (deceased), twin brother of Karma
- Nguyen Ngoc Coy (deceased), crime lord, slain by Tyger Tiger
- Lindsay McCabe, actress
- Chang (deceased), agent of Landau, Luckman & Lake
- Mr. X, Champion of Madripoor
- Sapphire Styx, psychic vampire
- Roche, crime lord (deceased)
- O'Donnell (deceased), co-owner of the Princess Bar
- Rose Wu (deceased), friend of Patch
- Tai (deceased), chief of police, also murdered by Hoan