Secret Empire
Encyclopedia
Fictional organization history
This subversive organization has been headed by a number of different leaders, always known as “Number One,” with each iteration's goals following the desires of its current leader. The Secret Empire was originally founded by a scientist who felt like an anonymous nobody. The organization began as a criminal enterprise, a subsidiary of HYDRAHYDRA
HYDRA is a fictional terrorist organization in the Marvel Universe.Despite the name's capitalization per Marvel's official spelling, the name is not an acronym but rather a reference to the mythical Lernaean Hydra...
, which provided it with financial support. The Secret Empire served to distract the attention of authorities such as S.H.I.E.L.D.
S.H.I.E.L.D.
S.H.I.E.L.D. is a fictional espionage and a secret military law-enforcement agency in the Marvel Comics Universe. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in Strange Tales #135 , it often deals with superhuman threats....
from HYDRA’s activities, although the original Number One sought to break away from HYDRA. The Secret Empire hired the mercenary Boomerang
Boomerang (comics)
Boomerang is a fictional character, a supervillain appearing in the Marvel Comics universe and first appeared in Tales to Astonish #81....
on a mission to steal plans for the Air Force’s Orion Missile, but he was defeated by the Hulk
Hulk (comics)
The Hulk is a fictional character, a superhero in the . Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #1 ....
. In attempting to blow up the Hulk, Number One instead killed himself.
Some time later, the organization regrouped under a new Number One. This Secret Empire infiltrated Roxxon Oil's Brand Corporation, tried to ruin Captain America
Captain America
Captain America is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 , from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...
's reputation, and kidnapped several mutants
Mutant (Marvel Comics)
In comic books published by Marvel Comics, a mutant is an organism who possesses a genetic trait called an X-gene that allows the mutant to naturally develop superhuman powers and abilities...
— specifically Havok, Polaris
Polaris (comics)
Polaris is a fictional comic book character appearing in books published by Marvel Comics, in particular the X-Men family of books. Created by Arnold Drake, Don Heck, Werner Roth and Jim Steranko, Polaris first appeared in The X-Men #49...
, Beast
Beast (comics)
Beast , Dr. Henry Philip "Hank" McCoy, is a comic book character, a Marvel Comics superhero and a member of the mutant team of superheroes known as the X-Men...
, Iceman
Iceman (comics)
Iceman is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero, a member of the X-Men. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-writer Jack Kirby, he first appeared in X-Men vol. 1 #1, ....
, Angel, Mastermind
Mastermind (Jason Wyngarde)
Mastermind is a Marvel Comics supervillain, an adversary of the X-Men. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-writer Jack Kirby, he first appeared in X-Men #4 . He was given his "real name", Jason Wyngarde, by Chris Claremont and John Byrne.The original Mastermind was a mutant with the power to...
, Mesmero
Mesmero
Mesmero is a fictional mutant, a comic book supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe. The character first appeared in [Uncanny] X-Men #49.-Fictional character biography:...
, Blob
Blob (comics)
The Blob is a Marvel Comics supervillain, an adversary of the X-Men. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-writer Jack Kirby, he first appeared in X-Men #3 ....
and Unus the Untouchable
Unus the Untouchable
Unus the Untouchable is a fictional character from the comic book X-Men and part of the Marvel Comics Universe. A mutant, Unus is named for his ability to consciously project a force field which protects him from harm.-Origin:Angelo Unuscione was born in Milan, Italy...
— to harness their energy to power a "flying saucer". Number One landed the saucer on the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
lawn, and, after defeating the Empire's "replacement" hero—the first Moonstone
Nefarius
Nefarius , previously known as Moonstone, is a fictional character, a supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe. He first appeared in Captain America #169 and was created by Steve Englehart, Mike Friedrich and Sal Buscema....
—demanded the government surrender control to him or he would detonate nukes in every major American city. The Secret Empire was defeated by Captain America
Captain America
Captain America is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 , from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...
, Cyclops
Cyclops (comics)
Cyclops is a fictional character, the leader of the X-Men superhero team in the . A mutant, Cyclops emits a powerful energy beam from his eyes...
, the Falcon
Falcon (comics)
The Falcon is a fictional comic book superhero in comic books published by Marvel Comics.Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Gene Colan, and introduced in Captain America #117 , the character is mainstream comics' first African-American superhero...
, and Marvel Girl
Jean Grey
Jean Grey-Summers is a fictional comic book superheroine appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. She has been known under the aliases Marvel Girl, Phoenix, and Dark Phoenix and is best known as one of five original members of the X-Men, for her relationship with Cyclops, and for her...
, and Captain America pursued Number One into the White House. Rather than face capture, Number One unmasked himself then committed suicide. The leader of the Secret Empire was revealed to be a very high U.S. government official attempting a coup d'état. Although his identity and face are never revealed to the reader, it is strongly implied in the dialog that Number One was the President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
. The government covered up his guilt and suicide with the help of a double. This led to Captain America giving up his role for a while and taking on the role of Nomad. The story was first published in 1973, when the sitting president was Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
, embroiled at the time in the Watergate scandal
Watergate scandal
The Watergate scandal was a political scandal during the 1970s in the United States resulting from the break-in of the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate office complex in Washington, D.C., and the Nixon administration's attempted cover-up of its involvement...
. Writer Steve Englehart
Steve Englehart
Steve Englehart is an American novelist. In his earlier career he was a comic book writer best known for his work at Marvel Comics and DC Comics, particularly in the 1970s...
specifically intended this issue as a metaphor of the Watergate case and the Nixon era.
Later, Professor Power
Professor Power
Professor Power is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics Universe. His first appearance was in Marvel Team-Up vol. 1 #117, although individuals working for him appear before then.-Fictional character biography:...
became the new Number One. He sought to trigger a nuclear war between the U.S. and the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
. The Defenders
Defenders (comics)
The Defenders is the name of a number of Marvel Comics superhero groups which are usually presented as a "non-team" of individualistic "outsiders," each known for following their own agendas...
defeated Professor Power and the Secret Empire, as well as their agents Mad Dog and Mutant Force
Resistants (comics)
The Resistants, also known as Mutant Force are a fictional supervillain group in the Marvel Comics universe. They were originally the second incarnation of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, but have become completely independent of the other incarnations of that group, except that they were...
.
The Secret Empire also sought to eliminate Moon Knight
Moon Knight
Moon Knight is a fictional character, a mercenary-turned-superhero appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character exists in the Marvel Universe and was created by Doug Moench and Don Perlin...
who they believed had disrupted some of their operations (as seen in Moon Knight vol. 3 #19-21). The real guilty party was Moon Knight's sidekick Midnight
Midnight (Jeff Wilde)
Jeff Wilde is a comic book character in Marvel Comics.-Fictional character biography:He is the son of Midnight Man. After Moon Knight encountered Black Cat and Wilde, Wilde partnered with Moon Knight and took the name Midnight. While training his new sidekick, Moon Knight was targeted by the Secret...
and when Moon Knight and his sidekick confronted the Secret Empire, Midnight was hit by an energy blast from the group's new leader, the mysterious Number 7. Moon Knight abandoned his sidekick, believing that he was dead but in truth he was still alive, though horrifically disfigured and maimed. Number 7 ordered Midnight transformed into a cyborg, with his hatred for Moon Knight (for being abandoned by his mentor) and a mechanical failsafe that caused him to suffer intense pain if he disobeyed Number 7.
During the Round Robin Story arc in The Amazing Spider-Man
The Amazing Spider-Man
The Amazing Spider-Man is an American comic book series published by Marvel Comics, featuring the adventures of the fictional superhero Spider-Man. Being the mainstream continuity of the franchise, it began publication in 1963 as a monthly periodical and was published continuously until it was...
, Midnight was sent out on his first mission: kidnap the super-hero Nova
Nova (comics)
Nova is a fictional character, a comic book superhero in the Marvel Comics universe. Upon becoming a member of the galaxy's Nova Corps , the youth gained enhanced strength, flight, injury resistance, and a specialized uniform with life support.In May 2011, Nova placed 98th on IGN's Top 100 Comic...
so that the Secret Empire could transform him into a cyborg as well. The plan was foiled by the combination of Nova, Spider-Man
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15...
, Moon Knight, Punisher
Punisher
The Punisher is a fictional character, an anti-hero appearing in comic books based in the . Created by writer Gerry Conway and artists John Romita, Sr., and Ross Andru, the character made its first appearance in The Amazing Spider-Man #129 .The Punisher is a vigilante who employs murder,...
, and Night Thrasher
Night Thrasher
Night Thrasher is a fictional character, a superhero published by Marvel Comics. He first appeared in Thor #411 , and was created by Tom DeFalco and Ron Frenz.-Publication history:...
. During the battle, the Secret Empire nurse assigned to provide repair work towards Midnight's robotic body parts disabled Number 7's failsafe designed to prevent Midnight from gaining revenge against him for disfiguring/maiming him, allowing Midnight to kill Number 7 and assume control over the Secret Empire. However, along the way it was revealed that his nurse (and now lover), was also a cyborg too. A loyal follower of the original founder (the original Number 1), she served as a prototype for the process used to transform Midnight into a half-human, half-machine being that he became, to the extent that she allowed herself to be disfigured and maimed to facilitate her transformation into becoming a cyborg. The realization that his lover was insane caused Midnight to aid his mentor and his allies against the nurse, ultimately sacrificing his life to destroy her.
Meeting other crime-lords
The Secret Empire would later be part of a conspiracy to divide up the empire of Wilson Fisk, the KingpinKingpin (comics)
The Kingpin is a fictional character, a supervillain in the . Kingpin is one of the most feared and powerful crime lords in the Marvel Universe. The character is a major adversary of Daredevil, the Punisher, and Spider-Man...
who had lost control. The meeting takes place in Las Vegas, under the cover of a Secret Empire "convention". Many Secret Empire members simply believe it is an organization like the Masons or the Elks Club, which was a perfect cover for criminal enterprises.
The Punisher got wind of this right away and the Empire sends two hit squads to attack him. The first is slain to a man. The second group, a motorcycle gang called the "Praetorians", escape albeit with heavy casualties.
The various warlords who attend the meeting begin attacking each other nearly right away. Mickey Fondozzi
Mickey Fondozzi
-Fictional character history:Before he encounters the Punisher, Mickey is working for the Carbone crime family. They believe that he is Italian-American; in actuality, he is Albanian....
and Microchip
Microchip (comics)
David Linus "Microchip" Lieberman is a fictional comic book character in the Marvel Universe. Created by writer Mike Baron and artist Klaus Janson, he first appeared in The Punisher #4 as an ally of The Punisher for many years. He assisted the Punisher by building weapons, supplying technology...
, associates of the Punisher, had been captured while spying on Strucker and claim to be Four and Eight, members of the Secret Empire. The Empire learn of this via a spy in the HYDRA group. By coincidence, Four and Eight had not actually traveled to Las Vegas and this was enough to convince the others they had turned traitor. The Empire sends the Praetorians to kill everyone involved, but Mickey, Micro and Strucker all survive. Further encounters led to no progress at all and the Secret Empire members leave Las Vegas on a plane.
The Empire's plans come under the scrutiny of the "Favor Broker", an opponent of Nomad. He teams up with the Punisher and Daredevil
Daredevil (Marvel Comics)
Daredevil is a fictional character, a superhero in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Bill Everett, with an unspecified amount of input from Jack Kirby, and first appeared in Daredevil #1 .Living in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood...
in an attempt to disrupt the meeting. All they manage to do is kill some lackeys and Hand
Hand (comics)
The Hand is a fictional supervillainous organization in the Marvel Comics universe.The Hand is an order of evil mystical ninja who are heavily involved in organized crime and mercenary activities such as assassination plots. The Hand covets power above all other objectives. They are primarily based...
ninjas and capture the Slug
Slug (comics)
Slug is a fictional character, a supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe.-Fictional character biography:Ulysses Lugman was born in Miami, Florida. He is a Miami-based drug kingpin and criminal organizer, and also president and owner of several legal businesses...
.
Some time later, agents of the Secret Empire battle the vigilante group known as The Jury
The Jury (comics)
The Jury is a fictional group of armored vigilantes in the Marvel Comics universe. The team was first introduced in Venom: Lethal Protector #2.-History:...
.
Current membership
- Calvin Burlingame
- Cheer Chadwick
- Hesperus Chadwick
- Richard Cholmondely
- Thomas Gloucester
- Shocktroopers
- William Taurey
- Harcourt Vickers
Former membership
- BoomerangBoomerang (comics)Boomerang is a fictional character, a supervillain appearing in the Marvel Comics universe and first appeared in Tales to Astonish #81....
- Chainsaw
- CharcoalCharcoal (comics)Charcoal is a Marvel Comics character and member of the Thunderbolts who was created by a comic book fan for a "Create-A-Villain" contest sponsored by Marvel and Wizard Magazine and the alter-ego was created by Kurt Busiek....
(Charlie Burlingame) - Lynn Church
- CloudCloud (comics)Cloud is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe.-Publication history:Cloud first appeared in Defenders #123-124 , and was created by J. M. DeMatteis and Don Perlin. She appeared as a regular member of the Defenders from that point on, in issues #127-152 of the title...
- Dr. FaustusDoctor Faustus (comics)Doctor Faustus is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics supervillain.An Austrian by birth, he is most commonly associated with Captain America, first appearing in issue #107 of his first series.-Creative origins:...
- Linda Donaldson
- Mr. Farrell
- GargantuaGargantua (comics)Gargantua is a fictional character and exists in the Marvel Universe. He first appeared in Defenders #126.-Fictional character biography:...
- GriffinGriffin (Marvel Comics)Griffin is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics supervillain. He first appeared in Amazing Adventures vol. 1 #15 and was created by Steve Englehart and Tom Sutton.-Fictional character biography:...
- Quentin Harderman (head of the Committee to Regain America's Principles)
- Harridan
- JavelynnJavelynn (comics)Javelynn is a fictional supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe. The character first appeared in Hawkeye vol.2 #1 and was created by Chuck Dixon and Scott Kolins....
- Mad-DogMad Dog (comics)Mad-Dog is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics Universe.-Publication history:His first appearance is in Miss America Comics #2 . His first appearance as Buzz Baxter in modern comics was in Amazing Adventures #13 , and his first appearance as Mad-Dog was in Defenders vol...
(Robert Baxter) - Carl Maddicks
- MidnightMidnight (Jeff Wilde)Jeff Wilde is a comic book character in Marvel Comics.-Fictional character biography:He is the son of Midnight Man. After Moon Knight encountered Black Cat and Wilde, Wilde partnered with Moon Knight and took the name Midnight. While training his new sidekick, Moon Knight was targeted by the Secret...
(Jeffrey Wilde) - MoonstoneNefariusNefarius , previously known as Moonstone, is a fictional character, a supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe. He first appeared in Captain America #169 and was created by Steve Englehart, Mike Friedrich and Sal Buscema....
(Lloyd Bloch) - Bo Ollsen
- Pretorians
- Professor PowerProfessor PowerProfessor Power is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics Universe. His first appearance was in Marvel Team-Up vol. 1 #117, although individuals working for him appear before then.-Fictional character biography:...
(Anthony Power) - QuasimodoQuasimodo (comics)Quasimodo , also known as the Living Computer, is a supervillain in the Marvel Universe...
- Jay Sanford
- Seraph
- ThunderballThunderball (comics)Thunderball is a Marvel Comics supervillain and a frequent enemy of Thor and a somewhat reluctant ally of the Wrecker and the Wrecking Crew. The character was created by Len Wein and Sal Buscema and first appeared in Defenders #17 .-Fictional character biography:Dr. Eliot Franklin was born in...
- TrickshotTrick Shot (comics)Trick Shot is a fictional character, a supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe. He first appeared in Solo Avengers #1 and was created by Tom DeFalco and Mark Bright...
- TumblerTumbler (comics)Tumbler is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe. He first appeared in Tales of Suspense #83 and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.-Fictional character biography:...
(John Robert Keane) - Viper (Jordan Stryke)
- 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...
(Madame Hydra) - Martin Willis
- WyreWyre (comics)Wyre is a fictional mutant character featured in the publications of Marvel Comics, notably Alpha Flight. He first appeared in Alpha Flight #114 and was created by Simon Furman and Pat Broderick.-Fictional character biography:...
- ZeitgeistEveryman (Marvel Comics)Everyman is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe.-Publication history:The Everyman first appeared in Captain America #267 and was created by J. M. DeMatteis and Mike Zeck...
(Larry Ekler)
Other members
These members are either honorary or reserve members of the Secret Empire:- Brute Force
- Fieldstone
- Fizgig
- Hoarfrost
- Hoopsnake
- Ingot
- Loblolly
- Scarum
- Watchfire
- Brotherhood of MutantsBrotherhood of MutantsThe Brotherhood of Mutants, originally known as the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, is a fictional Marvel Comics supervillain team devoted to mutant superiority over normal humans. They are among the chief adversaries of the X-Men...
- BlobBlob (comics)The Blob is a Marvel Comics supervillain, an adversary of the X-Men. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-writer Jack Kirby, he first appeared in X-Men #3 ....
- MastermindMastermind (Jason Wyngarde)Mastermind is a Marvel Comics supervillain, an adversary of the X-Men. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-writer Jack Kirby, he first appeared in X-Men #4 . He was given his "real name", Jason Wyngarde, by Chris Claremont and John Byrne.The original Mastermind was a mutant with the power to...
(Jason Wyngarde) - Unus the UntouchableUnus the UntouchableUnus the Untouchable is a fictional character from the comic book X-Men and part of the Marvel Comics Universe. A mutant, Unus is named for his ability to consciously project a force field which protects him from harm.-Origin:Angelo Unuscione was born in Milan, Italy...
- Blob
- Mutant ForceResistants (comics)The Resistants, also known as Mutant Force are a fictional supervillain group in the Marvel Comics universe. They were originally the second incarnation of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, but have become completely independent of the other incarnations of that group, except that they were...
- BurnerBurner (comics)Burner , also known as Crucible is a fictional mutant character in the Marvel Comics Universe whose first appearance was in Captain America Annual #4.-Publication history:...
- LifterLifter (comics)Lifter is a fictional mutant supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe. He was created by Jack Kirby in Captain America Annual #4 .-Publication history:...
- PeepersPeepersPeepers is a fictional character in comic books published by Marvel Comics. He first appeared as a member of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, a group of mutants in Captain America Annual #4. He was created by Jack Kirby.-Fictional character biography:...
- Shocker
- SlitherSlither (comics)Slither is a fictional character, a snake-like mutant in the Marvel Comics Universe. His first appearance was in Captain America Annual #4 and was created by Jack Kirby.-Fictional character biography:...
- Burner
- Seekers
- Chain
- Grasp
- Sonic
Television
- The Secret Empire appeared in the Incredible Hulk segment of The Marvel Superheroes. In that appearance, they hired BoomerangBoomerang (comics)Boomerang is a fictional character, a supervillain appearing in the Marvel Comics universe and first appeared in Tales to Astonish #81....
to take down the Hulk.