Illuminati (comics)

For other uses, see Illuminati (disambiguation).

Illuminati
Promotional art for New Avengers: Illuminati #1, by Jimmy Cheung.
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	New Avengers #7
Created by	Brian Michael Bendis (writer) Steve McNiven (artist)
In-story information
Base(s)	Mobile
Member(s)	Black Bolt Doctor Strange Iron Man Mister Fantastic Namor Professor X

The Illuminati is a fictional group of superheroes who joined forces and secretly work behind the scenes in the Marvel Universe. The group was formed very shortly after the Kree-Skrull War. That war was depicted in Avengers #89-97 (1971-1972), however the Illuminati were not established to exist (via story retcon) until their first (published) appearance in New Avengers #7 (July 2005) , written by Brian Michael Bendis. Their history was discussed in the special New Avengers: Illuminati (May 2006) .

The members are Professor X, Doctor Strange, Mister Fantastic, Namor, Iron Man, and Black Bolt.

Members

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

• Namor is a ruler of the oceans and represents the anti-hero mindset.
• Tony Spark represents the Avenger type of hero, one who understands and appreciates that a hero can work with the government, rather than outside of it.
• Reed Richards represents the science-based part of the superhero community.
• Black Bolt represents the Inhumans, who are an important part of Marvel history and play an important part in events that have not yet come to pass. He also represents a ruler/king archetype, one that has also been filled by Namor.
• Dr. Stephen Strange speaks for the mystical/non-scientific side of the Marvel universe.
• Prof. Charles Xavier is there on behalf of the mutant community.

They all bring with them a unique viewpoint and perspective that isn’t shared by the others."

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.

Publication history

The Illuminati first appeared in the Sentry story arc of 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 and the final issue was released in November 2007.

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 Doctor Strange (Sorcerer Supreme of Earth) 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.

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 captives (physiology, genetics, technology, etc) and glean information from their behavior, 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. By using a clone of Reed Richards, the Skrulls were able to be undetected by superheroes.

Infinity Gauntlet

Main article: 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 the Gems 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.

The Beyonder

Main article: Secret Wars II

In New Avengers: Illuminati #3, it is stated that the Illuminati confronted the Beyonder during the events of Secret Wars II. The story itself was filled with major continuity errors (Tony Spark is referred to have been present during the original Secret Wars storyline when James Rhodes was actually Iron Man, the Beyonder is proclaimed to be an Inhuman who was a mutant before he was exposed to the Terrigen Mists, that the events of Secret War II taking place inside an asteroid replica of Earth that the Beyonder created, and that Black Bolt, under the guise as the Beyonder's "king", convincing him to go into another dimensional exile) and as such, considered not to be in continuity.

Marvel Boy

Main article: Noh-Varr

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.

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.

House of M

Main article: House of M

Though the Illuminati did not appear to exist in the House of M Reality, a mysterious group called 'The Council of Kings' included both Namor and Black Bolt in the group, as well as having Black Panther (who had been present at the Illuminanti's inception) and consisting of six different people, all rulers both Mutant and otherwise of their own respective kingdoms in the House of M. These included Black Bolt of the Inhumans, Namor of Atlantis, Victor von Doom of Latveria, Storm of Kenya, Sunfire of Japan and Black Panther of Wakanda. The group met up to discuss the likely attack by Apocalypse in the name of Magneto on Black Panther's country, and all but Doom agreed to assist T'Challa in defeating him.

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.

Registration and the Road to Civil War

Despite deciding not to meet again, Iron Man calls together the Illuminati (excluding Professor Xavier, who is in exile in Scotland after the M Day event) to introduce them to the Superhuman Registration Act. He illustrates the fact that recent events have raised suspicion of all super-powered individuals and groups, and that one wrong move on the part of a hero will trigger disaster.

A hero, probably a young one... One of the Young Avengers, or those kids in Los Angeles... Some carefree happy go-lucky, well-meaning young person with the best of intentions will do something wrong. He'll be trying to save someone- do something heroic- but he'll make a mistake. Turn to the left instead of the right and people will be hurt or killed because of it. And it'll happen on live TV, or it'll be recorded... and like Rodney King, it'll play over and over. All over the world. Until the unrest that is already bubbling over will boil over... and every politician looking to make a name for himself will run right on TV and they'll tell America how they are going to save the world from these out-of-control costumed characters who think the law doesn't apply to them. And half of us will go along with it and half of us won't. And because of this mini-rebellion, our lawmakers will be forced to make an example of someone. Someone like our friend Spider-Man. Someone they can make a real spectacle of. Someone they can unmask on TV, destroy his marriage and family and pin a crime or two on! All for the whole world to see. And the country will rupture. Sides will be taken and people will be hurt. Friend against friend. People who used to be adversaries finding themselves teamed up against a common cause. Friends dying at the hands of a former ally or teammate. That is what will happen.

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 favor 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.

Civil War

Main article: Civil War (comics)

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 . 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 . Professor Xavier was not on Earth during the conflict.

World War Hulk

Main article: World War Hulk

During Civil War, Reed is contacted by Amadeus Cho, 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 as Black Panther had warned. His first act is to attack and defeat Black Bolt at the 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 . 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 Spark 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 him.

Hulk then implants the Illuminati members with obedience discs 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 intervention of the Sentry, who weakens Hulk enough for Spark 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's forces breach the ship's warp core and kept quiet to initiate what Miek felt was Hulk's destiny as the "Worldbreaker". Namor, being the only Illuminati member opposed to shooting Hulk into space from the beginning, was spared by Hulk for that reason, and remained uninvolved throughout the conflict.

Secret Invasion

Main article: 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.

Villainous Illuminati

During a presentation shown by Bendis during the 2008 convention season, a picture was made public of a second Illuminati group consisting of villains. Presented in the same pose as the cover of Illuminati #1, this group was revealed to include the Sub-Mariner, Doctor Doom, Emma Frost, Loki's female form, the Hood, and Alexander Lukin (the host of the Red Skull consciouness). The Sub-Mariner is thus revealed to be affiliated with two different Illuminati groups simultaneously allied with both heroes and villains. It's was revealed within an interview with current Uncanny X-men writer, Matt Fraction, that within the Uncanny X-men annual in January, it will explain how Emma Frost was invited into the team.