Discuss Features of the Marvel Universe with community
Welcome to the community hub built on top of the Features of the Marvel Universe Wikipedia article.
Here, you can discuss, collect, and organize anything related to Features of the Marvel Universe. The
purpose of the hub is to connect people, foster deeper knowledge, and help improve
the root Wikipedia article.
This article may be too long to read and navigate comfortably. Consider splitting content into sub-articles, condensing it, or adding subheadings. Please discuss this issue on the article's talk page.(February 2025)
The comic book stories published by Marvel Comics since the 1940s have featured several noteworthy concepts besides its fictional characters, such as unique places and artifacts. There follows a list of those features.
Certain places feature prominently in the Marvel Universe, some real-life, others fictional and unique to the setting; fictional places may appear in conjunction with, or even within, real-world locales.
District X: A ghetto-like neighborhood of New York primarily populated by mutants. Since the Decimation, its mutant population has largely disappeared.[7]
Fisk Towers: A skyscraper owned by the Kingpin, and base of operations for his criminal activities.[8]
The Bowery: In Fantastic Four #4 (1962), the Human Torch discovers the Namor in this Manhattan neighborhood of "human derelicts", where Namor had taken up residence after sustaining amnesia.
Atlantis: A small continent with many human settlements. Over 20,000 years ago, an event called the "Great Cataclysm" caused it to be submerged into the sea.[30]
Attilan (/ˈætɪlɑːn/; also known as the Hidden Land): Home of the Inhumans.[31] Originally an island in the Atlantic Ocean, it has moved several times, including to the Andes, the Himalayas, the Moon, and Hala, the homeworld of the Kree. Attilan is destroyed in Infinity, with its remains becoming a sovereign state, New Attilan, ruled by Medusa.
Attilan in other media
Attilan appears in The New Fantastic Four episode "Medusa and the Inhumans". This city is ruled only by Medusa.
Attilan appears in the Fantastic Four (1994) three-part episode "Inhumans Saga".
Lemuria: A small continent and group of islands in the Pacific Ocean 21,000 years ago, which was ruled by the Deviants. It was sunk underwater during a battle with Atlantis.[46]
Providence: An artificial island made of parts from Cable's old space station, Graymalkin, located in the South Pacific Ocean, southwest of Hawaii.[52] Providence was intended to be a place where the best minds on Earth could gather, live, and find new ways of doing everything in hopes of giving the world a peaceful future. Cable later destroys Providence to keep the future evidence of the Messiah Child's birth away from the Marauders.
Savage Land: A place with a tropical climate, prehistoric animals, and strange tribes located in the heart of Antarctica.[53]
Alcatraz is a real-life island prison in San Francisco Bay. In the Marvel universe, it held superhuman criminals in special section in the 1940s. In Dark Reign, Alcatraz is occupied by H.A.M.M.E.R. and used as a detention center for mutants.
Alamogordo is a nuclear testing facility in New Mexico.[64] It held the Armageddon Man and perhaps others in suspended animation. It first appeared in X-Men (vol. 2) #12 (1992).
The Cage is a prison that uses a special force field to depower inmates based on a remote island in international waters. The Cage was home to four prison gangs: a group of Maggia loyalists, the Skulls (a white supremacist gang loyal to the Red Skull), the Brothers (a black prison gang), and the Cruisers (a cabal of sexual predators who preyed on the other inmates as best as they could). The Cage was later shut down and replaced by the Raft.
Crossmore Prison is a British prison previously known simply as 'Crossmoor'. Deadpool and Juggernaut were its known inmates.
The Cube is a prison for super-powered beings, such as the Hulk, the Abomination, Absorbing Man and the Leader. The prison was created by writer Grant Morrison and artist J. G. Jones in Marvel Boy vol. 2 #6 (2000). Its location is undisclosed and only high-ranking S.H.I.E.L.D. agents know of its existence. It has a special program where prisoners are brainwashed to become obedient soldiers. In Civil War: Young Avengers & Runaways #4, Marvel Boy had taken control of the entire facility. In Dark Reign, the Cube served as the Thunderbolts' base of operations.
Lang Memorial Penitentiary (also known as the Pym Experimental Prison and ironically dubbed "The Big House") inmates in the facility are shrunk down using Pym particles for cheaper storage and easier control. It is also known as the "Ant Hill" due to operators using versions of the Ant-Man helmet to influence ants to act as security with Roberto Dawber as the warden.
Lang Memorial Penitentiary in other media
The Big House appears in The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes. This version was developed by Hank Pym and is housed in the S.H.I.E.L.D.Helicarrier while maintained by benign Ultron sentries. In the episode "Breakout", a technological fault causes the Big House to enlarge, damaging the Helicarrier and allowing the inmates to escape.
Project P.E.G.A.S.U.S. (Potential Energy Group, Alternate Sources, United States) is a government facility that researches alternative and unusual forms of energy.[67] It is later used as a prison for individuals with energy-based powers.
Project P.E.G.A.S.U.S. in other media
Project P.E.G.A.S.U.S. appears in Iron Man: Armored Adventures. This version is an energy research facility led by Russian scientist Anton Harchov and located in New York City that is later absorbed into Stark International under Obadiah Stane.
The Raft is a prison facility for superhuman criminals (predominantly supervillains).[69] Created by writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist David Finch, it first appeared in New Avengers #1 (2005) as the "Maximum-Maximum Security" wing of Ryker's Island.
The Raft makes a minor appearance in Spider-Man 2.
Ravencroft is a maximum-security asylum, primarily appearing in association with Spider-Man.[71] The institute was first mentioned in Web of Spider-Man #112, written by Terry Kavanagh. The institute officially opens in Web of Spider-Man Annual #10 (1994), written by Terry Kavanagh, with art by Jerry Bingham. The place later grew to one of the leading maximum-security facilities in the country specializing in the treatment of superhuman criminals.[72] The Ruins of Ravencroft storyline reveals that Ravencroft was a site for superhuman experiments during the 20th century.
Ryker's Island is the Marvel Universe counterpart to the real-world Rikers Island, New York City's largest jail facility. In The Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 4), Ryker's Island was renamed the Cellar when it was bought and improved by Empire Unlimited.
Seagate Prison (also called "Little Alcatraz") is where the wrongly convicted Carl Lucas agreed to become a test subject for Noah Burstein. These experiments lead to him gaining super powers and changed his name to Luke Cage. The prison also appears in media set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The Vault appears in The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes. This version of the prison specializes in holding technological-based super-criminals and their technology. In the episode "Breakout", the Vault undergoes a technological fault that allows all of its prisoners to escape. In response, Iron Man uses J.A.R.V.I.S. to activate the prison's self-destruct sequence.
Bar with No Name: There are different Bars with No Name that appear in different locations and are often frequented by supervillains who mostly have drinks, relax, and socialize.
Braddock Lighthouse: A lighthouse on the shores of Cornwall that connects universes. It served as the headquarters for Excalibur, before its destruction. It was later rebuilt and became a Krakoan Gateway, but was destroyed once again.
Braddock Lighthouse: An 18th century manor owned by the Braddock family. It is the headquarters of Excalibur, the R.C.X and S.T.R.I.K.E, a basis for the superhero school Braddock Academy, and a Krakoan Gateway.
Citrusville, Cypress County, Florida: It is in the Everglades and appears most frequently in stories related to Man-Thing. It is located near the Nexus of All Realities, a cross-dimensional gateway.[75][76]
Caldecott: A western Mississippi county and town where the X-Men's Rogue was born.
Darkmoor: The location of both the Darkmoor Energy Research Centre (a high-tech, top secret government facility at which University student Brian Braddock is doing work experience) and a stone circle which was a centre of great mystical power. As the Captain Britain mythos expanded, it also played host to Darkmoor Prison and the Darkmoor Castle, home of the Black Baron.
Gamma Base: Also known as Hulkbusters Base, and Desert Base. Originally a New Mexico base dedicated to Hulk's capture, it is later acquired by Operation: Zero Tolerance and S.H.I.E.L.D.[77][78][79]
Grand Nixon Island: An island owned by disgraced ex-general General Kreigkopf.
Graymalkin Industries: The undercover name for the X-Men's new headquarters in San Francisco following their departure from the X-Mansion, which was destroyed in "Messiah Complex".
HUB: S.H.I.E.L.D's main headquarters in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. The HUB was once taken over by Hydra. S.H.I.E.L.D retook the HUB with Phil Coulson's team.
Hydro-Base: A floating seacraft disguised as a natural island floating off the coast of North America outside territorial waters.[80]
High Evolutionary's Counter-Earth: The first Counter-Earth was created by the High Evolutionary with the help of at least some of the Infinity Gems as part of his "Project Alpha". The High Evolutionary artificially creates a Counter-Earth specifically located to hide it from "True Earth"; on his planet he has greatly accelerated evolution and the passage of time. Due to a lack of superheroes, the High Evolutionary enlisted Adam Warlock to keep peace.
Goddess's Counter-Earth: The second Counter-Earth, dubbed "Paradise Omega", was created by the Goddess using the Cosmic Egg, a collection of Cosmic Cubes.
Franklin Richards's Counter-Earth: The third Counter-Earth was created by Franklin Richards during the Heroes Reborn event. On Counter-Earth, the heroes relived altered versions of their pasts, unaware of their previous lives in the "mainstream" Marvel Universe, where they were presumed dead.
Onslaught Reborn Counter-Earth: The fourth Counter-Earth was also created by Franklin Richards after the events of House of M unexpectedly resurrected Onslaught, who resumed his mission to gain Franklin's powers. To elude Onslaught, Franklin transported himself, the Fantastic Four, and several of the Avengers to a reality resembling the circumstances of Heroes Reborn, where the heroes had no memory of their Earth-616 lives.
Halfworld. Rocket Raccoon's homeworld in the Keystone Quadrant. It originated as an insane asylum run by robots, who created intelligent animals to take care of the patients.[86][87][88]
Klyntar: An artificial world named after the symbiote word for "cage", also known informally as the Planet of the Symbiotes.
Sakaar: A planet in the Tayo star system. It was created by the Grandmaster and is surrounded by wormholes that deposit waste.
Vormir: A planet that is home to the Vorms, large reptilian, energy-draining creatures that can fly through space. The planet is part of the Kree Empire. It was created for and featured in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.
Blue Area of the Moon: An artificial, self-sustaining, Earth-like environment on the Moon that was created one million years ago as part of a competition between the Kree and the Cotati.[89]
Birj: The sixth moon of Marman and the home of Terrax.
Avalon: One section of the pre-existing station from the future called Graymalkin which belonged to Cable and was destroyed when S.H.I.E.L.D. tried to claim it.
Anvil is a penal colony on the planet Annoval XIV.[90]
The Kyln were a series of artificial moons at the edge of known space, which served both as a superhuman prison and a source of nearly unlimited power. Operations at the Kyln were overseen by the Nova Corps. All life on the Kyln moons was extinguished in Annihilation Prologue #1.
Dark Dimension: A dimension to which Dormammu and Umar were banished by the Faltine. It was inhabited by sorcerers known as the Mhuruuks.
Darkforce Dimension: A dimension where the Darkforce, a powerful energy that can be manipulated in slightly different ways by a handful of beings that are attuned to it such as Darkstar and Cloak's powers draw from.
Dimension Z: There are two separate dimensions named Dimension Z.
Arnim Zola's Dimension Z: A dimension with a desert-like terrain created by Arnim Zola that is filled with mutates and technological advances. Time and space runs faster in Dimension Z.
Living Eraser's Dimension Z: A dimension inhabited by green-skinned humanoids and Living Erasers.
Djalia: A transcended plane that represented Wakanda's collective memories.[98]
Dreamtime: Dreamtime is the collective unconsciousness of all sentient life in the universe. It is at the border of the Dimension of Dreams.[99][92] Furthermore, Dreamtime is home to Aboriginal and Skrull gods and Nightmare.[92]
Eighteenth Dimension: A dimension where Magister Miracle was the Sorcerer Supreme until he was killed by the Empirikul.
Everinnye: A dimension where the Fear Lords operate.
Exo-Space: Also known as the Neutral Zone, the Exo-Space is a location filled with positive and negative matter discovered by Blue Marvel.
Hanan Pacha: A pocket dimension adjacent to Earth that is inhabited by the Apu. Its entrance is located somewhere near Lake Titicaca.[100][92]
Heliopolis: Also known as Overvoid or Othervoid,[101] a celestial city in a dimension adjacent to Earth's, founded by the Heliopolitans. Heliopolis is built upon a small planetary object resembling Asgard, and its passage to earth is a golden bridge called the Path of the Gods.[102]
Hell: An afterlife reality filled with evil souls and demons.
Kaluwalhatian: A pocket dimension adjacent to Earth that is inhabited by the Diwatas.[92]
Kosmos: A dimension that is the home of the Kosmosians and Growing Man. This dimension can be tapped into by Pym Particles which are like pollen on Kosmos.
Land of Couldn't-Be Shouldn't-Be: A dimension created by the romantic relationship of Eternity and the Queen of Nevers. Glorian and the Shaper of Worlds live in the Land of Couldn't-Be Shouldn't-Be.
Lower Aether: A dimension where Zelatrix Lavey was the Sorcerer Supreme until she was killed by the Empirikul.
Mephisto's Realm: A dimension ruled by Mephisto. Blackheart and Lilith also reside in Mephisto's realm.
Microverse: Any universe that is only accessible through vibrational attunement (shrinking). Bug, Psycho-Man, and Jarella, among others, originate from the Microverse.[citation needed] In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the Microverse is referred to as the Quantum Realm.
Mojoverse: A dimension inhabited by spineless aliens. Mojo and Longshot originate from the Mojoverse.
Narcisson: A dimension ruled by the Dark Gods.
Negative Zone: A universe made of anti-matter that is contracting instead of expanding. Fantastic Four villains Annihilus and Blastaar, among others, originate from the Negative Zone.
Nirvana: A pocket dimension adjacent to Earth that is inhabited by the Daevas.[100][92]
Null-Time Zone: A dimension that exists outside of time and is utilized by the Time Variance Authority.
Olympus: The other-dimensional home planetoid of superhuman beings analogous to the Greek gods.[103]
Elysium: An area in Hades where heroic souls reside.[105]
Erebus: The entrance to Hades. Those who feel that they have unfinished business in life gamble at the casino there for their resurrection.[106]
Land Within: A region of Hades where a group of sorcerers banished the Cat People.[107]
Tartarus: An area in Hades where the Titans and evil souls were imprisoned.[108]
Orun: A pocket dimension adjacent to Earth that is home to the Vodu.[100][92]
Otherplace: Also called Limbo and the Demonic Limbo, it is home to demons of various sizes, strengths, and intellects. Home of N'astirh, S'ym and formerly ruled by Belasco before being replaced by Illyana Rasputin.
Punch dimension: A dimension of "pure, endless concussive force" that America Chavez used to kill a Chitauri Leviathan. Cyclops is also sometimes depicted as drawing power from the dimension.[109]
Purple dimension: A pocket dimension ruled by the tyrannical Agamonn.
Quidlivun: A pocket dimension adjacent to Earth that is inhabited by the Inua.[110][92]
Realm of Madness: A dimension that is adjacent to the Nightmare World, but is beyond it and the Dream Dimension. The greatest fears of anyone take on a tangible form in the Realm of Madness.
R'Vaal: An other-dimensional planet and the home of Rintrah.
Sixth Dimension: A dimension that is the home of its Sorcerer Supreme Tiboro.
Sominus: A mystic extra-dimensional realm that is a "dark reflection" of Therea and is ruled by Thog.
Soul World: A dimension that exists within the Soul Gem.
Svarga: A pocket dimension adjacent to Earth that is home to the Dievas.[92]
Taivas: A pocket dimension adjacent to Earth that is home to the Jumala.[92]
Therea: A mystic extra-dimensional realm where two benevolent gods dwell who appear in the form of dogs to human eyes. It is an Earth-like land of peace and tranquility and has a "dark reflection" in Sominus. Therea is ruled by twin gods, Zokk and Maftra. Zokk and Maftra are worshipped by the barbarian Korrek and his people, and even revered by Dakimh the Enchanter.
Thirteenth ximension: A dimension where Szandor Sozo was the Sorcerer Supreme until Empirikul's Witchfinder Wolves caught up to him when he fled and was "purified" by holy acid.
Topán: A pocket dimension adjacent to Earth that is home to the Teteoh.[100][92]
Twelfth ximension: A shadow realm whose creatures like Shadow Goblins and Magma Serpents are invisible to the eyes of those not of the Twelfth Dimension.
Underspace: A plane of reality that is below the Microverse. This is where Hank Pym placed the Infinite Avengers Mansion.
Upperworld: A pocket dimension adjacent to Earth that is home to the Ahau.[92]
Aladdin: In the Ultraverse setting, Aladdin was a U.S. government agency apparently founded sometime in the 1960s to deal with the growing number of Ultras (super-powered beings) in their world. In 1970, their scientific division, using a synthesis of organic brain tissue and computer systems called G.E.N.I.E. (Genetically Engineered Neural Intelligence Experiment), was examining alien technology and corpses discovered by U.S. soldiers during the Vietnam War, when some unknown event caused the corpses to release a cloud of material which caused G.E.N.I.E. to develop sentience and grow into a true fusion of organic and mechanical technology.
Aladdin Assault Squad: In the Malibu Ultraverse, the Aladdin Assault Squad/A.A.S. was a special department within the government agency known as Aladdin. The Aladdin Assault Squad was created in response to the growing number of Ultras (superhumans). The A.A.S. operated out of Aladdin's Groom Lake facility, and functioned as an independent internal security force. They also assisted ongoing Ultra research. Known members of the Aladdin Assault Squad are: Dirt Devil, Foxfire, the Grip, Hardwire, Headknocker, and War Eagle.[117]
The Commission on Superhuman Activities (also known as the Commission on Superhuman Affairs or CSA for short): A government agency that monitors superhumans. They have an office in Washington, D.C. A number of members of the Commission when created were involved with various government projects regarding superhumans: Project Wideawake, former and current Avengers liaisons, Freedom Force liaison and super soldier projects such as Head Commissioner Douglas Rockwell, Norman Osborn, Abner Jenkins, Valerie Cooper, and Henry Gyrich.[118]
Department K: The Canadian government group which secretly operated the Weapon X Project.[120]
Euromind: Another European subdivision of S.H.I.E.L.D., was introduced in the Marvel Italia series Europa.[121]
F.I.6: A British Intelligence agency, and former employers of Micromax. It disbanded after most agents, including Blott, were killed by Necrom.[122]
G.R.A.M.P.A.: The covert organization known as G.R.A.M.P.A., the Global Reaction Agency for Mysterious Paranormal Activity, debuted in Amazing Fantasy (vol. 2) #15. G.R.A.M.P.A.'s most prominent field operatives are Ace and One-Eyed Jacquie; the two agents refer to themselves collectively as "Blackjack". G.R.A.M.P.A. is tasked with protecting the world from paranormal threats.[123]
The Lodge: Created by Basil Wentworth towards the end of World War II, the Lodge's purpose was to prepare for the Cold War that was destined to come about. The Lodge started covert operations in China, the Soviet Union, and East Germany, and has continued its "dirty tricks" into the present day.
Mutant Response Division: A mutant-hunting group founded by Steven Lang and Bolivar Trask and funded by Bastion. Similar groups are introduced in the X-Men films, including the Department of Mutant Containment (DMC) and the Mutant Containment Unit (MCU).[124]
Office of National Emergency: Commonly referred to as O*N*E or Sentinel Squad O*N*E, it is known as the originator of the Sentinel squads that were assigned to protect/observe the X-Men and the remaining mutants following M-Day.[125][126] It disbanded in Avengers & X-Men: AXIS.[127]
R.C.X.: The Resources Control Executive is a British intelligence agency, introduced in Captain Britain as a replacement to S.T.R.I.K.E. and created by Jamie Delano and Alan Davis. The members of R.C.X. use codenames based on biblical figures to hide their true identity.[130]
S.A.F.E.: Introduced in Marvel's line of novels in the mid-1990s, S.A.F.E. (Strategic Action For Emergencies) is the United States' answer to S.H.I.E.L.D. They first appeared in Spider-Man & the Incredible Hulk: Rampage (Doom's Day Book 1), and may not be part of comics canon. Whereas S.H.I.E.L.D. is a UN-funded and run organization dealing with international incidents, S.A.F.E. is tasked with similar duties inside of America's borders. It is run by Colonel Sean Morgan and a prominently featured agent is Joshua Ballard, who, among other things, survived an encounter with Doctor Doom and later Baron Zemo.[131]
S.H.I.E.L.D.: Strategic Hazard Intervention Enforcement Logistics Division is the United States' top spy agency led by Nick Fury.
S.T.A.R.S.: The Commission on Superhuman Activities, created a special division of the federal government's U.S. Marshals called S.T.A.R.S., the Superhuman Tactical Activities Response Squad. A federal organization authorized to monitor and manage all activities regarding the supervision, apprehension, and detention of superhuman criminals in the United States. The group's leader was John Walker, the U.S. Agent. S.T.A.R.S. uncovered a Ruul plot to use Earth as a penal colony for alien criminals. U.S. Agent and S.T.A.R.S. were ultimately responsible for exposing and defeating the Ruul.[132]
S.T.A.K.E.: Special Threat Assessment for Known Extranormalities. was a S.H.I.E.L.D. project inspired by Dum Dum Dugan's Howling Commandos, which focused on dealing with supernatural occurrences. When Hydra takes over S.H.I.E.L.D. in "Secret Empire", the Howling Commandos and S.T.A.K.E. fall under their control.[133]
S.W.O.R.D.: Sentient World Observation And Response Department is an agency that deals with cosmic threats to Earth.
W.A.N.D.: Wizardry Alchemy Necromancy Department, the magical division of S.H.I.E.L.D. aided by Wong and Director Pandora Peters introduced in the Marvel NOW! relaunch of Thunderbolts.[134]
W.H.O.: The Weird Happenings Organization was mandated by the UK government with the investigation into and research of supernatural and paranormal phenomena until it was replaced by Black Air. It was featured in Excalibur.
Advanced Idea Mechanics: A conglomeration of scientists dedicated to acquiring power and overthrowing all governments by technological means. A.I.M. was originally founded by Baron Strucker to develop advanced weaponry for Hydra.[135]
Beyond Corporation: A high-tech terrorist cell known as S.I.L.E.N.T. which legitimized itself as the Beyond Corporation, yet did not abandon their ulterior motive—the location, activation, distribution, and testing of various weapons of mass destruction. Also, through "faith-based bidding", the Beyond Corporation became the sole financial backer of H.A.T.E. (Highest Anti-Terrorism Effort), providing them with advanced technology.[136] The organization later became the sponsor of Ben Reilly in the Beyond storyline.[137]
Black Spectre: Jerome Beechman, the Mandrill, created Black Spectre by organizing his female followers, who disguised themselves as men using bulky armor. Beechman planned to use Black Spectre to confuse America through terrorism and racism, instilling chaos in the world and intending to rule it after anarchy ensued.[138]
Brotherhood of Mutants: The Brotherhood of Mutants, originally known as the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants and briefly as Freedom Force and the Brotherhood, is a Marvel Comicssupervillain team devoted to mutant superiority over normal humans. They are adversaries of the X-Men. The original Brotherhood was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby and first appeared in The X-Men #4 (March 1964).
Gene Nation: On the anniversary of the Mutant Massacre, in which the Marauders killed many Morlocks, the members of the terrorist group Gene Nation reappeared in the main universe (Earth-616). Their mission was to destroy one human for every Morlock who died.
The Hand: The Hand is a cult of evil, mystical ninjas 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 in Japan, but operate internationally. They were founded in the 16th century, and soon became servants of the primordial demon known only as the Beast.
Hellfire Club: Although the club appears to merely be an international social club for wealthy elites, its Inner Circle consists of mutants who try to influence world events for the accumulation of power. The club is based on the Hellfire Club, an 18th-century British secret society.
Humanity's Last Stand: A radical anti-mutant hate group and enemies of the X-Men. In the group's first appearance they were behind the creation of a false Mutant Liberation Front, formed by human members of H.L.S. posing as mutants through the use of mutagenic drugs or technologically enhanced suits, to mimic mutant powers.[140]
Hydra: A terrorist organization that first appeared in Strange Tales #135. In its original continuity, it was headed by nondescript businessman Arnold Brown, who was killed by S.H.I.E.L.D. It soon returned, however, headed by Baron Strucker, under the aegis of the NaziRed Skull; Hydra's changing origin was one of the earliest Marvel retcons. After its initial defeat, several of its branches surfaced, appearing to be unrelated and independent. Hydra's scientific branch was initially Advanced Idea Mechanics, which later split off into its own organization. Other factions included THEM (the ruling council of Hydra) and the Secret Empire (which, like A.I.M., also split off into its own organization).
Maggia: An international crime syndicate, somewhat similar to the Mafia, but differing in that they frequently hire supervillains and mad scientists to work for them. Count Nefaria and his daughter Madame Masque have both been leaders of an important Maggia family.[141]
Maelstrom's Minions: A trio of supervillains who work for Maelstrom. They consist of Gronk, Helio, and Phobius.[142]
Mys-Tech: The board of Mys-Tech, a multinational corporation, were originally seven mages who sold their souls to Mephisto in exchange for immortality. The Mys-Tech board members must provide a steady stream of souls to the demon, otherwise they will breach their contract and forfeit their souls. Over the years, the board accumulates power and wealth and becomes a business empire.[143]
National Force: The National Force is a neo-fascist organization founded by Doctor Faustus. Faustus had captured William Burnside, the fourth Captain America, and his partner Jack Monroe, both heroes from the 1950s, frozen in suspended animation. Faustus took control of the mind of the replacement Captain America in an attempt to use him against Captain America and later turned him into the Grand Director.[144]
Roxxon: A massive petroleumcorporation notorious for its determination to make massive profits regardless of any laws or moral principles, often employing superhuman criminals to achieve their goals.[146]
Secret Empire: The subversive organization known as the Secret Empire has followed a number of different leaders, always known as "Number One". The Secret Empire began as a subsidiary of 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. from Hydra's activities, although the original Number One sought to break away from Hydra.[147]
Serpent Society: An organization of snake-themed terrorists initially formed from the membership of two previous supervillain teams, both called the Serpent Squad.
Sons of the Serpent: A subversive organization of costumed American racist super-patriots who oppose all racial, ethnic, and religious minorities. They sought to subvert America through hate crimes and organized protests, and were opposed by the Avengers and the Defenders.[148]
THEM: THEM, through its founder Baron Strucker, is the managing power of a supraorganization which includes Hydra, A.I.M., and the Secret Empire. THEM was founded by Nazi war criminal Baron Strucker after World War II. Later Strucker appointed a businessman named Arnold Brown to the position of Supreme Hydra; Hydra's highly visible operations served as a front for THEM.[149][150]
U.L.T.I.M.A.T.U.M.: The Underground Liberated Totally Integrated Mobile Army To Unite Mankind is a terrorist organization founded by Flag-Smasher in his attempts to destroy nationalism.[151] They have numerous battles with Deadpool, during which he kills all of its members.[152][153]
Zodiac Cartel: The original Zodiac group debuted in the title Avengers[158] and is established as a criminal organization founded and funded by member Cornelius Van Lunt (who adopts the identity of Taurus). The group's identity is based on the zodiac from the discipline astrology, with each member adopting the persona of a sign of the zodiac, being 12 in all. The group members share leadership of the organization, with the position rotating just as the astrological zodiac changes.
Watchers – A species who are committed to observing and compiling knowledge on all aspects of the universe, and vowed to never interfere with other civilizations.
The Earth of Marvel's main continuity (or "Earth-616") has contained a number of fictional hidden native humanoid races. Many of these races are genetic offshoots of Homo sapiens or a related ancestor. However, there are also some races that were actually created from the many animals or other lifeforms on Earth. The methods to create these beings vary from scientific to magical and their creators from aliens to humans to demons.
The Lemurians are a branch of Homo mermanus who reside in Lemuria and have green skin. Llyra and Naga are known Lemurians.[168]
The Infra-Worlders are humans that "evolved" to live and withstand the pressure beneath the ocean.
The Inhumans are an altered superhuman race created by the Kree as a way to restart their own evolution and to create weapons against the Skrulls.
The Alpha Primitives are a slave race created from humans by the Inhumans using the Xerogen Crystals' gas.
The Bird-People are a winged genetic offshoot of the Inhumans.
The Mala are undersea humanoids with crab-like features that claimed that they were connected with the "Old Kings of Atlantis".[163]
The Man-Bats of Ur-Xanarrh are bat-like humanoids created by Chthon. They are enemies of Akah Ma'At.[159]
The Man-Serpents are beings with serpent bodies and human heads created by the demon Set. They are related to the Serpent Men, who have the opposite appearance.[169]
The Mutants are an evolving superhuman race that is sometimes named Homo superior.
The Changelings are a sub-class of mutants that possess their powers since birth.
The Chimeras are genetically-altered humanoid mutants who are combined from the DNA of different mutants.
The Cheyarafim are a group of "angelic" mutants.
The Externals are a group of immortal mutants with god-like powers.
The Lupine are a possible subspecies of mutants that evolved from canines; also known as the "Dominant Species." Some of them have been mistaken for werewolves.
The Morlocks are a group of mutants who live underground due to being unable to blend in with society.
The Neo are a subspecies of mutants with superior power and physical abilities.
The Neyaphem are "demonic" mutants and enemies of the Cheyarafim.
A different group of Outcasts are desert animals and plants who were mutated by Bruce Banner's gamma radiation.[170]
The Sasquatches are a legendary race also known as Bigfoots.
The Saur-Lords are genetically-altered dinosaurs created by the High Technician.[171]
The Savage Land Races are an assortment of races living in the Savage Land that have been sorted between the human tribes, the primitive hominids, the Beast-Men, and the miscellaneous races that are not in the categories of the former three.
The Seal People are humanoid seals and enemies of Atlantis.[172]
The Warpies are mutated and unstable beings created by Mad Jim Jaspers.
The Werewolves are shapeshifting creatures that transform into wolf-like creatures under the full Moon, with some of them being magical in nature while others are "scientific". Werewolf by Night and Man-Wolf are known werewolves.
The Wolf-Men of Valusia are lupine shapeshifters created by the demon Chthon. They can transform without the aid of the full Moon, which makes them different from the Werewolves.[177]
Woodgod's Changelings are human-animal hybrids created by Woodgod using genetic engineering.[178]
The Yeti are humanoid beings living in the Himalaya Mountains and familiarly known as the "Abominable Snowmen."[179][180]
The Cold People (also called the Chosen) are Yeti-like creatures who live in the Himalayas.[181]
The Zombies are "the living dead" with many types and origins ranging from magical to artificial. One alternate reality is home to the Marvel Zombies.
Battle Van: The Battle Van was used by the Punisher as his primary mode of transportation.[183] It is customized with a various array of weaponry and armor, and serves as a mobile armory.
Fantastic Four's Pogo Plane: so called because of its tail-down landing/take-off attitude, was the first significant air-breathing engine design of Reed Richards. Employing new turbine blade configurations and a new titanium-alloy process, Richards increased overall engine performance to a very high thrust-to-weight ratio. It is loosely based on the experimental Convair XFY Pogo aircraft.
Fantasticar: Various flying hovercraft used by the Fantastic Four, most versions are able to split into four smaller vehicles.[185] Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, it first appeared in Fantastic Four #3 (March 1962).[186][187] The vehicle is depicted as the primary mode of transportation for the fictional superhero team, the Fantastic Four.[188] Andrew Hard of Digital Trends included the Fantasti-Car in their "The Best Superhero Cars of All Time" list.[189] Dave Golder of GamesRadar+ included the Fantasti-Car in their "Sci-Fis Greatest Flying Cars" list.[190] Brad Hill of Sportskeeda included the Fantasti-Car in their "10 best Vehicles In Comic Books" list.[191]Comic Book Resources ranked the Fantasti-Car 4th in their "10 Coolest Vehicles In Marvel Comics" list,[192] 8th in their "10 Best Vehicles In The Marvel Universe" list,[193] and 9th in their "10 Most Important Vehicles In The Marvel Universe" list.[194] Jamie Lovett of ComicBook.com ranked the Fantasti-Car 5th in their "5 Coolest Cars In Comics" list.[195] Casey Haney of Screen Rant ranked the Fantasti-Car 13th in their "16 Best Superhero Vehicles" list.[196]
Goblin Glider: A bat-shaped glider that Green Goblin uses to travel around the skies.
Hellcycle: Ghost Rider's flaming motorcycle. The vehicle is created by the Ghost Rider's own mystical hellfire being imbued in an otherwise normal motorcycle, usually the property of Ghost Rider's host at the time.
Kang's time-ship: A ship used by Kang the Conqueror to travel through time by accessing Limbo.
Leapfrog: A sentient vehicle created by Chase Stein's parents Janet and Victor that serves as transportation for the Runaways.
Mooncopter: Moon Knight's copter is a VTOL vehicle capable of precision, computer-assisted maneuvering for air-land-and-sea rescues, tracking automobiles through traffic, and many other purposes. The on-board computer performs navigation functions, remote sensor image-enhancement, and radar interpretation.
Quinjet: A technologically advanced S.H.I.E.L.D. jet used primarily by the Avengers, the Quinjet first appeared in The Avengers #61 (February 1969).
Ship: Apocalypse's gigantic, self-aware AI ship which was simply known as "Ship". It is hinted to have been built by the Celestials.
Shockwave Rider: The superhero team Nextwave steals the Shockwave Rider, its base of operations, from H.A.T.E., a compromised anti-terrorist organization. The Shockwave Rider is powered by a Zero-Point Squirt Drive, giving it a nearly unlimited fuel supply. The Rider contains five tesseract zones, allowing it to be spacious on the inside while keeping it compact on the outside. To deploy in the field, the team dives through a pool of an orange membrane to exit via the underside of the ship. It was destroyed in Nextwave's final battle with the Beyond Corporation.
Casket of Ancient Winters: An Asgardian relic that can generate infinite cold.[199]
Cloak of Levitation: A potent mystical item worn by Doctor Strange that enables him to fly.[200]
Darkhold: A grimoire containing the knowledge of Chthon, the first practitioner of dark magic.[201][202] It also appears in media set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Dragonfang: An enchanted sword said to be carved by the wizard Kahji-Da from a tooth of an extra-dimensional dragon wielded by Valkyrie.[203]
Dreamstones: A limited magical stone that turns the emotions of a person into reality, found among the Dark Elves.
Evil Eye of Avalon: A powerful blasting device used by Prester John.[204]
Mark of Shou-Lao: After defeating Shou-Lao, Danny Rand acquired the power of the Iron Fist. He had the mark of the Dragon burned onto his chest, which allowed him to channel chi.
Orb of Agamotto: A globe in the possession of Doctor Strange.[207]
Serpent Crown: Created by the demon Set, it links the wearer to its creator, providing various physical and mental powers.[208]
Siege Perilous: The name of two devices, the first appearing in Captain Britain comics, and the second in X-Men comics.[209] Both devices were created by writer Chris Claremont, who named it after the Siege Perilous, the empty chair at King Arthur's round table. The latter device, featured in X-Men, can transport individuals to new locations with rejuvenated, amnesiac bodies.
Staff of One: A staff used by Nico Minoru. It possesses vast magical abilities, but cannot resurrect the dead or use the same spell more than once.[210]
Twilight Sword: The weapon of the giant Surtur.[212]
Wand of Watoomb: An artifact controlled by the thoughts of the wielder,[213] and can be used to project and absorb mystical energy; create force fields; control weather; open dimensional portals; observe events in other locations and heal wounds. Used thousands of years before the modern era by priestess of the god Yog against the barbarianConan, it is sought out by Xandu in modern times to destroy Doctor Strange. The Wand first appears in The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #2 (December 1965) and was created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko.
Red Skull's Dust of Death: A red powder which kills a victim within seconds of skin contact. The powder causes the skin of the victim's head to shrivel, tighten, and take on a red discoloration, while causing the hair to fall out, hence, the victim's head resembles a "red skull".[220]
Super Soldier Serum: An experimental military drug that enhances physical abilities and gave several superheroes their powers, most notably Captain America.[221]
Terrigen Mist: A mutagenic catalyst that activates Inhuman abilities.[222]
Adamantium is an indestructible metal alloy best known for being integrated into the skeleton and claws of Wolverine. It was created during an attempt to duplicate the Vibranium–steel alloy of Captain America's shield.
Carbonadium is a radioactive form of adamantium developed in Russia. Omega Red's coils and Deadpool's katanas are made of carbonadium.
Gravitonium is a fictitious element on the periodic table. It can control gravity and is the main source of Graviton's powers in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.[223][224]
Mysterium is a metal formed in the White Hot Room with antimagic properties.
Netheranium is a psychosensitive metal found only in "Satan's" extra-dimensional realm. The Son of Satan, Daimon Hellstrom, wields a trident made of netheranium.
Promethium, not to be confused with the real-life element, or the material of the same name which appears in DC Comics, is a magical metal found in Belasco's dimension, known as Otherplace.
Scabrite is a god-like metal which can only be found in the mines of Surtur's realm. Surtur's sword Twilight is made of Scabrite.
Tritonium is an unstable radioactive mineral.
Uru is an Asgardian metal from which Thor's hammer is made.
Vibranium is a metal which comes in two forms; one variety (Wakandan) absorbs vibratory and kinetic energy, while the other (Antarctic) causes all nearby metals to melt. Vibranium is a component of Captain America's shield.
Yaka is a sound-sensitive metal found on Centauri IV notably used by Yondu.
^Bainbridge, Jason. ""I Am New York" — Spider-Man, New York City and the Marvel Universe." Comics and the City: Urban Space in Print, Picture and Sequence (2010): 163-179.
