Hydra (comics)

Hydra (sometimes stylized as HYDRA) is a fictional terrorist organization appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Its name alludes to the mythical Lernaean Hydra, as does its motto: "Cut off one head, two more shall take its place," proclaiming the group's resilience and growing strength in the face of resistance. Hydra is taken over and turned into a neo-fascist international crime syndicate by Baron Wolfgang von Strucker. Hydra agents often wear distinctive green garb featuring a serpent motif. Hydra's plans for world domination are regularly foiled by Marvel Universe superheroes and the intelligence organization S.H.I.E.L.D.

Hydra has appeared in various media adaptations, including films, television series, and video games. It plays a major role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Publication history

thumb|upright|left|Hydra agents

Hydra first appeared in Strange Tales #135 (August 1965). In its original continuity, it was headed by nondescript businessman Arnold Brown, who was killed when S.H.I.E.L.D. apparently crushed the organization. Hydra soon returned, however, headed by Baron Wolfgang von Strucker, with the support of the Nazi Red Skull; Hydra's changing origin is one of Marvel's earliest retcons. After its initial defeat, some of its branches, such as its scientific branch A.I.M. (Advanced Idea Mechanics) and the Secret Empire, became independent.

Crypt of Shadows #5, published in 1973, reprinted a story from Menace #10 (1954), but with a change to a line of dialogue that erroneously implied that Hydra is premier mentioned is in a 1954 issue. In the reprint, an agent of an unspecified enemy government is changed to identify himself as working for Hydra when he paid off a scientist named Dr. Nostrum for information about a cobalt bomb that turned people into monsters. Nostrum shot all the other scientists on his team after they were turned into monsters, then shot himself after his son put an image from a monster magazine on his mirror.

Organization

The earliest origins of Hydra began in the Ancient Egypt when Imhotep led an army to defeat the Brood. Part of Imhotep's organization went eastward to become a secret society of genuises called the Brotherhood of the Spear, based on Imhotep's spear, while the other half became the Brotherhood of the Shield, based on Imhotep's shield. Over time, the Brotherhood of the Spear became corrupted and fell to "the Beast". It spread out, ingraining itself like a multi-headed serpent into all facets of human society, from science to magic to politics. As time wore on, the organization's name changed and it included the Cathari sect, as well as the Thule Society. The Nazi sub-group, funded by the Thule Society, is brought into the main Hydra fold after the end of World War II.

In the aftermath of the Secret Invasion and Baron von Strucker's second death, there followed a series of power struggles, which eventually left Hydra without a formal leader. The splintering of Hydra accelerated, with various cells operating seemingly independently. Eventually, the Red Skull, returning to his Nazi beliefs, started building a new Hydra from the ground up. However, this brought him into conflict with Baron Zemo, who is attempting to control what remains of the old Hydra.

The Red Skull convinced his now-aware Cosmic Cube, Kobik, to cooperate with S.H.I.E.L.D. in creating Pleasant Hill and discovered that Kobik could alter people's memories to make them believe they had been members of the Hydra of which the Red Skull had told them stories. However, the Red Skull failed to realize that the Hydra he is building and the Hydra Kobik had created false memories of were two different things, with the now-Hydra Captain America disobeying the Red Skull and planning something else. Strucker then slowly steered the organization towards the goal of world domination. That campaign brought him into conflict with Charles Xavier and the future Magneto, among others.

Hydra becoming more brazenly public in its operations led to the creation of the original agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., specifically to counter Hydra's threat to world security. After Hydra apparently assassinated S.H.I.E.L.D.'s first executive director, Col. Rick Stoner, Nick Fury is appointed as executive director. Hydra agents attempted to assassinate Nick Fury before his appointment as S.H.I.E.L.D.'s director, but failed.

After several failed Hydra campaigns, including the failure of the world blackmail attempt using the Betatron Bomb, the creation of the Overkill Horn (designed to detonate all nuclear explosives worldwide), and the bio-engineered "Death-Spore" Bomb, which led directly to Strucker's first death at the hands of Fury, and several deceived Hydra operatives.

In the wake of Strucker's first death, the surviving elements of Hydra broke into factions that each adopted its own reorganized modus operandi. Several of these factions developed "super-agents" that would occasionally break away in turn to become freelance operatives, or, in some rarer cases, superheroes, such as the original Spider-Woman. During this era, Hydra's collective threat is mitigated by not only occasionally infighting among themselves, but their operating policy of punishing failure with death, often led to their killing of each other more often than their intended victims. Hydra frequently found itself defeated by S.H.I.E.L.D., various superheroes, and even apparently unpowered civilians, like the motorcycle racing team, Team America.

Strucker is revived, and he reunites several of the Hydra factions under his leadership, renewing his campaign against S.H.I.E.L.D. and humanity for several more years. Despite his reorganization of the group, various independent Hydra factions continued to operate around the Marvel Universe, and a Hydra civil war would later result. While Baron Zemo had Strucker placed in stasis for his own ends, the Gorgon and Strucker's second wife, Elsbeth von Strucker, mystically created a clone of Strucker, whom they set up to fail, allowing for a public execution of him, after which, as part of an alliance with the Hand, they utilized an army of brainwashed superheroes and supervillains, including Northstar and Elektra, to launch a massive assault on S.H.I.E.L.D. The assault is repelled, and Wolverine went on to kill the Gorgon.

Hydra later planned an all-out attack on the United States by smuggling missiles into New York for use in a planned bio-weapon assault on the Ogallala Aquifer. They formed a distraction through using a team that had the duplicated powers of several Avengers, (Iron Man and Captain America, and former Avengers Thor and Hawkeye), but were inevitably foiled by Spider-Man and the other New Avengers.

Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew) is captured by S.H.I.E.L.D. during the events of Civil War, Hydra stormed the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier and frees her. Spider-Woman, a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent and member of the Avengers, had been working undercover for Hydra under the orders of Nick Fury, now deposed as director of S.H.I.E.L.D. following the events of Secret War, to whom she is still loyal. Hydra revealed that they knew of her betrayal, and wanted her to replace the Viper as their current leader, as she is unstable. Spider-Woman refused their offer, destroying in an explosion the Hydra base to which she had been taken.

As Spider-Woman revealed her true identity as Queen Veranke of the Skrull Empire, Hydra is left with a void in its control organization, filled by Congressman Woodman. Under his rule, the young Hardball, empowered by the Power Broker, is appointed as a double agent, acting both as an Initiative recruit and as a Hydra spy, with the role of gathering information about the Initiative and doing errands for Hydra in exchange for secrecy and the expensive health care needed by his brother, a former UCWF wrestler, who is crippled in the ring.

Hardball, however, deeply hurt and shamed by the compromises Woodman forced him to endure and Komodo's attempt to bail him out of Hydra by telling his secrets to his field leader Gravity, mercilessly killed Congressman Woodman in front of his subordinates. His ersatz coup d'état paid off, and Hardball is appointed as the new Supreme Leader of the organization, severing every tie with his former life. His joining Hydra, however, is revealed to be caused simply by his having nowhere else to go. He surrendered to the Shadow Initiative, and is sent to the Negative Zone prison, destroying his Hydra cell.

After the events of "Secret Invasion", Nick Fury discovered that S.H.I.E.L.D. is under the control of Hydra, and apparently had been from the beginning. He also discovered a number of organizations under Hydra's alleged control, including the United States' FBI Science and Technology Branch, the NSA, and the U.S. Department of the Treasury, along with the Russian Main Intelligence Directorate and Foreign Intelligence Service, and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service. Following the defeat of Norman Osborn, H.A.M.M.E.R. disbands, with Madame Hydra using the remaining members to reinforce Hydra.

After the existence of Pleasant Hill, a top-secret community where Maria Hill incarcerated various supervillains (after brainwashing them to believe they were regular civilians via a sentient Cosmic Cube named Kobik), is exposed and subsequently shut down, the Red Skull's clone used the subsequent backlash in the intelligence community to assemble a new version of Hydra, starting with Sin and Crossbones. Although his efforts were still focused on rebuilding the organization, he had already scored a significant victory, after the sentient Cosmic Cube, having been "raised" by the Red Skull in the form of a young girl, to see Hydra as a great organization, altered Steve Rogers' memories so that he believed he had been a Hydra sleeper agent since childhood. Having taken political and military control of the United States, Hydra proceeds to round up and incarcerate all Inhumans, and all mutants are condemned to the western California territory of New Tian.

Sam Wilson, the original Falcon, and currently the All-New Captain America, brought hope to the resistance with a plan to bring their real Captain America back by using the remaining Cosmic Cube. Kobik returns the real Captain America with his memories intact, and with the Hydra Supreme defeated, Hydra's reign over the United States ends. Hydra Supreme is imprisoned in the Shadow Pillar.

During the "Gang War" storyline, Spider-Woman confronts Hydra forces while searching for her son Gerry Drew. Spider-Woman learns that Gerry was previously captured by Hydra and rapidly aged into an adult to serve their needs, becoming Green Mamba. Spider-Woman tries to reason with Gerry, claiming that Hydra mind-controlled him, to no avail. Green Mamba escapes as Spider-Woman vows to make Hydra pay.

During the "One World Under Doom" storyline, Baron Zemo and Hydra arrive in Latveria to surrender to Doctor Doom, who has become the Sorcerer Supreme. After the members of Hydra learn that Zemo is a Doombot decoy, they begin attacking civilians until Doom arrives and kills them. Doom justifies his murder of Zemo by stating that they were Nazis and that the Nazis used Hydra to do their dirty work.

Membership

Other versions

Amalgam Comics

An alternate universe iteration of Hydra appears in the Amalgam Comics series Super-Soldier, led by Lex Luthor / Green Skull. This version of the organization's agents possess black eyes instead of red coupled with the traditional yellow and green uniforms.

Exiles

An alternate universe iteration of Hydra appears in Exiles #91-94, led by Sue Storm / Madame Hydra and Wolverine and consisting of Captain Hydra and Slaymaster.

Secret Wars (2015)

Multiple alternate universe iterations of Hydra from Battleworld appear during the "Secret Wars" storyline":

The first iteration appears in the tie-in Hail Hydra, consisting of Arnim Zola, Grant Ward, Dum Dum Dugan, Nick Fury Jr., and Toad as well as Viper symbiotes. In addition, they also have their version of the Avengers which itself consists of Leopold Zola / Captain Hydra, Chancellor Cassandra, Doctor Mindbubble, Baron Strucker / Iron Baron, Lord Drain, and Venom. This version of the organization hail from the Battleworld domain of the Hydra Empire.
The second iteration appears in the tie-in Hank Johnson: Agent of Hydra, consisting of Arnim Zola, Baron Strucker, Baron Heinrich Zemo, Hank Johnson, MODOK, the Red Skull, and the Viper. This version of the organization hail from the Battleworld domain of the Walled City of New York.

Ultimate Marvel

An alternate universe iteration of Hydra from Earth-1610 appears in series set in the Ultimate Marvel imprint, consisting of the Viper, Modi, Commander Crimson of the Death's Head Camp, and Abigail Brand. This version of the organization operates on a vague "anti-government" stance.

In other media

Television

Hydra appears in The Incredible Hulk episode "Enter: She-Hulk".
Hydra appears in the X-Men: Evolution, led by Viper as the Supreme Hydra while Omega Red and Gauntlet appear as mercenaries aligned with them. This version of the organization created X-23 from Wolverine's DNA.
Hydra appears in The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes. This version of the organization was initially led by Baron Heinrich Zemo, with the Red Skull as the group's super soldier and Baron Strucker working under him during WWII. In the present, Strucker took over as leader, with the Grim Reaper and Viper serving under him while Zemo and Arnim Zola have distanced themselves from Hydra.
Hydra appears in Avengers Assemble, consisting of the Red Skull, Baron Strucker, Crossbones, the Crimson Widow, and Arnim Zola. This version of the organization provided backing to the Cabal and the U-Foes.
Hydra appears in Ultimate Spider-Man, consisting of Arnim Zola, Crossbones, Baron Mordo, and Dr. Michael Morbius. This version of the organization backed Doctor Octopus's formation of a new iteration of the Sinister Six and created the Carnage symbiote and the Spider-Slayers.
Hydra appears in Marvel Future Avengers, consisting of the Red Skull, Arnim Zola, and General Brushov. This version of the organization works in collaboration with Kang the Conqueror and the Masters of Evil and have kidnapped and genetically manipulated several children to turn them into loyal super-soldiers who believe the Avengers are villains. Three of the children, Makoto, Adi, and Chloe discover the truth and defect to the Avengers, while a fourth named Bruno is recruited by the Masters of Evil before later defecting as well.
Hydra appears in the Spider-Man episode "Spider-Island" Pt. 2, consisting of Arnim Zola and Crossbones.

Film

Hydra appears in Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. This version of the group's agents wear Men in Black-esque suits rather than the comics' green uniforms.
Hydra appears in Ultimate Avengers 2.
Hydra appears in Heroes United: Iron Man and Hulk, consisting of Dr. Cruler and Dr. Fump.
Hydra appears in Heroes United: Iron Man & Captain America.

Marvel Cinematic Universe

Video games

Hydra appears in X-Men: The Official Game, led by Silver Samurai. This version of the group worked in collaboration with William Stryker Jr. to create Master Mold and the Sentinels.
Hydra appears in Spider-Man: Web of Fire.
A Hydra aerial base appears in Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds via the S.H.I.E.L.D. stage.
Hydra appears in Captain America: Super Soldier, led by the Red Skull and consisting of Baron Strucker, Arnim Zola, Madame Hydra, and Iron Cross.
Hydra appears in Marvel: Avengers Alliance, consisting of Baron Helmut Zemo, Moonstone, Viper, and the Hydra Four.
Hydra appears in Avengers Initiative.
Hydra appears in Marvel Heroes.
Hydra agents appear in Lego Marvel Super Heroes, consisting of the Red Skull, Arnim Zola, and an unnamed Hydra Agent.
Hydra agents appear in Lego Marvel's Avengers, consisting of Baron Strucker, the Red Skull, Dr. List, Viper, Crossbones, and Arnim Zola.
Hydra appears in Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2, consisting of the Red Skull, Baron Helmut Zemo, Arnim Zola, Captain America / Hydra Supreme, and the Hydra Four. Additionally, an alternate timeline iteration of Hydra that won WWII and conquered the world called the Hydra Empire appears via a section of Kang the Conqueror's Chronopolis.