The Illuminati are a secret society group of superheroes appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The characters joined forces and secretly work behind the scenes. The Illuminati was established to exist (via story retcon) in 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 group was revealed to have been formed shortly after the Kree–Skrull War.
An alternate version of the Illuminati appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Members Creator Bendis says of the group's members:
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 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 will result in heroes being feared and hated as much as mutants. Doctor 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'. Reed Richards refuses on the grounds that such an organization would be too large to run effectively, that the heroes would spend more time dealing with bureaucracy than actually helping people. The group does, however, agree to meet to exchange information regularly. The only individual present who outright refuses to meet or even participate with the others is 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.
New Avengers (2013–2015) As part of Marvel NOW!, New Avengers was relaunched featuring the Illuminati.
Illuminati (2015–2016) Following Secret Wars, a new Illuminati series was launched by writer Joshua Williamson. The book features the Hood leading a new, villainous incarnation of the group. The new Illuminati includes Titania, Enchantress, Mad Thinker, Thunderball, and Black Ant.
Fictional group history First meeting Iron Man (representing the Avengers), Mister 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 Black Panther, who takes issue with their self-righteous attitudes and predicts disaster when they disagree.New Avengers: Illuminati one-shot (May 2006)
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 is unable to escape afterwards. The Skrulls analyze their captives 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 uses the data they compiled to avoid detection.New Avengers #44 (October 2008)
Battle with the Pride When Tony Stark relocates to Los Angeles after Obadiah Stane takes over his company, the other Illuminati members leave him alone after Namor points out that Stark would never accept charity and needed this time to prove himself worthy of his membership.Iron Man: Legacy #6 (November 2010) While establishing a new company, Stark encounters the Pride – the six families who controlled crime in the city – and learn about the Gibborim that they worshipped, prompting him to contact Doctor Strange for information about the Gibborim.Iron Man: Legacy #10 (March 2011) This leads to a brief fight between the Illuminati and the Pride. Stark leaves Los Angeles after leaving the Pride a warning that he would be back if he had any reason to suspect that they were acting against his new company.Iron Man: Legacy #11 (April 2011)
Beyonder
During the opening moments of the first "Secret Wars," Professor X and Mister Fantastic unsuccessfully attempted rendering the abducted heroes and villains forced to participate in Secret Wars unconscious using Professor X's powers of telepathy. The rationale behind their failed plan was that doing so would deny the Beyonder the pleasure of watching the two sides fight solely for his entertainment. The issue also contends that the Illuminati confronted the Beyonder during the events of "Secret Wars II".
Marvel Boy
The Illuminati approach Noh-Varr, a Kree warrior who tried to take over the Earth, in his prison, reasoning that it is better to convince him to change on his own rather than to just try to make him change using their abilities. 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.New Avengers: Illuminati #4 (September 2007)
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 endeavor, 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 X discovers that his mind has been tampered with. Mr. Fantastic is able to use the files to get through to 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.New Avengers #7-10 (July - October 2005)
Dealing with Hulk Maria Hill, director of S.H.I.E.L.D., 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 X), suggesting that they shoot him into space toward an uninhabited world. Alone, Namor dissents to the plan from the outset. He argues 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 favor of the plan, and Namor departs after a brief skirmish with Iron Man. While leaving, he says that Black Panther was correct and Namor predicts that the Hulk will eventually 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 X, 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.
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. While Namor dismisses the issue as none of Atlantis' business and Doctor Strange and Black Bolt disagree on principle, Mr. Fantastic agrees with Tony. The damage is done, however, and the Illuminati dissolve.
Infinity Gauntlet
Mister 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. When the Gems are assembled, Mister 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 decides to give each Illuminati member one gem for safekeeping.New Avengers: Illuminati (vol. 2) #2 (March 2007)
Civil War
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 S.H.I.E.L.D. Doctor Strange stayed out of the conflict, meditating and fasting,Civil War #6 (January 2007) though he later admits, after joining the New Avengers and finding new love, that he regrets his lack of involvement. Afterward, 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 Namorita and coming to the aid of his friend Captain America's forces in the final battle.Civil War #7 (February 2007) Professor X was not on Earth during the conflict.
World War Hulk