Ever since that DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS trailer 2 hit, comic book nerds have been excited. Non-comic reading fans have been perhaps scratching heads. Here’s the scene of the amazing clip: Stephen Strange is in custody of Ultron looking guards being led to a circle of figures shrouded in shadow. A familiar voice speaks. The crow goes wild. Then latest promo name drops Illuminati. Who is this group? What could their presence in the upcoming sequel spell for Doctor Strange and the future of the Marvel Comics Universe?
Here’s the comic book version of the secret super group:
During the AVENGERS run by writer Brian Michael Bendis, this organization was introduced via retcon in NEW AVENGERS in 2005. it was revealed in the aftermath of the Kree/Skrull war, Tony Stark/Iron Man recruited leaders of different teams/factions: Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Doctor Strange, Namor the Sub-Mariner – ruler of Atlantis, T’Challa/Black Panther – King of Wakanda, Black Bolt – King of the Inhumans and Professor Charles Xavier of the X-Men. All Marvel groups/kingdoms were assembled like a United Nations or NATO summit.
Stark posed that if they had been working together to share intelligence on the enemy alien races – they could have better protected Earth from the rival alien armies. Stark even wanted to form a secret government of super-heroes. Imagine a United Nations of heroes but in secret. Members refused but did agree to meet in secret to share information. Black Panther refused to even do that warning the group’s temptation to overstep their authority would lead to conflict and consequences.
T’Challa was so right.
As more of the secret history of this super group was revealed – readers learned the Illuminati did more than share information. The Illuminati’s efforts to manipulate the Skrulls would later lead to the events of SECRET INVASION – one of the best Marvel epics ever and soon to be the basis of a new Disney + limited series.
The team even went so far as to trap and send the Hulk into space to an uninhabited world. The rocket landed on Sakaar where the Jade Giant competed in gladiator games and led a revolution in the epic story PLANET HULK – which was part of the story of the THOR: RAGNAROK film. Hulk made his way back to Earth to get revenge on the members of the Illuminati in WORLD WAR HULK.
During this time – the villains joined forces too in response. Norman Osborn (formerly Green Goblin) assembled The Cabal – an Illuminati of villains and anti-heroes including Doctor Doom, Loki, The Hood, Emma Frost of the X-Men and Namor the Sub-Mariner.
When Jonathan Hickman took over the AVENGERS/NEW AVENGERS books – he brought back the secret team. This time it was Black Panther who assembled a new Illuminati. T’Challa learned Earth would be destroyed by incursions of Earths from across the multiverse. Black Panther invited Steve Rogers/Captain America and Tony Stark/Iron Man, Doctor Strange, Namor of Atlantis, Black Bolt and Beast of the X-Men since Professor Xavier was dead at the time.
This Illuminati was even more extreme in how they planned to stop the other Earths from destroying ours. Heroes turned on hero, members made an alliance with Thanos. It all led to the end of Earth and rebirth of the Marvel Universe.
And that’s just The Illuminati comprised of heroes from the main Marvel Universe aka the 616. In the upcoming film it appears this is an Illuminati with members from across the Multiverse including Professor X. The voice from the trailer I mentioned above. Note – the X-Men films were part of Fox due to deal before Disney brought Marvel Comics. Film rights to X-Men and mutants belong to Marvel/Disney so fans are expecting the X-Men to eventually, officially join the MCU. Event of the Doctor Strange sequel could set the stage for the X-Men to enter the main MCU. Even hearing Patrick Stewart’s voice in the shadows is enough to get fans speculating with excitement and wonder.
DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS opens May 6. Check out your local comic book shop to dive into the stories of the Illuminati in volumes of AVENGERS and NEW AVENGERS.
By Editor