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The following is a list of fictional government agencies, comic book organizations that have been published by Marvel Comics and their imprints. This is an incomplete list, which may never be able to satisfy certain standards for completion. You can help by expanding it with sourced additions.
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 GENIE (Genetically Engineered Neural Intelligence Experiment), were 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 GENIE to develop sentience and grow into a true fusion of organic and mechanical technology.
The newly upgraded GENIE also contained information from the alien lifeforms/technology it had assimilated. It told the Aladdin scientists of a cosmic force called Shu-Ji, a nearly Godlike power to alter reality, but attempts to access this force by human beings proved dangerously unsuccessful. GENIE decided to genetically engineer the proper receptacles for the Shu-Ji: two human males, each holding a fraction of the power. However, the power could not be fully controlled until they matured, and so it was decided to raise the boys separately and keep them unaware of their true natures. Aladdin and GENIE were a part of Marvel's Ultraverse imprint.[1]
In the Malibu Ultraverse, The Aladdin Assault Squad 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.[2]
The Marvel Zombies vol. 3 limited series, written by Fred Van Lente, introduces a sister agency to S.H.I.E.L.D. known as A.R.M.O.R. (Altered-Reality Monitoring and Operational Response), which the writer Fred Van Lente stated "has existed with them this whole time, but it's been so incredibly secret that no one at Marvel knew about it". Their duty is to monitor alternate reality incursions into Earth-616.[3][4]
Black Air is a former Governmental Intelligence department founded and operating primarily within the United Kingdom in the fictional Marvel Universe, initially as an adjunct to the Ministry of Defence. It was introduced along with Pete Wisdom in the Excalibur series when it was written by Warren Ellis. Black Air, as a covert, secretive Intelligence department, was mandated with the investigation into and research of supernatural and paranormal phenomena, at first alongside, and then replacing another British Intelligence department, the Weird Happenings Organisation (W.H.O).[5][6]
The organization was created by the President of the United States of America. It's a very special appointed task force, which has been requested to supervise the American citizens possessing superhuman powers. They have an office set in Washington, DC. The organization is best known for putting events into motion that led to Steve Rogers temporarily resigning as Captain America and John Walker's recruitment and training to take over the role. It was later revealed that one of the members was an agent of the Red Skull.[7]
A fictitious branch of Canada’s Department of National Defence that deals with super-powered persons. Department H was responsible for bringing together and managing the Marvel Comics team known as Alpha Flight.[8]
The Canadian Government group which secretly operated the Weapon X Project.[9]
Another European subdivision of S.H.I.E.L.D., called Euromind, was introduced in the Marvel Italia series Europa.[10]
British Intelligence agency, former employers of Micromax. Led by Brigadier Theodore 'Inky' Blott. Employed psychics. Disbanded after most agents, including Blott, were killed by Necrom. Introduced in Excalibur and created by Alan Davis.[11]
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.[12][13][14]
In Dark Avengers #1, Norman Osborn is appointed the head of S.H.I.E.L.D. Osborn dissolves S.H.I.E.L.D., firing all former agents, and replaces it with H.A.M.M.E.R., appointing Victoria Hand as his Deputy Director.[15]
H.A.T.E. stands for the Highest Anti Terrorism Effort. It is a parody of S.H.I.E.L.D. created for Marvel Comics' 12-issue series Nextwave by comics author Warren Ellis. The leader of H.A.T.E., General Dirk Anger is a parody of Nick Fury.[16]
The Lodge was the name of a fictional government organization from Malibu Comics' Ultraverse imprint. The Lodge was created by Basil Wentworth towards the end of World War II. Its purpose was to prepare for the Cold War by starting covert operations in China, the Soviet Union, and East Germany. The Lodge still operates today. Alec Swan (Firearm), and James Hitch (Codename: Firearm) both former Squires, are the most well known operatives of the Lodge. The Lodge has a feudal structure ruled at the top by the King (Virginia Lockwood), then came ultra-powered Knights, non-powered Squires, and the Serfs who handled clerical and support.[17]
Also known as "the Department", British intelligence agency created to replace the disbanded W.H.O., F.I.6, R.C.X., and outlawed Black Air. Its director is Alistaire Stuart and Pete Wisdom is one of its agents.
A mutant-hunting organization that was formed following an incident involving Leper Queen using Legacy Virus-infected mutants on the people at an anti-mutant rally. They debuted in X-Factor #204.
In the aftermath of the House of M, resulting in the depowering of 90% of the world's mutant population, the Office of National Emergency (aka O*N*E*), a splinter from the Department of Homeland Security, had Sentinels instituted at the X-Mansion to protect the mutants in case any enemies used this low point as an opportunity to attack them at their weakest, and also to stop the mutants in the event of a revolution. The X-Men are supposed to contact O*N*E* before going on any mission, and allow a Sentinel to go along with them on said mission.[18]
The Resources Control Executive is a British Intelligence Agency, introduced in Captain Britain as a replacement to S.T.R.I.K.E. Created by Jamie Delano and Alan Davis. The British intelligence agency for the investigation of paranormal and superhuman activity, known as S.T.R.I.K.E., is infiltrated by a criminal organisation and nearly all of its members are killed. A weakened S.T.R.I.K.E. is unable to deal with the consequences of the Jaspers' Warp and is disbanded. The Resources Control Executive (R.C.X.) is created to take its place. The members of the R.C.X. use codenames based on biblical figures to hide their true identity.[19]
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.[20]
S.H.I.E.L.D. (originally an acronym for Supreme Headquarters, International Espionage, Law-Enforcement Division, subsequently changed to Strategic Hazard Intervention, Espionage and Logistics Directorate) is a fictional counterterrorism and intelligence agency in the Marvel Universe that often deals with superhuman threats. Usually led by Nick Fury as Executive Director, this organization often operates as much as a covert agency as a quasi-military one, initially depicted as affiliated with the United States government, and in later years under the jurisdiction of the United Nations, with vast technological resources at their disposal and U.N. General Assembly Resolutions backed by legislation passed in signatory nations aiding many of their operations, as cited in Amazing Fantasy v.2 #7. In the wake of a recent unauthorized mission in Latveria that had disastrous consequences for New York's superhero community, Fury has effectively resigned as Executive Director with international warrants out for his arrest. His successor was therefore not one of his closer associates as might otherwise have been the case, but a relatively unknown newcomer to the S.H.I.E.L.D. hierarchy, Maria Hill. Little is known of Hill's history within and prior to joining S.H.I.E.L.D.. After the events of the crossover event Civil War Tony Stark, better known as Iron Man, became the new director of S.H.I.E.L.D. Although the various Helicarriers built over the years have long been considered S.H.I.E.L.D.'s primary "home base", the Directorate as presently constituted maintains a number of land bases throughout the world, most notably "S.H.I.E.L.D. Central" in New York City. While some of these bases are publicly accessible on a limited basis, most are not publicly disclosed for reasons of planetary security.[21]
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.[22]
Known as Special Tactical Response for International Key Emergencies. S.T.R.I.K.E. is a subdivision of, or perhaps a sister agency to, S.H.I.E.L.D. based in the United Kingdom. Now disbanded, a notable member was Psylocke.[23]
The Superhuman Restraint Unit, sometimes abbreviated into "SRU", are special agents within S.H.I.E.L.D. who are trained to capture and detain rogue superhumans[24]
Astonishing X-Men v3 #6 (December 2004) by Joss Whedon introduced an organization named S.W.O.R.D. (Sentient World Observation and Response Department). S.W.O.R.D. is a governmental organization that works with S.H.I.E.L.D. In contrast to S.H.I.E.L.D., which deals with terrestrial threats, S.W.O.R.D. now deals with extraterrestrial threats. It is as yet unclear whether S.W.O.R.D. is a branch of S.H.I.E.L.D. or a true sister agency, as dialogue in the stories depicting both organizations has been ambiguous on the subject.[25]
S.H.I.E.L.D. in the Ultimate Universe was first led by "Thunderbolt" Ross. During the Gulf War, the Weapon X Project was sanctioned by S.H.I.E.L.D. and resulted in the creation of Wolverine. The project was headed by Colonel John Wraith. After Ross' apparent death, Ultimate Nick Fury was then selected as the organization's Executive Director. His first plan was to resurrect the Super Soldier program. At first, he commissioned Dr. Bruce Banner to try to recreate the super soldier formula that made Ultimate Captain America, but this failed and resulted in the creation of the Hulk when Banner injected the mediocre serum into himself.
The Weapon X Project was a fictional clandestine government project in the Marvel Universe conducted by the Canadian Government's Department K (and secretly funded by the US government) which turned willing and unwilling beings into living weapons. Weapon X was originally the tenth installation of the Weapon Plus program, which was behind the creation of Captain America and many other living weapons. The two latest installations of Weapon X were completely independent from Weapon Plus.
Weapon X often captures mutants and experiments on them to enhance their superpowers. Other test subjects have included normal human beings, as well as aliens. The Weapon X Project produced the anti-hero of the X-Men team, Wolverine, and other characters such as Deadpool and Sabretooth.[26]
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.