HYDRA is one of the Marvel Comics Universe's most sinister organizations, acting as a terrorist organization that took on its famous incarnation during the Second World War. With their various appearances in the comics, television, and on the silver screen, they've proved a constant threat to a multitude of superheroes.
With that in mind, we delve into the history of HYDRA and look at 10 things fans didn't know about the organization. From their appearance millions of years ago to the inspiration behind the name, they're more than just a throwaway threat, becoming one of the deadliest organizations of all time.
10 Their Inception Happened Millions Of Years Ago
HYRDA's fame was born when they were formed during the Second World War by Baron Wolfgang von Strucker, but they wouldn't have existed if it wasn't for an event that happened millions of years before. Before mankind's ascension, a species of reptilian beings came to Earth with the intention of spreading evil through their craving for power.
Upon their arrival, they asserted themselves quickly and began to succeed in their goal of spreading their dominance across the globe, including their seduction of intelligent targets throughout Eastern society. Their many enemies at the time were the Brotherhood of the Shield, who dubbed them "The Beast" due to their monstrous tendencies and malevolent ways.
9 The Modern HYDRA Started Due To Hitler And Red Skull's Friendship
With Baron Wolfgang von Strucker struggling to defeat Nick Fury's Howling Commandos during WWII, Hitler became increasing frustrated with him and wanted him dead. Red Skull had recently been brought into the fray and formed a friendship with the Axis' fearsome leader due to the similar evil nature he saw in him.
It was Red Skull that directed von Strucker to head to Japan and take control of the Hand, both saving his life and creating the modern HYDRA. HYDRA would grow into a powerful society of intelligent and powerful individuals, using future technology and alien artifacts to try and make sure Germany would not suffer defeat at the hands of the allies.
8 A Beast From Greek Mythology Inspired Their Name And Ideals
One of the most famous creatures from Greek mythology is the Lernaean Hydra. It was a serpent that had the ability to regrow its heads if one was ever cut off, and lived within Lake Lerna of Argolid. The beast's regenerative properties inspired the Hydra Oath, which stated that if you "cut off one head, two more shall take its place."
This oath referred to the fact that if one leader was struck down, the organization would never die as it was everywhere, and no amount of defeats would see them become obsolete. Not only that, but the image of the Hydra became the central inspiration for their banner which had the serpent's many appendages appear underneath a skull.
7 HYDRA Has Allied Itself With Many Different Supervillains...
Throughout HYDRA's history, the terrorist organization has had alliances with plenty of Marvel's most famous supervillains. Following the secret Skrull invasion of Earth, Norman Osborn and H.A.M.M.E.R. worked with HYDRA until the Avengers brought him down.
The New York crime boss Wilson Fisk AKA Kingpin once believed he had control over HYDRA but was being used by Red Skull. He was also outed by Daredevil that HYDRA was manipulating him once again, causing him to lose his empire and go on the run. Other villains to have dealings with HYDRA have been Bullseye and Chameleon, as well as Crossbones and Absorbing Man.
6 And Also Some Famous Superheroes
What could possibly be worse than having some of Marvel Comics' most dangerous villains joining the terrorist group known as HYDRA? The answer is having trusted superheroes fall under their spell as well. The most famous of all is when Captain America was revealed to be a sleeper agent for HYDRA, rocking the entire world with the revelation.
The Punisher also worked with HYDRA Cap when he believed that his family could be resurrected by them. In an alternate reality, Wolverine also worked on behalf of them, serving under his then-girlfriend, the Invisible Woman, who was at the time leader of HYDRA. He was also brainwashed by HYDRA in What If? Enemy of the State, killing the likes of Moon Knight, Luke Cage, and Spider-Man.
5 S.H.I.E.L.D. Were Originally Formed To Stop HYDRA
HYDRA's growing threat to the world became noticeable to the US government over the following decades, and in response, they formed a counter-intelligence unit made up of heroes from WWII, such as Nick Fury. From the moment S.H.I.E.L.D. was formed, they tangled with the terrorist organization multiple times.
Because of the advanced technology HYDRA had at its disposal, S.H.I.E.L.D. saw how dangerous they were becoming, and after the creation of the Betatron Bomb and the Overkill Horn, Nick Fury led his team to defeat them, with Arnold Brown, HYDRA's self-proclaimed leader at the time, losing his life. This, however, was not the end for von Strucker's HYDRA.
4 They Were Once Enemies Of Bruce Wayne
During Marvel Comics and DC Comics' Amalgam collaboration of the mid-90s, Bruce Wayne became a member of S.H.I.E.L.D. under the tutelage of Nick Fury. Wayne believed HYDRA was responsible for the death of his parents, leading a team of amalgamated heroes such as Moon Wing (Moon Knight and Nightwing) and Black Bat (Black Cat and Bat Girl) to stop them.
Along with these new heroes, HYDRA had their own villains that consisted of various villains from both universes, such as Baron Zero (Baron Wolfgang von Strucker and Mr. Freeze), Madam Cat (Madame Hydra and Catwoman), and their leader, Green Skull (an amalgamation of Lex Luthor and Red Skull).
3 HYDRA Had 3 Subsidiaries
Under Baron Wolfgang von Strucker, HYDRA had 3 subsidiaries under its ranks. T.H.E.M. was a secret council formed to watch over the two others, and during their tenure helped inventor Norbert Ebersol create advanced technology whilst part of one of the other subsidiaries, A.I.M.
Advanced Idea Mechanics, or A.I.M. for short, was one of the other subsidiaries who were observed by T.H.E.M. and invented many useful tools for HYDRA, such as the Cosmic Cube. The final subsidiary, the Secret Empire, was created to make sure their enemies were kept away from HYDRA's criminal activities and were led by a 9-person council.
2 HYDRA Attempted To Crash A Famous Superhero Wedding
You'd think that HYDRA would have their hands full with global domination rather than attempting to try their hand at crashing weddings, but in Fantastic Four Annual Vol.1 #3, they attempted to meddle in Reed Richards and Sue Storm's wedding after a call from Doctor Doom.
After reading about Richards and Storm in a newspaper, Doctor Doom planned to bring the world's most dangerous villains to ruin their wedding day. Thankfully, heroes like the X-Men and Doctor Strange helped to subdue some of the villains, and it was Daredevil who managed to stop some HYDRA agents from blowing up the Baxter Building.
1 HYDRA Had Their Own Avengers
In the Secret Empire story arc where Captain America was revealed to be a sleeper agent for HYDRA, he formed a team of Avengers to fight for their ideals and help to combat the resistance of superheroes who opposed them. This team was made up of Scarlet Witch, Vision, Task Master, Deadpool, Odinson, Black Ant, and Superior Octopus.
The HYDRA Avengers attacked Atlantis, tried to stop Sunfire from being broken out of jail, and defeat the Inhumans among other things, but the team fell apart when Odinson switched sides, Chthon's control over Scarlet Witch was stopped by Doctor Strange, and the A.I. virus that controlled Vision was removed by his daughter, Viv.