Various villains in the Marvel Universe have realized that there's strength in numbers, forming their own teams to combat powerful groups like the Avengers and the X-Men. However, while the Masters of Evil and the Sinister Six have fought their foes in the open, there are a few nefarious alliances that prefer to remain hidden from the world.
Several of these mysterious Marvel organizations are long-lived and have many bases and agents scattered across the globe. Most of these secret societies have devised schemes that have both created iconic superheroes and tragic disasters, leading to memorable stories that have engaged readers for decades.
10 The Ten Rings Seek Global Destruction
While Marvel has created numerous teams over the years, not every organization originated in the comics. The Ten Rings debuted in the first Iron Man film, represented as a secret terrorist syndicate buying and selling weapons on the black market. Many heroes in the MCU, most notably Shang-Chi, have fought their forces, keeping the criminals at bay.
It wasn't until 2018 that the Ten Rings finally emerged in the comics, this version of the group sharing no ties to the Mandarin's legacy. While they still cross paths with Shang-Chi, the organization has battled heroes like Ironheart, trying to recruit the young hero as one of their agents.
9 The Maggia Control Organized Crime
Some of Marvel's smartest street-level fighters like Daredevil and Spider-Man have come to blows with criminal gangs regularly. Initially formed during the 13th century, the Maggia syndicate operates the criminal underworld in every major city in the world, housing organized crime's most significant and skilled players.
While considered one entity, the Maggia is composed of various smaller crime families, led by notable Marvel villains like Silvermane and Count Nefaria. No matter how many times their forces get put in jail, the Maggia has never truly been defeated and is always ready to handle new shady business deals from the shadows.
8 The Morlocks Are Survivors
Not every society looks or even acts like a well-organized unit. The Morlocks are a collection of mutants who aren't accepted by society. Outcasts, they reside down below in the sewers of New York, usually feeling safe and secure in the city's subterranean labyrinth.
Multiple Morlock leaders have risen, convincing the poor rejects to despise humanity, resulting in the Morlocks attacking innocent citizens for their food and valuables. While the X-Men have intervened with the Morlocks' way of life, the rejected mutants have continued to benefit from the shadows of the city, stealing what they need to live.
7 The Secret Empire Is Worth Remembering
The Secret Empire is one of Hydra's most important offshoots. The team was a subsidiary of Hydra, responsible for funding their operations over the years. In time, a few important disgruntled members and agents left the organization to form their own enterprise with the same goal as their predecessor, global control.
The Secret Empire specializes in kidnappings, assassinations, and developing weapons for other groups. Their most noteworthy accomplishment was abducting and manipulating several heroes, including Moon Knight's sidekick Midnight and various X-Men to do their dirty work. Of course, they were inevitably defeated once their ploy was discovered.
6 The Cabal Mirror Marvel's Greatest Heroes
Marvel's original Cabal was created by Loki to rival the Avengers but its dueling egos drove it apart. Years later, a new incarnation of The Cabal came into being after the Illuminati failed to stop the Skrull Invasion. This new group was led by former Green Goblin, Norman Osborn.
Now wielding significant power and influence over the world's governments, the Cabal secretly orchestrated events in an attempt at global domination. However, like many villainous teams before them, they manipulated and betrayed one another, forcing each member to leave one by one. While the Cabal has reformed various times since, they're doomed to repeat the mistakes of their predecessors.
5 The Hand Are Ancient Adversaries
Some secret organizations have been around for multiple millennia, haunting various heroes. The magical ninja clan the Hand was initially created in the 16th century to protect the innocent. Sadly, after the Hand was usurped by their rivals, the Snakefoot clan, the once-righteous outlaws became a team of mercenaries and assassins.
Thanks to the Hand's involvement with the demonic arts, the group transformed into an army of undead ninjas, using their combined might and various agents to manipulate events in their quest for power. Luckily, heroes like Daredevil, Iron Fist, and Elektra have fought to keep the ninjas at bay. However, they periodically emerge from the darkness with yet another plan for world dominion.
4 The Illuminati Do The Wrong Things For The Right Reasons
Not all secret groups started with villainous intentions. The Illuminati are a collection of Marvel's smartest and strongest heroes, with the likes of Iron Man, Dr. Strange, and Black Panther on its roster. The group formed after the Kree-Skrull War to combat threats before they happen, becoming Earth's most powerful think-tank.
While this seems noble, not every choice the Illuminati made benefited the universe. From launching the Hulk into space to accidentally orchestrating several tragic events, including Civil War and the Secret Invasion, the team has made mistake after mistake, still keeping their involvement secret from most of their heroic allies.
3 The Hellfire Club Craves Power
Greed is a powerful desire, making people who already have everything they could want feel dissatisfied. The Hellfire Club is composed of social elites, a secret club created in the 18th century. While only the best of the best can join the society, only a select few get to be part of the Inner Circle, the overseers of the club.
The most famous incarnation of the Hellfire Club was composed of powerful mutants, which included Sebastian Shaw and Emma Frost. Their quest for power led to the manipulation and eventual corruption of Jean Grey, turning her into the Dark Phoenix, who nearly ravaged the galaxy because of them. Though the Club has evolved since then, its influence is still felt by the X-Men and the world.
2 A.I.M Is Smart And Sinister
Advanced Idea Mechanics, or A.I.M, has served as Marvel's second-biggest criminal organization for decades. A.I.M started as part of Hydra's science division, manufacturing weapons of mass destruction. However, the group splintered off of Hydra after the Second World War, remaining well hidden for years.
A.I.M's sinister scientist society has since tried its hand at world domination, using their enhanced technology to further their goals and beat Hydra to the punch. This resulted in the revival of the Red Skull and the creation of the Cosmic Cube and MODOK, putting the group at odds with S.H.I.E.L.D and the Avengers on multiple occasions.
1 Hydra Thrives In The Darkness
Hydra is Marvel's most memorable villainous organization, rivaling S.H.I.E.L.D. in power. The secret cabal has ties to evil societies spanning centuries. During the rise of the Axis in World War 2, Hydra rose to prominence, thanks to the leadership of the Red Skull and Baron Strucker. Fighting against the likes of Captain America, the organization went deep into hiding after it lost the war.
Thanks to Hydra's secrecy, they managed to infiltrate various governments and organizations, using their knowledge for their purposes. With both of their leaders returning from the dead, the society has continued to seek control of the world, planning various coups and creating superpowered soldiers to complete their conquest, failing every time thanks to Marvel's heroes.