Thanos

Real Name
Thanos

Occupation
Knowledge seeker; former god, destroyer conqueror, nihilist, worshiper of Death

Citizenship
Titan

Place of Birth
Eternal colony, Titan (moon of Saturn)

Known Relative
Kronos (paternal Grandfather, deceased), Daina (paternal grandmother, deceased), Alars (Mentor, father), Sui-San (mother, deceased), Eros (Starfox, brother), Zuras (uncle, deceased), Cybele (aunt), Thena (cousin), Gamora (foster daughter), Nebula (alleged granddaughter), the Rot (offspring, apparently destroyed)

Group Affiliation
Eternals

Education
Formal Titanian education

Height
6'7"

Weight
985 lbs.

Eyes
Red

Hair
None

Powers
Thanos possesses the superhuman physiology of all Eternals, granting him superhuman strength, endurance, reflexes, and agility. His skin in nearly invulnerable, particulary against heat, cold, electricity, radiation, toxins, aging, and disease, and he can survive indefinitely without food or water even before his "curse" from Death left him immortal, unable to die. His mind is also invulnerable to most forms of psychic attack, and can project a psionic blast of energy as well as blasts of plasma/cosmic energy from his eyes and hands.

Abilities
Master strategist, adept in sciences far beyond Earth technology, some mystical knowledge

Other Info
On Saturn's moon of Titan lived a colony of Eternals. Thanos was born as one of the last sons of the original colonists, A'Lar and Sui-San. However, he was born misshapen and monstrous--with grey, hide-like skin and a massive body--in comparison to the other Eternals, especially his handsome brother, Eros (aka Starfox). Due to this, Thanos grew into a melancholy, brooding individual, consumed with the concept of death. Through bionic implementation and long hours of meditation, Thanos augmented his Eternal strength and powers so that his powers surpassed those of all other Titanian Eternals. As he grew in power, Thanos also grew in ambition and desire for conquest. Thus, Thanos stole one of his people's starships and traveled to other star systems to recruit soldiers and mercenaries for a private army. With a small fleet, he dropped nuclear bombs on his home world Titan, killing thousands of his people, including his mother Sui-San. Declaring himself ruler of Titan, Thanos then set his sights on Earth. (To learn about the race and/or characters above, just click on their highlighted name. Note: Beware of form-fitting outfit worn by She-Hulk on Starfox's bio page.)

Growing in power and infamy as he traveled the universe, at one point Thanos met Death itself, as it appeared to him embodied in a female form. Thanos was infatuated with the being, and endeavored to make himself worthy in order to earn her love in return. To do so, Thanos decided to acquire more power. Having learned of a powerful object on Earth called the Cosmic Cube, Thanos invaded the planet and seized control of the reality-altering device. A number of Earth's heroes assembled to confront him; however, with the Cube's power, Thanos made himself unto a god, and he easily fought back Captain Marvel and the Avengers. Luckily for Earth, Captain Marvel was able to convince Thanos that he had drained the Cube of its power, and the mad Titan discarded it. This allowed Captain Marvel to strike the Cube and restore the universe to its rightful order and drain Thanos of his power. Due to the per-programming on his starship, Sanctuary II, Thanos was picked up and able to escape from the heroes. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn about the characters, item, and/or team. Note: Beware of the form-fitting/revealing outfits worn by some on Captain Marvel's bio page.)

After his failure to obtain his goals, Thanos believed that Death had rejected him. Therefore, he soon formulated a plan to regain Death's affection by given Death a present: the annihilation of everything that lives. For this plan to work, Thanos began searching the universe for the powerful Soul Gems. Over time, he was able to obtain all of the them except one, the jade jewel worn on the head of Adam Warlock. (To learn about Warlock and/or the Infinity Gems, click on the highlighted names above.)

Soon after, Thanos learned of the threat of the Magus (a future version of Adam Warlock) who would threaten Thanos' own plans. Thanos was determined to make sure that the future of the Magus would never occur. Therefore, using time travel, he took a Zen-Whoberian infant called Gamora back to his time and trained her to be his personal assassin. In addition, Thanos joined forces with Adam Warlock to oppose the Magus, who was using his world-conquering Universal Church of Truth to create a fanatical empire. With this alliance, Thanos helped ensure that Adam Warlock would never become the Magus. In addition, he managed to siphoned energies of the Soul Gem without Warlock knowing. (Click on the highlighted item, characters, and/or group above to learn more about them. Note: Beware of the revealing outfit worn by Gamora on Zen-Whoberian's and her own bio pages.)

Now, with all the Soul Gems collected, Thanos combined them into a single, huge, synthetic "Soul Gem." With his Soul Gem, Thanos began to extinguish the very stars themselves, hoping thereby to extinguish all living things in tribute to Death. When Gamora learned of his true goals, she tried to oppose him but was killed. By this time, Warlock had learned of Thanos' activity and recruited Captain Marvel and the Avengers to again oppose the mad Titan. Eventually, Captain Marvel managed to destroy the synthetic Soul Gem, but Thanos captured the Avengers and even killed Adam Warlock after an intense one-on-one battle. Luckily for the Avengers, Spider-Man and the Thing were able to help rescue the heroes, and with the help of Lord Chaos and Master Order, restore Warlock to life. Warlock's resurrection flushed him with cosmic power and he again engaged in battle with Thanos; however, this time Thanos was defeated--Warlock turned him into immobile stone. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn more about the different characters.)

Later on, Death came and visited Thanos, revived him, and endowed him with even more power. Believing the universe was unbalanced in terms of life and death and that he needed to restore that balance, Thanos proceeded to reassemble the Soul Gems (now called the Infinity Gems) and created the powerful Infinity Gauntlet. After Thanos wiped out half of the universe's population of living beings with the gauntlet, Thanos was defeated by heroes and entities from around the galaxy. After restoring the universe to its natural state before Thanos' interfered, Adam Warlock decided to divide the Infinity Gems among various guardians who became known as the Infinity Watch. (Warlock retained the Soul Gem; Gamora--now resurrected--kept the Time Gem; the Space Gem went to Pip the Troll; the Power Gem to Drax the Destroyer; the Mind Gem to Moondragon; and the Reality Gem to Thanos--this was done in secret due to Warlock's belief that Thanos could change.) (To learn more about the items, characters, and/or group above, just click on their highlighted names. Note: Beware of the revealing outfits worn by some on the Infinity Watch's bio page. Also, the Infinity Gauntlet is shown in the third picture posted above.)

It seemed that Thanos did change. He began to live the life of a hermit as a simple farmer on an uninhabited planet. However, later on, Thanos began to sense that Eternity (the embodiment of time) itself had become catatonic. Thanos sought out the Infinity Watch, traveling to the realm of Death to discover that Magus had returned and, by using the power of five Cosmic Cubes, was attempting to recreate reality into a twisted, evil version of itself. Deciding to take the fight to the Magus, Adam Warlock reassembled the Infinity Gauntlet in order to match Magus's power. Unfortunately, during the battle, Magus ended up gaining the Infinity Gauntlet for himself. Thanos then confronted Magus, revealing that the Gauntlet was never at its full power, as it used a fake Reality Gem. This allowed Magus to be defeated by Eternity and Infinity, and the Infinity Gems were once more divided to their original guardians--with Thanos's Reality Gem still a secret to all except Warlock. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn more about the characters above. Note: Beware of the form-fitting outfit worn on Infinity's bio page.)

Later on, when Thor apparently went insane, Thanos was contacted by the Silver Surfer to stop the mad god's rampage. Thanos succeeded where the Surfer, the Infinity Watch, Doctor Strange, and the other Asgardian gods could not. This led the assembled group to Asgard, where they came into conflict with Odin. Thanos and Odin battled until the All-Father learned the truth. Odin then revived Thor and allowed Thanos and the heroes to leave Asgard with his and Thor's gratitude. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn more about the characters, race, and/or place.)

After a long time, Thanos began to be become power-hungry again. He decided to search for the vast storehouse of knowledge called the Oracle. To assist him, Thanos recruited several unwilling allies, which included the second Super-Skrull, Nitro, Rhino, and the Titanium Man. After they accomplished his goals for him, Thanos stranded them. After that, Thanos used the Oracle to find a worthy opponent which he found in Tyrant--the first spawn of Galactus. After a long battle with the help of a few lackeys, and laying waste to a sizable portion of Tyrant's planet, Thanos emerged declaring that, since he had withstood the powerful Tyrant for a time and gained what he sought from him, further struggle was pointless (and he admitted it would likely have resulted in his own destruction). (To learn about the different characters above, just click on their highlighted names.)

Later on, the Silver Surfer came to Thanos because he believed that Death was seeking him out to be a new consort. Enraged by Death's motives, Thanos beat the Silver Surfer to death and delivered the body to Death's realm himself. Believing Death to be unappreciative of what he had done, Thanos revived the Surfer to insult Death. Death retaliated by cursing Thanos with immortality, forever barring him from her embrace. By this time, Thanos had rejected Death outright, regarding himself as a death god and hoping to perform acts in his own name and not that of another's. Soon, a star appeared to announce the maturation of the "Celestial Messiah"--Quoi. Thanos left to destroy Mantis, Quoi's mother, regarding her and her son to be antithetical to his own self-styled godhood. Instead, Mantis managed to restore herself to god-like status, thwarting Thanos and eliciting help from an assemblage of Avengers and their ally, Haywire, to find Quoi before Thanos. In the process, the cosmic Rot (a state of un-being that threatened the existence of Eternity) was found. Thanos and the others were forced to work together to defeat the Rot. Ultimately, Death itself appeared, telling them of the Rot's true origin as an offspring of Death and Thanos, created when Thanos first died and entered Death's metaphysical embrace. At this point, Thanos and Death worked together to destroy the Rot. Thanos ultimately fled, distraught over his role in creating the Rot in the first place and refusing to accept Death's rekindled interest in him. (To learn about the highlighted characters above, just click on their names. Note: Beware of the revealing outfit worn by one in the background of Mantis' and Haywire's bio page.)

Later on, during a battle on a ship, Thanos become distracted and was killed from behind by Drax the Destroyer. To this, Thanos appeared to have more curiosity or annoyance rather than fear or anger. With his dying breath, Thanos saw Death in the ship with him. Soon after, Adam Warlock came across Thanos' body. Warlock had long understood that Thanos was an important part in his existence; thus, Warlock encased Thanos in a cocoon. This cocoon was found by the Universal Church of Truth and they believed it to be Warlock, their messiah.

After some time, Quasar was tricked by Maelstrom into believing that if she hatched the cocoon that she would release Adam Warlock. To Quasar's surprise, Thanos emerged from the cocoon, seemingly even more invincible than ever. Thanos kills Quasar and all life on Sacrosanct while the Magus and the Church officials fled. The Guardians of the Galaxy reunite to try to stop Thanos, but he is far too powerful and has mental blocks too strong for even the combined efforts of Mantis, Moondragon and Cosmo. However, the telepaths were able to eventually put Thanos in a comatose state briefly and contain him on Knowhere. (To learn about the above highlighted characters, place, and/or team, just click on their names. Note: Beware of the form-fitting outfit on Quasar's bio page.)

Due to the events of the Cancerverse, the Guardians of the Galaxy soon realized that they needed Thanos to help them. Therefore, they released Thanos and, with a few other heroes, traveled into the Cancerverse in order to fight the Lord Mar-Vell. Thanos immediately goes head-to-head with Mar-Vell, proving to be far superior. However, instead of killing Mar-Vell, Thanos releases him from his grasp. Thanos then states that he wants Mar-vell to give him what he craves--death. Therefore, Lord Mar-Vell runs Thanos through with his sword, believing it would kill him. However, when this happens, Death appears and destroys Mar-Vell in one shot. Her presence in the Cancerverse begins to kill the universe itself. Thanos begged his love to take him with her, but Death left him; thus, triggering an intense rage in Thanos--he vows to kill the entire universe. Now recognizing Thanos to be a massive threat to the universe, Nova and Starlord remain in the Cancerverse to hold off Thanos long enough to buy enough time for the other heroes to go back to their universe. Nova and Starlord were trapped in the collapsing Cancerverse; therefore, sacrificing themselves to trap Thanos there as well. (To learn about the alternate universe and/or the characters above, just click on their highlighted names.)

More recently, a group of super humans called "Zodiac" started stealing many powerful items under the orders of a mysterious boss who gave them special suits. When the Avengers prevented the Zodiac from stealing an Ultimate Nullifier. When Iron Man used a sonic disruptor to shut down their special costumes and leave them powerless, Thanos appeared with the objetive to kill the Avengers for interfering in his plan. (To learn about the highlighted item and character above, just click on their names above.)

To learn more about Thanos, click on the following link, http://marvel.com/universe/Thanos.

Now that you know the history behind Thanos and his obsession with Death, the quote at the end of the Marvel's The Avengers now makes sense: "To challenge them, is to court...death." Which is followed up by Thanos' grin. Make sense now?

S.H.I.E.L.D.

Team Name
Strategic Hazard Intervention Espionage Logistics Directorate

Base of Operations
The Helicarrier; S.H.I.E.L.D. Central, New York

Current Members
Daisy Johnson (Quake, Director), Maria Hill (Deputy Director)

Former Members
Val Adair, Agent L, Agent M, Agent 9, Agent 60, Agent 74, John Allen, Paul Allen, Dexter Bancroft, Clint Bartn (Hawkeye), Blue Streak, Boothroyd, John Bronson, Laura Brown, Barth Bukowski, Stanley Carter (Sin-Eater), Jeff Cochren, Constrictor, Alec Dalton, Dean Haddad, Carl Delanden, Alex DePaul, Dimensional Man, Dragoom, Marvin Flumm (Mentallo), Nick Fury, John Garrett, Paul Garwood, Glob, Golem, Goom, Grogg, Groot, Jonathan Hart (Jack of Hearts), Joseph Hauser, Hellstorm, Jordan Holiday, James Howlett (Wolverine), Jerry Hunt, Roger Juniper, The Kid, Kraa, Lilith, Daughter Of Dracula, Living Mummy, M-80, Dr. Myron MacLain, Adam Manna, Manphibian, Rick Mason (the Agent), Chastity McBryde, Monster Ape, Danielle Moonstar, Barbara Morse-Barton (Mockingbird), Nails, Overrider, Arthur Perry, Kitty Pryde (Shadowcat), David Purcell, Radek, Cliff Randall, Steve Rogers (Captain America), Jack Rollins, Chcuk Rose, Satana, Frank Schlicting (Constrictor), Silicon, Skul, Suicide Squadron, Texas Twister, Marvel Man, Rabble Rouser, Red, Scorpio, Kenjiro Tanaka, Kimberly Taylor, Nate Thurman, Jack Truman, Vamp (Animus/Vamp), Wendell Vaughn (Quasar), Vries, Kali, Kate Waynesboro, Warwolf, Wesley Williams, Sam Wilson (Falcon), Wolfen, Agent Castigan, Agent Goldman, Agent Kyle, Agent Kragg, Agent M, Agent Ratchvek, Agent Simon, Agent Taki, Anthony Stark (Iron Man, Director), George Washington Bridge, Sharon Carter, Jessica Drew (Spider-Woman), Contessa Valentina Allegra di Fontaine, Thaddeus "Dum-Dum" Dugan, Kenneth Hale (Gorilla Man), Gabriel "Gabe" Jones, Ali Morales, Clay Quartermain, Natasha Romanova (Black Widow), Gail Runciter, Jasper Sitwell, the Suit, Alexei Vashin, Jimmy Woo, Howling Commandos

Other Members (Honorary, Reserve, etc.)
A.U.T.O.F.A.C., Android X-4, Chuck, Impact 739, Wild Bill

Other Info
Veteran spy and soldier Col. Nicholas Fury had created the blueprints for an idea some time after World War II to create an extra-government intelligence and security organization dedicated to protecting the nations and peoples of Earth from all threats, terrestrial or extraterrestrial. But, Fury decided not to act upon it, since he felt the U.S. government would deny such a request. However, a United Nations-based international group somehow obtained the plans, and presented them to the U.S. government as a viable countermeasure against the threat of HYDRA. Therefore, the U.S. government created S.H.I.E.L.D.--the Supreme Headquarters, International Espionage, Law-enforcement Division. (To learn about Nick Fury and/or HYDRA, click on the highlighted names above. Note: Beware of the low-cut outfit worn by one in the background of Nick Fury's bio page.)

The identities of the organization’s founders, the "Executive Board," have never been revealed. But, S.H.I.E.L.D.’s first known Executive Director was Rick Stoner. However, when he met his untimely end, the Executive Board chose Nick Fury as his replacement. Now realizing his plans had actually been used to create this division of government, Nick Fury accepted the position as S.H.I.E.L.D. Director. And as director, Colonel Fury took a very active role in S.H.I.E.L.D. operations, often going into the field himself on their most important missions.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. carry a variety of personal gear including: tear gas boutonnieres, explosive shirts, rear-view periscope hats, camera-phone watches, jetpacks, and other tools of the spy trade. One of the most distinctive inventions S.H.I.E.L.D. had was the Life-Model Decoy (LMD)--an extremely lifelike android designed to emulate the behavior of a specific individual, usually used to replace someone in danger of being killed. S.H.I.E.L.D. also has regional offices in all the major cities of the free world and several secret bases in Communist countries due to Cold War threats. Although most of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s operations are covert, the organization’s existence is known to general public. S.H.I.E.L.D. even maintains public offices in several cities. Now, S.H.I.E.L.D.’s Supreme Headquarters is the huge mobile Helicarrier. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn about the LMD and/or Helicarrier.)

Overtime, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s main enemy, HYDRA, continued to resurface. Eventually, Nick Fury's old wartime foe, Baron von Strucker, had become the new Supreme Hydra, and with plans to menace the world with a deadly biological weapon. However, Fury took the fight to the enemy stronghold, Hydra Island, turning this weapon on its makers. However, another one of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s greatest enemies was formed as a result of a lapse in security. The super villain Scorpio (actually Fury's brother Jake) stole the LMD technology to create the second team of villains called the Zodiac. (Click on the the names above to learn about the highlighted characters, place, and or team.)

The first dismantling of S.H.I.E.L.D. occurred later on in the wake of a wide-scale infiltration of the agency, again involving LMDs. However, in this case, a group of LMDs attained sentience, infiltrating both S.H.I.E.L.D. and HYDRA, replacing key members of both before being defeated by Fury and an impromptu force of allies.

Afterward, S.H.I.E.L.D. was reorganized and backed by the United Nations. This time the acronym now stood for "Strategic Hazard Intervention, Espionage and Logistics Directorate." In addition, S.H.I.E.L.D. created the "Full Champion License" (a rarely-awarded accolade known to be held by Captain America (Steve Rogers), whereby the holder has authority to assemble any team he sees fit for any mission he sees fit.). (To learn about Captain America, just click on his name above.)

Later on, in the wake of Nick Fury's "Secret War" in Latveria, he was removed from S.H.I.E.L.D. directorship and forced into hiding. Fury's replacement was not one of his close associates in the high ranks, but a newcomer named Maria Hill. Her appointment by the U.S. president was meant to ensure that S.H.I.E.L.D. bias would be towards American interests and not to Nick Fury. Hill's lack of connection to the superhero community was meant to keep S.H.I.E.L.D. from aiding them. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn about Latveria and/or Maria Hill. Also, the fifth picture posted is of Maria Hill as S.H.I.E.L.D. Director.)

When the Superhuman Registration Act was passed and the superhuman community was split (an event known as the Civil War), Maria Hill created a S.H.I.E.L.D. unit nicknamed "Cape-Killers." This unit was tasked with enforcing the Superhuman Registration Act and capture unregistered superheroes. (To learn out the Civil War, click on the highlighted name above.)

After the Civil War, Maria Hill decided to step down as director and proposed that Iron Man (Tony Stark) take the job, with her as deputy director--Stark accepted. As the new director, Iron Man undertook a series of initiatives, including the construction of a new gold-and-red Helicarrier in the motif of his Iron Man designs. While accused of treating S.H.I.E.L.D. as a Stark Industries subsidiary, he succeeded in streamlining the organization and raising morale. During this time, S.H.I.E.L.D. fought a wave of global superhuman terrorism; however, they were also manipulated into two international incidents that almost saw Tony Stark arrested, until it was revealed that the Mandarin was behind it all and stopped him from committing genocide with an Extremis pathogen. (Click on the names above to learn about the highlighted characters and/or virus.)

Later on, at the start of the Secret Invasion by the extraterrestrial shape-shifting Skrulls, the Helicarrier was disabled by a Skrull virus and was left floating and disabled in the Bermuda Triangle. The Skrulls, by this point, had already replaced a large number of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents (due to their shape-shifting powers), including the high-ranking Dum-Dum Dugan. After the invasion was repelled (thanks in part to Nick Fury and his "Secret Warriors"), the President of the United States decided to dissolve S.H.I.E.L.D.

More recently, Captain America decided to rebuild S.H.I.E.L.D. Therefore, he order a new Helicarrier to be built and appointed Daisy Johnson as the new director with Maria Hill again as deputy director.

To learn more a tiny bit more about S.H.I.E.L.D., click on the following link, http://marvel.com/universe/SHIELD.

In the movie, Marvel's The Avengers, Marvel Entertainment kind of just merged S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Avengers into one group. Because in the comics, S.H.I.E.L.D. has no connection to the Avengers team; however, the two teams have worked together many times. But, many members of the Avengers have been in (or led) S.H.I.E.L.D in the past.

Maria Hill

Real Name

Maria Hill

Occupation
Deputy Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.; former leader of the Avengers, S.H.I.E.L.D. Director

Citizenship
U.S.A.

Place of Birth
Chicago, Illinois

Known Relative
Unknown

Group Affiliation
S.H.I.E.L.D., Avengers

Education

Unrevealed

Height
5'10"

Weight
135 lbs.

Eyes
Brown

Hair
Black

Powers
None

Abilities
Maria Hill is a trained SHIELD agent, proficient in interrogation, unarmed combat, marksmanship and the handling and processing of massive amounts of information. She is skilled at directing several operations and operatives at once.

Other Info

Born in Chicago, Maria lost her mother the day of her birth. Because of this, her father never forgave her, which made Maria a cold-hearted person.

When Maria Hill was older, she joined S.H.I.E.L.D. and eventually rose to the position of commander. After the scandalous affairs of the "Secret War" and its disastrous affect on New York City, Colonel Nicholas Fury went into hiding. Due to Fury's absence, Maria was chosen to be director of S.H.I.E.L.D. by the President himself after he commended her on her work while she was stationed on assignment in Madripoor. Although many others, who she herself admitted were better suited for the position, were not considered for directorship she was assigned as director. Later, it was revealed that Maria was chosen over the other candidates because they were considered "Fury Loyalists" and the President felt that S.H.I.E.L.D. needed "new direction." (To learn about the above highlighted team, character, and/or place, just click on their names. Note: Beware of some in revealing outfits in the background of Nick Fury's bio page.)

At first, Hill had her differences with Iron Man (Tony Stark) and the New Avengers. Mainly due to the fact they withheld information on the "House of M" event leading to "M-Day." After Hill arrested Spider-Man, unmasked him, and used S.H.I.E.L.D. psychic agents to probe his mind for information regarding the "House of M" events, Maria redeemed herself to the Avengers by ignoring the President's order to nuke the island of Genosha. She had made the decision to refuse the President's orders because the Avengers were still on the island at that time. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn about the characters, team, event, and/or place. Note: Beware of revealing outfits worn by some on the House of M's bio page.)

Before the Superhuman Registration Act was passed as law, Hill met with Captain America (Steve Rogers) aboard the Helicarrier and proposed that he lead the Avengers within the law and arrest anyone who would not comply. However, Captain America declined her offer, stating that he would not arrest people who risk their lives for their country every day of the week. Upon Cap's failure to comply, Hill ordered her superhuman response team (aka Cape Killers) to tranquilize Captain America. During the scuffle though, Captain America avoided being tranquilized and escaped becoming the de facto leader of the Secret Avengers. (To learn about the above highlighted act, character, vehicle, and/or teams, just click on their names.)

Later, after the "Civil War" had ended, Maria Hill decided to step down as directer of S.H.I.E.L.D. and gave the position to Iron Man while she resumed her duties as deputy director. It was during this time that Maria began to trust Tony Stark more, and her methods even became much more in-conventional then they had been before. (To learn about the superhuman Civil War, just click on the highlighted name above.)

At one point, S.H.I.E.L.D was dissolved and replaced by H.A.M.M.E.R. When this happened, Maria Hill was fired by H.A.M.M.E.R.'s leader Norman Osborn because he knew that Maria was still secretly working with Tony Stark. After being fired, Maria began to work even more closely with Tony and helped him on various missions. Hill and Stark grow closer in their time spent together, even having romantic encounters on occasion. (To learn about the team and/or character above, just click on their highlighted names.)

Later on, after Osborn invades Asgard during the events of Siege, Maria arrives before the Avengers on her own with a huge gun. In fact, when Thor was beaten down by Osborn and his "Dark Avengers," Hill showed up with a local man to save him--she launched many bazooka rounds on Osborn and laid down cover fire for the local to grab Thor. Maria Hill was also instrumental in the fight against Osborn. These actions by Hill during Siege did not go unnoticed--Captain America eventually appointed her to lead a new team of Avengers. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn about the place, event, character, and/or team.)

More recently, Captain America decided to reactivate S.H.I.E.L.D. with Daisy Johnson as the new director and Maria Hill again in the charge of deputy director. (To learn about Quake, click on the highlighted name above.)

To learn a little bit more about Maria Hill, click on the following link, http://marvel.com/universe/Hill,_Maria.

Howling Commandos

Team Name
Howling Commandos

Base of Operations
Europe and Africa

Current Members
None

Former Members
Sgt. Fury, Cpl. Timothy "Dum-Dum" Dugan, Captain Samuel Sawyer

Other Members (Honorary, Reserve, etc.)
Pvt. Izzy Cohen, Pvt. Percival Pinkerton, Pvt. Gabriel Jones, Pvt. Dino Manelli, Reb Ralston, Junior Juniper

Other Info
A U.S. Army Captain named Sam Sawyer recruited select U.S. Army Rangers to form a team at the beginning of the American involvement in World War II. Sawyer assigned Nick Fury the command of the First Attack Squad. (To learn about Nick Fury, click on his highlighted name above.)

The team's earliest assignment occurred in the autumn of 1942. They were to recover British rocket scientist Dr. MacMillan from a German military base in occupied Norway. Due to the team's success, the group became honorary "Commandos" in the British Army by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. They earned the "Howling Commandos" nickname due to a mission in Italy when the members of the team commandeered a sound truck and let out a cry of "Wah-HOOOOOOOOO" to scare off the enemy.

Over time, the Howling Commandos have fought alongside heroes such as Doctor Strange (against Dormammu) and Captain America (against Red Skull). The group has also fought villains such as Dracula, Baron Wolfgang Von Strucker, Baron Heinrich Zemo, and Mister Sinister. (To learn about the different highlighted characters above, just click on their names. Note: Beware of the form-fitting outfit worn by one on Dormammu's bio page.)

Later, during the Korean War, the group was reunited for further missions. It was then that Nick Fury received a field promotion to lieutenant. The team also reunited again during the Vietnam War.

Over the following years, several members of the Howling Commandos went on to spend various amounts of time as a member of Nick Fury's current organization S.H.I.E.L.D.. (To learn about S.H.I.E.L.D., click on their name above.)

More recently, after the Secret Invasion, many S.H.I.E.L.D agents were given chances to work for H.A.M.M.E.R.. However, those who did not accept the offer formed the Howling Commandos again. Eventually, when Fury contacted them, he offered to employ them full-time. Their first target would be the Dock (a H.A.M.M.E.R. hellicarriers facility). After the battle--which also included an attack from HYDRA--most of the surviving H.A.M.M.E.R. agents joined up with the Howling Commandos as well. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn about the event and/or teams.)

To learn more a tiny bit more about the Howling Commandos, click on the following link, http://marvel.com/universe/Sgt._Fury%27s_Howling_Commandos.

In the movie Captain America: The First Avenger, the Howling Commandos' members differ from the comics in many ways. In the movie, the Howling Commandos consists of Montgomery Falsworth, Dum Dum Dugan, Gabe Jones, Jim Morita, Jacques Dernier, and Bucky Barnes who were led by Captain America. Sam Sawyer and Nick Fury also don't make an appearance during any of the Howling Commandos battles.