This article contains spoilers for Ravencroft #5.

Marvel Comics has officially revealed its new Dark Illuminati, a mysterious organization that have replaced SHIELD. Frank Tieri and Angel Unzueta's Ravencroft has been one of the most enjoyable and creative Marvel Comics in years, a blend of sinister "Haunted House" tropes with superhero action. It's also been setting up what appear to be important new elements in the Marvel Universe.

SHIELD has been disbanded in the comics after their latest scandal, but for months there have been subtle hints they've been replaced. Those were finally confirmed in Ravencroft #1, which revealed Misty Knight is working for "an organization so secret I don't even like to say their name out loud." Finally, this week's Ravencroft #5 reveals just who this new group really are. Surprisingly, while it does so through a report, it isn't one given by Misty.

Related: Marvel Just Gave Wolverine Claws To Misty Knight

Ravencroft #5 reveals Norman Osborn himself is working for this group as well. They're apparently named JANUS, and their members include several notable names from Marvel's various spy books:

  • G.W. Bridge, formerly a high-ranking - if frequently unethical SHIELD agent
  • Malcolm Colcord, who's frequently been associated with the Weapon X project
  • Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, who was imprisoned after she was exposed as a Russian sleeper agent within SHIELD
  • Monica Rappaccini, one of AIM's most dangerous leaders
  • James Hudson, aka Vindicator, a key figure in Canada's Alpha Flight program
  • Madame Viper, traditionally one of Hydra's greatest leaders
Marvel JANUS Vertical

It's unclear what JANUS stands for, but there's a sense in which it doesn't matter; the name is clearly evocative of the Roman god Janus, a symbol of duality. That fits perfectly with JANUS' secret leadership, which includes a range of characters both good and bad. They clearly have an agenda all their own; it seems Osborn and Misty were deliberately pitted against one another in order to get John Jameson in charge of the Ravencroft Institute. It's possible Misty has no idea who the other leaders in JANUS are, given she was only seen talking to Malcolm Colcord previously, and she wouldn't necessarily know much about him in the first place.

Whatever JANUS' agenda may be, this group is clearly going to be a major power player in the future of the Marvel Universe. They have Misty Knight, John Jameson, and Norman Osborn as three secret assets; it remains to be seen who else could be working for them. What's more, with leadership ranging from GW Bridge to Madame Hydra, they are perfectly equipped to respond to everything from mutant affairs to the latest Avengers epic. This new "Dark Illuminati" are sure to be developed over the next few months.

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