Villains United

Publication history

Villains United is one of four miniseries leading up to DC Comics' Infinite Crisis event and a seven-issue miniseries. This story follows the evolution of the latest incarnation of the Secret Six, and the group's ongoing battle with Secret Society of Super Villains.

Like all major intracompany events, this series ties in with several monthly DC Comics titles, including: :Action Comics #830-831 :Batman: Gotham Knights #66 :Breach #7 :Firestorm #17 :Nightwing #109-110 :Superman #221 :Catwoman #46-49 :Green Arrow #50 :Flash #225

Plot summary

Lex Luthor assembles the Secret Society of Super Villains, a massive alliance consisting of Talia al Ghul, Doctor Psycho, Deathstroke, Black Adam, and Calculator, among others. They are opposed by the Secret Six, who consist of Catman, Cheshire, Deadshot, Scandal, Ragdoll, and a Parademon and are supported by the mysterious benefactor Mockingbird.

The Six are assigned to steal Thanagarian weaponry from Gotham City, during which they are captured and tortured by the Crime Doctor. After several rounds of torture, Catman escapes and rescues his teammates.

The Six infiltrate a Society base in Brazil, where they discover the group's plans to erase the memories of Earth's superheroes. The Six release Firestorm before destroying the base.

A short time later, the Society mount a final strike on the Secret Six. Meanwhile, Scandal reveals that she is Vandal Savage's daughter, and the Six learn that Cheshire has been acting as a double agent. During the battle, the Six learn that Mockingbird is Lex Luthor and that the Luthor who organized the Secret Society is Alexander Luthor Jr., his son from an alternate universe.

''Villains United: Infinite Crisis Special''

In Villains United: Infinite Crisis Special #1, the Secret Six meet to discuss their future as a team, with Deadshot recommending they be an amoral mercenary team. They participate in the battle of Metropolis and decide to remain neutral, even after the battle.

Society's roster

See List of Secret Society of Super Villains members

Collected editions

The series has been collected into a trade paperback:

• Villains United (collects Villains United #1-6, 144 pages, January 2006, )
• Secret Six Vol. 1: Villains United (collects the Villains United six-issue miniseries, Villains United: Infinite Crisis Special #1 and the Secret Six six-issue miniseries; 328 pages, DC Comics, February 2014, )

The one-shot special was also collected in Infinite Crisis Companion ().

Notes

References

1. (2016). "The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe". DK Publishing.
2. (2019). "DC Comics Year By Year: A Visual Chronicle". DK Publishing.
3. link. (September 13, 2008 at DC)
4. "''Secret Six Vol. 1: Villains United'' trade profile". DC Comics.com.
5. link. (December 25, 2008 at DC)