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Official Site: Marvel

The Secret Empire is a fictional organization appearing in American comic book published by Marvel Comics. They first appeared in Tales to Astonish #81 and were created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. They were originally a branch of Hydra but later became a separate independent group.

They made their debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as a major antagonist in season 2 of Agent Carter. Under this incarnation, they are named the Council of Nine.

The Secret Empire first appeared in Tales to Astonish #81 and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.

This subversive organization has been headed by a number of different leaders, always known as "Number One", with each iteration's goals following the desires of its current leader. The Secret Empire was founded by a scientist who felt like an anonymous nobody. The organization began as a criminal enterprise, a subsidiary of HYDRA, which provided it with financial support. The Secret Empire served to distract the attention of authorities such as S.H.I.E.L.D. from HYDRA's activities, although the original Number One sought to break away from HYDRA. The Secret Empire hired the mercenary Boomerang on a mission to steal plans for the Air Force's Orion Missile, but he was defeated by the Hulk. In attempting to blow up the Hulk, Number One instead killed himself.

The Secret Empire has not been a contender in any CBUB matches.