In the main Marvel Comics universe, HYDRA has existed for several millennia. The organization has changed names repeatedly over the years, but has always preached a doctrine based around elitism and tyranny. However, a new Captain America story has revealed the true inspiration for the villainous group’s name in the modern Marvel age.
Captain America #5 by J. Michael Straczynski and Lan Medina continues the flashback tale of how the young Steve Rogers fought Nazis before ever lifting his mighty shield. The new issue places Steve in a race against time, spying on the German Bund for gangster Meyer Lansky. This leads Steve to uncover a Nazi plot to blow up a German Bund rally and frame the Third Reich’s enemies for the attack. It is their belief this attack will inspire more Americans to support the Axis Powers. At the very least, the bombing should prevent the United States from joining the side of the Allies.
Baron Heinrich Zemo Inspired the Hydra Name
The bombing plot was supervised by Baron Stucker and the 12th Baron Zemo, Dr. Heinrich Zemo. Despite being loyal Nazis, both men regretted the necessity of killing thousands of their men as part of a false flag operation, However, Baron Zemo believed the sacrifice was a necessary one, saying that “more will spring up to replace them, like the Hydra of old.”
After the fall of the Third Reich, it was Baron Stucker who transformed the Thule Society into HYDRA. It was unclear, however, just how he chose the iconography of Greek mythology for his new fascist organization. Apparently it was all due to the father of the modern Baron Zemo, and an artful turn of praise from several years earlier.
Captain America #5 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
