Helicarrier

Last updated
S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier
Helicarrier.jpg
The Helicarrier as depicted in Avengers vs. X-Men #1 (April 2012).
Art by John Romita Jr.
Publication information
Publisher Marvel Comics
First appearance Strange Tales #135
(August 1965)
Created by Stan Lee
Jack Kirby
In story information
Type Airborne aircraft carrier
Element of stories featuring S.H.I.E.L.D.

The Helicarrier is a fictional airborne aircraft carrier appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the aircraft first appeared in Strange Tales #135 (August 1965). [1] [2]

Contents

The Helicarrier is depicted as the crucial mobile command center, forward operations platform, and signature capital ship of the fictional intelligence/defense agency S.H.I.E.L.D. It has survived multiple redesigns while rarely straying from its originally depicted role as a mobile headquarters of S.H.I.E.L.D. until recent years.

Fictional history

In the Marvel Universe context of the various Nick Fury/S.H.I.E.L.D. series, the original design is attributed to a co-operative effort by Tony Stark, Forge, and Reed Richards. According to one account in Amazing Fantasy vol. 2, #10, the first Helicarrier was proposed by Stark Industries as a political compromise among the signatories of the treaty in response to fears that any nation hosting the Directorate's main headquarters would be subject to attack by organizations such as HYDRA, with domestic political fallout sure to follow immediately thereafter.

Over twenty Helicarriers have been built over the decades, and at least two have been in simultaneous service on several occasions. [3]

Reception

Critical response

Jamie Lovett of ComicBook.com referred to the Helicarrier as one of "Mavel's most iconic vehicles." [4] George Marston of Newsarama included the Helicarrier in their "Best Superhero Headquarters And Hideouts Of All Time" list, calling it one of the "very coolest, most iconic, and ultimate best superhero headquarters in comic books." [5] Sam Scott of Looper included the Helicarrier in their "Coolest Superhero Hideouts In Marvel History" list, writing, "Jack Kirby came up with more wild ideas in his career than most of us could in 12 lifetimes, and if there was one thing he loved dreaming up, it was huge, outlandish vehicles. None of them were huger, more outlandish, or more iconic than the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier." [6] Brad Hill of Sportskeeda included the Helicarrier in their "10 Best Vehicles In Comic Books" list, saying, "Another iconic vehicle within the Marvel universe, which became even more iconic after the first Avengers movie, is the Helicarrier." [7]

Comic Book Resources ranked the Helicarrier 3rd in their "10 Coolest Vehicles In Marvel Comics" list, [8] 6th in their "10 Best Vehicles In The Marvel Universe" list, [9] 7th in their "10 Most Important Vehicles In The Marvel Universe" list, [10] and 10th in their "10 Most Iconic Superhero Hideouts In Marvel Comics" list. [11] Casey Haney of Screen Rant ranked the Helicarrier 7th in their "16 Best Superhero Vehicles" list. [12]

Other versions

Marvel NOW

An alternate version of the Helicarrier appears in the epilogue of issue #25 of New Avengers, circa the year 1968. Howard Stark (father of Tony Stark, aka Iron Man), is seen giving Colonel Nick Fury of S.H.I.E.L.D. the hard sell of his newly designed Helicarrier. [13]

Ultimate Marvel

Alternate versions of the Helicarrier appear in the Ultimate Universe. The engines that keep the carrier aloft were designed by Tony Stark and were modular enough to be used in a space shuttle by the Fantastic Four. In Ultimate Avengers Vs New Ultimates #4, Nick Fury reveals that Hank Pym designed the Helicarriers. [14]

In other media

Marvel Cinematic Universe

The Helicarrier as depicted in Marvel's The Avengers Helicarrier in The Avengers (2012 film).jpg
The Helicarrier as depicted in Marvel's The Avengers

The Helicarrier appears in media set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). It is based on the Ultimate Marvel incarnation of the vehicle and has stacked carrier decks and optical camouflage capabilities. [15] [16] [17] [18]

Television

Film

Video games

Miscellaneous

A futuristic incarnation of the Helicarrier called the Levicarrier appears in the graphic novel Crash.

See also

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References

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  2. ↑ Bruce, Amanda (2017-03-13). "Marvel: 15 Things You Didn't Know About S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Helicarrier". Screen Rant . Archived from the original on 2023-03-25. Retrieved 2023-03-25.
  3. ↑ Seth Peck  ( w ), Roland Boschi  ( a )."Fear Itself: Wolverine Part 1"Fear Itself: Wolverine,vol. 1,no. 1(September 2011).Marvel Comics.
  4. ↑ Lovett, Jamie (October 29, 2014). "Marvel Vehicles: Owner's Workshop Manual Exclusive Quinjet Excerpt". ComicBook.com . Archived from the original on 2023-08-10. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
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  13. ↑ New Avengers, Issue #25, Johnathan Hickman and Kev Walker
  14. ↑ Ultimate Avengers Vs New Ultimates#4
  15. ↑ Estelhomme, Barry (2023-02-15). "10 Devices That Changed the MCU". Collider . Archived from the original on 2023-03-25. Retrieved 2023-03-25.
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