The Raft

• Core Identity: The Raft is Marvel's premier maximum-security penitentiary, a technologically advanced fortress designed to contain the most dangerous super-powered criminals on Earth.
• Key Takeaways:
  • Role in the Universe: Functioning as the successor to facilities like the The Vault, the Raft serves as the ultimate holding cell for threats deemed too powerful for conventional prisons. It is a symbol of the immense challenge that super-crime poses to society and is frequently managed by organizations like S.H.I.E.L.D. and, later, the Thunderbolts.
  • Primary Impact: The Raft is most famous for its catastrophic failures. Its history is defined by massive, universe-altering breakouts, most notably the event that directly led to the formation of the New Avengers. These events underscore the constant theme that no prison, no matter how advanced, can permanently hold the forces of chaos in the Marvel Universe.
  • Key Incarnations: In the comics, the Raft is a sprawling, heavily fortified extension of New York's Ryker's Island. In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it is a secretive, submersible, and isolated ocean platform, designed to be completely off-the-grid and used to imprison rogue heroes following the Sokovia Accords.

The Raft made its dramatic debut in New Avengers #1, published in January 2005. It was co-created by writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist David Finch as a central plot device to launch their new era of the Avengers. The concept emerged from a need to create a modern, high-stakes super-prison that could replace older, more frequently compromised facilities like The Vault. The “Breakout!” storyline, which introduced the Raft, was a foundational moment for the Marvel Universe in the mid-2000s. It was designed to shatter the existing Avengers roster and forge a new, grittier team from the ashes of a catastrophic disaster. The Raft's introduction immediately established it as a critical and volatile location, a powder keg of supervillainy just waiting to explode. Its design reflected a post-9/11 sensibility in security and surveillance, creating a grounded, formidable atmosphere that made its inevitable failure all the more impactful.

The in-universe origins of the Raft are directly tied to the inadequacies of its predecessor, Ryker's Island Penitentiary. Located in the East River between Queens and the Bronx, Ryker's Island had long housed a wing for super-powered criminals, but it was repeatedly proven insufficient. After numerous embarrassing and destructive escapes, the Commission on Superhuman Activities, in conjunction with S.H.I.E.L.D., funded the construction of a new, state-of-the-art maximum security wing. This new facility, officially designated the Raft Maximum Security Penitentiary, was built adjacent to the main Ryker's complex. It featured multiple levels of subterranean cells, advanced automated defense systems, power-dampening fields tailored to specific inmates, and a heavily armed guard force. The design philosophy was to create a prison that could not only hold inmates but also psychologically break them, with sensory deprivation and constant surveillance being key features. Its proximity to New York City was a calculated risk; while it made transportation of captured villains from the city's hero-heavy battlegrounds easier, it also placed a massive concentration of super-criminals dangerously close to millions of civilians. Upon its completion, the Raft became the default holding facility for a vast array of villains, from street-level threats to cosmic-level dangers, captured by heroes like Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four. However, its reputation was cemented not by its success, but by its most spectacular failure.

The origin of the Raft in the MCU (designated as Earth-199999) is significantly different and shrouded in the politics of post-Avengers world governance. Unlike its comic counterpart, the MCU's Raft is not an extension of a public prison but an ultra-secret, mobile, and submersible fortress located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Its construction was authorized and overseen by then-Secretary of State Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross under the authority of the Sokovia Accords. First seen in Captain America: Civil War (2016), the Raft was designed specifically to imprison enhanced individuals who refused to register under the Accords or operated outside the law. Its existence was likely classified, known only to the highest echelons of world governments. The design prioritizes isolation and control above all else. The facility can submerge completely, making it undetectable and virtually impossible to assault from the surface. Each cell is a sterile, automated module with heavy armor plating and constant video surveillance, designed to be managed by a minimal staff to reduce the risk of internal compromise. The MCU Raft was built not for common supervillains, but for rogue heroes. Its first known inmates were the members of Captain America's faction who were captured at the Leipzig/Halle Airport battle: Sam Wilson, Wanda Maximoff, Clint Barton, and Scott Lang. The prison's brutalist architecture and dehumanizing conditions were meant to send a clear message: in the world of the Sokovia Accords, even heroes were not above the law. This adaptation served the film's narrative by creating a powerful visual representation of the ideological divide between the heroes and the severe consequences of their conflict.

The Raft in the primary comics continuity is a marvel of penal engineering, yet it is paradoxically defined by its repeated breaches. Its design has evolved over time, especially as it has been destroyed and rebuilt on multiple occasions.

• Structure: The Raft is a multi-story facility, with the majority of its cell blocks located deep underground and underwater, beneath the East River. The visible, above-water portion consists of administrative buildings, guard towers, and a primary access point connected to Ryker's Island.
• Security Tiers: The prison is zoned into different security levels.
  • Low-Level Wings: House less powerful, but still dangerous, criminals.
  • Maximum Security Blocks: Contain powerful supervillains like members of the Wrecking Crew or Mister Hyde. These cells often feature adamantium or vibranium reinforcements.
  • Special Containment: A highly classified section for unique threats. This is where beings like Carnage or The Sentry (in his Void persona) would be held, in cells specifically engineered to counteract their unique powers (e.g., sonic emitters for symbiotes, psychic dampeners for telepaths).

• Automated Defenses: The entire facility is lined with automated gun turrets, tasers, and cannons that can deploy non-lethal (or lethal) force.
• Power Dampeners: A facility-wide energy field suppresses most superhuman abilities. Individual cells can be tuned to emit specific frequencies to neutralize a prisoner's powers more effectively.
• Psi-Shields: Powerful psychic inhibitors are in place to prevent telepathic communication, influence, or escape attempts.
• Guard Force: The human guards are S.H.I.E.L.D.-trained soldiers equipped with advanced energy weapons and armor, often supplemented by robotic sentinels.

The Raft's inmate roster reads like a “Who's Who” of the Marvel villain community.

• Green Goblin (Norman Osborn)
• Carnage (Cletus Kasady)
• Electro (Max Dillon)
• Purple Man (Zebediah Killgrave)
• Crossbones (Brock Rumlow)
• Sandman (Flint Marko)
• Vulture (Adrian Toomes)
• Baron Zemo (Helmut Zemo)
• A majority of Spider-Man's and Captain America's rogues' galleries have been incarcerated here at some point.

The Raft's history is marred by catastrophic failures.

• The “Breakout!”: The seminal event where Electro was hired to shut down the Raft's systems, causing a mass prison break of over 90 inmates. This event directly led to the formation of the New Avengers.
• The Siege of Asgard: During his time as head of H.A.M.M.E.R., Norman Osborn used the Raft as a base of operations and a holding facility for his enemies. It was targeted during the conflict.
• Spider-Island: The facility was temporarily converted into a quarantine zone and command center during the infestation of Manhattan.
• Devil's Reign: Mayor Wilson Fisk used a newly rebuilt Raft to unlawfully imprison superheroes who defied his anti-vigilante laws.

The MCU's Raft is a more focused and formidable concept, trading the sprawling complexity of the comics for sleek, terrifying isolation.

• Structure: It is a circular, self-contained platform located in the Atlantic Ocean. Its most critical feature is its ability to completely submerge, leaving only a small ventilation/access tower visible on the surface.
• Isolation: Its remote location makes unaided escape a virtual impossibility, and its submersible nature makes it incredibly difficult to locate or assault. This design choice emphasizes the global reach and power of the governments backing the Sokovia Accords.

• Automated Cells: The cells are highly automated, with guards overseeing them from a central command center. This minimizes direct contact with potentially manipulative or dangerous prisoners. The cell doors are massive, multi-ton slabs of reinforced steel.
• Surveillance: Each cell is under 24/7 high-definition audio and video surveillance. As demonstrated with Wanda Maximoff, they also employ specialized restraints, such as power-inhibiting straitjackets and collars.
• Containment Philosophy: The primary security measure is overwhelming physical restraint and psychological isolation. The stark, white, windowless cells are designed to disorient and demoralize prisoners. Unlike the comics' power-dampening fields, the MCU Raft appears to rely more on physical restraints tailored to the individual.

The known population of the MCU Raft is far more exclusive, primarily consisting of individuals who defied the Sokovia Accords or were deemed major international threats.

• Team Captain America: Clint Barton, Wanda Maximoff, Sam Wilson, and Scott Lang.
• Post-Civil War: Helmut Zemo was imprisoned here after his capture. Later, associates of Adrian Toomes, including Mac Gargan, were also held here as mentioned in Spider-Man: Homecoming.
• Post-Blip: Valets from Department of Damage Control are seen transferring individuals to the Raft in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law.

Despite its formidable design, the MCU Raft has also been breached.

• Captain America's Rescue: Steve Rogers successfully infiltrated the Raft alone at the end of Captain America: Civil War to free his teammates, demonstrating that a determined and skilled individual could overcome its defenses.
• Zemo's Escape: As detailed in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, Helmut Zemo was broken out of the Raft with the assistance of Bucky Barnes, which involved exploiting internal prison systems and inciting a riot.

The Raft is rarely an independent entity; its operation is almost always overseen by a larger governmental or quasi-governmental organization, reflecting the political state of the Marvel Universe.

• S.H.I.E.L.D. (Earth-616 & MCU): In both universes, S.H.I.E.L.D. has had a foundational role in the Raft's administration. In the comics, S.H.I.E.L.D. provided the initial funding, technology, and trained personnel. In the MCU, while overseen by Ross, the day-to-day operations likely involved S.H.I.E.L.D. remnants or similar intelligence agencies.
• The Commission on Superhuman Activities (Earth-616): This U.S. government body was instrumental in commissioning the Raft's construction as a response to the growing super-powered threat. They have often dictated policy regarding which inmates are held there.
• H.A.M.M.E.R. (Earth-616): During Norman Osborn's “Dark Reign,” his corrupt organization, H.A.M.M.E.R., took control of the Raft, using it as a private dungeon and headquarters for his Dark Avengers.
• The Thunderbolts Program (Earth-616): In a significant reform effort, Luke Cage took control of the Raft and used it as the base of operations for his government-sanctioned Thunderbolts team. His program focused on the rehabilitation of villains, using the Raft's inmates as potential recruits for redemption missions.
• Department of Damage Control (MCU): Following the events of Avengers: Endgame, the D.O.D.C. expanded its mandate and appears to have a significant role in managing super-powered threats, including transportation of criminals to the Raft.

The Raft's greatest “enemies” are not rival organizations, but the individuals and forces that have successfully engineered its collapse from within or without.

• Electro (Max Dillon - Earth-616): The architect of the most infamous breakout in Marvel history. Hired by the Skrull agent posing as Elektra Natchios, Dillon used his powers to create a massive electrical surge that knocked out all of the Raft's primary and secondary systems, releasing nearly every prisoner simultaneously. This single act of sabotage reshaped the superhero landscape for years.
• Purple Man (Zebediah Killgrave - Earth-616): During his incarceration, Killgrave's mind-control powers were suppressed by special drugs in his food. However, he managed to manipulate the prison populace during a riot, turning the Raft into his personal kingdom and demonstrating the immense danger of psychic inmates even in a high-tech facility.
• HYDRA (Earth-616): During the Secret Empire event, the HYDRA-aligned Captain America and his forces took control of all major global security infrastructure, including the Raft, using it to imprison their enemies.
• Captain America & Baron Zemo (MCU): The two most significant saboteurs of the MCU's Raft. Steve Rogers' infiltration was a direct assault based on skill and determination, proving no fortress is invulnerable. Zemo's escape was an act of internal sabotage, exploiting human elements and prison routines to create a diversion, highlighting a different kind of vulnerability.

The Raft is more than a location; it is a catalyst for major stories in the Marvel Universe.

This is the Raft's defining moment. The story arc New Avengers #1-6 begins with the facility's power being mysteriously shut down by Electro. This triggers a mass escape of dozens of supervillains. Captain America, Iron Man, Spider-Man, and Luke Cage happen to be at the facility visiting The Sentry. They are joined by Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew) and Daredevil to contain the riot. The chaos is immense, with villains like Carnage and Mister Hyde running rampant. The event forces this disparate group of heroes to unite, and in the aftermath, Captain America realizes that fate has brought them together. He officially forms the “New Avengers” from the heroes who fought side-by-side during the breakout, making the Raft's failure the direct crucible for one of the 21st century's most important Avengers lineups.

During Norman Osborn's tyrannical reign, the Raft was a key piece of his security apparatus. The basement of the Raft was used by Osborn to house and interrogate high-value prisoners. When the time came for Osborn's climactic invasion of Asgard, which was then located on Earth, the Raft served as a staging ground and a symbol of his control over America's carceral system. The battle for Asgard saw many of Osborn's forces, including inmates he had pressed into service, defeated. The fall of Osborn led to the Raft being returned to the control of the legitimate U.S. government, ending its use as a tool for a supervillain's regime.

In this major Spider-Man-centric event, the Jackal and the Spider-Queen unleash a virus that grants spider-powers to nearly every citizen of Manhattan. As chaos erupts, the city's infrastructure is overwhelmed. The Raft's role shifts dramatically from a prison to a fortified command center and quarantine zone. Due to its isolated and secure nature, it becomes a safe haven for uninfected personnel and a base from which heroes and scientists work to find a cure. This storyline showcased the facility's versatility and strategic importance beyond simply being a jail.

Years after becoming mayor of New York City, Wilson Fisk (The Kingpin) outlaws all superhero activity within the city limits. He uses a newly commissioned and upgraded version of the Raft, along with a new class of “Thunderbolt” agents, to hunt down and imprison any hero who defies his law. The Raft becomes the centerpiece of his authoritarian power, filled with captured heroes like members of the Fantastic Four and Captain America. The event revolves around the remaining heroes fighting to expose Fisk and liberate their friends from the very prison once designed to hold their worst enemies, creating a powerful thematic inversion.

• Ultimate Universe (Earth-1610): In this continuity, high-level containment was primarily handled by S.H.I.E.L.D. at the Triskelion. While facilities similar to the Raft existed, the Triskelion's “super-max” wing served the same narrative purpose, housing threats like the Ultimate Green Goblin and Doctor Octopus.
• Marvel's Spider-Man Video Game Series (Earth-1048): The Raft plays a pivotal role in the 2018 video game Marvel's Spider-Man. In this version, it is a high-tech prison complex located on an artificial island near Ryker's. During the game's third act, Doctor Octopus assaults the Raft to free the other members of his Sinister Six (Electro, Vulture, Rhino, and Scorpion). The resulting mass breakout floods the city with dangerous criminals, triggering the game's final, chaotic hours. This version combines elements of the comic's location with the MCU's high-tech aesthetic and is arguably one of the most well-known modern depictions of the facility.
• Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes (Animated Series): This acclaimed animated series features multiple super-prisons, all managed by S.H.I.E.L.D. The Raft is one of four such facilities, known collectively as “The Big House.” It is specifically designed to hold radiation-based and technologically-powered villains. Like in the comics, the series begins with a massive, coordinated breakout across all four prisons, engineered by Loki, which serves as the catalyst for the formation of the Avengers.

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