View source for Helicarrier

{{short description|Fictional flying aircraft carrier in Marvel}}
{{Infobox comics elements
<!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
|name      = S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier
|image     = Helicarrier.jpg
|caption   = The Helicarrier as depicted in ''[[Avengers vs. X-Men]]'' #1 (April 2012).<br>Art by [[John Romita Jr.]]
|alt       = 
|publisher = [[Marvel Comics]]
|debut     = ''[[Strange Tales]]'' #135<br>(August 1965)
|debutmo   = <!-- optional -->
|debutyr   = <!-- optional -->
|creators  = [[Stan Lee]]<br>[[Jack Kirby]]
|vehicle = y
|supports  = [[S.H.I.E.L.D.]]
|subcat    = Marvel Comics
|altcat    = 
|sortkey   = Helicarrier
|addpubcat#= 
|type=[[Airborne aircraft carrier]]}}

The '''Helicarrier''' is a fictional [[airborne aircraft carrier]] appearing in [[American comic book]]s published by [[Marvel Comics]]. Created by [[Stan Lee]] and [[Jack Kirby]], the aircraft [[First appearance|first appeared]] in ''[[Strange Tales]]'' #135 (August 1965).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wasserman |first=Ben |date=2022-03-11 |title=Marvel Studios Concept Artist Shares a Sleek Early Helicarrier Design |url=https://www.cbr.com/marvel-concept-artist-early-helicarrier-design/ |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |language=en |archive-date=2023-03-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325235403/https://www.cbr.com/marvel-concept-artist-early-helicarrier-design/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bruce |first=Amanda |date=2017-03-13 |title=Marvel: 15 Things You Didn't Know About S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Helicarrier |url=https://screenrant.com/marvel-shield-helicarrier-facts-trivia-mcu-deadpool/ |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=[[Screen Rant]] |language=en |archive-date=2023-03-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325235402/https://screenrant.com/marvel-shield-helicarrier-facts-trivia-mcu-deadpool/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Helicarrier is depicted as the crucial mobile command center, forward operations platform, and [[signature weapon|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 [[Iron Man|Tony Stark]], [[Forge (character)|Forge]], and [[Mister Fantastic|Reed Richards]]. According to one account in ''[[Amazing Fantasy]]'' vol. 2, #10, the first Helicarrier was proposed by [[Iron Man|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 (Marvel Comics)|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.<ref name="Wolverine">{{Cite comic|writer=[[Seth Peck]]|artist=[[Roland Boschi]]|story=Fear Itself: Wolverine Part 1|title=Fear Itself: Wolverine|volume=1|issue=1|date=September 2011|publisher=Marvel Comics|page=|panel=}}</ref>

== Reception ==

=== Critical response ===
Jamie Lovett of ''[[ComicBook.com]]'' referred to the Helicarrier as one of "Mavel's most iconic vehicles."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lovett |first=Jamie |date=October 29, 2014 |title=Marvel Vehicles: Owner's Workshop Manual Exclusive Quinjet Excerpt |url=https://comicbook.com/marvel/news/marvel-vehicles-owners-workshop-manual-exclusive-quinjet-excerpt/ |access-date=2023-08-08 |website=[[ComicBook.com]] |language=en |archive-date=2023-08-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810225157/https://comicbook.com/marvel/news/marvel-vehicles-owners-workshop-manual-exclusive-quinjet-excerpt/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 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."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Marston |first=George |date=2023-01-14 |title=The best superhero headquarters and hideouts of all time |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/best-superhero-hideouts-headquarters-hq/ |access-date=2023-03-26 |website=[[Newsarama]] |language=en |archive-date=2023-03-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326000713/https://www.gamesradar.com/best-superhero-hideouts-headquarters-hq/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Sam Scott of ''[[Looper (website)|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."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Scott |first=Sam |date=2021-05-20 |title=The Coolest Superhero Hideouts In Marvel History |url=https://www.looper.com/416684/the-coolest-superhero-hideouts-in-marvel-history/ |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=[[Looper (website)|Looper]] |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-03-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325235404/https://www.looper.com/416684/the-coolest-superhero-hideouts-in-marvel-history/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 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."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hill |first=Brad |date=May 7, 2022 |title=From Batmobile to Thanos Copter: Exploring 10 best vehicles in comic books |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/comics/exploring-10-best-vehicles-comic-books |access-date=2023-01-09 |website=[[Sportskeeda]] |language=en-us |archive-date=2023-01-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109223545/https://www.sportskeeda.com/comics/exploring-10-best-vehicles-comic-books |url-status=live }}</ref>

''[[Comic Book Resources]]'' ranked the Helicarrier 3rd in their "10 Coolest Vehicles In Marvel Comics" list,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Allan |first=Scoot |date=2022-10-29 |title=10 Coolest Vehicles In Marvel Comics, Ranked |url=https://www.cbr.com/marvel-comics-coolest-vehicles-ranked/ |access-date=2022-11-25 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-11-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221125182149/https://www.cbr.com/marvel-comics-coolest-vehicles-ranked/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 6th in their "10 Best Vehicles In The Marvel Universe" list,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harth |first=David |date=August 3, 2022 |title=10 Best Vehicles In The Marvel Universe |url=https://www.cbr.com/marvel-universe-best-vehicles/ |access-date=2023-08-06 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |language=en |archive-date=2023-08-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230806160910/https://www.cbr.com/marvel-universe-best-vehicles/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 7th in their "10 Most Important Vehicles In The Marvel Universe" list,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jackson |first=Carl |date=2021-01-10 |title=10 Most Important Vehicles In The Marvel Universe, Ranked |url=https://www.cbr.com/marvel-comics-best-most-important-vehicles/ |access-date=2023-01-09 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |language=en |archive-date=2023-01-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109223544/https://www.cbr.com/marvel-comics-best-most-important-vehicles/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and 10th in their "10 Most Iconic Superhero Hideouts In Marvel Comics" list.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Avina |first=Anthony |date=2019-09-06 |title=10 Most Iconic Superhero Hideouts In Marvel Comics, Ranked |url=https://www.cbr.com/marvel-comics-superhero-hideouts-most-iconic-greatest-ranked/ |access-date=2023-01-09 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |language=en |archive-date=2023-01-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109222124/https://www.cbr.com/marvel-comics-superhero-hideouts-most-iconic-greatest-ranked/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Casey Haney of ''[[Screen Rant]]'' ranked the Helicarrier 7th in their "16 Best Superhero Vehicles" list.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Haney |first=Casey |date=December 20, 2015 |title=The 16 Best Superhero Vehicles |url=https://screenrant.com/best-superhero-vehicles/ |access-date=2023-08-08 |website=[[Screen Rant]] |language=en |archive-date=2023-08-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810230115/https://screenrant.com/best-superhero-vehicles/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==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.<ref>New Avengers, Issue #25, Johnathan Hickman and Kev Walker</ref>

===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 [[Ultimate Fantastic Four|Fantastic Four]]. In ''Ultimate Avengers Vs New Ultimates'' #4, Nick Fury reveals that [[Hank Pym]] designed the Helicarriers.<ref>''Ultimate Avengers Vs New Ultimates''#4</ref>

==In other media==
===Marvel Cinematic Universe===
[[File:Helicarrier in The Avengers (2012 film).jpg|thumb|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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Estelhomme |first=Barry |date=2023-02-15 |title=10 Devices That Changed the MCU |url=https://collider.com/marvel-gadgets-tech-changed-everything/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325235403/https://collider.com/marvel-gadgets-tech-changed-everything/ |archive-date=2023-03-25 |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Marvel's The Avengers Trailers & Clips - Yahoo! Movies |url=https://movies.yahoo.com/movie/the-avengers-2012/trailers/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130714011525/http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/the-avengers-2012/trailers/ |archive-date=2013-07-14 |access-date=2014-05-14 |publisher=Movies.yahoo.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=7 May 2012 |title=Previs, Techvis, and Postvis on the Avengers |url=https://www.studiodaily.com/2012/05/previs-techvis-and-postvis-on-the-avengers/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607180423/https://www.studiodaily.com/2012/05/previs-techvis-and-postvis-on-the-avengers/ |archive-date=7 June 2021 |access-date=7 June 2021}}</ref><ref>http://nathanschroeder.net/Gallery/Avengers {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181104010027/http://nathanschroeder.net/Gallery/Avengers|date=2018-11-04}} Nathan Schroeder's design gallery for ''The Avengers''</ref>

===Television===
* The Helicarrier appears in the ''[[Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends]]'' episode "Mission: Save the Guardstar".
* The Helicarrier appears in appears in ''[[Spider-Man (1994 TV series)|Spider-Man]]''. Besides being the S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters, it also served as a prison for high-risk individuals, such as [[Chameleon (character)|the Chameleon]]. It is later destroyed by [[Electro (Marvel Comics)|Electro]].
* The Helicarrier appears in the ''[[X-Men: Evolution]]'' episode "Ascension".
* The Helicarrier appears in appears in ''[[The Super Hero Squad Show]]'', and serves as the base of operations for the Super Hero Squad. It is usually piloted by [[Ms. Marvel]], who reluctantly allowed the Squad to use it.
* The Helicarrier appears in the ''[[Iron Man: Armored Adventures]]'' episode "Technovore".
* Helicarriers appear in ''[[The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes]]''.
* The Helicarrier appears in ''[[Ultimate Spider-Man (TV series)|Ultimate Spider-Man]]'' (2012).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Truitt |first=Brian |date=January 18, 2013 |title=The kids are all right in animated 'Ultimate Spider-Man' |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2013/01/18/ultimate-spider-man-animated-series/1845701/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221125182142/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2013/01/18/ultimate-spider-man-animated-series/1845701/ |archive-date=2022-11-25 |access-date=2022-11-25 |website=[[USA Today]] |language=en-US}}</ref> In the first season, it serves as a headquarters and home for Spider-Man's team, as well as a prison, before being destroyed by the [[Green Goblin]]. In the second season, the Helicarrier is rebuilt as the more versatile Tri-Carrier, which can divide into three ships: the central Strato-Carrier, the space-based Astro-Carrier, and the water-based Aqua-Carrier. In the fourth season, [[Swarm (Marvel Comics)|Swarm]] converts the Tri-Carrier into [[Hydra (comics)|Hydra]] Island, which is destroyed by the [[Ben Reilly|Scarlet Spider]].
* The Tri-Carrier appears in ''[[Avengers Assemble (TV series)|Avengers Assemble]]'', serving as a prison for the [[Red Skull]] and the [[Squadron Supreme]].

===Film===
* The Helicarrier appears in ''[[Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (film)|Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.]]''
* Several Helicarriers appear in ''[[Ultimate Avengers]]''.
*The Helicarrier appears in ''[[Iron Man: Rise of Technovore]]''.
*The Helicarrier appears in ''[[Avengers Confidential: Black Widow & Punisher]]''.
*A decommissioned Helicarrier appears in ''[[Deadpool (film)|Deadpool]]'' (2016). It is not identified onscreen due to rights issues between Marvel and [[20th Century Studios|Fox]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 9, 2016 |title=Exclusive: Deadpool "couldn't get the rights" to Avengers joke |url=http://www.flickeringmyth.com/2016/02/exclusive-deadpool-couldnt-get-the-rights-to-avengers-joke/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170402145429/https://www.flickeringmyth.com/2016/02/exclusive-deadpool-couldnt-get-the-rights-to-avengers-joke/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 2, 2017 |access-date=July 27, 2016 |website=FlickeringMyth.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Burlingame |first=Russ |date=February 17, 2016 |title=Deadpool Movie Concept Artist Confirms Helicarrier |url=http://comicbook.com/2016/02/18/deadpool-movie-concept-art-confirms-helicarrier |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301125157/http://comicbook.com/2016/02/18/deadpool-movie-concept-art-confirms-helicarrier |archive-date=March 1, 2016 |access-date=February 29, 2016 |publisher=[[ComicBook.com]]}}</ref>

===Video games===
* The Helicarrier appears in ''[[Marvel: Ultimate Alliance]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Olivares |first=Vladimir |date=2022-01-17 |title=Marvel Ultimate Alliance Is Still the Best Avengers Game |url=https://www.cbr.com/marvel-ultimate-alliance-avengers-best-game/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221125182149/https://www.cbr.com/marvel-ultimate-alliance-avengers-best-game/ |archive-date=2022-11-25 |access-date=2022-11-25 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |language=en-US}}</ref>
* The Helicarrier appears in ''[[Ultimate Spider-Man (video game)|Ultimate Spider-Man]]'' (2005).
* The Helicarrier appears in ''[[Spider-Man: Friend or Foe]]''.
* The Helicarrier appears in ''[[Spider-Man: Web of Shadows]]''.
* The Helicarrier appears in ''[[Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2]]''.
* The Helicarrier appears in ''[[Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions]]''.
* The Helicarrier appears in ''[[Iron Man 2 (video game)|Iron Man 2]]''.
* The Helicarrier appears as a stage in ''[[Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Szadkowski |first=Joseph |date=February 17, 2011 |title=Zadzooks: Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds, Special Edition |url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/feb/17/zadzooks-marvel-capcom-3-fate-two-worlds-special/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810225113/https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/feb/17/zadzooks-marvel-capcom-3-fate-two-worlds-special/ |archive-date=2023-08-10 |access-date=2023-08-08 |website=[[The Washington Times]] |language=en-US}}</ref>
* The Helicarrier appears in ''[[Marvel: Avengers Alliance]]''.
* The Helicarrier appears in ''[[Lego Marvel Super Heroes]]''.
* The Helicarrier appears in ''[[Lego Marvel's Avengers]]''.
* The Helicarrier appears in ''[[Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2]]''.
* The Helicarrier appears in ''[[Marvel Strike Force]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alliance War Rules - Marvel Strike Force |url=https://scopely.helpshift.com/hc/en/46-marvel-strike-force/faq/5945-alliance-war-rules/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125012110/https://scopely.helpshift.com/hc/en/46-marvel-strike-force/faq/5945-alliance-war-rules/ |archive-date=25 January 2023 |access-date=25 January 2023 |website=Scopely Support}}</ref>
* The Helicarrier appears in ''[[Marvel's Avengers (video game)|Marvel's Avengers]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hornshaw |first=Phil |date=August 5, 2020 |title=Marvel's Avengers Beta Impressions: Some Assembly Required |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/marvels-avengers-beta-impressions-some-assembly-re/1100-6480559/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325235402/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/marvels-avengers-beta-impressions-some-assembly-re/1100-6480559/ |archive-date=2023-03-25 |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=[[GameSpot]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dornbush |first=Jonathon |date=2020-08-05 |title=Marvel's Avengers: The Helicarrier Is Your Superhero HQ - IGN First |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/marvels-avengers-the-helicarrier-is-your-superhero-hq-ign-first |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325235404/https://www.ign.com/articles/marvels-avengers-the-helicarrier-is-your-superhero-hq-ign-first |archive-date=2023-03-25 |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=[[IGN]] |language=en}}</ref>
* The Helicarrier appears in ''[[Iron Man VR]]''. This version was created by [[Stark Industries]] and was the last project [[Iron Man|Tony Stark]] sold to S.H.I.E.L.D. before he stopped manufacturing weapons.
* The Helicarrier appears in ''[[Fortnite]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wilkins |first=Matthew |date=March 8, 2022 |title=3 times Fortnite surprised its fans in a good way (& 3 times it left them shocked) |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/fortnite/3-times-fortnite-surprised-fans-good-way-3-times-left-shocked |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221125182146/https://www.sportskeeda.com/fortnite/3-times-fortnite-surprised-fans-good-way-3-times-left-shocked |archive-date=2022-11-25 |access-date=2022-11-25 |website=[[Sportskeeda]] |language=en-us}}</ref>
* The Helicarrier appears in ''[[Marvel Snap]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Provencher |first=Bo |date=2022-11-25 |title=Marvel Snap Adds 16 New Cards, Including She-Hulk, Shuri and the Helicarrier |url=https://www.cbr.com/marvel-snap-new-cards-shuri-she-hulk-helicarrier/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221125131538/https://www.cbr.com/marvel-snap-new-cards-shuri-she-hulk-helicarrier/ |archive-date=2022-11-25 |access-date=2022-11-25 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kaptan |first=Doruk |date=2022-12-08 |title=Marvel Snap: Every Pool 4 Card, Ranked |url=https://www.thegamer.com/marvel-snap-best-pool-4-cards-ranked/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328034538/https://www.thegamer.com/marvel-snap-best-pool-4-cards-ranked/ |archive-date=2023-03-28 |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=TheGamer.com |language=en}}</ref>

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

==See also==
* [[Airborne aircraft carrier]]
* [[Cloudbase]]
* [[Fictional airborne aircraft carriers]]
* ''[[Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow]]''

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [http://marvel.com/universe/S.H.I.E.L.D._Helicarrier Marvel Comics' official profile on the Helicarriers]
* [http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix3/shieldhelicarrier.htm Helicarriers' profile and story]

{{S.H.I.E.L.D.}}
{{Jack Kirby}}
{{Stan Lee}}

[[Category:S.H.I.E.L.D.]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics vehicles]]
[[Category:Fictional airships]]
[[Category:Fictional aircraft]]
[[Category:Fictional ships]]
[[Category:Fictional elements introduced in 1965]]