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{{short description|Fictional society in the Marvel Comics universe}}
{{Infobox comics organization
<!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
| name         = Hellfire Club
| image        = Xml210.jpg
| imagesize    = <!-- default 250 -->
| caption      = Cover for ''X-Men: Legacy'' #210, art by [[David Finch (comics)|David Finch]].
| alt          = 
| publisher    = [[Marvel Comics]]
| debut        = ''The [[Uncanny X-Men]]'' #129 (January 1980)
| creators     = [[Chris Claremont]] <br />[[John Byrne (comics)|John Byrne]]
| type         = 
| business     = 
| organization = 
| team         = 
| base         = Various
| owners       = 
| employees    = 
| members      = {{Plain list |
* [[Sebastian Shaw (character)|Sebastian Shaw]]
* [[Emma Frost]]
* [[Harry Leland]]
* [[Mastermind (Jason Wyngarde)|Jason Wyngarde]]
* [[Donald Pierce]]
* [[Sage (Marvel Comics)|Tessa]]
* [[Selene (comics)|Selene]]
* [[Magneto (Marvel Comics)|Magneto]]
* [[Storm (Marvel Comics)|Storm]]
* [[Shinobi Shaw]]
* [[Trevor Fitzroy]]
* [[Madelyne Pryor]]
* [[Sat-yr-9]]
* [[Phoenix Force|Phoenix]]
* [[Sunspot (Marvel Comics)|Sunspot]]
* [[Zeke Stane|Iron Monger]]
* [[Azazel (Marvel Comics)|Azazel]]
}}
| fullroster   = 
| cat          = 
| subcat       = Marvel Comics
| altcat       = 
| hero         = 
| villain      = y
| sortkey      = Hellfire Club (comics)
}}
The '''Hellfire Club''' is a fictional society appearing in [[American comic book]]s published by [[Marvel Comics]]. The Hellfire Club often comes into confrontation with the [[X-Men]] mutant superhero team.  Although the Club appears to merely be an international social club for wealthy elites, its clandestine '''Inner Circle''' seeks to influence world events and advance their agenda.

The Hellfire Club was created in 1980 by the ''[[Uncanny X-Men]]'' writer/artist duo of [[Chris Claremont]] and [[John Byrne (comics)|John Byrne]], who were inspired by a 1966 episode of the British television series ''[[The Avengers (TV series)|The Avengers]]'' ("[[A Touch of Brimstone]]").<ref name=xcompanion2>''X-Men Companion II''. 1982. Fantagraphics Books.</ref> The name "[[Hellfire Club]]" was a popular name for [[gentlemen's clubs]] in the 18th century. The Inner Circle's hierarchy is modeled on the pieces of a [[chess]] set, with Black and White sets of Kings, Queens, Bishops and Rooks.

The Hellfire Club and its Inner Circle were introduced in "[[The Dark Phoenix Saga]]", attempting to subvert the X-Men's [[Jean Grey]].<ref>''The Uncanny X-Men'' #129-135</ref> This incarnation, composed most notably of Black King [[Sebastian Shaw (character)|Sebastian Shaw]] and White Queen [[Emma Frost]], would remain prominent for many years. After their initial confrontations, the Hellfire Club and the X-Men settled into an uneasy alliance.<ref name="uxm209">''The Uncanny X-Men'' #209</ref><ref name="nm51">''The New Mutants'' #51</ref> This eventually changed as endless power struggles perpetuated a series of upheavals within the Inner Circle. The club has appeared in two X-Men animated series (''[[X-Men: The Animated Series]]'' and ''[[Wolverine and the X-Men (TV series)|Wolverine and the X-Men]]''), both times being renamed as simply The Inner Circle, due to the aversion of using the term "''hellfire''" in a children's cartoon. Members of the Hellfire Club appeared in 2011's ''[[X-Men: First Class]]'' as the main villains, led by Sebastian Shaw, Emma Frost, Azazel, and Riptide. The Hellfire Club’s Inner Circle also appear as the main antagonists of the [[The Gifted (season 2)|second]] season of the television series ''[[The Gifted (American TV series)|The Gifted]]'' led by a character named Reeva Payge played by [[Grace Byers]], and the [[Stepford Cuckoos|Frost sisters]] played by [[Skyler Samuels]].

==Publication history==
In creating the Hellfire Club, ''[[Uncanny X-Men]]'' writer [[Chris Claremont]] and artist/co-writer [[John Byrne (comics)|John Byrne]] drew heavily upon a 1966 episode of the British spy series ''[[The Avengers (TV series)|The Avengers]]'' entitled "[[A Touch of Brimstone]]".<ref name=xcompanion2/><ref>{{cite book |last1=Misiroglu |first1=Gina Renée |last2=Eury |first2=Michael |title=The Supervillain Book: The Evil Side of Comics and Hollywood |date=2006 |publisher=Visible Ink Press |isbn=9780780809772 |url=https://archive.org/details/supervillainbook0000gina/page/156/mode/2up |language=en}}</ref> In the episode, agents John Steed and Emma Peel attempt to infiltrate a secret society named after the [[Hellfire Club]] of the 18th century, whose members of the "Inner Circle" wear period costumes. Peel's guise as "the Queen of Sin", dressed in a black leather corset, would be the model for the Club's Queens, and her first name borrowed for White Queen [[Emma Frost]]. The leader of the episode's club was played by actor [[Peter Wyngarde]], best known for his role as [[Jason King (TV series)|Jason King]], forming the basis for [[Mastermind (Jason Wyngarde)|Mastermind]]'s new "Jason Wyngarde" identity.

Claremont and Byrne similarly drew the names and faces of the other Hellfire Club members from famous actors: [[Sebastian Shaw (character)|Sebastian Shaw]] was based on actor [[Robert Shaw (actor)|Robert Shaw]], [[Harry Leland]] on [[Orson Welles]] (who acted as Harry Lime in ''[[The Third Man]]'' and whose film ''[[Citizen Kane]]'' featured a reporter named Jed Leland), and [[Donald Pierce]] was based on [[Donald Sutherland]] (the surname alluding to his [[Hawkeye Pierce]] character from ''[[MASH (film)|M*A*S*H]]'').<ref name=xcompanion2/>

Later writers would add references to ''The Avengers'': Sir Patrick and Lady Diana, from the Philadelphia branch of the 1780s, are named after actors [[Patrick Macnee]] (John Steed) and [[Diana Rigg]] (Emma Peel); conversely, the Black Queen of the London branch was revealed to be named Ms. Emma Steed.<ref>''Excalibur'' #99</ref>

==Overview==
The Hellfire Club counts among its members the most famous, wealthy, and influential members of society. Membership is passed on to descendants, and can also be earned through wealth or influence. While many accept the invitation simply for the pleasures that the Club offers, others seek wealth and influence. In fact, the purpose of the Hellfire Club is to obtain and exert power through politics and economic influence instead of outward conquest and domination. Since its foundation, the Hellfire Club has been involved in wars and assassinations to further the agendas of the Club's most powerful members.

The Club has branches in [[New York City]], [[London]], [[Hong Kong]], [[Paris]], and [[Buenos Aires]];<ref>''Emma Frost: The White Queen'' (2025) #1. Writer: Amy Chu; Artist: Andrea Di Vito.</ref> the various branches are all overseen by the Lord Imperial (a position long-held by Sir Gordon Phillips).<ref name="xxm3">''X-Treme X-Men'' #3</ref> Unbeknownst to most members is the Club's Inner Circle. Originally known as the Council of the Chosen, this secret group formed around Edward Buckman, each member assuming the titles of the major chess pieces. As White King, Buckman financed [[Steven Lang (character)|Stephen Lang]]'s revived [[Sentinel (comics)|Sentinel]] program with the assistance of probationary member [[Sebastian Shaw (character)|Sebastian Shaw]].<ref>''The Uncanny X-Men'' #100</ref> Shaw, now Black Bishop, began securing allies within the Club, meeting [[Harry Leland]], [[Emma Frost]], and [[Donald Pierce]], as well as his loyal assistant, [[Sage (Marvel Comics)|Tessa]].<ref name=hellparents>''X-Men: The Hellfire Club'' #4</ref> Buckman, no longer having a use for the dangerously-ambitious Shaw, ordered a Sentinel attack on Shaw and his allies, resulting in the death of Shaw's lover, [[Lourdes Chantel]]. That night, Shaw and Emma Frost purged the entire Council of the Chosen, remaking it as the Lords Cardinal and appointing themselves Black King and White Queen.<ref name="Classic X-Men #6-7">''Classic X-Men'' #6-7</ref>

Shaw's Inner Circle soon turned their attentions to the [[X-Men]], kidnapping several of their number. [[Mastermind (Jason Wyngarde)|Mastermind]], as Jason Wyngarde, was made a probationary member pending his subversion of the X-Men's [[Jean Grey]]. Jean Grey was in fact the [[Phoenix Force|Phoenix]], a god-like cosmic entity who became unstable after Mastermind's psychic manipulations, turning into the [[Dark Phoenix Saga|Dark Phoenix]]. The Hellfire Club had failed, and the X-Men had taken their toll: Phoenix had driven Mastermind insane, [[Colossus (character)|Colossus]] had crippled Donald Pierce and [[Wolverine (character)|Wolverine]] nearly killed Harry Leland and several guards.<ref name="uxm132-135">''The Uncanny X-Men'' #132-135</ref>

Despite such setbacks, the Inner Circle continued to pursue its agenda. Shaw, using his connections to [[Robert Kelly (character)|Senator Robert Kelly]] to initiate [[Project Wideawake]], secured a government contract for Shaw Industries to manufacture [[Sentinel (comics)|Sentinels]], profiting from the state of fear concerning the "mutant menace" despite secretly being a mutant himself. Frost meanwhile ran the [[Massachusetts Academy (comics)|Massachusetts Academy]], a prestigious preparatory school affiliated with the Hellfire Club that secretly trained a team of young mutants, known as the [[Hellions (Marvel Comics)|Hellions]]. The Inner Circle also underwent some personnel changes, notably the expulsion of Donald Pierce for conspiring against his mutant colleagues,<ref name="mgn4" /> and the addition of [[Selene (comics)|Selene]] as Black Queen.<ref>''The Uncanny X-Men'' #189</ref>

Although the hierarchy of the Inner Circle goes through constant upheaval due to the competing egos and political motives of its members, it continues to exist in the same basic structure today.

Magneto briefly took the title of Grey King after Sebastian Shaw was voted out of the Inner Circle,<ref name="The New Mutants #75">''The New Mutants'' #75</ref> and with Emma Frost he began plotting against Black Queen Selene,{{Volume needed|c=y|date=September 2014}} having planted Hellion [[Empath (character)|Empath]] into Nova Roma via his relationship with New Mutant [[Magma (character)|Magma]] prior to ousting Shaw.{{Volume needed|c=y|date=September 2014}} However, when Magneto discovered the X-Man [[Rogue (Marvel Comics)|Rogue]] alive and well in the [[Savage Land]] (where Magneto was visiting),{{Volume needed|c=y|date=September 2014}} Magneto abandoned the Hellfire Club and ultimately went into exile when he was rejected by Rogue when he murdered the Savage Land priestess [[Zaladane]].{{Volume needed|c=y|date=September 2014}} Meanwhile, Emma Frost attempted to force former Hellion [[Firestar (Marvel Comics)|Firestar]] to rejoin the Hellions but was rebuked by Firestar and her new teammates in the New Warriors.<ref>''The New Warriors'' #10</ref>

Disjointed, Selene exploited the chaos to launch a pre-emptive strike to kill the Lord Cardinals with aid from a group of young mutant "[[Upstarts (comics)|Upstarts]]" who were loyal to Selene.{{issue|date=November 2025}} Points for each kill were awarded by the [[Gamesmaster (comics)|Gamesmaster]] and Magneto, Shaw, Pierce, and Frost were all targeted, before Selene herself was betrayed by Trevor Fitzroy and Gamemaster.{{issue|date=November 2025}} During this time the Inner Circle of the London branch was working behind the American branch's back and was influencing [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Parliament]] and the secret government agency Black Air.{{issue|date=November 2025}} [[Captain Britain]] (Brian Braddock) held a position for a short term on [[Shinobi Shaw]]'s advisement to investigate its activities as they had mutual objectives.{{issue|date=November 2025}} [[Excalibur (comics)|Excalibur]] collected evidence of their crimes and the Inner Circle was either arrested or went into hiding.{{issue|date=November 2025}}

The Upstarts' uprising was quashed by Sebastian Shaw.{{issue|date=November 2025}} He reinstated some of the old Inner Circle until he disbanded it due to his own invested interest in business pursuits.{{issue|date=November 2025}} The Club still continued loosely partly due to Selene's influence, although it never had the same prestige as the original.{{issue|date=November 2025}}

Sebastian Shaw again reformed a variation of the original Inner Circle with a nobler outlook posing as a force for good, which may have been a deception on his part.{{issue|date=November 2025}} Tessa/Sage rejoined the Inner Circle to observe this and to assist [[Sunspot (Marvel Comics)|Roberto da Costa]]'s usurping the position of Lord Imperial which Shaw had claimed.{{issue|date=November 2025}}

The Hellfire Club was next under the leadership of Roberto da Costa as the Lord Imperial aided by Sage.{{issue|date=November 2025}} [[Sat-Yr-9]] (under the guise of Courtney Ross) as the new White Queen, aided by her assassin [[Viper (Madame Hydra)|Viper]], her "Warrior White Princess".{{issue|date=November 2025}} As with many members in the past, both Sat-Yr-9 and Viper have their own personal agendas.{{issue|date=November 2025}}

Following [[Decimation (comics)|M-Day]], Sunspot remains as Lord Imperial, while Shaw resumes his activities, though under Sunspot's close watch.{{issue|date=November 2025}} While Sat-Yr-9's whereabouts remain unknown, Viper returns to [[Madripoor]] to oversee [[Hydra (comics)|Hydra]] operations<ref>''The New Avengers'' #42</ref> and Sage became a member of the short-lived [[New Excalibur]],{{issue|date=November 2025}} only to end up as one of the [[Exiles (Marvel Comics)|Exiles]].{{issue|date=November 2025}}

When the X-Men and many other powered or depowered mutants came to San Francisco, an offshoot of the Club, known as the Hellfire Cult, begins attacking mutants and "species traitors".{{issue|date=November 2025}} Officially, their leadership appears to be [[Empath (character)|Empath]], but the real power behind the scenes is the mysterious Red Queen.{{issue|date=November 2025}} Their activities draw the attention of the X-Men.<ref>''The Uncanny X-Men'' 500-502 (2008)</ref>

[[Kade Kilgore]] later took control of the Hellfire Club.{{issue|date=November 2025}} Kilgore founded the Hellfire Academy, recruiting mutant outlaws as its faculty and looking for students to attend this school.<ref name="Wolverine and the X-Men #20"/> The Hellfire Academy serves as the direct opponent for the [[X-Mansion|Jean Grey School for Higher Learning]].<ref>''Wolverine and the X-Men'' #23</ref>

==Organization==

===Lord Imperial===
The '''Lord Imperial''' is not a member of the Inner Circle or any particular branch of the Hellfire Club; the Lord Imperial is the true leader of the Hellfire Club and oversees all branches of it. As such, only a few individuals have held the title. Sir Gordon Phillips, while unknown at the time, ruled as Lord Imperial for most of the club's modern history, holding the position from before the club's introduction<ref name="xxm3"/> until his death: killed by Sabretooth on a cruise ship filled with humans infected with the [[Legacy Virus]].<ref name="Uncanny X-Men #388">''The Uncanny X-Men'' #388</ref>

* '''Sir Gordon Phillips'''
* '''[[Elias Bogan]]'''
* '''[[Sebastian Shaw (character)|Sebastian Shaw]]'''
* '''[[Sunspot (Marvel Comics)|Roberto da Costa (Sunspot)]]'''

===Inner Circle===
The constant intrigue, backstabbing, blackmailing and politicking that plague the Hellfire Club have resulted in many changes of the Inner Circle, as new players seek out membership in order to obtain influence, power and wealth. The following lists the membership of each incarnation of the Inner Circle and the title they held; in descending order of rank are Kings and Queens, followed by Bishops and Rooks.

====The Council of the Chosen====
The original Inner Circle (existing prior to the club's introduction) consisted of:

* '''Edward Buckman'''  - White King
* '''Paris Seville''' - White Queen
* '''[[Sebastian Shaw (character)|Sebastian Shaw]]''' - Black Bishop

Sebastian Shaw was instrumental in the Hellfire Club's funding of [[Steven Lang (character)|Stephen Lang]]'s resurrected [[Sentinel (comics)|Sentinel]] program, but having completed his purpose, White King Edward Buckman sought to eliminate the ambitious Black Bishop. After a Sentinel attack on Shaw's beach house resulted in the death of his lover, [[Lourdes Chantel]], Shaw and his ally [[Emma Frost]] purged the entire Council in one night and appointed themselves its Black King and White Queen.<ref name="Classic X-Men #6-7"/>

====The Lords Cardinal====
Shaw renamed The Council of the Chosen as The Lords Cardinal following his takeover of the New York branch, and appointed a number of allies to key positions. Frost began running the [[Massachusetts Academy (comics)|Massachusetts Academy]] at this time. [[Mastermind (Jason Wyngarde)|Jason Wyngarde]], also known as Mastermind, later became a probationary member pending his subversion of the X-Men's [[Jean Grey]] into the Club's Black Queen.

* '''[[Sebastian Shaw (character)|Sebastian Shaw]]''' - Black King
* '''[[Emma Frost]]''' - White Queen
* '''[[Donald Pierce]]''' - White Bishop
* '''[[Harry Leland]]''' - Black Bishop
* '''[[Mastermind (Jason Wyngarde)|Jason Wyngarde (Mastermind)]]''' - A probationary member who was presumably intended for one of the two Rooks.
* '''[[Phoenix Force|Phoenix]] (posing as [[Jean Grey]])''' - Black Queen
* '''[[Sage (Marvel Comics)|Tessa]]''' - Shaw's personal aide.
* '''[[Warhawk (Marvel Comics)|Warhawk]]''' - Associate of the Hellfire Club.

Following Mastermind's failed subversion of Jean Grey,<ref name="uxm132-135"/> the title of Black Queen was once again empty. Donald Pierce reached the rank of White King but was later expelled for conspiring against his mutant colleagues.<ref name=mgn4>''Marvel Graphic Novel'' #4</ref> New members appointed during this period were:

* '''[[Selene (comics)|Selene]]:''' - Black Queen<ref name="New Mutants vol. 1 #23">''The New Mutants'' #23</ref>
* '''[[Friedrich Von Roehm]]''' - Black Rook<ref>''The New Mutants'' #22</ref>
* '''[[Emmanuel da Costa (comics)|Emmanuel da Costa]]''' - White Rook<ref name="New Mutants vol. 1 #23"/>

A truce between the Hellfire Club and the X-Men began after an encounter with [[Nimrod (comics)|Nimrod]] resulted in the deaths of Leland and von Roehm.<ref name="uxm209"/> This truce soon grew into a formal alliance as [[Storm (Marvel Comics)|Storm]] and [[Magneto (Marvel Comics)|Magneto]], as the leaders of the X-Men and Xavier's school respectively, took over the shared position of White King.<ref name="nm51"/>

* '''[[Storm (Marvel Comics)|Storm]]''' - White King (with Magneto)
* '''[[Magneto (Marvel Comics)|Magneto]]''' - White King, later Grey King

Storm and the X-Men would later seemingly die, leaving Magneto alone to deal with the Inner Circle. After a protracted power struggle, Magneto turned Emma Frost and Selene against Shaw and expelled him from Inner Circle, assuming both mantles as the new Grey King.<ref name="The New Mutants #75"/> Magneto, while never formally resigning, would soon withdraw from the club, after relocating to Savage Land to deal with the threat of the villainess Zaladane.<ref>''The Uncanny X-Men'' #269</ref> Meanwhile, Selene would turn against Frost and Magneto after learning that the two had sent Empath (one of Emma's students) to Selene's Amazon fortress Nova Roma in order to subvert Selene's granddaughter Magma. Selene would create "The Upstarts", a group of young and wealthy mutants who replace the Hellfire Club. Organizing a "game" where whichever member killed the most Hellfire Club members would rule the group, Emma Frost's students in the Hellfire Club were slaughtered by Trevor Fitzroy and Emma herself put into a coma. Fitzroy also "killed" Donald Pierce and his [[Reavers (comics)|Reavers]]. Magneto meanwhile, having relocated to Asteroid M, invited a young healer named [[Fabian Cortez]] and his group known as the Acolytes to stay with him. Cortez (whose power was to boost other mutants abilities) manipulated Magneto into declaring war upon the X-Men and ultimately hijacked control over a [[S.H.I.E.L.D.]] orbital weapons platform, to blow up Asteroid M, seemingly killing Magneto. Sebastian Shaw would be "killed" by Shinobi Shaw, a young mutant who was fathered by Harry Leland but raised by Sebastian as his son.<ref name=uxm281282>''The Uncanny X-Men'' #281-282, ''X-Men'' #1-3, ''X-Factor'' #67</ref> In retaliation, Empath used his powers to manipulate all of Nova Roma (including Magma) into thinking they were kidnapped victims of Selene's, who had been manipulated due to her mind control powers, into thinking they were citizens of an ancient, long lost Roman settlement in South America.<ref>''The New Warriors'' #31</ref> Selene however, would soon fall prey to her new allies own wrath as Trevor Fitzroy and Selene's ally, the Gamemaster, turned against her and allowed Gamemaster to take control over the Upstarts.

White Rook Emmanuel da Costa was also killed around this period, though his death was unrelated to the agenda of the Upstarts. A group of immortal mutants known as the Externals, became aware of a prophecy that one of the New Mutants was destined to play a major role in the salvation of the planet. The prophecy referenced two New Mutants in particular, da Costa's son Sunspot and the New Mutant [[Cannonball (Marvel Comics)|Cannonball]], one of which potentially possessed the secondary mutation of immortality and the destiny of savior of mutantkind.<ref>''X-Force'' #21-23</ref> As [[Cable (character)|Cable]] infiltrated the New Mutants under the notion that Cannonball was to be the immortal messiah, the External's leader Gideon sought to corrupt Sunspot, who was the messiah promised in the prophecy.<ref>''X-Force'' #11-16, ''Avengers World'' #19-21</ref> Already a family friend, Gideon had da Costa's secretary poison the White Rook in order to force his super-hero son to leave the New Mutants and take leadership of his family's company.<ref>''The New Mutants'' #98</ref> When Cannonball survived a near fatal impaling (which Cable mistook as being the result of his being immortal), Gideon turned on Sunspot who was ultimately rescued by X-Force.<ref>''X-Force'' #15</ref>

With exception of da Costa, all of the Hellfire Club Lord Cardinals killed by the Upstarts later recovered. Sebastian Shaw faked his death, as did Magneto. Donald Pierce was rebuilt by [[Stryfe]] along with the rest of the Reavers, while Emma Frost recovered from her coma and repented her evil ways.

====Shinobi Shaw's Upstart Inner Circle====
Selene had originally planned on creating a new Inner Circle with the help of the [[Upstarts (comics)|Upstarts]] - among them [[Shinobi Shaw]], son of Sebastian Shaw - but they betrayed and imprisoned her. Believing to have successfully assassinated his father,<ref>''X-Factor'' #67</ref> Shinobi Shaw briefly took over the New York branch of the Club, seemingly with support from the [[Externals|External]] [[Candra (comics)|Candra]]. He offered membership in his Inner Circle to [[Warren Worthington III|Archangel]],<ref name="hell29"/> Storm,<ref name="X-Men vol. 2 Annual #3">''X-Men'' Annual #3</ref> and [[Sunspot (Marvel Comics)|Sunspot]] (also known as Roberto da Costa, son of former White Rook Emmanuel da Costa),<ref name="X-Force vol. 1 #62">''X-Force'' #62</ref> but all declined.

* '''[[Shinobi Shaw]]''' - Black King
* '''Benedict Kine''' - White King
* '''Benazir Kaur''' - White Queen
* '''Reeva Payge''' - Black Queen
* '''[[Candra (comics)|Candra]]''' - Associate
* '''Cordelia Frost''' - Probationary member
* '''Ebon Knights''' - Shinobi Shaw's Black Guard
* '''Ivory Knights''' - Benedict Kine's White Guard

The titles of Payge and Kaur are not established. When Cordelia Frost (younger sister of Emma) applies for membership to the Inner Circle, Shinobi states that the title of White Queen is already taken.<ref>''Generation X'' Annual '95</ref>

Shinobi Shaw's actions as Black King were limited to failed attempts at extending his influence and monitoring the London branch of the Club.

====The London Branch====
The Hellfire Club's London branch is introduced briefly operating parallel to Shinobi's Inner Circle.<ref name="Excalibur vol. 1 #96">''Excalibur'' #96</ref>  Instead of Black and White, the titles of the London Inner Circle are designated Black and Red.

* '''Emma Steed''' - Black Queen<ref name=london>''Marvel Atlas'' #1</ref>
* '''[[Margali Szardos]]''' - Red Queen
* '''Quentin Templeton''' - Black King<ref name=london/>
* '''Alan Wilson''' - Red King<ref name=london/>
* '''[[Captain Britain|Brian Braddock (Captain Britain)]]''' - Black Bishop
* '''Conrad Strathdee''' - Red Bishop<ref name=london/>
* '''Jane Hampshire (possessed by [[Mountjoy (comics)|Mountjoy]])''' - Red Rook<ref name=london/>
* '''Rutledge''' - Servant

Captain Britain, having inherited club membership from his father, Sir James Braddock, was asked by Shinobi Shaw to infiltrate the London Inner Circle, as the branch's mysterious agenda surely ran counter to both their interests.<ref name="Excalibur vol. 1 #96"/> The London Branch and their plans were soon brought to an end after a failed attempt to use a demon's essence to control the city.<ref>''Excalibur'' #99-100</ref> The Black Queen and Red King were taken into police custody.

====Shaw's Second Circle====
Sebastian Shaw, despite his apparent death, later re-emerged<ref>''X-Force'' #48</ref> and retook control of the Hellfire Club in attempt to restore its former power and glory. Selene, freed from her imprisonment by the Upstarts, took under her influence a resurrected [[Madelyne Pryor]] in her quest for revenge.<ref>''X-Man'' #7</ref><ref>''X-Man'' #13</ref><ref>''X-Man'' #16-17</ref> Shaw meanwhile attempted to ally with the [[Age of Apocalypse|AOA]]-exile [[Holocaust (Marvel Comics)|Holocaust]]. Meeting in New York, Shaw proposes a reformation of the Inner Circle with the following line-up:<ref>''X-Man'' #20-22</ref> At first operating in secret from outside the Hellfire Club (still under Shinobi Shaw's control), Sebastian's group soon reasserted control over the organization.<ref name="X-Man #28">''X-Man'' #28</ref>

* '''[[Sebastian Shaw (character)|Sebastian Shaw]]''' - Black King
* '''[[Selene (comics)|Selene]]''' - Black Queen
* '''[[Trevor Fitzroy]]''' - White Rook
* '''[[Madelyne Pryor]]''' - Red Queen
* '''[[Donald Pierce]]''' - Applicant for White Bishop
* '''[[Sage (Marvel Comics)|Tessa]]''' - Shaw's personal aide
* '''Ella''' - Selene's personal servant
* '''[[Holocaust (Marvel Comics)|Holocaust]]''' - Associate
* '''Miss Hoo''' - Associate

Selene's mind control over Madelyne Pryor eventually waned, and the Black Rook's allegiance soon turned to Sebastian Shaw.<ref>''X-Man'' #24-25</ref> Concerned, Selene contacted Fitzroy and Tessa to counteract the changing balance of power.<ref name="X-Man #28"/> Donald Pierce returned to the Hellfire Club as a probationary member,<ref>''Cable'' #47</ref> however his failure in attaining the alien technology of [[Apocalypse (character)|Apocalypse]] resulted in his expulsion from the group.<ref>''Cable'' #50-53</ref> Pryor meanwhile had betrayed and deserted the club. Shaw, presented with a mysterious offer,<ref>''X-Men'' vol. 2 #72</ref> decided to accept its terms and resign from the Inner Circle, advising Fitzroy to do the same.<ref name="xmen73"/>

====Selene's Hellfire Club====
Selene, finding herself the sole remaining member of the Inner Circle, reformed the club in her own image and allied with the ruler of Hell, [[Blackheart]]. After a confrontation with the [[Fantastic Four]], Blackheart is imprisoned and Selene's captive [[Daimon Hellstrom]] is freed; Hellstorm then became the club's White King to ensure a balance of power and light.<ref>''Fantastic Four'' Annual '99</ref> Selene would later successfully induct [[Sunspot (Marvel Comics)|Sunspot]] (Roberto da Costa, son of former Black Rook Emmanuel da Costa) into the Inner Circle,<ref>''X-Force'' #98-100</ref> offering the resurrection of his long-dead girlfriend, Julianna, who died saving his life.<ref>''Marvel Graphic Novel'' #4 ("The New Mutants")</ref>

* '''[[Selene (comics)|Selene]]''' - Black Queen
* '''[[Blackheart]]''' - Black King
* '''[[Daimon Hellstrom]]''' - White King
* '''[[Sunspot (Marvel Comics)|Roberto da Costa (Sunspot)]]''' - Black Rook

It is unknown what led to the dissolution of this incarnation. The Hellfire Club was found closed and abandoned, covered in blackbriar thorns; Selene herself was trapped inside the mansion, unable to leave.<ref>''The Uncanny X-Men'' #452</ref>

====The Fifth Inner Circle====
After the death of Sir Gordon Phillips at the hands of the Brotherhood of Mutants,<ref name="Uncanny X-Men #388"/> Sebastian Shaw positioned himself as the new Lord Imperial and, as such, oversaw the entire Hellfire Club.<ref>''The Uncanny X-Men'' (Vol. 1) #453.</ref>

* '''[[Sebastian Shaw (character)|Sebastian Shaw]]''' - Lord Imperial
* '''[[Sunspot (Marvel Comics)|Roberto da Costa (Sunspot)]]''' - Black King
* '''[[Selene (comics)|Selene]]''' - Black Queen
* '''[[Sat-Yr-9]] (as [[Courtney Ross]])''' - White Queen
* '''[[Viper (Madame Hydra)|Viper]]''' - White Warrior Princess
* '''[[Sage (Marvel Comics)|Tessa]]''' - Shaw's personal aide and Sunspot's personal adviser.
* '''[[Red Lotus (comics)|Red Lotus]]''' - Associate

Selene, despite remaining imprisoned underneath the Hellfire Club's New York mansion and not actively participating in the Inner Circle, has apparently retained her title of Black Queen.{{Volume needed|c=y|date=November 2012}} It was also revealed that Emma Frost, despite having left the club long ago and having since joined the X-Men, still retained her membership and White Queen title.<ref>''The Uncanny X-Men'' (Vol. 1) #452.</ref> [[Sat-Yr-9]] confronts Emma Frost and, assuming her title, becomes the newest addition to the Inner Circle, bringing with her bodyguard and self-appointed "White Warrior Princess" [[Madame Hydra|Viper]].<ref>''The Uncanny X-Men'' (Vol. 1) #452-453.</ref>

A confrontation with Donald Pierce leaves Sebastian Shaw gravely injured, and Sunspot takes over as Lord Imperial, which was Tessa's plan all along.<ref>''The Uncanny X-Men'' (Vol. 1) #452-454.</ref> Tessa left the Club, still under Sunspot's rule, and joined [[Excalibur (comics)#New Excalibur (2005–2007)|New Excalibur]] in the wake of [[Decimation (comics)|M-Day]].<ref>''New Excalibur'' #2-3.</ref> Shaw has since returned as the Black King, seemingly plotting to rebuild his power base.<ref>''X-Men: Endangered Species'' One-Shot (2007).</ref>

During the same period, Sat-Yr-9 sends Viper to command an attack on Zanzibar, which she does with the help of the piratical militia the Weaponeers. However, Viper is betrayed by the Weaponeers and makes a truce with mutants from the rebuilding nation of Genosha against her former allies.<ref>''Excalibur'' (Vol. 3) #11-13.</ref>

====Nova's Inner Circle====
[[File:New Hellfire.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Emma Frost's illusory Inner Circle (left to right): Negasonic Teenage Warhead, Perfection, Cassandra Nova, and Sebastian Shaw]]

* '''[[Emma Frost]]'''
* '''[[Sebastian Shaw (character)|Sebastian Shaw]]'''
* '''[[Emma Frost|Perfection]]'''
* '''[[Cassandra Nova]]'''
* '''[[Negasonic Teenage Warhead]]'''

A mysterious new Inner Circle emerged in the pages of 'Astonishing X-Men' vol. 3. Members of this version were never given titles, since they were revealed to be psionic projections created by Emma Frost at the behest of [[Cassandra Nova]]. In an attempt to free herself from confinement by the X-Men, Cassandra had placed a portion of her consciousness in Frost's prior to being mentally imprisoned, and launched an assault on the [[X-Mansion]] using Emma as a Trojan horse. Other than Nova, each member appears to represent a different aspect of Emma's past, with [[Negasonic Teenage Warhead]] being a former student of hers who died in [[Genosha]]; Perfection, a manifestation of Emma's younger, evil self; and Sebastian Shaw representing her time with the Hellfire Club.<ref>''Astonishing X-Men'' vol. 3 #13-18</ref>

====Selene's second Inner Circle====
Selene, finding herself once again the sole remaining member of the Inner Circle, and disappointed by the many betrayals from Sebastian Shaw and his Hellfire Club, decided it was time to rise to goddesshood, a state she believed she was destined for.<ref>''X-Necrosha'' #1</ref> To accomplish that, she specifically recruited a Coven of deadly mutants to seek revenge against all those that had betrayed her or stood in her way in the past. Together they went to the New York branch of the Hellfire Club, where she cut all ties with them by using her new Inner Circle to slaughter every person there. This Inner Circle was made up of mostly by mutants whose abilities were designed for killing. Membership consisted of:

* '''[[Blink (character)|Blink]]''' 
* '''[[Senyaka]]'''
* '''[[Lois London|Mortis]]'''
* '''[[Wither (comics)|Wither]]'''
* '''[[Eli Bard]]''' - only non-mutant member. Turned into a vampire-like creature by Selene.

====The Sixth Inner Circle====
Sebastian Shaw's Inner Circle eventually reemerged. [[Wolverine (character)|Wolverine]] came into confrontation with a new "Inner Circle", under the false impression (by Sebastian Shaw and  "[[Miss Sinister]]") that they are behind the kidnapping of his son, [[Daken]].<ref>''X-Men: Legacy'' #215</ref>

* '''[[Sebastian Shaw (character)|Sebastian Shaw]]'''
* '''[[Miss Sinister|Claudine Renko (Miss Sinister)]]'''
* '''Mr. Castlemere'''
* '''Turner'''
* '''Peter Scholl (Leonine)'''
* '''Mercedes'''

====The Seventh Inner Circle====
In the event "Schism", there has apparently been a pro-human coup in the Hellfire Club, all mutant members have been removed, and 12-year-old supergenius Kade Kilgore has been named the new Black King.<ref>''X-Men: Schism'' #1</ref> Kilgore then called together a cabal of prepubescent geniuses to secretly rule the Hellfire Club and eradicate mutantkind, then proceeding to poison the other remaining Hellfire Club members, making them the sole leadership.<ref>''X-Men: Schism'' #3</ref><ref>''X-Men: Schism'' #5</ref> Kilgore later had a change of heart and began recruiting mutants to his side to train the newly manifested mutants at the Hellfire Academy.<ref name="Wolverine and the X-Men #20">''Wolverine and the X-Men'' #20</ref> The Hellfire Academy is destroyed by the staff of the Jean Grey School.<ref name="Wolverine and the X-Men #35">''Wolverine and the X-Men'' #35</ref>

* '''[[Kade Kilgore]]''' - Black King. A twelve-year-old sociopath who is also the leader of the group. 
* '''Doctor [[Maximilian Frankenstein]]''' (formerly '''Baron Maximilian von Katzenelnbogen''') - Black Bishop. Descendant of [[Victor Frankenstein]]. He was responsible for creating the [[Krakoa]] that the X-Men befriended and the Krakoas that defended the unnamed island where the Hellfire Academy is located.<ref>''X-Men: Schism'' #2</ref>
* '''Manuel Enduque''' - White King. He is well-versed in weaponry with his family reportedly being a dynasty of slavers in Africa with Manuel having strangled his own father to death, thus resulting in him taking control of the business.
* '''Wilhemina Kensington''' - White Queen. She is an eleven year old with a love of martial arts and beauty pageants who inherited the company after her mother died. She is also both psychopathic and sociopathic, having killed human guards and alien warriors and is also alleged to have mutilated both cats and penguins.

; '''Associates:'''
* '''[[Sabretooth (character)|Sabretooth]]'''<ref name=autogenerated2>''Wolverine and the X-Men'' #32</ref>
* '''[[Ezekiel Stane]]'''<ref name=autogenerated2 />
* '''[[Blackheart#Kid Blackheart|Kid Blackheart]]'''<ref name=autogenerated2 />
* '''Cordelia Frost'''<ref name=autogenerated2 />
* '''Szandor Shaw'''
* '''Kevin Krask'''
* '''Kenneth Krask'''
* '''Wolfgang von Roehm'''

====The Eighth Inner Circle====
Sebastian Shaw has since regained control of the Hellfire Club and in an attempt to restore its former power and glory, decided to ally himself with Magneto and his X-Men branch to form a new Inner Circle.<ref>''The Uncanny X-Men'' (Vol. 3) #11-14.</ref>

* '''[[Sebastian Shaw (character)|Sebastian Shaw]]''' - Black King
* '''Briar Raleigh''' - Black Bishop - Magneto's former associate and the only non-mutant within the Inner Circle
* '''[[M (Marvel Comics)|Monet St. Croix]]''' - White Queen
* '''[[Black Tom Cassidy]]''' - White Bishop

====The Ninth Inner Circle====
Eventually Emma Frost decided to rid of Shaw, by spiking his wine with a paralytic agent she made sure there was no way for him to release his body's absorbed energies which overloaded his Mothervine-induced secondary mutation, resulting in his death.<ref>''X-Men: Black - Emma Frost'' #1</ref> She then reformed the Inner Circle in her image<ref>''The Uncanny X-Men'' vol. 5 #20</ref> and using [[Vanisher]] as her personal transportation, she worked behind the scenes to get the X-Men to handle certain affairs.

*'''Black King''': Emma Frost
*'''White King''': [[Mystique (character)|Mystique]]
*'''Black Bishop''': [[Elixir (character)|Elixir]]
*'''Black Rook''': [[Marrow (character)|Marrow]]

====The Tenth Inner Circle====
With mutants congregating on Krakoa, Kade Kilgore is able to retake control of the Hellfire Club branch in New York City. Opting later to rename themselves as "'''Homines Verendi'''", a Latin name which roughly translates to "man must be revered and feared", Kade and his group (Maximilian Frankenstein, Manuel Enduque, and Wilhemina Kensington) recruited Taiwanese millionaire and anti-mutant activist, Chen Zhao and stands poised ready to tear down the new age of mutantkind as they are involved in the Krakoans' problems.<ref>''Marauders'' #4</ref>

With each of the founding members already in possession of massive fortunes, they succeeded in taking over Madripoor, an island in Southeast Asia, and are using it as its base of power. While it is unknown whether or not the royal family of Madripoor has been detained, fled or simply murdered, the island is no longer a safe haven for mutants. Once used as a base of operations for the X-Man Wolverine while using the alias "Patch", Madripoor has now degenerated into a country that is openly hostile toward mutants and has even gone so far as to offer its citizens payment for killing mutants. It has almost become a dark reflection of Krakoa and everything that it stands for and recruited long-time X-Men foe [[Donald Pierce]] to act as Madripoor’s official representative to the United Nations.<ref>''Marauders'' #5</ref>

They also secretly aid Hellfire Club member Sebastian Shaw in the murder of [[Kitty Pryde]]. Shaw paid Verendi to participate in his scheme to get Kitty alone on Verendi's ship so that he could ensnare her in Krakoan vines and sink her with the ship.<ref>''Marauders'' #6</ref>

* '''Kade Kilgore''' - Black King
* '''Manuel Enduque''' - White King
* '''Chen Zhao''' - White Bishop
* '''[[Maximilian Frankenstein]]''' - Black Bishop
* '''[[X-Cutioner]]'''
* '''[[Donald Pierce]]''' 
* '''[[Hate-Monger]]'''
* '''[[Darren Cross|Yellowjacket/Darren Cross]]'''

===Members===
The following characters are members of the Hellfire Club, many of them being extremely influential, but were not part of any of the Inner Circle incarnations mentioned above. Membership is either [[hereditary]], or obtained through personal invitation from the branch's King. Known members include:

* '''Warren Worthington Jr.''' and '''Kathryn Worthington'''<ref name="hellsangel"/> (both deceased) - invited by Ned Buckman<ref name=hellparents/>
* '''[[Howard Stark]]''' (deceased)<ref name=hellparents/> - invited by Ned Buckman
* '''Sir James Braddock''' (deceased)<ref name="hell29"/> - invited by Ned Buckman, former Black Bishop of the London Branch, left the Inner Circle when his inventions were used for anti-mutant purposes.
* '''[[Robert Kelly (character)|Senator Robert Kelly]]''' (deceased)
* '''[[Warren Worthington III|Warren Worthington III (Angel)]]'''<ref name=hellsangel>''The Uncanny X-Men'' #132</ref> - inherited membership from his father.
* '''[[Candace Southern|Candace "Candy" Southern]]'''<ref name=hellsangel/> (deceased)
* '''[[Betsy Braddock|Elizabeth Braddock (Psylocke)]]'''<ref name=hell29>''X-Men'' vol. 2 #29</ref> - inherited membership.
* '''[[Jamie Braddock|James Braddock Jr.]]''' - inherited membership.
* '''Berhard Van Ostamgen'''<ref>''The New Mutants'' #53</ref> - failed entry into Inner Circle
* '''Ronald Parvenue'''<ref name=hell29/>
* '''[[Night Thrasher (Dwayne Taylor)|Dwayne Taylor (Night Thrasher)]]''' (deceased)<ref name=hell29/>
* '''[[Iron Man|Anthony Stark (Iron Man)]]'''<ref name=xmen73>''X-Men'' #73</ref> - inherited membership from his father
* '''[[Green Goblin|Norman Osborn (Green Goblin)]]'''<ref name=xmen73/>
* '''Bianca LeNeige'''
* '''[[Vance Astrovik]]'''
* '''Oliver Ryland''' - Elias Bogan's protégé
* '''[[Kingmaker (comics)|The Kingmaker]]'''
* '''[[Rachel Summers]]''' - White Warrior Princess, invited by Emma Frost
* '''[[Spitfire (character)|Lady Jacqueline Falsworth-Crichton]]''' - inherited membership
* '''Angus Munroe'''<ref>''Marvel Graphic Novel'' #63: (Spider-Man - Spirits of the Earth)</ref> - deceased

====Past members====
* '''Philadelphia, 1780/81:''' Sir Patrick Clemens (King title), Lady Diana Knight (Queen title), [[Jean Grey#Ancestry|Lady Grey]] (Queen title), Elizabeth Shaw-Worthington, Major General Wallace Worthington, Commander Clinton
* '''London, 1859:''' Lord Braddock, Mr. Shaw (Sebastian Shaw's great-grandfather and Cornelius Shaw's father)
* '''Boston, 1872/74:''' Anton Pierce (Member of the Inner Circle)
* '''London, 1915:''' Brigadier-General Cornelius Shaw, Sir Harry Manners, Waltham Pierce

In ''[[Runaways (comics)|Runaways]]'' #10, [[Emma Frost]] tells [[Cyclops (Marvel Comics)|Cyclops]] that the Hellfire Club had once reached out for [[the Hayeses]], though the attempt went awry because the Hayeses were "sadistic monsters".<ref>''[[Runaways (comics)|Runaways]]'' #10</ref>

===Staff===
The Hellfire Club has employed a large number of mostly-anonymous armed guards. A few have been named:

* Wade Cole<ref name="colemaconreese">''The Uncanny X-Men'' #133</ref>
* Angelo Macon<ref name="colemaconreese" />
* Murray Reese<ref name="colemaconreese" />
* [[Cannonball (Marvel Comics)|Samuel Guthrie (Cannonball)]]<ref name=mgn4/>
* Richard Salmons<ref>''The Uncanny X-Men'' #210</ref>
* Randall Chase<ref>''Firestar'' #1-4</ref>
* Chet Andrews<ref>''X-Men Unlimited'' #33</ref>

Cole, Macon and Reese were savagely wounded by [[Wolverine (character)|Wolverine]] in the Hellfire Club's first confrontation with the X-Men.<ref name="colemaconreese" /> They would return to duty as [[cyborgs]]<ref name="mgn4" /><ref>''The Uncanny X-Men'' #152</ref> before leaving the Club to join [[Lady Deathstrike]] in seeking revenge against Wolverine,<ref>''The Uncanny X-Men'' #205</ref> eventually joining the [[Reavers (comics)|Reavers]].<ref name="uxm247">''The Uncanny X-Men'' #247</ref>  [[Cannonball (Marvel Comics)|Sam Guthrie]] worked as a Hellfire guard for a brief period before joining the [[New Mutants]] as Cannonball.<ref name="mgn4" /> Kade Kilgore also recruited two survivors of private military company Blackguard, who were augmented with adamantium skeletons, and laser claws as his personal bodyguards.<ref>''Wolverine and the X-Men'' #16</ref>

The Hellfire Club also employs a number of servants, escorts and strippers. Sharon Kelly was a waitress at the New York branch who was chosen by Sebastian Shaw to seduce [[Robert Kelly (character)|Senator Robert Kelly]].<ref>''The Uncanny X-Men'' #246</ref> The couple quickly married, but soon afterwards Sharon was killed in a battle involving the X-Men,<ref name=uxm247/> further fueling her husband's hatred for mutants.

===Massachusetts Academy===
{{Main|Massachusetts Academy (comics)}}
{{Further|Hellions (comics)}}

The Hellfire Club was aligned with the prestigious [[University-preparatory school|prep school]] the [[Massachusetts Academy (comics)|Massachusetts Academy]], run by White Queen [[Emma Frost]], for a number of years.<ref>''The Uncanny X-Men'' #129</ref> In addition to its large, traditional, student body, the Academy secretly trained a team of young [[Mutant (Marvel Comics)|mutants]] known as the [[Hellions (Marvel Comics)|Hellions]].<ref>''The New Mutants'' #16</ref> Due to their affiliation with the Club, the Hellions were often present at its social functions. This group would entertain a rivalry with [[Professor X|Professor Charles Xavier]]'s students at the time, the [[New Mutants]].

After the death of the Hellions in an attack orchestrated by the [[Upstarts (comics)|Upstarts]],<ref name=uxm281282/> Emma Frost left the Hellfire Club. Re-aligning herself with Professor Xavier, the Massachusetts Academy became the new site for [[Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters]] and a new class, known as [[Generation X (comics)|Generation X]].<ref>''The Uncanny X-Men'' #318</ref><ref>''Generation X'' #1</ref>

===Hellfire Academy===
The seventh incarnation of the Hellfire Club have since founded the '''Hellfire Academy''', a rival to the Jean Grey School for Higher Learning. It is located on an unnamed island.<ref name="Wolverine and the X-Men #20"/> According to Kade Kilgore, the purpose of recruiting newly empowered mutants is to train them to be supervillains so he can then profit from the fear generated by them through his Sentinel program.<ref>''Wolverine and the X-Men'' #31</ref> Staff outside the Hellfire Club's leadership include:

* '''[[Mystique (character)|Mystique]]''' - Headmistress who also teaches Intro to Evil. Joined in ''Wolverine and the X-Men'' #20.<ref name="Wolverine and the X-Men #20"/>
* '''[[Sabretooth (character)|Sabretooth]]''' - Headmaster. Joined in ''Wolverine and the X-Men'' #3.
* '''[[Dog Logan]]''' - Brother of [[Wolverine (character)|Wolverine]]. He teaches [[physical education]]. Joined in ''Wolverine and the X-Men'' #29.
* '''Dr. Xanto Starblood''' - Self-proclaimed ''Extreme Zoologist'' who teaches Xenobiology. Joined in ''Wolverine and the X-Men'' #30
* '''[[Husk (comics)|Husk]]''' - Former X-Man. She is the [[lunch lady]] and [[librarian]]. Joined sometime after ''Wolverine and the X-Men'' #19.; later rejoined X-Men{{Volume needed|c=y|date=August 2013}}
* '''Lord Deathstrike''' - Brother of Lady Deathstrike who works as a recruited resourcer. Joined in ''Wolverine and the X-Men'' #20.<ref name="Wolverine and the X-Men #20"/>
* '''[[Master Pandemonium]]''' - He teaches Hell Literature. Joined in ''Wolverine and the X-Men'' #20.<ref name="Wolverine and the X-Men #20"/>
* '''Madame Mondo''' - Female member of the Spineless Ones from the [[Mojoverse]]. She works as the Public Relations teacher. Joined in ''Wolverine and the X-Men'' #20.<ref name="Wolverine and the X-Men #20"/>
* '''[[Sauron (Marvel Comics)|Sauron]]''' - He works as a [[Science education|science teacher]]. Joined in ''Wolverine and the X-Men'' #20.<ref name="Wolverine and the X-Men #20"/>
* '''[[Silver Samurai]]''' -The son of the original Silver Samurai who works as a designer. Joined in ''Wolverine and the X-Men'' #20.<ref name="Wolverine and the X-Men #20"/>
* '''The Philistine''' - Joined in ''Wolverine and the X-Men'' #20.<ref name="Wolverine and the X-Men #20"/>
* '''[[Toad (Marvel Comics)|Toad]]''' - Joined in ''Wolverine and the X-Men'' #30.; left in ''Wolverine and the X-Men'' #33; later rejoined X-Men{{Volume needed|c=y|date=August 2013}}
* '''[[Wendigo (comics)|Wendigo]]''' - He works as a Danger Room Instructor. Joined in ''Wolverine and the X-Men'' #20.<ref name="Wolverine and the X-Men #20"/>

The students of the Hellfire Academy include:

* '''[[Broo (comics)|Broo]]''' - Joined in ''Wolverine and the X-Men'' #30; later rejoined X-Men{{Volume needed|c=y|date=August 2013}}
* '''[[Glob Herman]]''' - Joined prior to ''Wolverine and the X-Men'' #18 
* '''Infestation''' - Joined in ''Wolverine and the X-Men'' #31 
* '''Mudbug''' - Joined in ''Wolverine and the X-Men'' #20<ref name="Wolverine and the X-Men #20"/>
* '''[[Oya (comics)|Oya]]''' - Joined in ''Wolverine and the X-Men'' #29; left in ''Wolverine and the X-Men'' #33; later rejoined X-Men{{Volume needed|c=y|date=August 2013}}
* '''[[Quentin Quire|Kid Omega]]''' - Joined in ''Wolverine and the X-Men'' #30; left in ''Wolverine and the X-Men'' #32; later rejoined X-Men{{Volume needed|c=y|date=August 2013}}
* '''Snot''' - Joined in ''Wolverine and the X-Men'' #31
* '''Tin Man''' - Joined in ''X-Men'' vol. 3 #41

===Hellfire Trading Company===
In the wake of the establishment of the mutant nation of [[Krakoa]] in the 2019 series ''[[House of X and Powers of X]]'', Emma Frost reforms the Club and reorganized it into the Hellfire Trading Company, the distribution arm for the Krakoan drugs produced by the mutant nation-state. Sailing out of Hellfire Bay, its ships the Marauder, the Upstart and the Mercury perform public delivery of mutant goods, while also smuggling the drugs illicitly and freeing mutants from unfriendly nations. The company is run by a new Inner Circle which is compose of a triple dynasty of black, white and red Hellfire royalty.<ref>''Marauders'' #2</ref>

* '''White Palace'''
** '''White Queen''': [[Stepford Cuckoos]]: [[Emma Frost]] (''formerly'')
** '''White Bishop''': [[Christian Frost]]
** '''White Knight''': [[Callisto (comics)|Callisto]]
* '''Blackstone'''
** '''Black Queen''': [[Lourdes Chantel]]; [[Sebastian Shaw (character)|Sebastian Shaw]] (''formerly Black King'')
** '''Black Bishop''': [[Shinobi Shaw]]
** '''Black Knights''': [[Fenris (comics)|Andrea and Andreas Strucker]]
* '''Red Keep'''
** '''Red Queen''': [[Kitty Pryde|Katherine Pryde]]
** '''Red Bishop''': [[Bishop (Marvel Comics)|Lucas Bishop]]

==Other versions==
===Age of Apocalypse===
In the alternate universe known as the ''[[Age of Apocalypse]]'', the Hellfire Club was not active and was possibly decimated by the forces of [[Apocalypse (character)|Apocalypse]]. Its closest counterpart is Heaven, [[Warren Worthington III]]'s nightclub, which formed a neutral zone. After the ascension of Weapon X, Sebastian Shaw renames the nightclub the Hellfire Club while aiming to gain power.<ref>''Age of Apocalypse'' #3</ref>

===Bishop's Future===
The Hellfire Club retains its position as one of the world's major powers in the future timeline of [[Bishop (Marvel Comics)|Bishop]]. The Club is ruled by Anthony Shaw, a descendant of Sebastian Shaw; he also has an illegitimate son, [[Trevor Fitzroy]]. Malcolm, a colleague of Bishop and member of [[Xavier's Security Enforcers]] (X.S.E.), was also a member of the Club.

===Clan Hellfire===
In a future dominated by Trevor Fitzroy, calling himself the Chronomancer, one of the forces opposing his rule is Clan Hellfire, led by a Samara Shaw.<ref>''Bishop the Last X-Man'' #5</ref>

===X-Men: Ronin===
In one alternate reality in which the X-Men are based in Japan, the Hellfire Club is ruled by [[Professor X]]avier. The White Queen Emma Frost is a junior member who, along with Tessa, believe Xavier to be their biological father. The Club controls the Shadowcat Clan of ninjas, which includes [[Pyro (Marvel Comics)|Pyro]], [[Iceman (Marvel Comics)|Iceman]] and [[Colossus (character)|Colossus]].

===Marvel Noir===
In ''[[X-Men Noir]]'', the Hellfire Club is an exclusive S&M club owned by Sebastian Shaw, and is plundered early on by [[Beast (Marvel Comics)|Beast]], [[Cyclops (Marvel Comics)|Cyclops]] and [[Iceman (Marvel Comics)|Iceman]].<ref>''X-Men: Noir'' #2</ref>

===Ultimate Marvel===
In the [[Ultimate Marvel]] universe, the modem Hellfire Club is led by Sebastian Shaw (with other notable members being Xavier spy Gerald Lavine, and Shaw's son Shinobi) who worship a pagan "[[Phoenix God]]" dating back to its foundation and ties to Egyptian lore. Believing the Phoenix to be incarnated in the body of X-Man [[Ultimate X-Men#X-Men|Jean Grey]], the Club quietly funded Professor Charles Xavier as she developed under his tutelage. Jean however underwent a [[mental breakdown]], and stole the Inner Circle's bank access codes and wiped their minds.<ref name=autogenerated1>''Ultimate X-Men'' #24</ref>

A group called the [[Shi'ar#Ultimate Marvel|Church of Shi'ar Enlightenment]] later approached the [[X-Mansion|Xavier Institute]], claiming the Hellfire Club was a breakaway sect, and asking to examine whether or not Jean really is the Phoenix God.<ref name=autogenerated1 /> However, [[Lilandra Neramani|Lilandra]]'s assistant Lavine was revealed to be an operative of the Hellfire Club and working for Shinobi Shaw. Shaw is dating Emma Frost, headmistress of the [[New Mutants|Academy of Tomorrow]] and secretly a member of the Hellfire Club.<ref name=autogenerated1 />

===Ultimate Universe===
During the "[[Ultimate Invasion]]" storyline, [[Maker (character)|Maker]] traveled to [[Ultimate Universe|Earth-6160]] and remade it into his own image. [[Emmanuel da Costa (comics)|Emmanuel da Costa]] of [[Illuminati (comics)#Maker's Council|Maker's Council]] serves as the Black King of the Hellfire Club.<ref>''Ultimate Invasion'' #3. Marvel Comics.</ref>

==In other media==
===Television===
* The Inner Circle Club appears in ''[[X-Men: The Animated Series]]'', consisting of [[Sebastian Shaw (character)|Sebastian Shaw]], [[Mastermind (Jason Wyngarde)|Jason Wyngarde]], [[Emma Frost]], [[Donald Pierce]], and [[Harry Leland]]. Following a cameo appearance in the episode "The Phoenix Saga - Part IV", they attempt to brainwash [[Jean Grey]] into joining them during the four-part episode "The Dark Phoenix". After being foiled, Shaw, Pierce, and Frost escape while Wyngarde is left catatonic and Leland goes missing following a fight with [[Wolverine (character)|Wolverine]].
* The Inner Circle appears in ''[[Wolverine and the X-Men (TV series)|Wolverine and the X-Men]]'', consisting of Sebastian Shaw, Harry Leland, Donald Pierce, [[Selene (comics)|Selene]], Emma Frost, and the [[Stepford Cuckoos]]. Similarly to the [[Ultimate Marvel]] incarnation, this version of the group seek to gain the [[Phoenix Force]]'s power. After spending most of the series infiltrating the X-Men to locate Jean Grey, Frost kidnaps her so the Inner Circle can perform a ritual to extract the Phoenix Force and place it into the Stepford Cuckoos. However, they are unable to control it, leading to Leland and Pierce being killed by falling debris while Frost subdues Shaw and Selene before sacrificing herself to release the Phoenix Force into space.
* The Inner Circle appears in ''[[Marvel Anime|Marvel Anime: X-Men]]'', consisting of Jason Wyngarde; '''Rat''' (voiced by Manabu Sakamaki in the Japanese version and by [[Michael Sinterniklaas]] in the English dub), who can project metal discs from his body; '''Marsh''' (voiced by [[Yuichi Nakamura (voice actor)|Yuichi Nakamura]] in the Japanese version and by [[Mary Elizabeth McGlynn]] in the English dub), who can dissolve into liquid; and '''Neuron''' / White Bishop (voiced by [[Yutaka Aoyama]] in the Japanese version and by [[Dave Wittenberg]] in the English dub), who possesses a shell and can amplify a target's senses via strips from his body. Additionally, Harry Leland and Emma Frost appear as members of the group in flashbacks. Following a failed attempt to manipulate Jean Grey into using the Phoenix Force for their purposes before she sacrificed herself to stop them, the Inner Circle attempt to use a reality-warping mutant named Takeo Sasaki. However, Rat, Marsh, and Neuron are killed by the X-Men while Wyngarde is killed by Takeo.
* A live-action television series titled ''Hellfire'' was in development at [[20th Century Fox Television]] and [[Marvel Television]], with an early 2017 airdate.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://marvel.com/news/tv/25282/fox_in_development_on_hellfire_working_title?linkId=17951885 |title=Fox in Development on 'Hellfire' (Working Title) |publisher=[[Marvel.com]] |date=October 14, 2015 |access-date=October 14, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017013533/http://marvel.com/news/tv/25282/fox_in_development_on_hellfire_working_title?linkId=17951885 |archive-date=October 17, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.slashfilm.com/x-men-hellfire-club-premiere/|title='X-Men' Spinoff 'Hellfire Club' May Premiere Early 2017; Plus a Minor 'Rambo' Update|publisher=[[/Film]]|last=Topel|first=Fred|date=January 15, 2016}}</ref> However, on July 12, 2016, ''Variety'' reported that the project is no longer moving forward.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/marvel-fox-series-matt-nix-pilot-commmitment-1201812851/|title=Marvel 'X-Men' Series from Matt Nix, Bryan Singer Lands Put Pilot Commitment at Fox (EXCLUSIVE)|publisher=Variety|last=Wagmeister|first=Elizabeth|date=July 12, 2016}}</ref>
* The Hellfire Club appears in ''[[The Gifted (U.S. TV series)|The Gifted]]'', consisting of [[Reeva Payge]], the Frost sisters, Andy Strucker, [[Polaris (Marvel Comics)|Lorna Dane]], Fade, and [[Sage (Marvel Comics)|Sage]]. Under Payge, this version of the group pursues mutant liberation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/gifted-mutant-underground-hellfire-club-trailer/|title=The Gifted Trailer Teases Mutant Underground vs. Hellfire Club|publisher=[[Screen Rant]]|last=Raymond|first=Nicholas|date=August 14, 2018}}</ref>

===Film===
* The Hellfire Club appears in ''[[X-Men: First Class]]'',<ref>[[Knowles, Harry]] (August 20, 2010). [http://aintitcool.com/node/46217 "So Bryan Singer just called regarding Matthew Vaughn's X-MEN: FIRST CLASS... I'm quite excited now."] [[Ain't It Cool News]]</ref> led by [[Sebastian Shaw (character)|Sebastian Shaw]] and consisting of [[Emma Frost]], [[Azazel (Marvel Comics)|Azazel]], [[Riptide (Marvel Comics)|Riptide]], and [[Angel Salvadore]]. This version of the group seeks to cause [[World War III]] to accelerate mutant evolution and create a new world order with mutants as Earth's dominant species and Shaw as their leader. To this end, they manipulate American and Soviet government officials into instigating the [[Cuban Missile Crisis]], prompting CIA agent [[Moira MacTaggert]] to supervise the initial formation of the X-Men to oppose them. Ultimately, Shaw is killed by [[Erik Lehnsherr]], who unites the remaining Hellfire Club members under his leadership.
* The Hellfire Club were originally planned to appear in ''[[Dark Phoenix (film)|Dark Phoenix]]'', consisting of Frost, [[Harry Leland]], [[Friedrich von Roehm]], the [[Fenris (comics)|Strucker Twins]], [[Shinobi Shaw]], and the [[Red Lotus (comics)|Red Lotus]] Gang, but they were ultimately cut from the film.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbr.com/dark-phoenix-concept-art-x-men-hellfire-club|title=Dark Phoenix Concept Art Debuts X-Men Nemeses, The Hellfire Club|last=Chapman|first=Tom|work=CBR|access-date=December 19, 2019|date=December 19, 2019}}</ref>

===Video games===
* The Hellfire Club appear in ''[[X-Men (Game Gear video game)|X-Men]]'', with [[Sebastian Shaw (character)|Sebastian Shaw]] as a prominent member and boss.
* The Hellfire Club appear in ''[[X-Men: Gamesmaster's Legacy]]'', with [[Shinobi Shaw]] as a prominent member and boss.
* The Hellfire Club appear in ''[[Wolverine: Adamantium Rage]]'', with [[Selene (comics)|Selene]] and Shinobi Shaw as prominent members.
* The Hellfire Club appear in ''[[Marvel Avengers Alliance]]'', with Selene and Sebastian Shaw as prominent members, [[Emma Frost]] as a former member, and various foot soldiers as minor members.

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

==External links==
* [http://marvel.com/universe/Hellfire_Club Hellfire Club] at ''Marvel.com''
* [http://marvel.wikia.com/Hellfire_Club_%28Earth-616%29 Hellfire Club] at Marvel Wiki
** [http://marvel.wikia.com/Hellfire_Academy_%28Earth-616%29 Hellfire Academy] at Marvel Wiki
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