Warning: possible spoilers.
Ever since The Cabal #1 one-shot, Marvel fans have been wondering who could possibly be the ominous shadowy figure guarding Norman Osborn?
The speculation has centered mainly on the alter-ego of the most powerful hero on Earth (not to mention the creepiest, and most psychologically unhinged), the Sentry. The Sentry's other half is also his worst nightmare, The Void. The Void is an ambiguously shaped figure composed of dark matter and is said to be the Sentry's true personality. The Void is a strong contender since the Sentry has become one of Osborn's Dark Avengers. SInce then Osborn has constantly played with Sentry's mind, pretending to be a friend and kindred spirit while silently manipulating the fragile schizophrenic. It's exactly the sort of thing the Void would be involved in.
That said, Dark Avengers #12 recently revealed another piece of the puzzle, and may have inadvertently kicked all other contenders out of the running. The final panel reveals that Loki, the Norse God of Evil and Mischief has been manipulating Norman Osborn, himself a violent schizophrenic, for some time. Loki may be responsible for causing Osborn to hear the voice of his criminal personality the Green Goblin despite anti-psychotic medication. (Although it's very possible Osborn is hearing things on his own.) The question is how far back does Loki's trickery go?
While Osborn has always been a megalomaniac, world domination has never been one of his goals. He's a corporate guy, not a politician. Yet since Secret Invasion, Osborn has taken on the role of criminal mastermind. So why the change? Was it merely the next step? Or has Loki been manipulating him all along? Marvel's Seige event is fast-approaching and will set the various heroic and villainous faction of the Marvel U against one another for or against the Norse Gods of Asgard. All of this is in Loki's interest as his only goal has been to rule or destroy Asgard and his brother Thor.
Loki has set these events in motion and built powerful alliances, even taking Osborn's lackey The Hood under his wing, and insuring that a debt must be paid.
Again I ask, how far does his manipulation of events go? What if there is no bodyguard. Loki's ability to warp perception and reality could conceivably have made the Cabal see their worst nightmare as Osborn's secret weapon. This would also explain why the shadowy figure has never interfered in events, despite numerous wins for the various heroes roaming free.
Loki is my pick. But we won't know for sure until Seige begins in 2010.
Comments