Marvel's New Villains Are The Game-Changing Opposite Of Hydra

Published Nov 14, 2026, 5:00 PM EST Since 2019, Kevin Erdmann has been one of Screen Rant's Senior Staff Writers, covering all kinds of Superhero and Star Wars media with Easter egg breakdowns, theory pieces, breaking news, and more. A huge Star Wars & MCU fan, Kevin also loves Batman (because he's Batman), but could talk for hours about why Nightwing is DC's greatest hero. With 8 years of total experience covering entertainment and pop culture, Kevin has gotten the chance to interview top creatives and talent, and has also attended major media events like Disney's D23 convention. Majoring in Cinema Studies with a minor in Comics and Cartoon Studies from the UofO, Kevin lives in Oregon with his wonderful wife, adorable dog, and sinister cat who is no doubt currently plotting his demise. Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Captain America #17 Marvel has just debuted the game-changing opposite of Hydra. Of course, Hydra has been one of the Marvel Universe's most enduring villain organizations and a classic foe of Captain America. However, it looks as though Steve Rogers will soon be facing an all-new threat, one that hits much closer to home in the pages of Marvel Comics. In the past, Hydra's primary mission has been global dominance in a bid to assert its fascist ideals and order across the entire globe. They've existed for millennia, a cabal that refuses to die even in the Marvel Universe's modern era. However, a brand-new villain organization has just been revealed in the pages of the new Captain America #17 by writer Chip Zdarsky with art by Ton Lima. Having already kidnapped a major Avenger with teases about their dark leader, here's everything we know about Marvel's new villain group known as the Knomads, and how they differ from Hydra. ​​​​​​ Marvel Debuts The Knomads (And They've Kidnapped Tony Stark) As seen in Captain America #17, the Knomads' debut quickly establishes them as a significant threat with the reveal that they've kidnapped Tony Stark's Iron Man, explaining why Steve Rogers has been unable to contact his fellow Avenger. Its members are shown wearing simple white masks, with one of the Knomads claiming that people like Stark are a symptom of a dying United States. They then threaten to "drag his corpse through the streets of the country he's fed off for far too long" if Iron Man doesn't provide the intel they're after. Combined with some synopses and promotional material, it seems the Knomads are motivated by an American nationalist agenda to "make their country great again", as opposed to Hydra's wider goals of full worldwide supremacy. While both factions seem to share a focus on imposing their respective versions of order, the Knomads are specifically focused on one nation in particular (their own). Likewise, kidnapping an Avenger as powerful and influential as Tony Stark indicates that they're well organized and have major plans to enforce their vision beyond just being a fringe political movement. This is likely thanks to the man who's already been teased as their dark leader in the Marvel Universe: Grant Rogers. It Seems The Knomads Will Be Working For Captain America's Evil Twin The Knomads' introduction goes hand in hand with the ending twist in Captain America #17, with the reveal that it is not Steve Rogers on the run and protecting the young clone of Victor von Doom, but Grant Rogers, the former Hydra Captain America from Marvel's Secret Empire storyline. While he had most recently been a Flag-Smasher, it seems Grant has started impersonating Steve once again, having taken Steve's shield and sharing his twisted takes on American values with Vic throughout, likely in a bid to corrupt and shape the young clone into a Doctor Doom for America. Scratch & Peek Identify the cover art while scratching off as little foil as possible. Sure enough, the cover art for Captain America #18 sees Grant dressed as Captain America with Knomds flanking either side. Seeing as how Nomad was once a name used by Steve himself when he was a "man without a country", it's more than likely that even the Knomads' name is another weapon to tarnish and corrupt Steve's legacy. Rather than leading Hydra as he once did, Grant is shifting his tactics to leading an aggressive nationalist faction, which should prove darkly fascinating. Across the board, all signs are pointing to the next issues of Captain America having a heavy focus on the corruption of patriotism, its symbols, and American values overall. With Tony Stark's Iron Man already in the Knomads' hands, Marvel's newest villain organization feels perfectly positioned to make their presence felt across the entire superhero community at large, especially with a global ban on superpowers having just been instigated by the United Nations (except for America). Captain America #17 is on sale now from Marvel Comics. Created By Joe Simon, Jack Kirby First Appearance Captain America Comics Alias Steve Rogers, John Walker, Sam Wilson Alliance Avengers, Invaders, S.H.I.E.L.D., U.S. Army Race Human Franchise Marvel