Raava was a member of the Skrull Resistance, who was ordered by Gravik to impersonate James Rhodes and get closer to President James Ritson. As Raava was engineering the political tensions between the United States and Russia, she came into conflict with Nick Fury and stripped him off of his authority. When the Resistance's assassination attempt on Ritson failed, Raava was ordered to convince Ritson to authorize a strike on New Skrullos, which would start a full-scale nuclear war. Although Raava succeeded, she was confronted by Fury and Sonya Falsworth, who tried to expose her, and was killed by Fury.
Biography[]
Secret Invasion[]
Impersonating James Rhodes[]
- "We also intercepted an encrypted message from Agent Hill to Agent Fury. We haven't been able to decode it yet, but we know they're old friends. Given the fact that I could reach neither Agent Hill nor Agent Fury, they're effectively AWOL."
- ―Raava to James Ritson[src]
Raava and James Ritson discuss Nick Fury's return
Raava was tasked by Gravik for the Skrull Resistance to impersonate James Rhodes and use his influence within the government of the United States of America. Raava received word that Nick Fury had left S.A.B.E.R.'s space station and received an encrypted message sent to Fury by Maria Hill, so she went to the White House as Rhodes and told U.S. President James Ritson about Fury, who was upset due to the importance of the defense system S.A.B.E.R. would have provided. Raava agreed and added Hill's message to the report, saying that since both were unreachable, they were absent without leave. Ritson told "him" to deal with the situation, and she agreed to do it.[1]
Heads of State Meeting[]
Raava attends a world leaders summit
As James Rhodes, Raava was sent to England on behalf of President James Ritson to attend a meeting regarding the recent bombing on Russian soil. The Prime Minister of France asked if "he" was denying Nick Fury and Maria Hill's presence in Moscow during the attack, two which she responded that he was aware of the rumors regarding their presence but stated that it would have been in the capacity of private citizens. Another Prime Minister asked if the photographs were sufficient evidence, so Raava called the authenticity of the images into question due to their Russian origin, offering to have them analyzed.
Raava speaks to the other Heads of State
The French Prime Minister asked how "he" could explain Fury's presence in Moscow, and Raava reminded them that his presence was not confirmed. The Slovakian delegate rolled her eyes, prompting her to mutter a threat as Rhodes to carpet bomb Slovakia if their representative did that again. The Skrull impersonating Pamela Lawton asked why "Rhodes" was attending the meeting instead of the President. He explained that Ritson was busy and that their cooperation would not increase without concrete evidence.[2]
Firing Nick Fury[]
Raava agreeing to meet with Nick Fury
As Raava left the meeting, she had received a phone call from Fury. Still disguised as Rhodes, Raava answered the call and scolded Fury for the mess he had been framed for. However, Raava agreed to meet with Fury at Burner's Tavern.
Raava "learns" about the Secret Invasion
At the meeting at Burner's Tavern, Raava told Nick Fury that he should be worried about going to jail. Fury asked how well "Rhodes" knew "his" security detail, suggesting that they could be Skrulls. Raava explained that "he" learned about the Skrulls during a briefing fifteen years prior, so Fury explained that the Skrulls were invading. Raava suggested calling the Avengers, but Fury explained that it was a bad idea since it would result in them being replicated. Raava refused to back Fury in his war against the Skrulls, but Fury suggested that as black men in positions of power, they owe it to each other to help.
Raava informs Nick Fury that he is fired
One of her guards then told him that Fury's car was ready, frustrating Fury. Raava summarized Fury's request and commented that they did not take power from mediocre white men to give it to mediocre black men, insulting Fury. Raava told Fury that he was being fired by the United States government, adding that he earned the heat he was facing. Fury then broke the arm of her bodyguard, telling "Rhodes" that he would keep fighting before leaving.[2]
Warning Varra[]
Raava meets with Varra
Raava contacted Varra, prompting her to go to a bank and retrieve a gun from the safe deposit box. Raava then called again, telling her to meet at St James's Church in an hour. Varra demanded to speak to Gravik, but Raava insisted that she would talk to her instead.[3]
Raava threatens Varra
She went to the church and sat with Varra, who told him that Nick Fury was fired. Raava pretended to be confused before revealing that he was responsible. Varra asked why Gravik would need her if he was responsible, but Raava told her that she was asking her to kill Fury, threatening to kill Varra if she did not comply. Varra tried to explain that Fury was no longer a threat to the Skrull Resistance, but Raava reiterated her threat before leaving.[4]
Nick Fury's Offer[]
Raava enjoys being in her true form
Raava returned to her apartment and showered in her true form. She felt and enjoyed being in her own skin before reverting back to her disguise as James Rhodes. She got dressed and went outside, where she was met by Nick Fury, who had broken in.
Raava and Nick Fury discuss Fury's drink
Raava asked why Fury was there, so Fury said that he did not like the way they had left things. He offered Raava a drink, so Raava asked about poison. Fury joked that there could be nanotechs, but said that it would be a mistake to waste the drink by puring it out.
Raava threatens to frame Nick Fury for Maria Hill's death
Raava asked for the real reason he was there, so Fury revealed that he had learned of Skrulls infiltrating the United States government close to President James Ritson. He offered to stay quiet about it in exchange for his job, so Raava drank Fury's drink and showed him footage of Gravik killing Maria Hill while disguised as Fury, threatening to leak the footage. Fury said that they both knew it was Gravik, but Raava said that no one would believe him. She offered to keep the video private in exchange for him being quiet about Skrulls, taking the drink and asking him to leave. Raava finished the drink before getting into a car outside, passing several protestors.[4]
Ambush on President Ritson[]
Raava offers Ritson advice
- "The key thing about the Russians is you have to project strength. There's an old Lenin quote, Vladimir, not John. 'When you find flesh, you push. When you find steel, you stop.' You gotta be steel, sir."
- ―Raava to James Ritson[src]
Raava went to the airport to greet President James Ritson, who expressed his worry about the situation. Raava told Ritson that there was a briefing book in his car and offered advice regarding negotiating with Russia. Ritson smelled alcohol on Raava's breath and asked about it, but Raava simply denied knowledge.
Raava sits calmly while Ritson is attacked
As Raava entered her own car, she smelled her breath and asked "Ruben Steiner" for a mint. Raava called about their position, and the motorcade was then attacked with a bomb. Raava sat calmly in her car as the Skrulls attacked and made the Russians appear responsible.[4]
Attacked by Nick Fury[]
Raava receives new orders from Gravik
- "But being as I'm not one to pull a gun and not use it, let me give you a little heads-up. In about sixty seconds, the footage of you killing Maria Hill is gonna lead off every news program all across the hemisphere."
- ―Raava to Nick Fury[src]
While being driven to King George VII Private Hospital to meet with President James Ritson, Raava received a call from Gravik. Gravik told Raava to keep Ritson alive and reveal the existence of Skrulls in Russia, advising Ritson to kill them all. Raava expressed disbelief, so Gravik explained that Nick Fury would give into their demands, since he did not want World War III to happen or for innocent Skrulls to die. Raava asked what would it happen if they did not get what they want, so Gravik said that the Skrulls would sacrifice themselves for the cause. The two hung up, and Raava was horrified at the concept.
Raava threatens Nick Fury
As Raava reached the hospital, he asked where the President was. A hospital employee pointed him the right direction, but Raava scoffed at her for giving out classified information and ordered for the hospital to be locked down. Fury suddenly appeared and pushed Raava against the wall, holding a gun to his neck. Raava told his security guard to stand down, and Fury insisted that he would not allow Raava near Ritson. However, Raava calmly stated that in order to out her as a Skrull, Fury would have to kill her, knowing that Fury would not do it. She revealed that she had leaked the footage of "Fury" killing Maria Hill, so Fury left. Raava had the agents present aim their guns at Fury, threatening to kill him if he approached the President. Fury told Raava to pass a message to Gravik that he was going to attack the Skrull, but Raava told him to pass the message along himself.
Raava promises confirmation of the strike
Ritson's surgery was a success, so Raava called to inform Gravik, promising confirmation of the strike once the President woke. Gravik commented that Raava knew what would happen if she did not before the two hung up. Raava asked Sonya Falsworth for corroboration on the existence of New Skrullos, which she provided.[5]
Advising President Ritson[]
Raava advises an attack on Russia
- "England is 100% behind us. As soon as the rest of NATO sees this proof, they're gonna be on board too. Believe me."
"A strike on Russian soil? That means World War III."
"I would rather us face a war than extinction. And that's exactly what a Skrull invasion will mean. We have to cut this thing off at the head." - ―Raava and James Ritson[src]
Raava entered James Ritson's hospital room as he recovered and offered him a chance to stop feel helpless. She told Ritson that Skrulls were on Earth and working with the Russian government. Raava showed Ritson New Skrullos and advised him attack the facility, saying that England and the rest of NATO would support him. Ritson expressed hesitancy to attack Russia and risk a World War, but Raava explained that it would be better than the extinction of humanity.[5]
Raava and an Admiral disagree on the best response
Raava was joined by several other people from the United States Armed Forces to advise on the situation, and Raava insisted that they focus on Ritson's response. An admiral insisted that they did not know whether Russia had in fact initiated the attack, noting that Russian President Vladimov had denied responsibility. Raava claimed that Vladimov was lying, but the admiral insisted that they could not rule out a false flag attack. Raava scolded her for suggesting they waste further time responding, but got interrupted when someone arrived with satellite footage of Russian tanks near the borders of Finland and Ukraine. Raava had the footage put on the room's television and explained to Ritson and showed Ritson a speech which she had written to address the United States. She insisted that the American people needed to hear from Ritson that Russia was responsible for the attempt on his life and told him to make the call.[6]
Final Machinations[]
- "Please tell me this isn't true."
"Are you listening to this insanity? Of course it isn't true. Mr. President, listen. Just stay the course, all right? And all our enemies will be gone." - ―James Ritson and Raava[src]
Raava stayed with President James Ritson and received a call from Sonya Falsworth, warning him that Nick Fury had returned to the hospital and was ready to kill Ritson to stop him from bombing New Skrullos. Raava worked with the Skrull impersonating Ruben Steiner to get Ritson out of his hospital room. She told Ritson and the rest of the guards that he was being moved up stairs and told "Steiner" to have the remaining agents search for Fury. Raava rushed Ritson into the elevator and took him upstairs, where she started checking each room. Raava found an empty room for the President, but Falsworth appeared and pointed a gun at her before ordering her to go into the hallway.
Raava is shot and killed by Nick Fury
Fury then revealed himself, but Raava told Ritson to shoot Fury. Fury assured the President that Rhodes intended to hurt him, not Fury, causing Ritson to question Rhodes. Fury told Ritson about Raava's status as a Skrull, prompting Ritson to aim his gun at Raava and ask her to deny it, which she did. She insisted that if Ritson stayed strong, their enemies would be gone, and Ritson hesitantly agreed. Fury cut Ritson off, insisting that Raava was in fact Ritson's enemy, noting that hesitation from Ritson would allow the Skrulls to win. Fury told Ritson to delay the missile strike and arrest Fury if he proved to be wrong, but Raava managed to steal Falsworth's weapon and aim it at Fury. Fury stole Ritson's gun and used it to shoot Raava in the head, killing her and causing her to revert back to her Skrull form. Seeing Raava transform into a Skrull caused Ritson to realize Fury was right and call off the missile strike.[6]
Personality[]
Raava's loyalty to the Skrull Resistance and unwavering support for Gravik is evident in her commitment to incite global nuclear conflict and conquer Earth for their freedom, where the Skrulls can live as their authentic selves. This is demonstrated not just in her position as a higher-ranking Skrull, but also in her privacy when she is taking a shower, where she indulges in her own skin freely before she turns somber once she reluctantly returns to her assigned human disguise. Despite Raava's initial shock at Gravik's decision to send her to convince U.S. President James Ritson to launch a nuclear strike on New Skrullos, she stood by his choices and remained devoted to Gravik's cause through to the end, even in death.
As the impostor of Ritson's trusted envoy James Rhodes, Raava displays a starkly different personality from her counterpart; while still assuming the baseline mannerisms of the person she is impersonating, she exhibits a snarkier and more unforgiving demeanor, frequently growing frustrated and angry. Privately to Rhodes' aide, she threatens to incite violent military action against the nation of Slovakia with the War Machine Armor because of their representative's disapproving looks and eye-rolls at her statements, demonstrating her willingness to resort to violence.
Raava is able to cunningly manipulate the political power of the real Rhodes by asserting his authority within the United States government to fire Nick Fury. She takes great pride in this, later smugly bragging to Varra about her achievement. Furthermore, when confronted by Fury about her true identity as a Skrull spy, Raava doesn't hesitate to leak the footage of Maria Hill's death as a means of retaliation against him, only being concerned about the impact this will have on Fury as a wanted fugitive. Raava seems to revel in doing all of this just to spite him, proudly displaying the control she holds over both Fury and President Ritson. Additionally, she has no qualms about cold-heartedly ordering Varra to kill Fury, her own husband.
Although having earned the trust of Ritson, Raava looks down upon him and sees him as incompetent, requiring “James Rhodes” to brief him every day. As tensions escalate in the Secret Invasion, Raava's hostile tendencies begin to slip and start to grow out of character for her disguise, such as when she embarrasses herself in front of Ritson by showing up drunk prior to his bilateral with Russia. This is also demonstrated later when Raava takes extreme measures to throw the Skrulls off Ritson's scent by reprimanding a United States Army admiral, accusing her of "taking a stupid pill with her breakfast" when she questions the credibility of the Russians in the Skrull-coordinated Ambush on President Ritson and suggesting it was a false flag operation.
Powers and Abilities[]
Powers[]
| This section requires expansion |
- Skrull Physiology: As a Skrull, Raava possesses innate superhuman abilities.
- Superhuman Strength: To be added
- Longevity: To be added
- Shapeshifting: Raava shapeshifted into James Rhodes to get close to President James Ritson.
- Vocal Replication: To be added
- Memory Replication: Raava demonstrates proficient memory replication by being able to accurately imitate James Rhodes' mannerisms.
- Radiation Immunity: As a Skrull, Raava is immune to radiation.
Abilities[]
| This section requires expansion |
- Combatant: To be added
Facilities[]
- White House: While working with President James Ritson, Raava spent time operating out of the White House. Raava advised Ritson on Nick Fury and Maria Hill from inside the White House.
- King George VII Private Hospital: Raava stayed with President James Ritson while he recovered from an ambush in King George VII Private Hospital. He advised Ritson on a plan to bomb a Skrull facility on Russian soil and defended Ritson from Nick Fury in the hospital, only to be killed by Fury.
Relationships[]
Allies[]
|
Enemies[]
|
Appearances[]
In chronological order:
Secret Invasion | Episode 1.01: Resurrection- Secret Invasion | Episode 1.02: Promises
- Secret Invasion | Episode 1.03: Betrayed (voice)
- Secret Invasion | Episode 1.04: Beloved
- Secret Invasion | Episode 1.05: Harvest
- Secret Invasion | Episode 1.06: Home
Trivia[]
- In the comics, Raava was a Skrull pirate who struck back against the Skrull Empire following the death of her children, Skragg and Raavaka.
Behind the Scenes[]
- Renako Macdonald and Paul Joseph were stunt doubles for Don Cheadle in the role of Raava.
