The Raft (comics)

Infobox comics location
name = The Raft


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publisher = Marvel Comics
debut = "Alias" #26
creators = Brian Michael Bendis
David Finch
type =
prison=y
residents =
races =
locations =
subcat = Marvel Comics
altcat =
sortkey = Raft

The Raft is a fictional prison facility for superhuman criminals (predominantly supervillains) in the Marvel Universe. Created by writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist David Finch, it first appeared in "Alias" #26 as the "Maximum-Maximum Security" facility of the Ryker's Island Maximum Security Penitentiary, a fictionalised version of New York's Rikers Island.

Use in the "New Avengers" origin story

In "New Avengers" #1, the Raft was used as a staging ground for a large-scale prison break. Electro is hired by an unknown sponsor to drain the generators powering the facility, thus shutting down the security system and freeing the superpowered inmates. A battle ensues, with heroes Spider-Woman, Captain America, Spider-Man, The Sentry, Daredevil, Luke Cage, and Iron Man defending themselves against the likes of Mr. Hyde, Hydro-Man, and Purple Man, among others.

Due to the events on The Raft, forty two inmates escape. Captain America and Iron Man form the New Avengers from the heroes present at the breakout, (save for Daredevil who, due to personal reasons, does not wish to join) in order to recapture these fugitives. Thus, the Raft serves as a catalyst for the formation of the New Avengers team, and the jumping point for an on-going series of stories to be depicted in the "New Avengers" comic book series.

A number of prisoners seen in the Raft are characters who had undergone numerous changes in appearances [http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix3/tigersharkarliss.htm] or characterization (such as Silver Samurai); however, in "New Avengers" they are portrayed as having reverted to their earlier appearances and behaviors. The reason for this mass reversion is not explained. Furthermore, many of the inmates were previously believed to have died in past storylines, such as Cutthroat and Graviton. Various Marvel creators, including writer Bendis, have stressed that these behavioral and physical anomalies are not continuity errors, but the grist of a future storyline (see Secret Invasion).

ecurity features

As revealed in "New Avengers" #1, The Raft is on an island separate from Ryker's Island. The Raft has eight underwater levels of cells. Each cell is surrounded by thick steel and lined with adamantium. The cells have no windows; instead, each cell door has a video camera monitoring the inmate it houses. The video surveillance is two-way, allowing for the inmates to see who is looking at them. The inmates' powers are neutralized and they are allowed no human contact.

All civilian visitors, superpowered or not, must have a superpowered S.H.I.E.L.D. agent escorting them, and the facility is manned by 67 highly trained, armed S.H.I.E.L.D. agents.

Current inmates

ee also

*List of correctional facilities in comics
*Vault (comics)

Bibliography

*"Alias" #26
*"New Avengers" #1-4
*"New Thunderbolts" #7(flashback)
*"Spider-Man: Breakout" #1-5