Board Thread:News and Announcements/@comment-61022-20170213225824/@comment-217293-20170213233831

I think it's entirely possible for a character to be an antagonist and not physically appear if their actions are done through henchmen and other underlings. It's a rare exception, but an entirely plausible one.

I think that is what the Marvel Chronology Project calls behind-the-scenes appearances. The character does not appear on panel, but manipulates events from a distance or otherwise impacts the story. For example:


 * In X-Factor Vol 1 4, the members of the Alliance of Evil are following the instructions of a mysterious leader. A couple of issues later, the leader was revealed as Apocalypse.
 * In the Mutant Massacre event, the Marauders were following the orders of a mysterious employer. A year or more later, the employer was revealed as Mister Sinister.