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Symkaria, officially Symkrija Kiralysog (the Kingdom of Symkaria),[1] is a small eastern European country within the Balkans. It had been conquered many times over the centuries. It has maintained close ties to the nation of Latveria. Its capital and largest city is Aniana.[2]

History

Origin[]

Symkaria has traditionally been a monarchical country with a royal bloodline reaching back 300 years.[3][1]

In early years, a legion of Symkarian allegedly invaders attacked Latveria, which was defended by Goran the Immutable with only thirty Latverian warriors.[4]

Flag of Symkaria from Marvel Atlas Vol 1 1 001

Flag of Symkaria

20th Century[]

Petrio's rule[]

During the Balkan War of 1913, the country was ruled by King Petrio, and struggled to avoid annexation by any of its neighbors, and especially Transylvania. A shwred negotiator, Petrio was able to set key treaties (documents collectively known as the Independence Treaty of Symkaria) before the end of the war to ensure Symkaria's safety. Those documents came to form the foundation of this century's diplomatic policies.[3]

During World War I, still under King Petrio, Symkaria was nearly absorbed by its neighbors, but instead cared out its independence.[1]

World War II: Phillip's rule[]

During World War II, the country was ruled by Pietro's descendant King Phillip, and once again was threatened. Joining forces with neighboring Latveria, and though the country was occupied in Eptrios, it avoided total conquest,[1] preventing full occupation of their country by the Nazis, albeit at great cost:[5] about 1200 citizens were killed.

In the aftermath, Symkaria also prevented its absorption into the USSR,[3][1] as for Latveria.[3]

Cold War[]

During the Cold War, Symkaria and Latveria formed a sort of bubble free from Soviet domination, though one assumes that it was chiefly a product of Latverian might.[citation needed]

Puternicstan's invasion[]

Decades from now, when Strelonivich was six years old, the Symkarian tanks invaded the contested land of Puternicstan. Their soldiers killed and raped, and treated the locals no better than animals. The Latverians replaced them four years later, then the Soviets, whose occupation brought a relative rest in comparison.[6]

Operation: Pack Animal[]

At some point, the C.I.A. launched Operation: Pack Animal in Symkaria,[7] with an unspecified goal.

Wild Pack[]

The horrors wrought by the Nazis against the Symkarian population prompted the creation of an organization called the Wild Pack right after the war. Intelligence minister Ernst Sablinov ran the Wild Pack with the help of his brother Fritz Sablinova, and this organization became reputed for its discipline, commitment, and paramilitary skill of the long Symkarian martial tradition.[8]

Aniana from Secret Avengers Vol 1 19 0001

Anastasia was born and raised in Symkaria. As a child she saved the life of one of her classmates, Eva Slougart, and the two became lifelong friends. As an adult she opened a bakery and it was there she met Ernst Sablinov, who saved her life from a burning barn. The two later fell in love and married,[9] resulting in a baby girl, Silver.[8] Anastasia was later murdered by Ivan Trefkov, who was in charge of the German operation.[8] Anastasia was buried in Symkaria, with her tombstone reading "Anastasia Sablinova, beloved wife and mother."[9] Silver joined the Wild Pack and spent several years training before her first field operation. She would always remember the promise she made to her dying mother.[10] Silver came to believe that Trevkov had also killed her father.[8] Eventually, Silver cold-bloodedly murdered Trevkov, but she discovered that revenge fulfilled was not enough to change her perception of life.[11]

Ivan's daughter Silver Sablinova took over the Wild Pack, turning them into a mercenary unit. She led them on missions throughout the world including the United States of America, where the were based out of the Symkarian Embassy.[5]

Silver Sable and Spider-Man foiled a robbery of the Symkarian government payroll. They returned to King Stefan's castle (where the Royal Jubilee was taking place) and met with Symkarian Prime Minister Limka who told them of another possible lead. Silver Sable decided to stay with the king, since none of Limka's leads had paid off. Limka met with U.L.T.I.M.A.T.U.M. agent Major Weil and the two plotted King Stefan's death. Wearing a tuxedo over his costume, Spider-Man attended the Jubilee Gala and chatted with Silver Sable. The next day, U.L.T.I.M.A.T.U.M. agents attacked Symkaria, killing the King's fiancee. Sabretooth killed Limka, unseen by anyone else. Silver Sable killed the U.L.T.I.M.A.T.U.M. assassins. Limka's body was discovered, with Sable wondering if he was the target all along. A torn piece of clothing was found near the body with a Panadoxin capsule nearby (a suicide drug used exclusively by the CIA).[12] The US ambassador arrived in Symkaria, greeted by a hostile crowd. Once inside King Stefan's castle, he spoke with Prime Minister Gallatik, and also tried to calm down Sable. She had found evidence which made her think the CIA was involved in the King's assassination attempt. Spider-Man tried to help, but the American ambassador threw him out. He then gave a statement to reporters outside. Captain America arrived and put Sable at ease. Cap asked Spider-Man to join him and Sable in a raid of U.L.T.I.M.A.T.U.M.'s hideout, but they were interrupted by Solo who had arrived to kill Weil. Cap stopped Solo, explaining they needed Weil alive, but Weil escaped in the confusion. Sable interrogated a captured U.L.T.I.M.A.T.U.M. agent and learned that Sabretooth killed Limka. She was informed that tensions between Symkaria and the USA were rising and the American ambassador had been recalled. The next step could be war.[13]

Silver Sable, Spider-Man, and Sandman's crew took on Hydra who took Anna, Silver Sable's niece, captive at her private school.[5] Sable had her annual diplomatic dinner with Doctor Doom,[2] and later took down Dmitri Petrovich.[14]

The Thunderbolts traveled to Symkaria in the hunt for the "Crimson Cowl" who they believed was the Silver Sable.[15] Hawkeye tracked the Cowl to Symkaria and it turned out to be Justine Hammer.[16]

After five mission failures, and suspicions of treachery among her ranks, Silver Sable handed the Wild Pack to Andreas Vadas[17] who corrupted its purpose, funding an operation to create sleeper agents around the world, but was defeated by Silver Sable joined by Dominic Fortune.[18]

At some point, Doom intended to marry Princess Lenka of Symkaria and make her queen of Latveria. Lenka's father had offered her to Doom to cement political bonds between their countries, while Doom was after her magical potential, as she was to become mother of the next Sorcerer Supreme, or attain the title herself. Opposed by Silver Sable, Doctor Strange, and Spider-Man, Doom even went to the extent of attacking the Symkarian Embassy in New York City to prevent the wedding of Lenka with Marek, but withdrew when the wedding had been performed.[19]

21th century[]

Revolution[]

At some point, Symkaria fell into chaos,[20] due to a very violent revolution.

When Symkaria fell, the Symkarian Embassy in New York City closed, and Silver Sable bought the building anonymously to use it incognito, intending to give it back once her country was restored.[21]

Doomwar spillovers[]

During the war between Wakanda and Latveria, Shuri gathered all their forces in Symkaria, at the border with Latveria. Officially, she had been invited to advise them on international terrorism when, actually, Symkaria owed Wakanda billions, and Shuri proposed to "renegotiate the terms of their loan".

At Shuri's demand, Doom and his army of Wakandan Vibranium-powered Doombots crossed the border and met with the Wakandan forces and their allies in the Field of Lotho. Doom, refusing to stand down, lead T'Challa to use shadow physics to render all Wakandan Vibranium inert, defeating Doom and imposing the end of the war on him.[22]

Destabilized Symkaria[]

With its economy collapsing and its infrastructure crumbling, Symkaria became the seat of an emergent narcocracy while the capital city of Aniana served as a base for arms dealer Voydanoi, who sold bones of one of the Many-Souled Ones (whose grave was found in Transia) which could be smoked to obtain their powers, until Commander Steve Rogers and his Secret Avengers managed to defeat him and his men.[23]

Puternicstan unrest[]

After the contested land Puternicstan discovered Uranium under its soil, Symkarian troops massed on the border, and Latveria seemingly advanced on Romanian territory, prompting NATO[24] and the U.N. to declare a no-fly zone to prevent a conflict over Puternicstan in the territorial dispute opposing Latveria and Symkaria,[25] with War Machine there to represent both NATO and the U.S. Government.[24] Meanwhile, the Puternicstan governor had commandos steal black-market Sentinels, prompting the attention of the X-Men.[24]

As soon as a Sentinel was spotted in Puternicstan, Symkarian air-fighters violated their air-space and the no-fly zone was cancelled, the U.N. considering that Symkaria had every right it take steps to defend itself. As War Machine and the X-Men tried to take the Sentinel program down, it was proof-tested (to be able to designate any target as mutant for the Sentinels to attack) by attacking War Machine.

From then, the governor turned toward the invasion of Symkaria[6] (which would be followed by attacks on every bordering nation, as a show of strength to guaranty Puternicstan's safety). As a result, many nuclear powers, including China and Russia, put their nuclear assets on alerts.

To stop the Sentinel Army and prevent confrontation with Symkarian air-fighters, Storm summoned a hurricane in their path[26] to stop them just before they reached the Symkarian border.

The actions of the X-Men, War Machine, and General Nobakov led to the destruction of every single Sentinel, cancelling the threat to Symkaria, then to the destitution of the governor and the stabilization of the region as Nobakov was installed as Puternicstan's new leader.[27]

Ends of the Earth[]

Peter Parker (Earth-616) and Silvija Sablinova (Earth-616) from Amazing Spider-Man Vol 1 679 001

Silver Sable gives Spider-Man a "reward"

In New York City, Flag-Smasher tried to disrupt a "Symkarian Pride Parade" with a nuclear bomb, but was stopped by Silver Sable and Spider-Man. She kissed Peter as a reward for deactivating the bomb, on behalf of Symkaria.[28]

Later Doctor Octopus hired Mysterio and Chameleon to distract Spider-Man and Silver Sable by making them believe Symkaria had been burned by Doc Ock's satellites. When they realized Symkaria's destruction was fake, they convinced the villains to switch sides as their money would be worthless if Ock destroyed the world.[29]

When Doctor Octopus tried to destroy the world, Silver saved Spider-Man and Black Widow from the Sinister Six. Together with Spidey, Sable rushed to Octavius' underwater base only to be stopped by the Rhino. The unmovable villain gripped her to the floor, promising not to move while the water level rose. Sable ordered Spider-Man to leave her behind and pursue Doc Ock on his own.[30] By activating her suit's stealth coating, Sable tricked Rhino into thinking she had vanished, giving her the advantage necessary to break free.

From that point on, Sable decided to use the popular belief that she was dead to her advantage, hunting down her enemies one by one.[31]

At that point, Symkaria's internal security was ensured by Internal Defense, led by Alexie Sablinova, one of the most successful counterrevolutionary minds of the planet, who held his country down.[32]

The Circle[]

New Avalon (Symkaria) from Iron Man Vol 5 2 001

The Circle created an Arthurian-inspired organization located on New Avalon. Iron Man was invited to New Avalon by The Circle as soon as they learned he was on the hunt for the Extremis sets sold by A.I.M., one of which The Circle was using to upgrade the pilots of their Knight-Suits.[33]

Loki teleported Mr. Sinister and himself to Symkaria after Sinister stole a DNA sample from Latveria.[34]

The National Force led by the Hate-Monger tried to detonate a Madbomb, but were stopped by Captain Marvel, Captain America (Steve Rogers), Black Panther, and Vision, thanks to the visions of Ulysses. While not complaining about the results, the Symkarian government (as others) asked to be more involved in situations within their borders and questioned the methods used.[35]

Narco and human traffickers managed to draw a new path across the country to connect the Near East with the West, battling United Nations troops by using alien drones provided by the Zoo Family.[36]

Countess Katarina Karkov's rule[]

Unfortunately, the citizens of Symkaria were also affected by the deception of Sable's death, with their fear allowing the last living royal, Countess Karkov, to rise to power.[31] Karkov allied herself with Norman Osborn and exploited the resources of Symkaria, turning the country into a weapons-making war machine for Osborn's Goblin Army, enslaving Symkaria's people,[37] every man, woman, and child, in the process.[31]

At some point, the government of Symkaria enrolled in Roxxon's Meteorological Embetterment Program, ensuring some control over its meteorological status.[38]

After the Kaiju Kalamity involving Red Hulk and American Kaiju in Lichtenbad and Latverian territory, Symkaria demanded answers.[39]

With the help of a new Wild Pack (Tango, Juliet, X-Ray, Foxtrot, and Romeo; her generals, each leading their own battalion of freedom fighters, some from Symkaria, others from around the world, including Delvadia, Nadua, and other war-torn regions due to Osborn's actions) Sable began to work from the shadows opposing Osborn and Karkov's plans.[31] While trying to assassinate Osborn at a charity event in Hong Kong, Sable came face-to-face with Spider-Man.[40] Silver Sable and Spider-Man formed an alliance once again in order to take down both of their enemies, with Parker Industries' resources invested in the fight (putting them at odds with S.H.I.E.L.D., tasked with stopping them as their actions was an invasion of a sovereign nation).[37]

The Parker Industries plane, in fact an empty decoy, landed at the northern border of Symkaria, and was quickly boarded by S.H.I.E.L.D. troops. Meanwhile, a second and unmarked plane landed at the Southern border with Spider-Man, Sable, and the equipment. Deploying the Wild Pack's troops (reinforced by Mockingbird defecting from S.H.I.E.L.D.), they targeted factories, freeing the workers and bombing the plants. They then faced the Goblin Army while Osborn unveiled his plans to turn all Symkarians into more Goblins.

While Mockingbird and the Wild Pack were able to disarm the missile carrying the Goblin serum and evacuate the city, where the people refused to leave, Sable and Spider-Man stormed Castle Karkov. Sable challenged Karkov and Spider-Man confronted Osborn, leading to the former's defeat and the latter's escape. After the fight, Symkaria was left free of them.[31]

Recovery[]

The aftermaths were without chaos, as Parker Industries and the Uncle Ben Foundation worked tirelessly to provide humanitarian aid.[41]

The neo-nazi terrorists of the Symkarian Supremacist Sisterhood (S.S.S.), led by Ulka Belyakova, rose. Among their actions were the capture of a boat full of refugees who were seeking asylum, using them as leverage to demand the release of the "Symkarian patriot" Demyan Burya (Belyakova's boyfriend) from Symkarian custody. Silver Sable confronted them after terminating her contract, Franka Kraus, a nurse that had operated at Ravensbruck, while the Symkarian Armed Forces arrived to rescue the prisoners (Ulka was possibly killed by one of her own, Syckle, that had defected from her).[42]

Latverian Conquest[]

Following a failed attempt to imprison Doctor Doom by framing him for a staged terrorist attack, Doom returned to power and agreed to help the world's leaders in dealing with the black hole created by the attack, but on the condition that he could invade Symkaria. The war was brief, and Symkaria was successfully made part of Latveria.[43]

Undisclosed time events[]

Some events occurred in Symkaria haven't been given a proper temporal settling as far.

Ethnic cleansing[]

At some point, an ethnic cleansing occurred, while S.H.I.E.L.D. Peacekeeping Unit was present.[44]

Hydra Operation: Emerald[]

Operation: Emerald was an Hydra operation in Symkaria from which Hydra veteran scout Kim survived.[45]

Facts[]

Localization[]

Symkaria from Marvel Atlas Vol 1 1 001
Symkaria from Secret Avengers Vol 1 19 001
  • Symkaria localization seems to have retconned over the years. The country is landlocked in the Northern Balkans and shares borders with Serbia, Transylvania, Latveria:
    • One account present Symkaria to be bordered to north-east by Latveria, to the east by Transylvania and on the rest of his border (north, west, south) by Serbia/Montenegro.[1]
    • Another map presents Latveria as being on the north-west border, Transylvania at north-east and Transia at east, while Serbia borders the country at west and south.[23]
    • Yep another map seems to engulf Transia and Transylvania among Romania, while the area around the Serbian/Latverian border correspond to Puternicstan,[6] a contested land near the Symkaria and Latveria borders,[24] disputed by the two countries.[25]

Symkaria also shares with this country the border of Lichtenbad.[39]

Colossus also hinted Transylvania was to the West of the Latveria-Symkaria region.[24]

Languages[]

The major languages in Symkaria are Hungarian and Symkarian[1] (which is also used in Transia[46] and Belgriun).[47]

Demographics[]

The population was estimated around 1.5 million inhabitants around 2007,[1] then somehow climbed to 3 million in 2012.[23]

Economy[]

The monetary unit used in Symkaria is the Symkarian Franc.

Its major resources are coal and iron ore, but also mercenaries, machinery, nuclear power, watchmaking, toys, car, & jet manufacturing.[1]

Symkaria is an extremely poor country, they have very few natural resources. They have survived thanks to Silver Sable International, a company set up by the Sablinova family with the support of the King and Parliament. They are a mercenary group whose contracts have been able to support the dwindling economy.[citation needed] The Wild Pack Headquarters were considered to be the economic heart of the nation.[17]

Belgriun maintained strong economic relations with Symkaria.[47]

Over the years the infrastructure began to crumble with large amount of drug trafficking the country plunged into a economic depression.[23]

Although, T'Challa considered Symkaria rich, mentioning that Alexie Sablinova had the diamond market and the European Central Bank on his side.[32]

Under the leadership of Countess Katarina Karkov and Norman Osborn, Symkaria became the largest weapons manufacturer in Europe, if not the world.[31]

National defenses[]

The national defense of Symkaria is ensured by the Symkarian Armed Forces, composed of the Ground Forces and Air Force, together numbering 2,000 active members.

The Wild Pack(an international mercenary force) has often been employed for national security.[1]

Symkaria's internal security was ensured by Internal Defense, led by Alexie Sablinova, one of the most successful counterrevolutionary minds of the planet.[32]

Criminality[]

Symkarian narco- and human traffickers led by Grayle Kenton worked with the Zoo Family, and were in conflict with Nigandan arms dealers whom they accused to have interfere into one of the operations (which the Nigandans denied).[48] Using alien drones provided by the Zoo Family to battle the United Nations troops, they managed to draw a new path across the country to connect the Near East with the West.[36]

Laws[]

A law on the firing of people was passed by the Parliament, stating that an employer had to have documentation of at least three written warnings before firing an employee.[17]

Politics[]

The seat of government was originally ruled from the Royal Palace located in Aniana the capital city.

While the Symkarian throne had had an uninterrupted bloodline of monarchs for three centuries up to the revolution,[49][1] in the late 1950s the country became a parliamentary monarchy, with the royals as official spokespersons for both the country and the people, but both the monarchy and the parliament gave their full support to the then-recently-created Wild Pack in their Nazi huntings. The maximum authority in the country is the Prime Minister, who also leads the parliament, with the King serving as official Head of State and Second Executive Minister (with the Prime Minister superceding him or her). The King's voice and presence was heard in the parliament. The parliament, including many anti-Nazi speakers from the areas that had been occupied by Germany during World War II, soon built three main political factions:[49]

  • The Brown Party, supporters of the light industry and of the working class, especially the loggers in the west and north of the country (which does not include the logging interest in the southern city of Kronlia),[49]
  • The Free Democrats, who lost a great amount of support due to the links of P.M. Klaus Limka with terrorist group ULTIMATUM[49]
  • and the Loyalists, who supported the monarchy and the tourism industry, and had the maximum support.[49]

Elections took place every three years, or before if the Prime Minister demanded it; and the Prime Minister's cabinet included Ministries of Commerce and Finance, Defense, Industry, Intelligence and Tourism. All the positions, except for the P.M. and the King, had a term limit of twelve years.[49]

This apparently changed after the revolution.

International relations[]

Symkaria was a close ally of Bosqueverde, France,[1] Latveria[50] (apart from a territorial dispute over Puternicstan),[25] Mexico, Norway, Russia (although Wild Pack operations have occasionally set the two countries at odds), UK, USA (including Wild Pack operations for the CIA), Wakanda, and Belgriun,[1] who maintained strong both economic and diplomatic relations with Symkaria.[47]

They were members of the European Union, Interpol, UNESCO, and World Trade Organization.[1]

Member of the United Nations, they had political envoys sent across the globe such as the Symkarian Embassy in the United States of America,[51] which was closed as the countries fell into chaos due to the revolution.[21]

Alternative Realities[]

Earth-1048[]

Symkaria is currently on an ongoing civil war due to a dictatorship. MJ Watson traveled there to cover the civil war for the Daily Bugle, with Peter Parker as her photographer.[52]

Earth-7642[]

Symkaria and Latveria almost went to war. The two countries hosted a battle between the Avengers and the Transformers.[53]

Earth-33900[]

Captain America travelled to Symkaria to stop a mad scientist turning townspeople into electrified zombies.[54]

Points of Interest

Residents

See Also

Links and References

References

  1. 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 Marvel Atlas #1 ; Symkaria's profile
  2. 2.0 2.1 Silver Sable and the Wild Pack #4
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Domains of Doom #1 ; Chapter 4: Symkaria - History
  4. Clobberin' Time #4
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Silver Sable and the Wild Pack #1
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 X-Men (Vol. 3) #21
  7. Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man #301
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 Silver Sable and the Wild Pack #9
  9. 9.0 9.1 Silver Sable and the Wild Pack #34
  10. 10.0 10.1 Silver Sable and the Wild Pack #24
  11. Silver Sable and the Wild Pack #30
  12. Amazing Spider-Man #322
  13. Amazing Spider-Man #323
  14. Silver Sable and the Wild Pack #635
  15. Thunderbolts #41
  16. Thunderbolts #67
  17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 Sable and Fortune #1
  18. Sable and Fortune #23
  19. Avenging Spider-Man #8
  20. Shadowland: Blood on the Streets #1
  21. 21.0 21.1 Shadowland: Blood on the Streets #3
  22. Doomwar #6
  23. 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 Secret Avengers #19
  24. 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 24.4 X-Men (Vol. 3) #20
  25. 25.0 25.1 25.2 [[X-Men (Vol. 3) 21's recap|[[X-Men (Vol. 3) #21|X-Men (Vol. 3) 21]]'s recap]]
  26. X-Men (Vol. 3) #22
  27. X-Men (Vol. 3) #23
  28. Amazing Spider-Man #679
  29. Amazing Spider-Man #685686
  30. Amazing Spider-Man #682687
  31. 31.0 31.1 31.2 31.3 31.4 31.5 Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 4) #27
  32. 32.0 32.1 32.2 Black Panther (Vol. 6) #5
  33. Iron Man (Vol. 5) #2
  34. A + X #5
  35. Captain Marvel (Vol. 9) #8
  36. 36.0 36.1 Solo (Vol. 2) #1
  37. 37.0 37.1 Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 4) #26
  38. Mighty Thor (Vol. 3) #1
  39. 39.0 39.1 U.S.Avengers #4
  40. Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 4) #25
  41. Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 4) #28
  42. Silver Sable and the Wild Pack #36
  43. Doctor Doom #8
  44. Iron Patriot #4
  45. Death of Wolverine: The Logan Legacy #5
  46. [[Marvel Atlas 1; Transia's profile|[[Marvel Atlas #1|Marvel Atlas 1]]; Transia's profile]]
  47. 47.0 47.1 47.2 [[Marvel Atlas 1; Belgriun's profile|[[Marvel Atlas #1|Marvel Atlas 1]]; Belgriun's profile]]
  48. Solo (Vol. 2) #3
  49. 49.00 49.01 49.02 49.03 49.04 49.05 49.06 49.07 49.08 49.09 49.10 49.11 49.12 49.13 49.14 49.15 49.16 Domains of Doom #1
  50. [[Marvel Atlas 1; Latveria's profile|[[Marvel Atlas #1|Marvel Atlas 1]]; Latveria's profile]]
  51. Amazing Spider-Man #265
  52. Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales
  53. New Avengers/Transformers #1
  54. AAFES #11
  55. Heroes for Hire #10
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