The Secret

The Secret was a comic series created by Jim Sheldrake for Atom Comics in 1982. It was set in a dystopian future and followed a masted vigilante named "The Secret". (PROSE: The Enemy of My Enemy Is My Enemy)

According to another account, Sheldrake didn't himself invent the Secret, (PROSE: Mightier Than the Sword) and the series was published by Spitfire Comics; Sheldrake answered a question from "Douglas, Age 8" about the Secret's identity in the 12 May 1984 Spitfire Comic letters page. (PROSE: Mightier Than the Sword, The Enemy of My Enemy Is My Enemy)

In 1984, after disagreements with Del Rictus, Sheldrake left Atom Comics, ending The Secret on a cliffhanger. Since the intellectual property rights remained with the publisher, he was unable to veto Webber Brothers' 2005 adaptation of the comic, which opened internationally to mixed reviews. Sheldrake never watched the film.

Inspired by the film, Anonymous began wearing the Secret's Question Skull Mask as an identity-hiding device in 2006. (PROSE: The Enemy of My Enemy Is My Enemy)

Behind the scenes

• The Secret is an analogue for the real-world series V for Vendetta, which was adapted into a film by Warner Brothers.