In the DC Universe, organizations come together for many reasons—to protect the planet from super-villain threats, to monitor the super-powered individuals of the world, and to keep humanity’s darker nature in check. In the case of the Hierarchy of International Vengeance and Extermination, or H.I.V.E., as it’s more commonly known, the goal is simple: to bring together scientists and trained forces for the sole purpose of eliminating every super hero from the face of the planet.

Although there have been several incarnations of H.I.V.E. throughout the years, each founded by various members of the super-villain community—including Damien Darhk, Queen Bee and Adeline Kane—its main mission statement has remained the same. Sometimes the organization pushes its own agenda; other times, it offers its services to anyone willing to pay the right price.

H.I.V.E. consists of many skilled members, from scientists to trained assassins. Although willing to go after any super heroes, H.I.V.E. often finds itself at odds with the Teen Titans, and as such, has regularly worked alongside the team's greatest adversary, Slade Wilson, aka Deathstroke.