The Maggia originated in southern Europe in the 13th century partly in response to a series of oppressive governments. Its influence grew in noncommunist Europe and then in the Americas. The Maggia first came to the public attention in the 1890s and its bootlegging of liquor during Prohibition is legendary.

The Maggia is not a single unified organization, but a coalition of loosely connected groups called "families." Each family has their own organization and inner structure. Currently, there are three preeminent families in the Maggia, all situated on the East Coast of the United States. Maggia membership estimates are a shaky guess at best. Worldwide, the family members number in the tens of thousands, and about 3500 or so operate in the United States, mostly on the East Coast.

The organization came into conflict with Iron Man when Morgan Stark abducted an unconscious IM for the cartel. IM busted his way out of their trap only to face Maggia operative Whiplash! After a desperation move that knocks out Whiplash, Shellhead loses all power! The Maggia put IM on a magnetic table to cut off his helmet, but an attacking AIM struck in the proverbial nick, enabling IM to break free.

The criminal group struck against Stark again when Gladiator, working for the Maggia, kidnapped Tony and some of his friends. Elsewhere, the Big M (Whitney Frost, later Madame Masque) and her goons plotted a break-in of Stark International! SHIELD lent a hand against these guys, while Shellhead dealt with Gladiator. Control of the Maggia then was turned over to the Masked Marauder, who attempted to extort $1 billion in exchange for not nuking Detroit! After this failed, control went back to Ms. Frost. Also utilized by the organization were the Dreadnoughts, powerful robots developed by HYDRA.

First IM Appearance: Tales of Suspense #97.