The main question most fans have with “Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.” is simple: Where is it going?
It’s one thing to have a one-shot TV movie that ties into a big movie release, it is quite another to create a long running series. “Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.” will need to transcend the notion that it is just a cog in the machine of Marvel franchise movies. Luckily for the show, it has the House of Ideas behind it.
Should the creative team behind the series ever run dry of ideas, they only need to turn to a stack of trade paperbacks to find a whole plethora of new story arcs. In the spirit of that idea, I have come up with 10 Marvel Storylines We Want To See In ‘Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ in honor of the show’s launch later today.
I summarized the original story arcs from the comics before explaining how they could be molded to this television series.
Which Marvel stories would you like to see adapted in "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D"?
10 Marvel Storylines We Want To See In 'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'
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New Avengers: The Sentry
Story: In the original story arc, The Sentry (who is living a modest life with no idea who he really is) begins to have nightmares of the Darkness. As he begins to regain the idea of who he is, the rest of the New Avengers begin to reawaken to the idea that they have forgotten one of the most powerful heroes in the Marvel Universe
S.H.I.E.L.D.: The S.H.I.E.L.D. agents are brought in to find The Sentry as a few heroes begin to understand that something awful is heading towards Earth. As Coulson and the crew begin digging into whom The Sentry is. The truth of his power starts to trouble Coulson. Should he be kept a secret? Parts of The Sentry’s story can be told in flashbacks. This story could lead into the comic arc.
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Astonishing X-Men: Gifted
Story: Indian Benetech introduces a “cure” for mutants put together by Dr. Kavita Rao. The X-Men discover the cure was actually created under the orders of Ord, an alien warrior looking to wipeout the X-Men because one of them will destroy his planet in the future. This story also returned Colossus to the “living”.
S.H.I.E.L.D.: First, this story works because Joss Whedon wrote it, so if anyone can meld it to the Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D., it’s Whedon. For this I would focus on the cure. Dr. Rao is under the protection of S.H.I.E.L.D. after being threatened by the Brotherhood Of Evil Mutants.
While trying to protect her, S.H.I.E.L.D. learns of the cure, which splits the team on the moral implications of the idea.
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Wolverine: Enemy of The State
Story: Attempting to rescue a child, Wolverine is brainwashed by Hydra and The Hand. Wolverine is then forced to fight his friends and teammates.
S.H.I.E.L.D.: This can be a sideline show. Watching as S.H.I.E.L.D. tries to find Wolverine and stop him. Coulson knows something is up, and launches his own investigation to figure out why. At one point, if Hugh Jackman was into it, we could have Coulson and Wolverine face off.
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Daredevil: Shadowland
Story: Possessed by a demon of The Hand’s making, Daredevil sets up an ancient tower called Shadowland in his old stomping grounds of Hell’s Kitchen.
S.H.I.E.L.D.: The crew is called out to defend the locals from The Hand ninjas who currently run amok in New York. Coulson is also told to try and take down Daredevil. Featuring Daredevil might be difficult, so it would more the implication of the hero and shadow movements.
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Deadpool: Dead Presidents
Story: Dead presidents such as Lincoln, Washington, etc., are all rising from the dead. Normal heroes can’t kill these zombies, only a man with the reputation of Deadpool is necessary to take out this zombie threat.
S.H.I.E.L.D.: Though the heroes can’t deal with them because heroes killing presidents is bad PR, S.H.I.E.L.D. is launched to intercept these “dead” presidents. Unable to take them out, Coulson is forced to have his crew team up with Deadpool for a final attack.
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Secret War
Story: Nick Fury discovers a conspiracy involving Latveria’s new leader Lucia Von Bardas. Fury decides to recruit certain heroes to take on the Latveria’s Government.
S.H.I.E.L.D.: Here’s a chance for Nick Fury to make a guest appearance. Coulson is appointed to keep tabs on the heroes brought together to fight Fury’s secret war. As he tends to each one, the heroes open up to why they feel this might be an immoral mission and their inability to trust Fury. Special guest stars could abound!!
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The Galactus Trilogy
Story: The original tale of Galactus coming to Earth.
S.H.I.E.L.D.: Okay, I know, this happened back in the Jack Kirby days, and it would be very hard to bring Galactus to TV due to budget issues.
Still, the surrounding story, even updated a little, could be an incredible episode. Silver Surfer arrives on Earth and runs afoul of S.H.I.E.L.D.. After allowing himself to be captured, Surfer informs Coulson that Galactus is coming. As S.H.I.E.L.D. prepares to battle the world eater, Coulson attempts to convince Surfer to fight for them against his master.
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Civil War
Story: After a horrible explosion caused by a third rate super villains team destroys a school, the Government decides all heroes must remove their masks and register with the Government. Some agree, some do not, and a war between the heroes begins.
S.H.I.E.L.D.: I see this as the beginning of a multi-season arc. Civil War would take an entire season of S.H.I.E.L.D. to tell. It would follow as S.H.I.E.L.D. attempts to apprehend heroes who will not register. Coulson has a problem with this idea, as does his team.
When Iron Man is put in charge of S.H.I.E.L.D., Coulson and his team separate from S.H.I.E.L.D. and go underground to assist heroes fighting this battle. The heroes featured could be second stringers, so as to avoid big movie politics. But if written well, this could be an exciting season.
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Secret Invasion
Story: It’s discovered that alien shapeshifers called the Skrulls have been infesting the Earth with sleeper agents, including some of the heroes we trust. As the Skrulls begin to awaken, a war breaks out.
S.H.I.E.L.D.: Following Civil War, the next season of S.H.I.E.L.D. would deal with the Skrull war. Coulson and his team are back on S.H.I.E.L.D. and joined by heroes to try and fight the Skrulls.
Mistrust abounds as sleepers continue to awaken and shed their human skin. Some of Coulson’s team are even suspect. This is a long, action packed season. The end would be difficult since the character Norman Osborn would be beholden to the Amazing Spider-Man films.
It’s an easy fix. Introduce a character like Norman Osborn who is unique to the S.H.I.E.L.D. show and make him the “Osborn” character for this season.
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Dark Reign
Story: Post Secret Invasion, Norman Osborn is now seen as a hero and runs the S.H.I.E.L.D. Replacement H.A.M.M.E.R., plus the Dark Avengers. The heroes are on the run, and S.H.I.E.L.D. is no more.
S.H.I.E.L.D.: This last season of the three-season arc has Coulson and his team on the run with the other heroes. Aligned with smaller heroes, Coulson attempts small attacks on H.A.M.M.E.R. to try and prove their leader is a liar.
Coulson also directs small groups of heroes to take on the Dark Avengers. While attempting to run this small resistance, Coulson searches for Nick Fury who has vanished.
