This article is the first in (hopefully) many about my favorite comic book show on network tv right now, Marvel's Agents of SHIELD! With the show set to return in the distant 2018, I'm afforded plenty of time to brainstorm new hopes, dreams, and theories.
To start things off, I'd like to look at individual heroes that I'd love to see make an appearance on AoS. While many of their comic counterparts are supported by surrounding members of the Marvel universe, I'd be happy if these characters came to the show ON THEIR OWN. A character like Jimmy Woo, for example, didn't make the cut on this list because I am much more interested in his character making an appearance with the entire Agents of Atlas roster. Also, since the series often deals with fringe characters, I'll be detailing a little bit about each of their backstories and power sets. It might get a little wordy, but it should save you a trip to wikipedia if you're stumped on just who I'm talking about.
When making selections, I tried to think of characters who could take the series in new, exciting directions instead of just retreading old ground. I wanted big personalities and a strong visual presence, but also tried to keep expectations realistic as we go into a 5th season with a reduced budget. Going back to that "fringe character" concept, I tried to focus in on members in the Marvel Universe who might never get to see the big screen, but could find a home in our living rooms/laptops/preferred streaming devices.
Without further ado, here are the top characters I'd love to see join AoS!
Honorable Mention: Agent Brand
If it weren't for the debate over which company owns the rights to Abigail Brand, this green-haired goddess would undoubtedly end up as my #1 spot. She is quick-witted, a master tactician, and unabashedly deliberate and commanding. Though she doesn't rely on her powers often, Brand can heat or set aflame with but a touch, an effect that this show could easily achieve on its budget. She speaks countless languages, is proficient with nearly any weapon or tool she puts her hands on, and protects the knowledge of the nightmares hiding in the vastness of space. Despite having such a big personality, she is distant, blunt in conversation, and mysterious; many secrets about her remain unrevealed even after thirteen years of publication!
With the show making it's jump to space next season, the director of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s own space division seems like a no brainer. Alas, she is half-alien and half-"M word." Despite her ties to S.H.I.E.L.D., her rights may be tangled to the X-Men with Fox. Doubts of a S.W.O.R.D. appearance were further grown when Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. visual effect supervisor Mark Kolpack tweeted, "As cool as that would be. That is part of the X-Men universe." Still, she was created by Joss Whedon sometime after Fox's original deal with Marvel to purchase their characters for use in movies, so she may truly still belong to Marvel despite her mutant connections. If the rights to her character are shared (like the Watchers or Quicksilver) or Kolpack is wrong altogether, then this might allow some wiggle room to get the sexiest socially inept space defender into the MCU!
On sidenote, her relationship with Beast might be one of my favorite couples in comics and if the X-Men films ever dare go to space, Fox would be silly not to make use of her.
For the love of god, you make a S.H.I.E.L.D. show and we still haven't seen Clay? A one of the Fury's main hombres, Clay has been on the forefront of the organization's activities, especially those concerning the Hulk. Clay is classically handsome, charming, determined, and optimistic. Unlike most 21st century heroes, he doesn't get bogged down in the cynicism and grittiness of life. Instead, he assesses the situation, adapts, forges ahead. This level of competency has rarely been seen on AoS, granted, the sh*t is usually hitting the fan leaving little room to look on the bright side.
Glenn Talbot could easily introduce Quartermain as a liaison between the government and S.H.I.E.L.D., though it might be a bit of a rehash of what they did with Jeffery Mace. However, Quartermain could take our story in a whole new direction—dealing with Hulks! Admittedly, my main desire to add him to the show would be the opportunity to see the team trying to take down Gamma baddies. He could be a great way to tie the loose ends of the Incredible Hulk movie. Quartermain can be the man that originally captured The Leader (explaining why he hasn't shown up since his introduction), but this only gave the Leader time to construct his master plan—to transform and entire country into gamma beings under his rule. Now that he is on the loose, Quartermain and the rest of the AoS squad have to remain vigilant in capturing him before the world is nothing but monsters. Sure, this might be a bit of a rehash of the Hive arc, but this time with Hulks!
If Quartermain doesn't show up AoS, fine. My concept would probably break the bank of a tv show anyway. But then tell me we're gonna finish up the open-ended Leader plot in another Hulk film!.....please?
4. Brian Braddock (Captain Britain)
This guy always came off as a hokey a British Captain America to me. However, when I finally got around to reading Captain Britain, I was mesmerized by its comical storylines, psychedelic artwork, and the way is depicted both wonder and whimsy in our chaotic world.
A scientist named Brian Braddock was given the choice between the power of the Sword of Might or the wisdom of the Amulet of Right. Selecting the amulet put him on path to become the multiverse-defending Captain Britain. Besides his brilliant scientific mind, Captain Britain possesses magic-based abilities like super-strength, flight, invulnerability to harm, and a precognitive magical awareness. His powers are derived from a silly looking magical suit given to him by Merlyn. He is further empowered by his own emotions and willpower, so the more confident he is, the more powerful he becomes. As a member an interdimensional police force known as the Captain Britain Corps, it's his duty to protect the multiverse from obscure threats that might be a little too wacky for your average boy in tights.
Last year, rumors swirled that Captain Britain would be getting his own shot at a series. Alas, it seems Brian here didn't make the cut, but a recent interview with Kevin Feige and Amy Pascal tells us that he's still tabled for discussion. An arc with the S.H.I.E.L.D. team running through dimensions with Captain Britain leading the charge to stop the absurdity of Mad Jim Jaspers or traveling to the mystical realm of Avalon could be a lot of fun—think of an aesthetic like FX's Legion but with high-fantasy action. Even with a skinnier budget, his power set works well on the small screen; we've seen many of these abilities on shows like AoS, Flash and Supergirl. His inclusion is a longshot because though he may not legally limited to Fox, his stories often involve the X-family of comics. If not appearing on this show, perhaps Marvel Studios will pick up his solo series in the future. But if he does show up on AoS, I'd love to see Coulson cracking jokes about how Captain Britain ain't got nothing on his big blue boy scout of choice.
3. Jessica Drew (Spider-Woman)
Brainwashed by HYDRA to be the ultimate assassin, Jessica Drew broke her conditioning and went on to become one of the prominent female heroes in Marvel comics. Spider-Woman was an integral member of the Avengers, S.H.I.E.L.D., and S.W.O.R.D. Contrary to her name, she is unrelated to Spider-Man (she hardly interacts with him) and instead has a unique powerset tied to her biology that allows her enhanced reflexes, strength, flight, pheromone manipulation, and the ability to expel offensive bio-electric "Venom Blasts." She is best friends with Captain Marvel, is a skilled and resourceful detective, and has recently found new purpose balancing her roles as superhero and mother. Jessica has a dry sarcasm begging to be seen with the likes of Iron Man or Jessica Jones, and yet still finds a lot of heart to push her stories. She's the kind of hero that takes a 2-bit villain like Porcupine and helps him find some redemption. Considering her extensive skills and abilities, Jessica could be a key agent for this franchise and might even warrant her own show.
I would change her roots to A.I.M. since that's been done to death. With such a large publication history, the showrunners would have many options to work her into the story. Maybe she is a brainwashed agent of A.I.M. and primary antagonist for S.H.I.E.L.D. until she switches to the side of the angels. Or maybe Jessica escaped A.I.M. long ago and is now a P.I. with critical intel. She could even end up as a head operative in S.W.O.R.D. if that show can somehow show up. All things considered, I think she has a better chance of showing up in the Captain Marvel movie, but an appearance on this show would be a fantastic.
A strange obstacle blocking Jessica's path to the screen might be the issue of character rights—as "Spider"-Woman, does she belong to Marvel or Sony?
2. Wendell Vaughn (Quasar)
Considering the cosmic setting that AoS left us in the end of Season 4, Quasar seems like a shoe-in. Wendell Elvis Vaughn displays obvious skill and talent as a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, but ends up sidelined for lacking the iron will to win at all costs. S.H.I.E.L.D. later experiments with a powerful relic called the Quantum Bands (an 0-8-4, anyone?). Despite their efforts, no agent is able to wield their boundless energy without being consumed. That is, until Wendell takes a crack at it. Instead of focusing his indomitable will to control the bands, he relaxes gives way to a flexible will. Commanding the might of the quantum bands give Wendell nearly limitless power, drawing from an extradimensional force that allows him to siphon energy from any source, to fly at hypersonic speeds or teleport across space, and to create complex energy constructs of his own design almost instantly. So uh, he's basically a cosmically powerful Green Lantern.
Quasar might be breaking the bank as far as an SFX budget goes, but boy could he be a treat. James Gunn very recently tweeted what appeared to be Quasar tease, so it's possible he is reserved for the big screen. But if Marvel Studios doesn't think this character translates to film, I'd love to see him on AoS.
Wendell could start an arc as a rookie agent that's new to the team. Like Daisy, we'd meet him without powers and get to know his character before he becomes the hero he was always meant to be. Imagine, a critical moment where he doesn't pull the trigger and is berated for it—until his "go with the flow" attitude ultimately saves the team and teaches them to be less uncompromising or violent. It might take a while, maybe close to a full season, till he gets the bands. We would see this character confronted with the idea of being aggressive and then determine that peace is the better solution. Instead of just having powers thrust upon him like Inhumans, we would get to watch Wendell earn his heroic stripes.
1. Carmilla Black (Scorpion)
Hands down, my top choice to bring to AoS is Carmilla Black. I'll forgive anyone for having no idea who I'm talking about. However, Scorpion here might just be one of best characters to adapt for AoS.
The young adopted Carmilla grew up never knowing she was the genetically altered daughter of A.I.M.'s Scientist Supreme, Monica Rappaccini. When her toxic powers manifest out of control, she flees to the streets for years only to resurface as an undercover agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. She infiltrates A.I.M. to stick it to her momma and has spent the better part of her publication appearing randomly to kick major booty. Carmilla is not only immune to disease and chemicals, but also absorbs them to be delivered later by touch. A skilled martial artist, master thief, and expert infiltrator: the girl is a powerhouse.
Carmilla is probably one of the only new characters I'd seriously consider putting on the main roster of this show. Her story differs enough from Daisy's that it's not a rehash, but the parallels are obviously there and would allow Daisy to take a mentor role with Carmilla. It might take her longer to warm up to the rest of the team, especially if she is playing double agent or if her powers end up hurting someone in S.H.I.E.L.D., but as time went on I could see her being the new Melinda May (but please, don't ever lose May). Luckily, there's a lot of wiggle room in her publication and it would allow the show freedom to flesh her out into whatever role would suit her best.
On another exciting note, the little background she does have contains a built-in plot to reintroduce A.I.M. to the MCU landscape--something I've been clamoring for since Iron Man 3 rolled credits. Where my beekeepers at?
Like what you see? Or maybe you your AoS hopeful didn't make the cut. Sound off in the comments and tell me why you think a character like Forbush Man deserves 13 episode arc on Marvel's AoS.
If you like what you see here, please give the page a like or share the post so that I know to keep making more contect. I love feedback and look forward to hearing who YOU want to see on the show next season.
Till next time, thanks for reading!