The Devastating Moment in Secret Invasion That Will Leave Fans Shattered
Secret Invasion's MCU series might break hearts with an emotional reveal from the comics: a shocking Mockingbird twist that will leave fans reeling
The upcoming Secret Invasion miniseries on Disney Plus draws inspiration from the Marvel comic book event series of the same name. Written by Brian Michael Bendis and illustrated by Leinil Yu and Mark Morales, the original Secret Invasion storyline uncovered the fact that a number of heroes and villains were actually Skrulls in disguise. These shape-shifting aliens had lost their home world and were now seeking to make Earth their new home. They arrived in small groups, using Skrull technology to implant human memories and even superhuman abilities in their own kind.
The Disney Plus series aims to deliver a similar narrative. While the Skrulls in the Marvel Cinematic Universe haven't been portrayed as villains, a small group of rebels among them have grown disillusioned with the lack of progress in finding a new home world after Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and Carol Danvers (Brie Larson) promised to do so in the 1990s-set Captain Marvel movie. These Skrulls have started to infiltrate human society with the aim of establishing Earth as their permanent base, much like their comic book counterparts. The show's cast already includes Ben Mendelsohn as Talos, Cobie Smulders as Maria Hill, Martin Freeman as Everett Ross, and Don Cheadle as James Rhodes, but there is also potential for a nod to a poignant revelation about Mockingbird in the comics.
Who Is Mockingbird In The Comics?
In Marvel Comics, Mockingbird is the alter ego of SHIELD Agent Barbara Morse, who is commonly known as Bobbi. Created by Len Wein and Neal Adams, Mockingbird made her debut in a 1971 issue of Strange Tales. Initially referred to as Agent 19, she later adopted the codename Mockingbird due to her tendency to mock her enemies in combat using her signature staves. Despite her SHIELD affiliation, Mockingbird has also operated as Huntress and has been a member of the Avengers. Barbara Morse is a multifaceted character with a PhD in Biology, making her equally skilled in both scientific and combat fields. Her comic book exploits have taken her on adventures to various locations including the Savage Land, outer space, and even back in time. While her story has not yet been depicted in the MCU, her involvement in the Secret Invasion storyline could provide an opportunity for her introduction.
Who Is Mockingbird In The MCU?
In the MCU, Mockingbird's identity is not as clear-cut as it is in the comics due to the fact that Bobbi Morse is not technically present in the cinematic universe. Instead, Laura Barton, Clint Barton's wife, is revealed to have been a former SHIELD agent and is referred to as Agent 19 in the Hawkeye series on Disney Plus. Throughout the series, Clint and Kate work together to retrieve a watch containing sensitive SHIELD information, which was eventually found to be in Laura's possession. This revelation sheds light on Laura's past involvement with SHIELD and explains her familiarity with Clint's partnership with Black Widow and the Avengers.
The use of codenames in the MCU raises questions about their precise function, particularly in light of the fact that Agents Of SHIELD was once considered part of the canon timeline during Age of Ultron's release. The television series and movies were intertwined, with events in one influencing the other. For example, Agent Coulson provided the Avengers with the helicarrier used to rescue people from Sokovia, but they were unaware of his involvement. During this time, Agents of SHIELD had its own Mockingbird, Bobbi Morse, played by Adrianne Palicki, who mirrored her comic book counterpart. It wasn't until the fifth season, when time travel was introduced, that the show deviated from the MCU timeline. As a result, it's possible that numerous individuals have used the Agent 19/Mockingbird codename in the MCU. Despite the fact that Laura Barton has never been explicitly referred to as Mockingbird in the MCU, she is unmistakably the character.
Mockingbird Is A Skrull In The Secret Invasion Comics
In the Marvel Comics, Mockingbird and Hawkeye's relationship was marked by ups and downs, and at one point, they attempted to reconcile their differences and give their relationship another chance. Tragically, just when they seemed to be making progress, Bobbi was killed on a mission. However, it was later revealed that the person who had returned to Clint's life was not Bobbi at all, but a Skrull with implanted memories who didn't even realize their true identity. Similarly, Mockingbird was held captive in a Skrull facility designed to resemble the Avengers mansion and was made to believe that her allies were actually Skrulls, even learning to speak their language during her imprisonment. The full extent of Bobbi's experience wasn't disclosed until after the Secret Invasion series, when Clint had to use a secret that only he and the real Bobbi knew to prove her identity when they finally reunited.
It's possible for Secret Invasion to deliver a heart-wrenching blow similar to the Mockingbird storyline, despite the series having a large cast of characters. The show has revealed that a group of Skrulls have been living among humans undetected for years, which makes it easy to speculate that Laura Barton could be one of them. If the truth were to come out that she has been gathering intelligence on the Avengers from her own husband, it would be a gut-wrenching moment for Clint, their children, and other former SHIELD members like Nick Fury and Maria Hill. This twist would be a surprising moment for viewers while still paying tribute to the source material that inspired the series. You can catch new episodes of Secret Invasion every week on Disney Plus starting June 21, 2023.
