The Incredible Feats Agents of SHIELD Mastered Long Before the Marvel Cinematic Universe

Summary

Agents of SHIELD introduced the Darkhold before it appeared in WandaVision, showcasing its connection to the larger MCU.

The show placed a strong emphasis on including a diverse cast from the start, featuring actors from various backgrounds in important roles.

Agents of SHIELD delved into the realms of time travel and the multiverse before these concepts were extensively explored in the MCU, laying the foundation for future storylines.

Marvel Television's Agents of SHIELD explored various storylines that later appeared in the MCU during its seven-season run. Originally intended to align with the MCU's theatrical releases, the show premiered in 2013 and delved into the inner workings of the MCU's secretive organization. In its first season, Agents of SHIELD directly tied into MCU films such as The Avengers, Thor: The Dark World, and Captain America: The Winter Soldier. However, starting from season 2, the show developed its own timeline, exploring storylines that were separate from the MCU but were later adapted by the franchise.

At its core, Agents of SHIELD focused on Phil Coulson's team of SHIELD agents as they combated superhuman and otherworldly threats following his resurrection after being killed by Loki in The Avengers. Throughout its seven seasons, the show introduced new species, eradicated supernatural dangers, and delved into significant periods of history and the future before concluding in 2020. Although season 2's divergence from the mainline MCU raised questions about its canon status, Agents of SHIELD had the opportunity to delve into major storylines well before the MCU had the chance to do so.

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10 The Darkhold Debuted In Agents Of SHIELD First

The book known as the Darkhold made its first appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe's WandaVision in 2021, but it was mentioned five years earlier in Agents of SHIELD season 4, episode 2, "Meet the New Boss." In that show, the Darkhold was a regular-looking book used by Momentum Labs to create the Quantum Particle Generator, without the mystical energy seen in the MCU version. Eventually, SHIELD acquired the Darkhold and it was used by the LMD AIDA to create the Framework. Finally, Robbie Reyes, also known as Ghost Rider, took the book into Hell.

9 Agents Of SHIELD's Diversity Was Far Ahead Of The MCU

While Marvel Studios has made significant efforts to emphasize diversity in the more recent lineup of heroes in the MCU, the franchise initially received criticism for its lack of diverse casting. For quite some time, characters like Nick Fury, War Machine, and Black Widow were in the minority. However, there has been a noticeable shift in recent years with the introduction of a diverse range of new heroes. Right from the start, Agents of SHIELD addressed this issue by featuring Chinese-American actors Ming-Na Wen and Chloe Bennet, as well as showcasing several Black and Hispanic performers in pivotal roles throughout the series.

8 Superhero Fan Became The Hero In Agents Of SHIELD First

The idea of a superhero fan turning into a hero themselves is a classic trope, and both the MCU and Agents of SHIELD executed it seamlessly. Marvel Studios showcased the transformation of Kamala Khan and Kate Bishop into superheroes, inspired by their admiration for Captain Marvel and Hawkeye respectively. However, it was Agents of SHIELD that pioneered this concept. In the early days of the show, Daisy Johnson (formerly known as Skye) displayed a profound interest in superheroes, ultimately discovering her own Inhuman abilities and assuming the identity of Quake. Furthermore, Phil Coulson, who arguably held the greatest admiration for superheroes, has emerged as one of Marvel's most significant heroes.

7 Enoch Was Agents Of SHIELD's Version Of The Watcher

While the Watchers were introduced in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 in 2017, they were further explored in Phase 4's What If...?. These all-powerful cosmic beings are responsible for observing the multiverse without interfering, although they have occasionally taken action. The TV show Agents of SHIELD did not feature the Watchers, but instead introduced the Chronicoms in season 5. Similar to the Watchers, the Chronicoms are meant to be mere observers. However, Joel Stoffer's character Enoch assumed the role of Jeffrey Wright's Uatu from What If...?, interfering in human affairs multiple times and even aiding in the battle against his own species. This mirrors Uatu's actions in bringing together the Guardians of the Multiverse.

6 Agents Of SHIELD Did Secret Invasion's Storyline With The LMDs

The release of 2023's Secret Invasion on Disney+ received a mixed reception, leaving many fans disappointed with its poor adaptation of the beloved Marvel Comics' crossover event. The series focused on the infiltration of shape-shifting Skrulls, who replaced significant figures in human society. However, Secret Invasion failed to deliver a compelling espionage narrative, in stark contrast to the highly acclaimed fourth season of Agents of SHIELD in 2017. Instead of employing Skrulls, Agents of SHIELD ingeniously incorporated the concept using Life Model Decoys (LMDs) led by AIDA. This captivating storyline featured members of the SHIELD team being replaced, while their consciousnesses were uploaded into a sinister virtual world. The Secret Invasion-inspired plot in Agents of SHIELD is widely regarded as far superior.

5 The Multiverse Was Explored In Agents Of SHIELD First

After the Sacred Timeline was unleashed in Phase 4's Loki season 1, Marvel Studios embarked on a journey to explore the vast multiverse of the MCU. This led to the introduction of intriguing variants of beloved characters like Spider-Man, and even saw Doctor Strange traversing through multiple alternate realities. The concept of the multiverse became a heated topic of conversation in Agents of SHIELD as well, especially after the team's epic voyage from the future in season 5, which consequently altered the timeline, resulting in an entirely fresh history. Agents of SHIELD's final season witnessed the creation of numerous new timelines due to the team's time travel escapades. Presently, the MCU finds itself deeply immersed in the captivating Multiverse Saga, but it's worth noting that Agents of SHIELD managed to lay the groundwork prior to Marvel Studios' endeavors.

4 Avengers: Endgame Did Time Travel After Agents Of SHIELD

The Avengers' successful Time Heist and their mission to save the universe in Avengers: Endgame heavily relied on Tony Stark's groundbreaking discovery of time travel. Interestingly, the Agents of SHIELD's final season, released in 2020, showcased the team's multiple journeys through time. However, it is worth noting that their time-traveling adventures actually began back in 2017. The fourth season of Agents of SHIELD concluded with Coulson awakening on a futuristic space station, and the first half of the following season unfolded in the year 2091 before the team eventually returned to the present day. As their final mission unfolded, the Agents of SHIELD found themselves exploring various time periods, including 1931, 1955, 1973, 1976, and 1982.

3 Agents Of SHIELD Debuted The Champion Of HYDRA Long Before What If...?

2 Agents Of SHIELD Included Some Great Themed Title Sequences

Although not explicitly stated, there are undeniable similarities between Agents of SHIELD's Hive and the "Champion of HYDRA" from What If...?. In the What If...? series, the Champion of HYDRA's power was absorbed by Strange Supreme and it was later released by the Red Skull, only to be defeated by Captain Carter. On the other hand, Hive made its debut in Agents of SHIELD season 3 as an ancient Inhuman with the ability to control the minds of other Inhumans. The tentacled appearance shared by both creatures implies a possible connection, although it remains unclear if this will ever be addressed.

Marvel Studios has recently incorporated a unique approach in their opening logo intro for every project. This is most noticeable in titles like Captain Marvel, Avengers: Endgame, WandaVision, Loki, Ms. Marvel, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, as well as the MCU's animated projects. While Marvel Studios has made this a common practice, Agents of SHIELD distinguishes itself by featuring a themed title card at the beginning of each episode, corresponding to the specific theme of the season. This feature was especially significant in the final season of Agents of SHIELD, where the title cards changed with each episode to accurately portray the different time periods the team ventured into. This added touch enhanced the overall experience.

1 Inhumans Didn't Debut In The MCU Until Phase 4

Originally introduced in season 2 of Agents of SHIELD, Inhumans were initially intended to pave the way for the MCU's Inhumans film, which ultimately didn't materialize. Consequently, their introduction marked a significant departure from the mainline MCU within the show. While the concept of Inhumans became well-known in Agents of SHIELD, the superhuman race hasn't been acknowledged in the broader MCU, except for the appearance of Black Bolt, the Inhuman King, in Earth-838 in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. This discrepancy has led to debates over the canonicity of Agents of SHIELD in relation to the MCU, although it remains to be seen whether Marvel Studios plans to officially introduce the Inhumans in the MCU.