“What does S.H.I.E.L.D stand for Agent Ward?” “Strategic Homeland Intervention Enforcement Logistics Division.” “What does that mean to you?” “It means someone really wanted our initials to spell S.H.I.E.L.D” – Maria Hill and Agent Ward, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D
In May of 2008, Summer movie-goers were introduced to what would become the Marvel cinematic universe via Jon Faverau’s Iron Man. The origin story of billionaire Tony Stark and his Iron Man Armor. In the midst of all the tech, action, and Robert Downey Jr.’s seemingly patented “Stark Snark”, a secondary character emerged: Agent Phil Coulson of S.H.I.E.L.D. Looking the consummate “G-Man” – something strait out of Mad Men at times – he became a larger presence as the Marvel cinematic universe grew, appearing in Iron Man 2, Thor, and finally The Avengers. It was in The Avengers that Coulson’s character shined brightest, as his belief in what that group of Superheroes could become was so deep, so engrained into who he was, that his willingness to sacrifice himself to give them a cause to rally around becomes the emotional heart and pivot point of the film: the idea that the film’s greatest hero was, in fact, the one without powers.
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