A little while ago we confirmed suspicions that the character introduced in Marvel’s “Battle Scars,” Marcus Johnson, was the heir to the Fury name and Marvel’s way to get a black Nick Fury into the 616 in accordance with the film (which had, for the record, co-opted the Ultimate version of Nick Fury from Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch’s “Ultimates,” which was tailored for Sam Jackson). It’s a moment that was a little bit telegraphed via the cover to issue #6, shown above, but is never the less a sleek way to create continuity for those coming into shops from the theater.
But wait! There’s more!
“Battle Scars” #6, in stores tomorrow, has an additional change coming. It’s a big one, too, and one we’re certainly a fan of. The story broke at USA Today and is a tremendous spoiler, so if you don’t want to know what happens, don’t read any further (or visit most other comic sites, really).
If you’re ok with knowing before you read, though, click on through.
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome into Marvel continuity: Clark Gregg’s Agent Coulson.
You read that correctly. The ever popular SHIELD agent first introduced in Iron Man who has been a main connective thread throughout all of Marvel Studio’s film franchise (and related comics) is finally entering the 616 comics in what Gregg describes as a Make-A-Wish dream come true. Coulson will be appearing in “Batttle Scars” #6 as the man behind the “Cheese” code name, and he will be Johnson’s right hand man as the two of them take a position in Marvel’s premiere Strategic Hazard Intervention Espionage Logistics Directorate.
Coulson works as a character because he’s the infinitely relatable member of the whole Avengers/SHIELD brigade. A soft-spoken but strong character, Coulson is the Marvel universe’s every man who has yet to appear in the proper 616 comics (he has, for the record, appeared in movie comic tie-ins). Now that we’re getting him as a character in the books, it creates a connective thread for fans of the movie to come to the comics and see an affable face waiting for them in the ever-shifting landscape of the Marvel Universe. For regular fans, we just get Coulson and the promise (read: keep your fingers crossed) that the character will remain as humble yet badass as the film’s counterpart.
He’s a bit more buff than Gregg is, but hey, it’s comics folks! Look at them take on Leviathan, though. Like father, like son. And Clark Gregg.
Oh, and it looks like Johnson has a mustache, an older and more Jackson-esque face and is going to be taking Cap’s old Super Soldier costume and getting a lead position in SHIELD. But really, we’re just excited about Coulson.
