Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: SWORD

  • ‘WandaVision’: Brought to You By HYDRA

    ‘WandaVision’: Brought to You By HYDRA

    At this point, I think everyone had a theory about something when it comes to WandaVision. We have only three more episodes to go and no idea what is going on. Hopefully, next week will signal the beginning of the end as all the mysteries surrounding this mini-series are unraveled. We’ve been theorizing ever since the first episode, which resulted in various ideas like a build-up to Secret Wars, Dottie’s role in the story, and Agnes’ involvement with the hex. At this point, it feels like everything got theorized, and nothing is left. There is still some time until the next episode drops, so why not just throw one more theory in for good measure. I believe that the story might not be as magical as we first thought it was. What if it is a plot by HYDRA to restore the Infinity Stones?

    The main reason for this theory lies in Hayward’s strange behavior as of late. He seems rather angry towards powered individuals, which was a far departure from his first introduction. Once he took over, SWORD had a new focus on artificial intelligence. That was something that HYDRA put a lot of focus on when they developed for Project Insight. The Direct’s Liam Crowley had an interesting theory that the SWORD acting director may be Ultron in human disguise. It is possible, but the way the new Marvel Cinematic Universe organization seems to be echoing SHIELD’s Phase 2 plans could be a good hint something is afoot. After SHIELD fell in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, SWORD may have been overlooked in the chaos.

     

     

    There is also the fact that Wanda’s origins got linked to the organization within this universe. Baron Wolfgang von Strucker had a big hand in activating her abilities through the Mind Stone. After its destruction at the hands of Thanos, they have been trying for a way to harness its power. Vision’s remnants were the perfect opportunity now that Wanda was snapped and couldn’t stop them. As there were no remnants left, they might’ve realized the best way to access the stone’s abilities was through Wanda. Once she returned, they had a golden opportunity. Why else was he laid out on a table like that after all this time?

    There is also the loose connection that Agathe Harkness has with HYDRA. We still believe that Agnes turns out to be the iconic witch from Marvel Comics. There was a version in the Ultimate universe that was once part of a seven-headed Hydra. They could’ve taken inspiration from that aspect and made her part of the organization’s mythology that has gotten explored on Agents of SHIELD. It’s a bit of a longshot, but at this point, almost anything is possible with WandaVision. I couldn’t resist throwing in one more crazy theory into the batch.

    Source: The Direct

  • Al Ewing Launches New ‘S.W.O.R.D.’ Series This December

    Al Ewing Launches New ‘S.W.O.R.D.’ Series This December

    As Al Ewing and Dan Slott’s Empyre event came to an end, former S.W.O.R.D. director Abigail Brand assured the Avengers and Alpha Flight that she had better things to do with her time than to clean up their messes when they leave her out of the loop. Now we know what she had in mind: Brand is bringing back S.W.O.R.D…with a twist.

    S.W.O.R.D. #1 cover by Valerio Schiti

    Ewing will reteam with Empyre artist Valerio Schiti to bring Brand’s all-new, all-mutie version of the Sentient World Observation and Response Department to not only Jonathan Hickman’s line of X-books, but also to the larger Marvel Universe. Ewing, whose work on The Immortal Hulk earned him an Eisner nomination in 2019, has been one of Marvel’s most prolific and impressive writers over the last 5 years and this book will see him return to space where one of his best works, 2015’s Ultimates, took place.

    “It’s an absolute blast to be working with the X-team, and to bring Marvel’s merry mutants into the new Age of Space—and introduce space to the new age of Krakoa!” Ewing says. “And it’s not just X-readers and space explorers who get what they want—fans of my more cosmic Marvel work will have plenty to digest as well, as mutantkind thinks even bigger and takes it even further, into realms I’m almost surprised they let me get away with. After conquering death, what’s next—and will we survive the experience?”

    Brand’s new squad will feature Magneto, kid Cable, Eden Fesi, aka Manifold, Frenzy, Wiz-Kid and a very different looking Fabian Cortez, thanks to Schiti, whose designs for some of the other members were shared via Marvel.com:

    S.W.O.R.D. character design sheet by Valerio Schiti

    S.W.O.R.D. character design sheet by Valerio Schiti

    S.W.O.R.D. character design sheet by Valerio Schiti

    As is always the case with X-teams, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, so while there are some interesting choices here, including some reformed villains (Krakoa is for all mutants, afterall), Schiti assures us they are all here for a reason as the X-Men move forward following their upcoming event, X of Swords.

    “I can’t say much about what S.W.O.R.D. does, but I can say that every team member will have a peculiar role to play. That’s why I designed their uniforms with technical clothing, urban outfits, and even ceremonial uniforms: every role needed a different reference and a different starting point. The space outfits are inspired by trekking or hiking clothes, far from the typical space suit because these characters are explorers, not astronauts.”

    S.W.O.R.D. will be available for pre-order later this week and in your local comic shop this December.