S.W.O.R.D.

Last updated
S.W.O.R.D.
The Peak (S.W.O.R.D. 1).jpg
The Peak, headquarters of S.W.O.R.D.
Art by Steven Sanders.
Group publication information
Publisher Marvel Comics
First appearance Astonishing X-Men vol. 3 #6 (December 2004)
Created by Joss Whedon (writer)
John Cassaday (artist)
In-story information
Type of organizationIntelligence agency
Base(s)The Peak
Agent(s) Beast
Abigail Brand
Agent Deems
Henry Peter Gyrich
Lockheed
Spider-Woman
Sydren
S.W.O.R.D.
Series publication information
ScheduleMonthly
Format Ongoing series
Genre
Publication dateJanuary – May 2010
Number of issues5
Creative team
Writer(s) Kieron Gillen
Penciller(s) Steve Sanders
Inker(s) Craig Yeung
Letterer(s) Dave Lanphear
Colorist(s) Matt Wilson
Creator(s) Kieron Gillen
Steve Sanders
Editor(s) Daniel Ketchum
Nick Lowe
Joe Quesada
Collected editions
No Time to Breathe ISBN   0-7851-4076-X

S.W.O.R.D. (Sentient World Observation and Response Department) is a fictional counterterrorism and intelligence agency appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Its purpose is to deal with extraterrestrial threats to world security and is the space-based counterpart of S.H.I.E.L.D., which deals with local threats to the world.

Contents

The organization appears in several forms of media, such as The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes and the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) / Disney+ miniseries WandaVision .

Publication history

S.W.O.R.D. was first introduced in Astonishing X-Men vol. 3 #6 and was created by Joss Whedon and John Cassaday. [1]

Fictional organization biography

In the comics, S.W.O.R.D. was originally an offshoot of S.H.I.E.L.D., but since the departure of Nick Fury as director of S.H.I.E.L.D., relations between the two organizations have become strained. The head of S.W.O.R.D. is Special Agent Abigail Brand. Its primary command-and-control headquarters are aboard the orbital space station known as the Peak.

S.W.O.R.D. had an undercover operative in the X-Mansion. In Astonishing X-Men vol. 3, #17, the identity of this undercover operative was revealed to be Lockheed.

In "Unstoppable"

The Astonishing X-Men, as well as Hisako Ichiki, Ord of the Breakworld, and Danger, are taken to deep space by S.W.O.R.D. and Agent Abigail Brand. S.W.O.R.D. psychics fail to detect Cassandra Nova in Emma Frost's shattered psyche. Though emotionally wounded, Emma recovered fast enough to be present for the team's departure to the Breakworld, where they planned to disable a missile aimed at Earth. Before they reached Breakworld, they were attacked by enemy vessels. After creating a diversion, the X-Men and Agent Brand landed on the planet, where Agent Deems was being tortured in prison.

Brand, Cyclops, Emma Frost, and Beast landed together, while Wolverine, Hisako, Colossus, and Kitty Pryde landed elsewhere. Wolverine's spacecraft disintegrated in mid-air and they were forced to abandon ship. Kitty and Colossus phased through the pod to the planet's surface, where they landed unharmed. Hisako and Wolverine landed with the impact burning Wolverine's skin.

Another team composed of Lockheed, Sydren, and S.W.O.R.D. troops converged upon a place called "the Palace of the Corpse".

Near the end Agent Brand informs Kitty that Lockheed is working for S.W.O.R.D. as their undercover agent.

In "Secret Invasion"

During the 2008 "Secret Invasion" storyline, S.W.O.R.D.'s headquarters called the Peak is destroyed by a Skrull infiltrator posing as S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Dum Dum Dugan. Many agents die in the initial explosion, though others survive due to hostile-environment suits. Brand, encased in one of the suits, manages to make her way into one of the Skrull ships.[ volume & issue needed ]

In "Dark Reign"

During the 2008 - 2009 "Dark Reign" storyline, S.H.I.E.L.D. is reformed as H.A.M.M.E.R. under Norman Osborn. S.W.O.R.D.'s position under H.A.M.M.E.R. has not yet been revealed. In the Beta Ray Bill: Godhunter mini-series, Beta Ray Bill visits Agent Brand aboard the rebuilt Peak in order to obtain information about the whereabouts of Galactus.

S.W.O.R.D. volume 1

During the 2009 Chicago Comic Con, it was announced that Kieron Gillen will collaborate with Steven Sanders on a S.W.O.R.D. ongoing series that began in November 2009. [2] [3] The new series starts with Henry Peter Gyrich being assigned as S.W.O.R.D. co-commander alongside Abigail Brand.

In the first arc, Gyrich is able to persuade the heads of S.W.O.R.D. to pass legislation to have all aliens currently living on Earth deported from the planet while Brand was distracted with another mission. He manages to take several notable aliens into custody including Noh-Varr, Adam X, Beta Ray Bill, Jazinda, Karolina Dean, and Hepzibah. [4]

The series was cancelled with issue #5. The first issue started with estimated direct sales of 21,988, [5] but that had dropped to 15,113 by the second issue. [6]

The Peak is later evacuated after it is damaged by the Apocalypse Twins. [7] The debris from the station nearly destroys Rio de Janeiro, but is safely vaporized by Sunfire. [8]

The organization is shown as working smoothly and functioning when it sends a capture team to take custody of alien refugees and a paramedic assistance team to the Jean Grey School. Unfortunately, both teams are murdered by the same Brood-based threat. [9]

The rebuilt station is overtaken by alien symbiotes and Brood warriors. The station's personnel are taken for hosts. [10]

S.W.O.R.D. volume 2

S.W.O.R.D.
S.W.O.R.D. (vol 2) 1 cover.jpg
Cover to S.W.O.R.D. (vol. 2) #1, by Valerio Schiti.
Publication information
Publisher Marvel Comics
ScheduleMonthly
Main character(s)Abigail Brand
Cable
Frenzy
Fabian Cortez
Magneto
Manifold
Wiz Kid
Creative team
Written by Al Ewing
Artist(s)Valerio Schiti
Editor(s)Editor
Jordan D. White
Assistant Editor
Annalise Bissa
Head of X
Jonathan Hickman

S.W.O.R.D. was relaunched in December 2020 as part of "Reign of X". Written by Al Ewing and drawn by Valerio Schiti, the initial team consisted of Abigail Brand, Cable, Frenzy, Fabian Cortez, Magneto, Manifold and Wiz Kid. [11]

S.W.O.R.D. (Sentient World Observation and Response Directorate) was restored when Abigail Brand resigned from Alpha Flight after the Alliance-Cotati conflict feeling that the space program wasn't properly utilized and when the mutant nation repowered the abandoned Peak space station. In cooperation with the Quiet Council of Krakoa, it became the mutant nation's representative to the outer universe.

With Abigail Brand as the Station Commander, S.W.O.R.D functions with a six-tier organizational structure:

S.W.O.R.D. also formed The Six, a multiversal far-retrieval circuit, utilizing mutant technology. There are two stages require for a full retrieval:

  1. First Stage – Translocation: a circuit of five mid-to-long range teleporters which acts as the anchor for translocation. [Back-up: Nightcrawler and Magik]
  2. Second Stage – Retrieval: a circuit of six mutants with combining their protection and augmentation powers to reach different points in space.
    • The Control – Wiz Kid: unify the first stage circuit of teleporters and adjust the mutant circuits in operation. [Back-up: Forge]
    • The Power – Khora the Burning Heart; Fabian Cortez (formerly): provide the boost required for the circuit operation.
    • The Shield – Armor: generate a protective exoskeleton that extends to the entire circuit. [Back-up: Skids]
    • The Guide – Manifold: trans-locate the entirety of the second stage circuit while saving his energies for the retrieval.
    • The Eye – Peeper: spot specific particles of their target. [Back-up: Doc]
    • The Foundry – Risque: create a small field around their target condensing and containing it to help bring it back to Earth. [Back-up: Zorn]

Roster

Volume 1

Former members of S.W.O.R.D.
CharacterAliasJoined inNotes
Abigail Brand Astonishing X-Men (vol. 3) #10Leader
SydrenA Drenx who is skilled in hacking and working on alien technology.
Agent PaulletzNot knownAstonishing X-Men (vol. 3) #20
CeciliaS.W.O.R.D. #2
K'eel R'ktInfinity: Against the Tide: Infinite Comic #1A Skrull science officer that was rescued from the Builders by Silver Surfer.

Former Members:

Volume 2

IssuesCharacters
#1 - #10

Reception

Accolades

In other media

Television

Film

S.W.O.R.D. was originally intended to be mentioned in the MCU film Thor via a deleted post-credits scene wherein Erik Selvig tells Jane Foster and Darcy Lewis to "cross reference... with the S.W.O.R.D. database". Due to complications with 20th Century Fox, which owned the film rights to S.W.O.R.D. members Lockheed and Abigail Brand at the time however, the scene was cut. [17]

Video games

Collected editions

Volume 1

TitleMaterial collectedPublication dateISBN
X-Men: S.W.O.R.D. - No Time to BreatheS.W.O.R.D. (vol. 1) #1–5July 7, 2010 ISBN   0-7851-4076-X

Volume 2

TitleMaterial collectedPublication dateISBN
S.W.O.R.D. by Al Ewing Vol. 1S.W.O.R.D. (vol. 2) #1–5September 7, 2021 ISBN   978-1302927516
X-Men: Hellfire GalaMarauders (vol. 1) #21, X-Men (vol. 5) #21, Planet-Size X-Men #1, S.W.O.R.D. (vol. 2) #6 and material from Classic X-Men #7March 1, 2022 ISBN   978-1846533365
S.W.O.R.D. by Al Ewing Vol. 2S.W.O.R.D. (vol. 2) #7–11, Cable Reloaded #1February 15, 2022 ISBN   978-1302931469

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Avengers (comics)</span> Comic book superhero team

The Avengers are a team of superheroes appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist/co-plotter Jack Kirby. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1. Labeled "Earth's Mightiest Heroes", the original Avengers consisted of Iron Man, Ant-Man, Hulk, Thor and the Wasp. Captain America was discovered trapped in ice in issue #4, and joined the group after they revived him.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Quicksilver (Marvel Comics)</span> Marvel Comics fictional character

Quicksilver is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in the comic book The Uncanny X-Men #4 and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. The character has since starred in two self-titled limited series and has historically been depicted as a regular team member in superhero title The Avengers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kree</span> Aliens in the Marvel Universe

The Kree, briefly known as the Ruul, are an alien race appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. They are native to the planet Hala in the Large Magellanic Cloud, and have a scientifically and technologically advanced militaristic society.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Skrull</span> Fictional extraterrestrial race

The Skrulls are a race of extraterrestrial shapeshifters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. They first appeared in Fantastic Four #2 and were created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. They originated from the planet Skrullos and their empire is located in the Andromeda Galaxy. Their infiltration of Earth was a major event in the Marvel Comics universe as shown in the crossover event Secret Invasion.

<i>Astonishing X-Men</i> Comic book series

Astonishing X-Men is the name of four X-Men comic book series from Marvel Comics, the first two of which were limited series. The third volume, an ongoing series, began in 2004, with its first run written by Joss Whedon and art by John Cassaday. It was then written by Warren Ellis with art by Simone Bianchi and Phil Jimenez. Daniel Way and Christos Gage then took over the title writing alternating stories. They were followed by James Asmus who wrote one issue, then Greg Pak, who took over for four issues in November 2011. Marjorie Liu wrote the final 21 issues of the series until its end at issue #68 in 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Young Avengers</span> Group of fictional characters

The Young Avengers are the names of two superhero teams appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Allan Heinberg and Jim Cheung, the first team appeared in Young Avengers #1. The Young Avengers team features numerous adolescent characters who typically have connections to established members of Marvel's primary superhero team, the Avengers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">House of M</span> Marvel Comics storyline

"House of M" is a 2005 comic book storyline published by Marvel Comics, consisting of an eight-issue comic book limited series with a number of crossover tie-in books written by Brian Michael Bendis and illustrated by Olivier Coipel. Its first issue appeared in June 2005 as a follow-up to the events of the Planet X and Avengers Disassembled storylines. The Scarlet Witch, her twin brother Quicksilver, and Magneto play major roles in the series. Like the Age of Apocalypse (1995–1996) storyline, House of M replaced the Earth-616 as the main reality for a brief time until Scarlet Witch reverted it to normal. The events of the storyline were later indicated to have occurred on Earth-58163.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wiccan (character)</span> Marvel Comics superhero

Wiccan is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character has been depicted as a member of the Young Avengers, a team of teenage superheroes, as well as Strikeforce and New Avengers. Created by writer Allan Heinberg and artist Jim Cheung, the character first appeared in Young Avengers #1. The character's appearance is patterned on that of two prominent Marvel superheroes, Thor and Scarlet Witch, both of whom are members of the Avengers. Like the Scarlet Witch, Wiccan possesses powerful magical abilities which make him a key member of his superhero team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ord (comics)</span> Comics character

Ord is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character has been depicted specifically as an enemy of the X-Men. He first appeared in Astonishing X-Men #1 in May 2004. He was created by writer Joss Whedon and artist John Cassaday.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abigail Brand</span> Fictional character in Marvel Comics

Abigail Brand is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Joss Whedon and artist John Cassaday, the character first appeared in Astonishing X-Men vol. 3 #3. Abigail Brand belongs to the subspecies of humans called mutants, who are born with superhuman abilities. She is the Commander of counterterrorism and intelligence agency S.W.O.R.D.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Viper (Madame Hydra)</span> Marvel Comics fictional character

Ophelia Sarkissian is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Jim Steranko, the character first appeared in Captain America #110. Ophelia Sarkissian is a foe of the X-Men and the Avengers. She has also been known as Viper and Madame Hydra at various point in her history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dum Dum Dugan</span> Fictional character appearing in publications from Marvel Comics

Timothy Aloysius Cadwallader "Dum Dum" Dugan is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He is an officer of S.H.I.E.L.D. and is one of the most experienced members of Nick Fury's team, known for his marksmanship with rifles and trademark bowler hat.

The comic book stories published by Marvel Comics since the 1940s have featured several noteworthy concepts besides its fictional characters, such as unique places and artifacts. There follows a list of those features.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Armor (Marvel Comics character)</span> Superhero appearing in Marvel Comics

Armor is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Joss Whedon and John Cassaday, the character first appeared in Astonishing X-Men vol. 3 #4. Armor is a Japanese mutant who enrolled at the Xavier Institute as a teenager and retained her powers after the events of Decimation.

<i>Secret Invasion</i> 2008 Marvel Comics event

"Secret Invasion" is a comic book crossover storyline written by Brian Michael Bendis and illustrated by Leinil Francis Yu, that ran through a self-titled eight-issue limited series and several tie-in books published by Marvel Comics from April through December 2008. The story involves a subversive, long-term invasion of Earth by the Skrulls, a group of alien shapeshifters who have secretly replaced many superheroes in the Marvel Universe with impostors over a period of years, prior to the overt invasion. Marvel's promotional tagline for the event was "Who do you trust?".

The Chitauri are a fictional race of extraterrestrial shapeshifters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, specifically in Ultimate Marvel. They were created by Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch for the Ultimate universe franchise in place of the existing Marvel Comics alien species, the Skrulls, which play a similar role in the franchise's mainstream continuity. Marvel later chose to distinguish between the Skrulls and Chitauri of the Ultimate universe. The race first appeared in Ultimates #8, and later had counterparts on Earth-616.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">S.H.I.E.L.D.</span> Fictional intelligence agency in the Marvel Comics Universe

S.H.I.E.L.D. is a fictional espionage, special law enforcement, and counter-terrorism government agency appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, this agency first appeared in Strange Tales #135, and often deals with paranormal activity and superhuman threats to international security.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Empyre</span> 2020 Marvel Comics event

"Empyre" is a comic book story arc published in July 2020 by Marvel Comics. This storyline follows the events of Incoming! with the genre of superhero crossover.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is an American media franchise and shared universe centered on superhero films and other series starring various titular superheroes independently produced by Marvel Studios and based on characters that appear in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The shared universe, much like the original Marvel Universe in comic books, was established by crossing over common plot elements, settings, cast, and characters. Due to the galaxy-spanning nature of the franchise, multiple species have been introduced.

References

  1. ↑ DeFalco, Tom; Sanderson, Peter; Brevoort, Tom; Teitelbaum, Michael; Wallace, Daniel; Darling, Andrew; Forbeck, Matt; Cowsill, Alan; Bray, Adam (2019). The Marvel Encyclopedia. DK Publishing. p. 366. ISBN   978-1-4654-7890-0.
  2. ↑ George, Richard; Schedeen, Jesse (August 10, 2009). "Taking Control of S.W.O.R.D." IGN . Retrieved August 16, 2009.
  3. ↑ Strom, Marc (August 10, 2009). "Chicago Con '09: S.W.O.R.D. Ongoing". Marvel.com. Retrieved August 16, 2009.
  4. ↑ S.W.O.R.D. #2 (February 2010)
  5. ↑ "Top 300 Comics Actual–November 2009". ICv2. December 7, 2009. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  6. ↑ "Top 300 Comics Actual–December 2009". ICv2. January 12, 2010. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  7. ↑ Uncanny Avengers #7
  8. ↑ Uncanny Avengers #8
  9. ↑ Wolverine and the X-Men #6 (April 2012)
  10. ↑ Spider-Man and the X-Men #5 (2015)
  11. ↑ "Al Ewing Takes Mutantkind Beyond the Stars in 'S.W.O.R.D.'". Marvel Comics. September 23, 2020. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  12. ↑ Avina, Anthony (2019-09-26). "10 Most Powerful Secret Organizations In Marvel Comics, Ranked". CBR. Retrieved 2022-11-14.
  13. ↑ Eckhardt, Peter (2022-09-15). "The Avengers' 10 Best Allies In Marvel Comics". CBR. Retrieved 2022-11-14.
  14. ↑ Flynn, Caleigh (April 23, 2012). "'Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes: Welcome To The Kree Empire' – Recap". Science Fiction. Archived from the original on October 19, 2018. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  15. ↑ Webb Mitovich, Matt Webb (August 12, 2020). "S.H.I.E.L.D. Series Finale Mystery: Is [Spoiler] Now an Agent of S.W.O.R.D.?". TV Line. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  16. ↑ Barnhardt, Adam (January 12, 2021). "WandaVision: SWORD Has New Name in the MCU". Comicbook.com. Archived from the original on January 13, 2021. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  17. ↑ Bacon, Thomas (March 9, 2019). "Thor Almost Introduced S.W.O.R.D. To The MCU". Screen Rant . Archived from the original on July 31, 2019. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.