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{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox character
{{Infobox character
| color = #AF181F
| name = Phil Coulson
| name = Phil Coulson
| franchise = [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]]
| franchise = [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]] {{no italic|and}} [[Marvel Comics]]
| image = Clark Gregg as Phil Coulson.jpg
| image = Clark Gregg as Phil Coulson.jpg
| caption = Clark Gregg as Phil Coulson in ''[[Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.]]''
| caption = Clark Gregg as Phil Coulson in the television series ''[[Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.]]''
| first = ''[[Iron Man (2008 film)|Iron Man]]'' (2008)
| first = ''[[Iron Man (2008 film)|Iron Man]]'' (2008)
| creator = {{ubl|[[Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby|{{ubl|Mark Fergus|Hawk Ostby}}]]|[[Art Marcum and Matt Holloway|{{ubl|Art Marcum|Matt Holloway}}]]}}
| creator = {{ubl|[[Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby|{{ubl|Mark Fergus|Hawk Ostby}}]]|[[Art Marcum and Matt Holloway|{{ubl|Art Marcum|Matt Holloway}}]]}}
| portrayer = [[Clark Gregg]]
| portrayer = [[Clark Gregg]]
| full_name = Phillip J. Coulson<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.avclub.com/agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-s-fifth-season-ends-with-a-moving-1826121879 |title=Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s fifth season ends with a moving goodbye |last=McLevy |first=Alex |date=May 18, 2018 |website=[[The A.V. Club]] |access-date=May 21, 2022}}</ref>
| full_name = Phillip J. Coulson<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.avclub.com/agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-s-fifth-season-ends-with-a-moving-1826121879 |title=Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s fifth season ends with a moving goodbye |last=McLevy |first=Alex |date=May 18, 2018 |website=[[The A.V. Club]] |access-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-date=May 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522010223/https://www.avclub.com/agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-s-fifth-season-ends-with-a-moving-1826121879 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| significant_others = [[Audrey Nathan]]<br>Camilla Reyes<br>[[Rosalind Price]]<br>[[Melinda May]]
| significant_others = [[Audrey Nathan]]<br>Camilla Reyes<br>[[Rosalind Price]]<br>[[Melinda May]]
| species = {{Plainlist|
| species = {{Plainlist|
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'''Agent Phillip J. Coulson''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|oʊ|l|s|ən}} {{Respell|KOHL|sən}}) is a fictional character portrayed and voiced by [[Clark Gregg]] in the [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]] (MCU) [[media franchise]]. Coulson is depicted as a high-ranking member of the espionage agency [[S.H.I.E.L.D. (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|S.H.I.E.L.D.]] and longtime partner of [[Nick Fury (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Nick Fury]].
'''Agent Phillip J. Coulson''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|oʊ|l|s|ən}} {{Respell|KOHL|sən}}) is a fictional character portrayed and voiced by [[Clark Gregg]] in the [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]] (MCU) [[media franchise]]. Coulson is depicted as a high-ranking member of the espionage agency [[S.H.I.E.L.D. (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|S.H.I.E.L.D.]] and longtime partner of [[Nick Fury (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Nick Fury]].


After Coulson is killed by [[Loki (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Loki]] and the [[Avengers (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Avengers]] form to exact revenge on, Fury has Coulson resurrected with [[Kree (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Kree]] blood to continue serving S.H.I.E.L.D., putting together a small team of agents supervised by [[Melinda May]] and coming to view one agent, [[Daisy Johnson (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Daisy Johnson]], as a surrogate daughter. After rebuilding S.H.I.E.L.D. following its infiltration and destruction by [[Hydra (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Hydra]], saving the planet, and making a deal with a [[demon]] to briefly become '''[[Ghost Rider]]''', stripping him of the blood keeping him alive, Coulson retires to [[Tahiti]] with May, where he dies once again.
During an attack on a S.H.I.E.L.D helicarrier, Coulson is stabbed through the heart by [[Loki (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Loki]] and the [[Avengers (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Avengers]] form to avenge his death. Fury later has Coulson resurrected with Kree blood to continue serving S.H.I.E.L.D., putting together a small team of agents supervised by [[Melinda May]] and coming to view one agent, [[Daisy Johnson (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Daisy Johnson]], as a surrogate daughter. After rebuilding S.H.I.E.L.D. following its infiltration and destruction by [[Hydra (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Hydra]], saving the planet, and making a deal with a [[demon]] to briefly become '''[[Ghost Rider]]''', Coulson retires to [[Tahiti]] with May, where he dies once again.


Following the destruction of '''Sarge''', a biological duplicate of Coulson created by a monolith and inhabited by the Aztec god [[Pachakutiq (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)|Pachakutiq]], a [[Life Model Decoy]] (L.M.D.) of Coulson is made from a copy of his consciousness saved to a [[virtual reality]], and Sarge's and May's genetic memories, resurrecting him again. After preventing an alternate timeline from being conquered by [[Chronicoms]], Coulson decides to travel the world in his [[flying car]], Lola.
Following the destruction of Sarge, a biological duplicate of Coulson created by a monolith and inhabited by the Inca god [[Pachakutiq (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Pachakutiq]], a [[Life Model Decoy]] (L.M.D.) of Coulson is made from a copy of his consciousness saved to a [[virtual reality]], and Sarge's and May's genetic memories, resurrecting him again. After preventing an alternate timeline from being conquered by [[Chronicoms]], Coulson decides to travel the world in his [[flying car]], Lola.


Coulson was a central figure in the "[[Infinity Saga]]", appearing in five films, two television series, one digital series, and two [[Marvel One-Shots]], most notably in ''[[The Avengers (2012 film)|The Avengers]]'' (2012) and ''[[Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.]]'' (2013–2020). Several [[#Alternate versions|versions]] of Coulson from within the MCU [[Multiverse (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|multiverse]] also appear, notably in the live-action series ''Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'' and the animated series ''[[What If...? (TV series)|What If...?]]'' (2021), with Gregg reprising the role.
Coulson was a central figure in the "[[Infinity Saga]]", appearing in five films, two television series, one digital series, and two [[Marvel One-Shots]], most notably in ''[[The Avengers (2012 film)|The Avengers]]'' (2012) and ''[[Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.]]'' (2013–2020). Several [[#Alternate versions|versions]] of Coulson from within the MCU [[Multiverse (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|multiverse]] also appear, notably in the live-action series ''Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'' and the animated series ''[[What If...? (TV series)|What If...?]]'' (2021), with Gregg reprising the role.
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===Short films===
===Short films===
{{further|Marvel One-Shots}}
{{further|Marvel One-Shots}}
The Marvel One-Shot ''[[Marvel One-Shots#The Consultant|The Consultant]]'', which takes place after ''[[The Incredible Hulk (film)|The Incredible Hulk]]'', sees Coulson and fellow agent [[Jasper Sitwell (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Jasper Sitwell]] preventing [[Emil Blonsky (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Emil Blonsky]] from being added to the Avengers roster. ''[[Marvel One-Shots#A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Thor's Hammer|A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Thor's Hammer]]'' depicts Coulson getting into a scuffle on his way from Stark's lab in ''Iron Man 2'' to Thor's hammer in ''Thor''.
The Marvel One-Shot ''[[The Consultant (film)|The Consultant]]'', which takes place after ''[[The Incredible Hulk (film)|The Incredible Hulk]]'', sees Coulson and fellow agent [[Jasper Sitwell (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Jasper Sitwell]] preventing [[Emil Blonsky (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Emil Blonsky]] from being added to the Avengers roster. ''[[A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Thor's Hammer]]'' depicts Coulson getting into a scuffle on his way from Stark's lab in ''Iron Man 2'' to Thor's hammer in ''Thor''.


===Television series===
===Television series===
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====Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.====
====Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.====
Coulson's involvement with alien materials leads to a faction of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents led by Robert Gonzalez, who distrust secrets and superhumans attempting to take over the fledgling organization, but Coulson convinces them to let him stay on as director after helping [[Avengers: Age of Ultron|save hundreds of civilians]].<ref>{{Cite episode |title=The Dirty Half Dozen |episode-link=The Dirty Half Dozen |series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] |date=April 28, 2015 |season=2 |number=19}}</ref> Together, they defeat a faction of [[Inhumans#Television|Inhumans]], though Coulson loses a hand in the process.<ref>{{Cite episode |title=S.O.S. Part 2 |episode-link=S.O.S. (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) |series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] |date=May 12, 2015 |season=2 |number=22}}</ref>
Coulson's involvement with alien materials leads to a faction of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents led by Robert Gonzalez, who distrust secrets and superhumans attempting to take over the fledgling organization, but Coulson convinces them to let him stay on as director after helping [[Avengers: Age of Ultron|save hundreds of civilians]].<ref>{{Cite episode |title=The Dirty Half Dozen |episode-link=The Dirty Half Dozen |series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] |date=April 28, 2015 |season=2 |number=19}}</ref> Together, they defeat a faction of [[Inhumans (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Inhumans]], though Coulson loses a hand in the process.<ref>{{Cite episode |title=S.O.S. Part 2 |episode-link=S.O.S. (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) |series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] |date=May 12, 2015 |season=2 |number=22}}</ref>


====Romancing Rosalind Price====
====Romancing Rosalind Price====
Coulson later becomes romantically involved with Rosalind Price, the leader of an anti-Inhuman government task-force called the Advanced Threat Containment Unit (ATCU),<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Chaos Theory|episode-link=Chaos Theory (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)|series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.|network=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]|date=November 10, 2015|season=3|number=7}}</ref> until her death at the hands of [[Grant Ward (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Grant Ward]], a Hydra agent who formerly worked with Coulson.<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Closure|episode-link=Closure (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)|series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.|network=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]|date=December 1, 2015|season=3|number=9}}</ref> Coulson gets revenge by crushing Ward's chest with his prosthetic hand.<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Maveth|episode-link=Maveth|series=Marvels Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.|network=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]|date=December 8, 2015|season=3|number=10}}</ref>
Coulson later becomes romantically involved with Rosalind Price, the leader of an anti-Inhuman government task-force called the [[Advanced Threat Containment Unit]] (ATCU),<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Chaos Theory|episode-link=Chaos Theory (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)|series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.|network=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]|date=November 10, 2015|season=3|number=7}}</ref> until her death at the hands of [[Grant Ward (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Grant Ward]], a Hydra agent who formerly worked with Coulson.<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Closure|episode-link=Closure (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)|series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.|network=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]|date=December 1, 2015|season=3|number=9}}</ref> Coulson gets revenge by crushing Ward's chest with his prosthetic hand.<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Maveth|episode-link=Maveth|series=Marvels Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.|network=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]|date=December 8, 2015|season=3|number=10}}</ref>


====Demotion and deal with demon====
====Demotion and deal with demon====
Following [[Captain America: Civil War#Plot|the signing of]] the [[Sokovia Accords]], S.H.I.E.L.D. is re-legitimized,<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Emancipation|episode-link=Emancipation (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)|series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.|network=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]|date=May 10, 2016|season=3|number=20}}</ref> with the still officially dead Coulson replaced as director by [[Jeffrey Mace (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)|Jeffrey Mace]],<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Meet the New Boss|episode-link=Meet the New Boss (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)|series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.|network=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]|date=September 27, 2016|season=4|number=2}}</ref> though he is eventually able to retake command of operations while Mace serves as the public face of S.H.I.E.L.D.<ref>{{Cite episode |title=The Patriot|episode-link=The Patriot (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)|series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.|network=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]|date=January 17, 2017|season=4|number=10}}</ref> After the artificial intelligence [[List of Marvel Comics characters: A#AIDA in other media|AIDA]] attempts to take over the world, Coulson allows himself to briefly become a [[Robbie Reyes (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)|Ghost Rider]] to defeat her.<ref>{{Cite episode|title=World's End|episode-link=World's End (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)|series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.|network=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]|date=May 16, 2017|season=4|number=22}}</ref>
Following [[Captain America: Civil War#Plot|the signing of]] the [[Sokovia Accords]], S.H.I.E.L.D. is re-legitimized,<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Emancipation|episode-link=Emancipation (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)|series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.|network=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]|date=May 10, 2016|season=3|number=20}}</ref> with the still officially dead Coulson replaced as director by [[Jeffrey Mace (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Jeffrey Mace]],<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Meet the New Boss|episode-link=Meet the New Boss (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)|series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.|network=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]|date=September 27, 2016|season=4|number=2}}</ref> though he is eventually able to retake command of operations while Mace serves as the public face of S.H.I.E.L.D.<ref>{{Cite episode |title=The Patriot|episode-link=The Patriot (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)|series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.|network=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]|date=January 17, 2017|season=4|number=10}}</ref> After the artificial intelligence [[List of Marvel Comics characters: A#AIDA in other media|AIDA]] attempts to take over the world, Coulson allows himself to briefly become a [[Robbie Reyes (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Ghost Rider]] to defeat her.<ref>{{Cite episode|title=World's End|episode-link=World's End (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)|series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.|network=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]|date=May 16, 2017|season=4|number=22}}</ref>


====Travelling through time====
====Travelling through time====
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====Second death and resurrection====
====Second death and resurrection====
As the team, especially May and new Director [[Mack (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)|Mack]], mourn Coulson, they are perturbed by the arrival of the cold-blooded [[Sarge (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)|Sarge]],<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Missing Pieces |episode-link=Missing Pieces (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) |series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] |date=May 10, 2019 |season=6 |number=1}}</ref> an alien who is physically and genetically identical to Coulson.<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Window of Opportunity |episode-link=Window of Opportunity (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) |series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] |date=May 17, 2019 |season=6 |number=2}}</ref> They later learn Sarge's body was created in an accident involving three reality-altering Monoliths, and was inhabited by the entity [[Pachakutiq (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)|Pachakutiq]] thousands of years ago, losing both its and Coulson's memories before becoming Sarge.<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Leap |episode-link=Leap (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) |series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] |date=July 19, 2019 |season=6 |number=10}}</ref> Mack and Daisy kill Pachakutiq to avert the end of the world, but the team is forced to escape an attack by the cybernetic alien [[Chronicoms]]. To combat them, S.H.I.E.L.D. scientists [[Leo Fitz]] and [[Jemma Simmons]] make an enhanced [[Life Model Decoy#Television|Life Model Decoy]] of Coulson to guide them in a journey through S.H.I.E.L.D.'s past, beginning in the 1930s.<ref>{{Cite episode |title=New Life |episode-link=New Life (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) |series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] |date=August 2, 2019 |season=6 |number=13}}</ref>
As the team, especially May and new Director [[Alphonso Mackenzie (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Mack]], mourn Coulson, they are perturbed by the arrival of the cold-blooded [[Sarge (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Sarge]],<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Missing Pieces |episode-link=Missing Pieces (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) |series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] |date=May 10, 2019 |season=6 |number=1}}</ref> an alien who is physically and genetically identical to Coulson.<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Window of Opportunity |episode-link=Window of Opportunity (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) |series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] |date=May 17, 2019 |season=6 |number=2}}</ref> They later learn Sarge's body was created in an accident involving three reality-altering Monoliths, and was inhabited by the entity [[Pachakutiq (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Pachakutiq]] thousands of years ago, losing both its and Coulson's memories before becoming Sarge.<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Leap |episode-link=Leap (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) |series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] |date=July 19, 2019 |season=6 |number=10}}</ref> Mack and Daisy kill Pachakutiq to avert the end of the world, but the team is forced to escape an attack by the cybernetic alien [[Chronicoms]]. To combat them, S.H.I.E.L.D. scientists [[Leo Fitz]] and [[Jemma Simmons]] make an enhanced [[Life Model Decoy#Television|Life Model Decoy]] of Coulson to guide them in a journey through S.H.I.E.L.D.'s past, beginning in the 1930s.<ref>{{Cite episode |title=New Life |episode-link=New Life (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) |series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] |date=August 2, 2019 |season=6 |number=13}}</ref>


====Life as an L.M.D.====
====Life as an L.M.D.====
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===== Radcliffe LMDs =====
===== Radcliffe LMDs =====
{{Further|LMD (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. arc)}}
{{Further|LMD (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. arc)}}
After being corrupted by the power of the ''[[Darkhold (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Darkhold]]'', [[Holden Radcliffe (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)|Holden Radcliffe]] and [[Aida (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Aida]] builds a [[Life Model Decoy]]s of Coulson and other S.H.I.E.L.D. agents programmed to impersonate him while his human self is imprisoned in the Framework, in order to allow them to steal the Darkhold for themselves. After being betrayed by the L.M.D. May, Radcliffe's Coulson L.M.D. is destroyed when the L.M.D. May blows up the empty S.H.I.E.L.D. base to allow its remaining human agents to escape.
After being corrupted by the power of the ''[[Darkhold (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Darkhold]]'', [[Holden Radcliffe (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Holden Radcliffe]] and [[Aida (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Aida]] builds a [[Life Model Decoy]]s of Coulson and other S.H.I.E.L.D. agents programmed to impersonate him while his human self is imprisoned in the Framework, to allow them to steal the ''Darkhold'' for themselves. After being betrayed by the L.M.D. May, Radcliffe's Coulson L.M.D. is destroyed when the L.M.D. May blows up the empty S.H.I.E.L.D. base to allow its remaining human agents to escape.


===== History teacher =====
===== History teacher =====
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===== Destruction of Earth =====
===== Destruction of Earth =====
{{Further|Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (season 5)}}
{{Further|Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season 5}}
In an alternate 2018, after failing to stop a gravitonium-infused [[Glenn Talbot (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)|Glenn Talbot]] from accidentally destroying the Earth,<ref>{{cite episode|title=Option Two|series=Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.|credits=Tancharoen, Kevin (director); Nora Zuckerman & Lila Zuckerman (writer)|network=ABC|airdate=April 27, 2018|season=5|number=19}}</ref><ref>{{cite episode|title=The One Who Will Save Us All|series=Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.|credits=Gierhart, Cherie (director); Nora Zuckerman & Lila Zuckerman (writer)|network=ABC|airdate=May 4, 2018|season=5|number=20}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://ew.com/tv/2018/04/27/agents-of-shield-graviton/|title=''Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'' reveals Graviton in new promo|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|last=Abrams|first=Natalie|date=April 27, 2018|access-date=April 27, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/agents-shield-season-5-finale-preview-whedon-tancharoen-bell|title=''Agents of SHIELD'' EPs Reveal Why Graviton Had to be Season 5's Villain|last=Damore|first=Meaghan|date=May 17, 2018|access-date=May 20, 2018 |work=[[Comic Book Resources]]}}</ref> Coulson and his team rescue a fraction of the Earth's population aboard their Lighthouse base, built to withstand the Earth's destruction, before eventually dying as a result of his deal with Ghost Rider.<ref>{{cite episode|title=The Force of Gravity|series=Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.|credits=Tancharoen, Kevin (director); Drew Z. Greenberg & Craig Titley (writer)|network=ABC|airdate=May 11, 2018|season=5|number=21}}</ref><ref>{{cite episode|title=The End|series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.|credits=Whedon, Jed (director); Jed Whedon & Maurissa Tancharoen (writer)|network=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]|airdate=May 18, 2018|season=5|number=22}}</ref><ref>{{cite episode|title=Orientation Part Two|series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.|credits=Whedon, Jed (director); Jed Whedon & Maurissa Tancharoen (writer)|network=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]|airdate=December 1, 2017|season=5|number=2}}</ref>
In an alternate 2018, after failing to stop a gravitonium-infused [[Glenn Talbot (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Glenn Talbot]] from accidentally destroying the Earth,<ref>{{cite episode|title=Option Two|series=Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.|credits=Tancharoen, Kevin (director); Nora Zuckerman & Lila Zuckerman (writer)|network=ABC|airdate=April 27, 2018|season=5|number=19}}</ref><ref>{{cite episode|title=The One Who Will Save Us All|series=Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.|credits=Gierhart, Cherie (director); Nora Zuckerman & Lila Zuckerman (writer)|network=ABC|airdate=May 4, 2018|season=5|number=20}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://ew.com/tv/2018/04/27/agents-of-shield-graviton/|title=''Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'' reveals Graviton in new promo|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|last=Abrams|first=Natalie|date=April 27, 2018|access-date=April 27, 2018|archive-date=April 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180429092344/http://ew.com/tv/2018/04/27/agents-of-shield-graviton/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/agents-shield-season-5-finale-preview-whedon-tancharoen-bell|title=''Agents of SHIELD'' EPs Reveal Why Graviton Had to be Season 5's Villain|last=Damore|first=Meaghan|date=May 17, 2018|access-date=May 20, 2018|work=[[Comic Book Resources]]|archive-date=January 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117134132/https://www.cbr.com/agents-shield-season-5-finale-preview-whedon-tancharoen-bell/|url-status=live}}</ref> Coulson and his team rescue a fraction of the Earth's population aboard their Lighthouse base, built to withstand the Earth's destruction, before eventually dying as a result of his deal with Ghost Rider.<ref>{{cite episode|title=The Force of Gravity|series=Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.|credits=Tancharoen, Kevin (director); Drew Z. Greenberg & Craig Titley (writer)|network=ABC|airdate=May 11, 2018|season=5|number=21}}</ref><ref>{{cite episode|title=The End|series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.|credits=Whedon, Jed (director); Jed Whedon & Maurissa Tancharoen (writer)|network=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]|airdate=May 18, 2018|season=5|number=22}}</ref><ref>{{cite episode|title=Orientation Part Two|series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.|credits=Whedon, Jed (director); Jed Whedon & Maurissa Tancharoen (writer)|network=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]|airdate=December 1, 2017|season=5|number=2}}</ref>


=== Animated series ===
=== Animated series ===
{{see also|What If...? (TV series)|What If... the World Lost Its Mightiest Heroes?|What If... Thor Were an Only Child?}}
{{see also|What If...? (TV series)|What If... the World Lost Its Mightiest Heroes?|What If... Thor Were an Only Child?}}
[[Parallel universes in fiction|Alternate versions]] of Coulson appears in the animated series ''What If...?'', with Gregg reprising his role.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gallagher |first=Simon |date=August 25, 2021 |title=What If…? Episode 3 Cast Guide: Every New & Returning MCU Character |url=https://screenrant.com/what-if-episode-3-cast-mcu-character-guide-new-returning/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210825121346/https://screenrant.com/what-if-episode-3-cast-mcu-character-guide-new-returning/ |archive-date=August 25, 2021 |access-date=August 25, 2021 |website=[[Screen Rant]]}}</ref>
Alternate universe variants of Coulson appear in the animated series ''What If...?'', with Gregg reprising his role.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gallagher |first=Simon |date=August 25, 2021 |title=What If...? Episode 3 Cast Guide: Every New & Returning MCU Character |url=https://screenrant.com/what-if-episode-3-cast-mcu-character-guide-new-returning/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210825121346/https://screenrant.com/what-if-episode-3-cast-mcu-character-guide-new-returning/ |archive-date=August 25, 2021 |access-date=August 25, 2021 |website=[[Screen Rant]]}}</ref><ref name="btva">{{cite web |title=Agent Phil Coulson Voices (Marvel Universe) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Marvel-Universe/Agent-Phil-Coulson/ |access-date=August 28, 2024 |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.</ref>


In an alternate 2011, Coulson witnesses the murders of five candidates of the Avengers Initiative, and investigates the mastermind behind their deaths with Nick Fury. In another alternate 2011, Coulson assists [[Maria Hill (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Maria Hill]], acting director of S.H.I.E.L.D., in attempting to stop an out-of-control party hosted by Thor.
In an alternate 2011, Coulson witnesses the murders of five candidates of the Avengers Initiative, and investigates the mastermind behind their deaths with Nick Fury. In another alternate 2011, Coulson assists [[Maria Hill (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Maria Hill]], acting director of S.H.I.E.L.D., in attempting to stop an out-of-control party hosted by Thor.
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===Digital series===
===Digital series===
{{further|Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Slingshot}}
{{further|Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Slingshot}}
After stepping down as director of S.H.I.E.L.D. following ''Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'' [[Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (season 3)|season three]], Coulson appears in ''Slingshot'' to offer advice to S.H.I.E.L.D. asset [[Elena Rodriguez|Elena "Yo-Yo" Rodriguez]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/tv/trailers/794811-watch-marvels-agents-of-shield-slingshot-in-full |title=Watch Marvel's Agents of SHIELD: Slingshot in Full! |publisher=[[ComingSoon.net]] |date=December 13, 2016 |access-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415091832/https://www.comingsoon.net/tv/trailers/794811-watch-marvels-agents-of-shield-slingshot-in-full |archive-date=April 15, 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref>
After stepping down as director of S.H.I.E.L.D. following ''Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'' [[Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season 3|season three]], Coulson appears in ''Slingshot'' to offer advice to S.H.I.E.L.D. asset [[Elena Rodriguez|Elena "Yo-Yo" Rodriguez]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/tv/trailers/794811-watch-marvels-agents-of-shield-slingshot-in-full |title=Watch Marvel's Agents of SHIELD: Slingshot in Full! |publisher=[[ComingSoon.net]] |date=December 13, 2016 |access-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415091832/https://www.comingsoon.net/tv/trailers/794811-watch-marvels-agents-of-shield-slingshot-in-full |archive-date=April 15, 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref>


==Marvel Comics==
==Marvel Comics==
{{Infobox comics character<!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
{{Infobox comics character<!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
| image =
| image =File:Phil Coulson comics.webp
| caption =Coulson in ''[[The Avengers (comic book)|Avengers]]'' vol. 8 #12 (Jan. 2019). Art by [[Ed McGuinness]].
| caption =
| character_name = Phil Coulson
| character_name = Phil Coulson
| full_name = Phillip J. Coulson
| full_name = Phillip J. Coulson
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===''Battle Scars''===
===''Battle Scars''===
Phil Coulson first appeared in the mainstream [[Marvel Universe]] in [[Christopher Yost]], [[Matt Fraction]] and [[Cullen Bunn]]'s ''[[Battle Scars (comic book)|Battle Scars]]'' #6 (April 2012) as [[Nick Fury Jr.]]'s [[75th Ranger Regiment|Ranger]] teammate nicknamed "Cheese". He is later revealed to be Coulson after he follows Fury in joining S.H.I.E.L.D.<ref name="USAToday" /> Coulson has gone on to appear in other comics set in the mainstream MU, including in the 2013 ''[[Secret Avengers]]'' series by [[Nick Spencer]] and [[Luke Ross]],<ref name="SecretAvengers" /> and in ''[[Thor: God of Thunder]]'' in 2014.<ref name="GodofThunderComic" />
Phil Coulson first appeared in the mainstream [[Marvel Universe]] in [[Christopher Yost]], [[Matt Fraction]] and [[Cullen Bunn]]'s ''[[Battle Scars (comic book)|Battle Scars]]'' #6 (April 2012) as [[Nick Fury Jr.]]'s [[75th Ranger Regiment|Ranger]] teammate nicknamed "Cheese". He is later revealed to be Coulson after he follows Fury in joining S.H.I.E.L.D.<ref name="USAToday" /> Coulson has gone on to appear in other comics set in the mainstream MU, including ''[[Secret Avengers]]'' by [[Nick Spencer]] and [[Luke Ross]] in 2013,<ref name="SecretAvengers" /> and in ''[[Thor: God of Thunder]]'' in 2014.<ref name="GodofThunderComic" />


===''S.H.I.E.L.D.'' vol. 3===
===''S.H.I.E.L.D.'' vol. 3===
In July 2014 at San Diego Comic-Con International, Marvel Comics announced an ongoing series titled ''S.H.I.E.L.D.'', to be set in the mainstream Marvel Universe, and written by [[Mark Waid]], beginning December 2014. The series is led by Coulson, and sees the canonical introduction of characters that originated from ''Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D'', to which Waid said, "This is our chance to introduce a lot of the other characters into the Marvel Universe, and give them the Marvel Universe spin." Waid described the series as "done-in-one. Coulson and his team have a mission, and if we need someone for a mission, everyone in the Marvel Universe is available as a potential Agent."<ref name=autogenerated5>{{cite comic | writer=Mark Waid | penciller= Carlos Pacheco | inker= Mariano Taibo, Jason Paz | story= Perfect Bullets | title= S.H.I.E.L.D. | volume= 3 | issue= #1 | date= Dec. 31 2014 | publisher= Marvel Comics | page= | panel= }}</ref> In this series, Coulson is the Supreme Commander of Special Operations for S.H.I.E.L.D. under Director Maria Hill.<ref name=autogenerated5/>
In July 2014 at [[San Diego Comic-Con]], Marvel Comics announced an ongoing series titled ''S.H.I.E.L.D.'', to be set in the mainstream Marvel Universe, and written by [[Mark Waid]], beginning December 2014. The series is led by Coulson, and sees the canonical introduction of characters that originated from ''Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D'', to which Waid said, "This is our chance to introduce a lot of the other characters into the Marvel Universe, and give them the Marvel Universe spin." Waid described the series as "done-in-one. Coulson and his team have a mission, and if we need someone for a mission, everyone in the Marvel Universe is available as a potential Agent."<ref name=autogenerated5>{{cite comic | writer=Mark Waid | penciller= Carlos Pacheco | inker= Mariano Taibo, Jason Paz | story= Perfect Bullets | title= S.H.I.E.L.D. | volume= 3 | issue= #1 | date= Dec. 31 2014 | publisher= Marvel Comics | page= | panel= }}</ref> In this series, Coulson is the Supreme Commander of Special Operations for S.H.I.E.L.D. under Director Maria Hill.<ref name=autogenerated5/>


===''Deadpool'' vol. 6===
===''Deadpool'' vol. 6===
He has appeared in ''[[Deadpool]]'', assisting S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Preston and paying Deadpool for his earlier services to S.H.I.E.L.D. During the "[[Secret Empire (comics)|Secret Empire]]" event, Coulson learns that Steve Rogers was involved in attracting the Chitauri to invade Earth, and is subsequently shot from the sky and killed by Deadpool, under the order of Rogers.<ref>''Deadpool'' vol. 6 #31. DC Comics.</ref>
He has appeared in ''[[Deadpool]]'', assisting S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Preston and paying Deadpool for his earlier services to S.H.I.E.L.D. During the "[[Secret Empire (2017 comic)|Secret Empire]]" event, Coulson learns that Steve Rogers was involved in attracting the Chitauri to invade Earth, and is subsequently shot from the sky and killed by Deadpool, under the order of Rogers.<ref>''Deadpool'' vol. 6 #31. DC Comics.</ref>


===''Avengers'' vol. 8===
===''Avengers'' vol. 8===
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===''Heroes Reborn''===
===''Heroes Reborn''===
In "[[Heroes Reborn (2021 comic)|Heroes Reborn]]", Coulson uses the Pandemonium Cube to rewrite reality in Mephisto's name, erasing the Avengers from existence and making himself the [[President of the United States]], watching the fight between Hyperion and Doctor Juggernaut.<ref>''Heroes Reborn'' #1. Marvel Comics.</ref> After his role in the reality change is discovered, Coulson faces Captain America in hand-to-hand combat, deriding his influence on American politics. After being defeated, and reality restored, Coulson is imprisoned in the Pandemonium Cube by Mephisto as punishment and brought before the Council of Red, a collection of Mephisto's counterparts from 615 other universes.<ref>''Heroes Return'' #1. Marvel Comics.</ref>
In "[[Heroes Reborn (2021 comic)|Heroes Reborn]]", Coulson uses the Pandemonium Cube to rewrite reality in Mephisto's name, erasing the Avengers from existence and making himself the [[President of the United States]], watching the fight between Hyperion and Doctor Juggernaut.<ref>''Heroes Reborn'' #1. Marvel Comics.</ref> After his role in the reality change is discovered, Coulson faces Captain America in hand-to-hand combat, deriding his influence on American politics. After being defeated, and reality restored, Coulson is imprisoned in the Pandemonium Cube by Mephisto as punishment and brought before the Council of Red, a collection of Mephisto's counterparts from 615 other universes.<ref>''Heroes Return'' #1. Marvel Comics.</ref>

===Possessing the Death Stone===
At the time when [[Nighthawk (Marvel Comics)|Nighthawk]] was visiting Phil Coulson's grave, the Death [[Infinity Gems|Infinity Stone]] that [[Thanos]] created landed nearby. It chose Coulson to be its wielder and revived him from the dead in front of Nighthawk.<ref>''Thanos Annual'' Vol. 3 #1. Marvel Comics.</ref>


==Concept and creation==
==Concept and creation==
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Agent Phil Coulson was created by [[Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby|Mark Fergus, Hawk Ostby]], [[Art Marcum and Matt Holloway]] for ''Iron Man'', the first feature film in the MCU.<ref name="April2006Variety" /><ref name="FergusOstbyIM" /> Coulson was the first S.H.I.E.L.D. agent introduced in the MCU, and was portrayed by [[Clark Gregg]], who was offered a three-picture deal. Gregg initially balked at this due to the character initially only being known as "Agent" and having few lines, but recognized Marvel's plan for an interconnected universe;<ref name="GreggJan2016" /> the character was ultimately given the surname "Coulson" after [[Danny Coulson]], whose book ''No Heroes: Inside the FBI's Secret Counter-Terror Force'' was used as a dialogue reference for ''Iron Man''.<ref>{{cite news|date=April 2, 2021|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2ZZyHfNE7M |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/K2ZZyHfNE7M |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status=live|title=FBI Hostage Rescue Team founder Danny Coulson Part 1, Ep. 87|author=The Team House|website=[[YouTube]]|access-date=April 2, 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Gregg went on to play the character in ''[[Iron Man 2]]'', ''[[Thor (film)|Thor]]'', and ''[[The Avengers (2012 film)|The Avengers]]'', the latter film in which he was provided the first name "Phil".<ref name="shorts" />
Agent Phil Coulson was created by [[Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby|Mark Fergus, Hawk Ostby]], [[Art Marcum and Matt Holloway]] for ''Iron Man'', the first feature film in the MCU.<ref name="April2006Variety" /><ref name="FergusOstbyIM" /> Coulson was the first S.H.I.E.L.D. agent introduced in the MCU, and was portrayed by [[Clark Gregg]], who was offered a three-picture deal. Gregg initially balked at this due to the character initially only being known as "Agent" and having few lines, but recognized Marvel's plan for an interconnected universe;<ref name="GreggJan2016" /> the character was ultimately given the surname "Coulson" after [[Danny Coulson]], whose book ''No Heroes: Inside the FBI's Secret Counter-Terror Force'' was used as a dialogue reference for ''Iron Man''.<ref>{{cite news|date=April 2, 2021|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2ZZyHfNE7M |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/K2ZZyHfNE7M |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status=live|title=FBI Hostage Rescue Team founder Danny Coulson Part 1, Ep. 87|author=The Team House|website=[[YouTube]]|access-date=April 2, 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Gregg went on to play the character in ''[[Iron Man 2]]'', ''[[Thor (film)|Thor]]'', and ''[[The Avengers (2012 film)|The Avengers]]'', the latter film in which he was provided the first name "Phil".<ref name="shorts" />


Throughout the films, Coulson is generally depicted as a supporting character of the protagonists and used to represent S.H.I.E.L.D.'s presence, to the point that Gregg has described Coulson as "''the'' S.H.I.E.L.D. agent". However, for the [[Marvel One-Shot]] short films ''[[Marvel One-Shots#The Consultant (2011)|The Consultant]]'' and ''[[Marvel One-Shots#A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Thor's Hammer (2011)|A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Thor's Hammer]]'', Coulson is given "a chance to stand in his own spotlight for once". This was a "natural" move for co-producer Brad Winderbaum, who wanted to "paint a picture of S.H.I.E.L.D. pulling the strings and being responsible for some of the events we've seen in the films. What better character to represent this idea than Agent Coulson, the first S.H.I.E.L.D. agent we were introduced to?"<ref name="shorts" />
Throughout the films, Coulson is generally depicted as a supporting character of the protagonists and used to represent S.H.I.E.L.D.'s presence, to the point that Gregg has described Coulson as "''the'' S.H.I.E.L.D. agent". However, for the [[Marvel One-Shot]] short films ''[[The Consultant (film)|The Consultant]]'' and ''[[A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Thor's Hammer]]'', Coulson is given "a chance to stand in his own spotlight for once". This was a "natural" move for co-producer Brad Winderbaum, who wanted to "paint a picture of S.H.I.E.L.D. pulling the strings and being responsible for some of the events we've seen in the films. What better character to represent this idea than Agent Coulson, the first S.H.I.E.L.D. agent we were introduced to?"<ref name="shorts" />


At the 2012 [[New York Comic Con]], [[Joss Whedon]] and [[Kevin Feige]] announced that Gregg would be starring as Coulson in ''[[Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.]]'', despite the character dying in ''The Avengers'', with Whedon saying "He's headlining the S.H.I.E.L.D. show and always was."<ref name="NYCC2012" /> Gregg said of Whedon's explanation for Coulson's resurrection, "I found it so fascinating and so true to the world of the comics and mythology in general as I understand them that I was immediately in."<ref name="GreggScreenRantApr2013" /> Regarding the amount of creative input he has over the character in the series, Gregg said, "I have meetings with [the [[showrunner]]s] once or twice a year and talk about what the big ideas are ... They're really responsive to the fact that I've been involved with this person four, five years longer than them, but ... I have no complaints with what they're doing."<ref name="GreggCBRJan2015" />
At the 2012 [[New York Comic Con]], [[Joss Whedon]] and [[Kevin Feige]] announced that Gregg would be starring as Coulson in ''[[Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.]]'', despite the character dying in ''The Avengers'', with Whedon saying "He's headlining the S.H.I.E.L.D. show and always was."<ref name="NYCC2012" /> Gregg said of Whedon's explanation for Coulson's resurrection, "I found it so fascinating and so true to the world of the comics and mythology in general as I understand them that I was immediately in."<ref name="GreggScreenRantApr2013" /> Regarding the amount of creative input he has over the character in the series, Gregg said, "I have meetings with [the [[showrunner]]s] once or twice a year and talk about what the big ideas are ... They're really responsive to the fact that I've been involved with this person four, five years longer than them, but ... I have no complaints with what they're doing."<ref name="GreggCBRJan2015" />
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''Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'' costume designer Ann Foley described Coulson as a "company man", wearing suits in "the S.H.I.E.L.D. palette—grey, black and navy with a distinct but subtle pattern." Foley did note "subtle changes" in Coulson's costuming in the series from the films, such as streamlined suits and "more slick" ties, "now that [he] is back after being 'killed' by Loki".<ref name="FoleyTyranny" /> After Coulson's hand is cut off in the second-season finale, which was realized by having a mechanical axe cut through a "faux arm made of tripe wrapped around a chicken thigh", Gregg described it as "heavy ... one of those things where you're having the practical difficulty your character does. People were handing me stuff, like files, and I couldn't really open them without using my nose."<ref name="CoulsonArm" /> This practicality issue continued with the prosthetic hand Coulson subsequently has to use, with Gregg saying "the reality informs the thing. It's really hard to figure out how to use this prosthetic, and that's what Phil Coulson's going through ... I'm hoping it evolves at some point."<ref name="TCAParty2015" /> Gregg also noted that in the third season Coulson would be wearing more casual clothes, partly because "he can't even seem to tie a tie" with his new hand.<ref name="CoulsonCasual" /> The prosthetic hand evolves throughout the season, with a later iteration projecting an energy shield, inspired by [[Captain America's shield#Other shields|a similar one]] used in the comics by [[Captain America]].<ref name="CoulsonShield" /> The energy shield was created by Cosa, one of the series' visual effects vendors.<ref name="CosaVFX" />
''Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'' costume designer Ann Foley described Coulson as a "company man", wearing suits in "the S.H.I.E.L.D. palette—grey, black and navy with a distinct but subtle pattern." Foley did note "subtle changes" in Coulson's costuming in the series from the films, such as streamlined suits and "more slick" ties, "now that [he] is back after being 'killed' by Loki".<ref name="FoleyTyranny" /> After Coulson's hand is cut off in the second-season finale, which was realized by having a mechanical axe cut through a "faux arm made of tripe wrapped around a chicken thigh", Gregg described it as "heavy ... one of those things where you're having the practical difficulty your character does. People were handing me stuff, like files, and I couldn't really open them without using my nose."<ref name="CoulsonArm" /> This practicality issue continued with the prosthetic hand Coulson subsequently has to use, with Gregg saying "the reality informs the thing. It's really hard to figure out how to use this prosthetic, and that's what Phil Coulson's going through ... I'm hoping it evolves at some point."<ref name="TCAParty2015" /> Gregg also noted that in the third season Coulson would be wearing more casual clothes, partly because "he can't even seem to tie a tie" with his new hand.<ref name="CoulsonCasual" /> The prosthetic hand evolves throughout the season, with a later iteration projecting an energy shield, inspired by [[Captain America's shield#Other shields|a similar one]] used in the comics by [[Captain America]].<ref name="CoulsonShield" /> The energy shield was created by Cosa, one of the series' visual effects vendors.<ref name="CosaVFX" />


There had been considerations for Coulson to return in ''[[Iron Man 3]]'' and ''[[Thor: The Dark World]]'',<ref name="CraveOnline" /> but the character was not slated to appear in any more films.<ref name="ComingSoon" /> Whedon asserts, "As far as the fiction of the movies, Coulson is dead",<ref name="WhedonFilmsDead" /> elaborating that "generally [he feels] like the ''S.H.I.E.L.D.'' audience and ''The Avengers'' audiences are not actually the same group, necessarily," and so the films would have to explain Coulson's resurrection again for the film-only audience if he were to be reintroduced.<ref name="WhedonDeadElaboration" /> Gregg reprises the role once again in ''[[Captain Marvel (film)|Captain Marvel]]'' (2019), as the film is set in the 1990s.<ref name="CaptainMarvel" /> Gregg is digitally de-aged by 25 years, along with co-star [[Samuel L. Jackson]], the first time Marvel has done this for an entire film.<ref name="Feige/FilmJul2018" /> In regards to the character's resurrection within the MCU canon, however, ''[[Loki (TV series)|Loki]]'' head writer [[Michael Waldron]] suggested that, as that show's series premiere "[[Glorious Purpose]]" implies, Coulson actually died in ''The Avengers'' and the events of ''Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'' take place in a parallel timeline.<ref name="WaldronSuggestion" />
There had been considerations for Coulson to return in ''[[Iron Man 3]]'' and ''[[Thor: The Dark World]]'',<ref name="CraveOnline" /> but the character was not slated to appear in any more films.<ref name="ComingSoon" /> Whedon asserts, "As far as the fiction of the movies, Coulson is dead",<ref name="WhedonFilmsDead" /> elaborating that "generally [he feels] like the ''S.H.I.E.L.D.'' audience and ''The Avengers'' audiences are not actually the same group, necessarily," and so the films would have to explain Coulson's resurrection again for the film-only audience if he were to be reintroduced.<ref name="WhedonDeadElaboration" /> Gregg reprises the role once again in ''[[Captain Marvel (film)|Captain Marvel]]'' (2019), as the film is set in the 1990s.<ref name="CaptainMarvel" /> Gregg is digitally de-aged by 25 years, along with co-star [[Samuel L. Jackson]], the first time Marvel has done this for an entire film.<ref name="Feige/FilmJul2018" /> In regards to the character's resurrection within the MCU canon, however, ''[[Loki (TV series)|Loki]]'' head writer [[Michael Waldron]] suggested that, as that show's series premiere "[[Glorious Purpose (Loki season 1)|Glorious Purpose]]" implies, Coulson actually died in ''The Avengers'' and the events of ''Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'' take place in a parallel timeline.<ref name="WaldronSuggestion" />


===Characterization===
===Characterization===
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==Reception==
==Reception==
In his review for ''Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.''{{'}}s first season, Evan Valentine at Collider named Clark Gregg as one of the high points of the series, noting that the actor was "one positive I consistently point out in each and every episode". Valentine stated that "What made us fall in love with the character from the first ''Iron Man'' to his death in ''The Avengers'' is still alive and kicking. Coulson was able to throw out quips like none other, while also turning on a dime, and expressing serious rage in moments ... Gregg raises the S.H.I.E.L.D. banner high".<ref name="ColliderSeasonReview" /> Reviewing the episode "[[The Writing on the Wall (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)|The Writing on the Wall]]", which concluded the majority of Coulson's storyline in the series up to that point, Kevin Fitzpatrick of ScreenCrush praised how Coulson had become "unglued" throughout the series, which had "pushed the newly-minted director into some dark places".<ref name="Ep2.7ScreenCrush" /> Eric Goldman, reviewing for [[IGN]], was also positive of the "unhinged version of Coulson",<ref name="Ep2.7IGN" /> as well as the more serious leadership role the character took on for the [[Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (season 2)|second season]], with Goldman finding Coulson's decision in "[[Making Friends and Influencing People]]" that [[Blizzard (Marvel Comics)#Television|Donnie Gill]] "either went with them or had to be taken out" to be especially notable.<ref name="Ep2.3IGN" />
In his review for ''Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.''{{'}}s first season, Evan Valentine at Collider named Clark Gregg as one of the high points of the series, noting that the actor was "one positive I consistently point out in each and every episode". Valentine stated that "What made us fall in love with the character from the first ''Iron Man'' to his death in ''The Avengers'' is still alive and kicking. Coulson was able to throw out quips like none other, while also turning on a dime, and expressing serious rage in moments ... Gregg raises the S.H.I.E.L.D. banner high".<ref name="ColliderSeasonReview" /> Reviewing the episode "[[The Writing on the Wall (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)|The Writing on the Wall]]", which concluded the majority of Coulson's storyline in the series up to that point, Kevin Fitzpatrick of ScreenCrush praised how Coulson had become "unglued" throughout the series, which had "pushed the newly-minted director into some dark places".<ref name="Ep2.7ScreenCrush" /> Eric Goldman, reviewing for [[IGN]], was also positive of the "unhinged version of Coulson",<ref name="Ep2.7IGN" /> as well as the more serious leadership role the character took on for the [[Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season 2|second season]], with Goldman finding Coulson's decision in "[[Making Friends and Influencing People]]" that [[Blizzard (Marvel Comics)#Television|Donnie Gill]] "either went with them or had to be taken out" to be especially notable.<ref name="Ep2.3IGN" />

Clark Gregg won for [[Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor|Best Supporting Actor]] in ''The Avengers'' at the [[39th Saturn Awards]].<ref name="SaturnAwards" />


==Other appearances==
==Other appearances==


===Animation===
===Television===
* Phil Coulson appears in ''[[Ultimate Spider-Man (TV series)|Ultimate Spider-Man]]'', voiced by Clark Gregg. This version is the principal of [[Spider-Man|Peter Parker]]'s school.<ref name="Toonzone" /><ref name="IGNUltimateSpider" /><ref name="btva" />
* Coulson makes a by-name cameo appearance in the ''[[Iron Man: Armored Adventures]]'' episode "Extremis" as one of the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents encountering and being attacked by the recently mutated renegade agent, [[Mallen (comics)|Mallen]].<ref name="IronManAAExtremis" />
* Phil Coulson makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in the ''[[Marvel Disk Wars: The Avengers]]'' episode "The Mightiest of Heroes!".
* At the 2011 [[San Diego Comic-Con International]], it was announced that Gregg would return to voice Phil Coulson in the [[cartoon series]] ''[[Ultimate Spider-Man (TV series)|Ultimate Spider-Man]]'', where he appears as a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent and [[Spider-Man|Peter Parker]]'s school [[Head teacher|principal]]. He appears in seasons one and two.<ref name="Toonzone" /><ref name="IGNUltimateSpider" />
* Coulson makes a brief cameo in the first episode of the [[anime]] ''[[Marvel Disk Wars: The Avengers]]'', wherein he shows S.H.I.E.L.D. facilities, including a supervillain prison.


===Comic books===
===Comic books===
====''The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes''====
====''The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes''====
The comic book continuation of ''[[The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes]]'' animated television series is told from the perspective of Coulson, despite not appearing as a character in the original show.
Phil Coulson appears in the comic book continuation of ''[[The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes]]''.


====Ultimate Marvel====
====Ultimate Marvel====
In 2014, the ''[[Ultimate Marvel|Ultimate]]'' version of Phil Coulson debuted in the ''[[Ultimate Fantastic Four|Ultimate FF]]'' series as an ex-Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. turned Director of the [[Future Foundation]].<ref name="newsarama" />
In 2014, the ''[[Ultimate Marvel|Ultimate]]'' version of Phil Coulson debuted in the ''[[Ultimate Fantastic Four]]'' series as an ex-Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. turned Director of the [[Future Foundation]].<ref name="newsarama" />


====''Marvel 1602''====
====''Marvel 1602''====
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===Video games===
===Video games===
* Phil Coulson appears as a playable character in ''[[Marvel Super Hero Squad Online]]'', voiced by [[Tom Kenny]].
* Phil Coulson appears as a playable character in ''[[Marvel Super Hero Squad Online]]'', voiced by [[Tom Kenny]].
* Phil Coulson appears as a [[non-player character]] in ''[[Marvel Heroes (video game)|Marvel Heroes]]'', with Clark Gregg reprising his role.
* Phil Coulson appears as a [[non-player character]] in ''[[Marvel Heroes (video game)|Marvel Heroes]]'', with Clark Gregg reprising his role.<ref name="btva" />
* Phil Coulson appears as a non-player character in ''[[Marvel: Avengers Alliance]]'', ''Alliance 2'', and ''Alliance Tactics''.
* Phil Coulson appears as a non-player character in ''[[Marvel: Avengers Alliance]]'', ''Alliance 2'', and ''Alliance Tactics''.
* Phil Coulson appears in ''[[Lego Marvel Super Heroes]]'', with Clark Gregg reprising his role. His character becomes playable after completing a side mission involving him overseeing [[Doctor Octopus]]' community service by fixing the ''[[Daily Bugle]]''{{'}}s offices. His attack is the "Destroyer Gun", which he used against Loki in ''The Avengers''.<ref name="GameTrailers" />
* Phil Coulson appears as an unlockable playable character in ''[[Lego Marvel Super Heroes]]'', voiced again by Clark Gregg.<ref name="GameTrailers" />
* Phil Coulson appears as a playable character in ''[[Marvel: Future Fight]]''.
* Phil Coulson appears as a playable character in ''[[Marvel: Future Fight]]''.
* Phil Coulson appears in ''[[Lego Marvel's Avengers]]'', voiced again by Clark Gregg.
* Phil Coulson appears in ''[[Lego Marvel's Avengers]]'', voiced again by Clark Gregg.
* Phil Coulson appears as a playable character in ''[[Marvel Avengers Academy]]'', voiced by [[Billy Kametz]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Home|url=https://www.billykametz.com/|website=Billy Kametz|access-date=May 4, 2022}}</ref>
* Phil Coulson appears as a playable character in ''[[Marvel Avengers Academy]]'', voiced by [[Billy Kametz]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Home|url=https://www.billykametz.com/|website=Billy Kametz|access-date=May 4, 2022|archive-date=August 12, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812031153/https://www.billykametz.com/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Phil Coulson appears as a playable character in the match-three mobile game ''[[Marvel Puzzle Quest]]''.<ref name="PuzzleQuest" />
* Phil Coulson appears as a playable character in ''[[Marvel Puzzle Quest]]''.<ref name="PuzzleQuest" />
* Phil Coulson appears as a playable character in ''[[Marvel Strike Force]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.cbr.com/marvel-strike-force-agent-coulson-graviton-aim/|title= Marvel Strike Force Recruits Agent Coulson, Graviton & AIM|author= Samuel Gelman|date= September 19, 2019|publisher= CBR|accessdate=April 19, 2022}}</ref>
* Phil Coulson appears as a playable character in ''[[Marvel Strike Force]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.cbr.com/marvel-strike-force-agent-coulson-graviton-aim/|title= Marvel Strike Force Recruits Agent Coulson, Graviton & AIM|author= Samuel Gelman|date= September 19, 2019|publisher= CBR|accessdate= April 19, 2022|archive-date= May 5, 2022|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220505010627/https://www.cbr.com/marvel-strike-force-agent-coulson-graviton-aim/|url-status= live}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
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==References==
==References==
{{reflist|refs=
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name="MTVThor">{{cite web |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/2596592/iron-man-2-thor-clark-gregg/ |title=Clark Gregg's ''Iron Man 2'' S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Will 'Do Some Exciting Things' In ''Thor'' |first=Blair |last=Marnell |publisher=[[MTV News]] |date=April 28, 2010 |access-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921063114/http://splashpage.mtv.com/2010/04/28/iron-man-2-thor-clark-gregg |archive-date=September 21, 2013}}</ref>


<ref name="MTVThor">{{cite web |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/2596592/iron-man-2-thor-clark-gregg/ |title=Clark Gregg's ''Iron Man 2'' S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Will 'Do Some Exciting Things' In ''Thor'' |first=Blair |last=Marnell |publisher=[[MTV News]] |date=April 28, 2010 |access-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921063114/http://splashpage.mtv.com/2010/04/28/iron-man-2-thor-clark-gregg |archive-date=September 21, 2013 }}</ref>
<ref name="Toonzone">{{cite web|last=Harris |first=Jeffrey |url=http://www.toonzone.net/news/articles/38211/sdcc2011--new-details-and-voice-cast-of-ultimate-spider-man-revealed |title=SDCC2011: New Details and Voice Cast of ''Ultimate Spider-Man'' Revealed |access-date=August 3, 2011 |publisher=Toon Zone |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110822223628/http://www.toonzone.net/news/articles/38211/sdcc2011--new-details-and-voice-cast-of-ultimate-spider-man-revealed |archive-date=August 22, 2011}}</ref>

<!--ref name="IGNCameo">{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/marvel-studios-cinematic-universe/Teasers_&_Cameos_(Captain_America:_The_First_Avenger) |title=Teasers & Cameos (''Captain America: The First Avenger'') |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728050745/http://www.ign.com/wikis/marvel-studios-cinematic-universe/Teasers_&_Cameos_(Captain_America:_The_First_Avenger) |archive-date=July 28, 2014 |publisher=[[IGN]]|access-date=May 21, 2022}}</ref-->

<ref name="Toonzone">{{cite web|last=Harris |first=Jeffrey |url=http://www.toonzone.net/news/articles/38211/sdcc2011--new-details-and-voice-cast-of-ultimate-spider-man-revealed |title=SDCC2011: New Details and Voice Cast of ''Ultimate Spider-Man'' Revealed |access-date=August 3, 2011 |publisher=Toon Zone |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110822223628/http://www.toonzone.net/news/articles/38211/sdcc2011--new-details-and-voice-cast-of-ultimate-spider-man-revealed |archive-date=August 22, 2011 }}</ref>

<ref name="IGNUltimateSpider">{{cite web |last=Collura |first=Scott |title=Comic-Con: ''Ultimate Spider-Man'' Toon and ''Avengers'' Season 2 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/07/23/comic-con-ultimate-spider-man-toon-and-avengers-season-2 |access-date=August 3, 2011 |publisher=IGN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131001172710/http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/07/23/comic-con-ultimate-spider-man-toon-and-avengers-season-2 |archive-date=October 1, 2013 |date=July 23, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>


<ref name="IGNUltimateSpider">{{cite web |last=Collura |first=Scott |title=Comic-Con: ''Ultimate Spider-Man'' Toon and ''Avengers'' Season 2 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/07/23/comic-con-ultimate-spider-man-toon-and-avengers-season-2 |access-date=August 3, 2011 |publisher=[[IGN]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131001172710/http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/07/23/comic-con-ultimate-spider-man-toon-and-avengers-season-2 |archive-date=October 1, 2013 |date=July 23, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>
<ref name="IronManAAExtremis">{{cite episode |title=Extremis |series=Iron Man: Armored Adventures |season=2 |number=16 |airdate=March 14, 2012 |network=Nicktoons }}</ref>


<ref name="USAToday">{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/story/2012-04-25/Agent-Coulson-Avengers-movie-comic-books/54508162/1 |title=Agent Coulson charges into comics with 'Battle Scars' |last=Truitt |first=Brian |work=[[USA Today]] |date=April 24, 2012 |access-date=April 24, 2012 }}</ref>
<ref name="USAToday">{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/story/2012-04-25/Agent-Coulson-Avengers-movie-comic-books/54508162/1 |title=Agent Coulson charges into comics with 'Battle Scars' |last=Truitt |first=Brian |work=[[USA Today]] |date=April 24, 2012 |access-date=April 24, 2012 |archive-date=April 26, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426001344/https://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/story/2012-04-25/Agent-Coulson-Avengers-movie-comic-books/54508162/1 |url-status=live}}</ref>


<ref name="SecretAvengers">{{cite web |url=https://www.cbr.com/nycc-spencers-secret-avengers-are-the-newest-agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d/ |title=NYCC: Spencer's "Secret Avengers" are the Newest Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |last=Richards |first=Dave |date=October 14, 2012 |publisher=Comic Book Resources|access-date=May 21, 2022|archive-date=September 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927115401/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=41551 }}</ref>
<ref name="SecretAvengers">{{cite web |url=https://www.cbr.com/nycc-spencers-secret-avengers-are-the-newest-agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d/ |title=NYCC: Spencer's "Secret Avengers" are the Newest Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |last=Richards |first=Dave |date=October 14, 2012 |publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]]|access-date=May 21, 2022|archive-date=September 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927115401/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=41551}}</ref>


<ref name="GodofThunderComic">"Thor: God of Thunder" #19 (April 2014)</ref>
<ref name="GodofThunderComic">"Thor: God of Thunder" #19 (April 2014)</ref>
Line 229: Line 227:
<ref name="newsarama">{{cite web |url=http://www.newsarama.com/20022-fialkov-charts-future-of-marvel-s-ultimate-universe-with-ultimate-ff.html |title=''Ultimate FF'': Fialkov Charts Future of Marvel's Ultimate Universe |publisher=Newsarama |date=January 13, 2014 |access-date=April 7, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140114030825/http://www.newsarama.com/20022-fialkov-charts-future-of-marvel-s-ultimate-universe-with-ultimate-ff.html |archive-date=January 14, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>
<ref name="newsarama">{{cite web |url=http://www.newsarama.com/20022-fialkov-charts-future-of-marvel-s-ultimate-universe-with-ultimate-ff.html |title=''Ultimate FF'': Fialkov Charts Future of Marvel's Ultimate Universe |publisher=Newsarama |date=January 13, 2014 |access-date=April 7, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140114030825/http://www.newsarama.com/20022-fialkov-charts-future-of-marvel-s-ultimate-universe-with-ultimate-ff.html |archive-date=January 14, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>


<ref name="GameTrailers">{{cite web |url=http://www.gametrailers.com/videos/jpdqdo/lego-marvel-super-heroes-e3-2013--character-walkthrough--cam- |title=LEGO Marvel Super Heroes Video — E3 2013: Character Walkthrough (Cam) |publisher=GameTrailers |date=June 12, 2013 |access-date=August 20, 2013 |archive-date=November 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131124005744/http://www.gametrailers.com/videos/jpdqdo/lego-marvel-super-heroes-e3-2013--character-walkthrough--cam- }}</ref>
<ref name="GameTrailers">{{cite web |url=http://www.gametrailers.com/videos/jpdqdo/lego-marvel-super-heroes-e3-2013--character-walkthrough--cam- |title=LEGO Marvel Super Heroes Video — E3 2013: Character Walkthrough (Cam) |publisher=GameTrailers |date=June 12, 2013 |access-date=August 20, 2013 |archive-date=November 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131124005744/http://www.gametrailers.com/videos/jpdqdo/lego-marvel-super-heroes-e3-2013--character-walkthrough--cam-}}</ref>


<ref name="CraveOnline">{{cite web |url=https://www.mandatory.com/fun/173736-clark-gregg-on-the-avengers-marvel-one-shots-iron-man-3-and-more |title=Clark Gregg on ''The Avengers'', ''Marvel One-Shots'', ''Iron Man 3'' and more! |last=Bibbiani |first=William |publisher=[[Mandatory (company)|Mandatory]]|url-status=live |date=September 5, 2011 |access-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929173225/http://www.craveonline.com/film/articles/173736-clark-gregg-on-the-avengers-marvel-one-shots-iron-man-3-and-more |archive-date=September 29, 2013 }}</ref>
<ref name="CraveOnline">{{cite web |url=https://www.mandatory.com/fun/173736-clark-gregg-on-the-avengers-marvel-one-shots-iron-man-3-and-more |title=Clark Gregg on ''The Avengers'', ''Marvel One-Shots'', ''Iron Man 3'' and more! |last=Bibbiani |first=William |publisher=[[Mandatory (company)|Mandatory]]|url-status=live |date=September 5, 2011 |access-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929173225/http://www.craveonline.com/film/articles/173736-clark-gregg-on-the-avengers-marvel-one-shots-iron-man-3-and-more |archive-date=September 29, 2013}}</ref>


<ref name="ComingSoon">{{cite news |url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/106835-agent-coulson-will-not-appear-in-avengers-age-of-ultron |title=Agent Coulson Will Not Appear in ''Avengers: Age of Ultron'' |publisher=ComingSoon.net |agency=Associated Press |date=July 23, 2013 |access-date=May 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131011213515/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=106835 |archive-date=October 11, 2013 }}</ref>
<ref name="ComingSoon">{{cite news |url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/106835-agent-coulson-will-not-appear-in-avengers-age-of-ultron |title=Agent Coulson Will Not Appear in ''Avengers: Age of Ultron'' |publisher=ComingSoon.net |agency=Associated Press |date=July 23, 2013 |access-date=May 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131011213515/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=106835 |archive-date=October 11, 2013}}</ref>


<ref name="shorts">{{cite web |title=''Marvel One-Shots'': Expanding the Cinematic Universe |url=http://marvel.com/news/story/16398/marvel_one-shots_expanding_the_cinematic_universe |last=Strom |first=Marc |publisher=[[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] |date=August 2, 2011 |access-date=August 3, 2011 }}</ref>
<ref name="shorts">{{cite web |title=''Marvel One-Shots'': Expanding the Cinematic Universe |url=http://marvel.com/news/story/16398/marvel_one-shots_expanding_the_cinematic_universe |last=Strom |first=Marc |publisher=[[Marvel.com]] |date=August 2, 2011 |access-date=August 3, 2011 |archive-date=December 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131208182426/http://marvel.com/news/story/16398/marvel_one-shots_expanding_the_cinematic_universe |url-status=live}}</ref>


<ref name="WNBC">{{cite news |last=Alt |first=Eric |date=September 2, 2011 |title=Clark Gregg: Marvel Movies' Man of Mystery |url=http://www.nbcnewyork.com/blogs/popcornbiz/Clark-Gregg--129073283.html |publisher=[[WNBC]] |access-date=September 2, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020115437/http://www.nbcnewyork.com/blogs/popcornbiz/Clark-Gregg--129073283.html |archive-date=October 20, 2013 }}</ref>
<ref name="WNBC">{{cite news |last=Alt |first=Eric |date=September 2, 2011 |title=Clark Gregg: Marvel Movies' Man of Mystery |url=http://www.nbcnewyork.com/blogs/popcornbiz/Clark-Gregg--129073283.html |publisher=[[WNBC]] |access-date=September 2, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020115437/http://www.nbcnewyork.com/blogs/popcornbiz/Clark-Gregg--129073283.html |archive-date=October 20, 2013}}</ref>


<ref name="ColliderSeasonReview">{{cite web|last=Valentine |first=Evan |title=Marvel's AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.: The H.I.G.H.S. and L.O.W.S. of the ABC Series' Freshman Season |url=https://collider.com/marvels-agents-of-shield-season-1-review/ |publisher=Collider |date=June 2, 2014 |access-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028161306/https://collider.com/marvels-agents-of-shield-season-1-review/ |archive-date=October 28, 2021|url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="ColliderSeasonReview">{{cite web|last=Valentine |first=Evan |title=Marvel's AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.: The H.I.G.H.S. and L.O.W.S. of the ABC Series' Freshman Season |url=https://collider.com/marvels-agents-of-shield-season-1-review/ |publisher=[[Collider (website)|Collider]] |date=June 2, 2014 |access-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028161306/https://collider.com/marvels-agents-of-shield-season-1-review/ |archive-date=October 28, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>


<ref name="Ep2.7IGN">{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/11/12/marvels-agents-of-shield-the-writing-on-the-wall|title=Marvel's Agents of SHIELD: "The Writing on the Wall" Review |last=Goldman |first=Eric |publisher=[[IGN]] |date=November 11, 2014 |access-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028170812/https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/11/12/marvels-agents-of-shield-the-writing-on-the-wall |archive-date=May 21, 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="Ep2.7IGN">{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/11/12/marvels-agents-of-shield-the-writing-on-the-wall|title=Marvel's Agents of SHIELD: "The Writing on the Wall" Review |last=Goldman |first=Eric |publisher=[[IGN]] |date=November 11, 2014 |access-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028170812/https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/11/12/marvels-agents-of-shield-the-writing-on-the-wall |archive-date=October 28, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>


<ref name="Ep2.7ScreenCrush">{{cite web|url=https://screencrush.com/agents-of-shield-review-the-writing-on-the-wall/ |title='Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.' Review: "The Writing On the Wall" |last=Fitzpatrick |first=Kevin |work=ScreenCrush |date=November 11, 2014 |access-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026234236/https://screencrush.com/agents-of-shield-review-the-writing-on-the-wall/ |archive-date=October 28, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="Ep2.7ScreenCrush">{{cite web|url=https://screencrush.com/agents-of-shield-review-the-writing-on-the-wall/ |title='Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.' Review: "The Writing On the Wall" |last=Fitzpatrick |first=Kevin |work=[[ScreenCrush]] |date=November 11, 2014 |access-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026234236/https://screencrush.com/agents-of-shield-review-the-writing-on-the-wall/ |archive-date=October 26, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>


<ref name="Ep2.3IGN">{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/10/08/marvels-agents-of-shield-making-friends-and-influencing-people-review |title=Marvel's Agents of SHIELD: "Making Friends and Influencing People" Review |last=Goldman |first=Eric |publisher=[[IGN]] |date=October 7, 2014 |access-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028185310/https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/10/08/marvels-agents-of-shield-making-friends-and-influencing-people-review |archive-date=October 28, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="Ep2.3IGN">{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/10/08/marvels-agents-of-shield-making-friends-and-influencing-people-review |title=Marvel's Agents of SHIELD: "Making Friends and Influencing People" Review |last=Goldman |first=Eric |publisher=[[IGN]] |date=October 7, 2014 |access-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028185310/https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/10/08/marvels-agents-of-shield-making-friends-and-influencing-people-review |archive-date=October 28, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>


<ref name="April2006Variety">{{cite news|date=April 27, 2006 |first=Pamela |last=McClintock |title=Marvel Making Deals for Title Wave |url=https://variety.com/2006/film/markets-festivals/marvel-making-deals-for-title-wave-2-1200334885/ |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-date=May 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513042732/https://variety.com/2006/film/markets-festivals/marvel-making-deals-for-title-wave-2-1200334885/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="April2006Variety">{{cite news|date=April 27, 2006 |first=Pamela |last=McClintock |title=Marvel Making Deals for Title Wave |url=https://variety.com/2006/film/markets-festivals/marvel-making-deals-for-title-wave-2-1200334885/ |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-date=May 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513042732/https://variety.com/2006/film/markets-festivals/marvel-making-deals-for-title-wave-2-1200334885/ |url-status=live}}</ref>


<ref name="FergusOstbyIM">{{cite magazine |date=April 17, 2008 |last=Jensen |first=Jeff |title='Iron Man': The inside story |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |url=https://ew.com/article/2008/04/21/iron-man-inside-story/ |access-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-date=May 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516013959/https://ew.com/article/2008/04/21/iron-man-inside-story/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="FergusOstbyIM">{{cite magazine |date=April 17, 2008 |last=Jensen |first=Jeff |title='Iron Man': The inside story |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |url=https://ew.com/article/2008/04/21/iron-man-inside-story/ |access-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-date=May 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516013959/https://ew.com/article/2008/04/21/iron-man-inside-story/ |url-status=live}}</ref>


<ref name="NYCC2012">{{cite web |url=https://www.cbr.com/nycc-coulson-lives-in-whedons-s-h-i-e-l-d-updated-with-photos/ |title=NYCC: Coulson Lives In Whedon's "S.H.I.E.L.D." |last=Sunu |first=Steven |publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]] |date=October 13, 2012 |access-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328204316/https://www.cbr.com/nycc-coulson-lives-in-whedons-s-h-i-e-l-d-updated-with-photos/ |archive-date=March 28, 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="NYCC2012">{{cite web |url=https://www.cbr.com/nycc-coulson-lives-in-whedons-s-h-i-e-l-d-updated-with-photos/ |title=NYCC: Coulson Lives In Whedon's "S.H.I.E.L.D." |last=Sunu |first=Steven |publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]] |date=October 13, 2012 |access-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328204316/https://www.cbr.com/nycc-coulson-lives-in-whedons-s-h-i-e-l-d-updated-with-photos/ |archive-date=March 28, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>


<ref name="GreggScreenRantApr2013">{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/agent-coulson-shield-role-avengers-death-return/ |title=Clark Gregg Suggests Coulson's Return Could Mean 'The Avengers' Were Deceived |last=Nemiroff |first=Perri |work=Screen Rant |date=April 20, 2013 |access-date=April 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130422075237/http://screenrant.com/agent-coulson-shield-role-avengers-death-return/ |archive-date=April 22, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="GreggScreenRantApr2013">{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/agent-coulson-shield-role-avengers-death-return/ |title=Clark Gregg Suggests Coulson's Return Could Mean 'The Avengers' Were Deceived |last=Nemiroff |first=Perri |work=[[Screen Rant]] |date=April 20, 2013 |access-date=April 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130422075237/http://screenrant.com/agent-coulson-shield-role-avengers-death-return/ |archive-date=April 22, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>


<ref name="GreggRebuilding">{{cite web |title=Rebuilding S.H.I.E.L.D. With Clark Gregg |url=https://news.marvel.com/tv/23311/rebuilding_shield_with_clark_gregg/|last=Strom |first=Marc |publisher=[[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] |date=September 22, 2014 |access-date=November 15, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822071910/https://news.marvel.com/tv/23311/rebuilding_shield_with_clark_gregg/ |archive-date=August 22, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
<ref name="GreggRebuilding">{{cite web |title=Rebuilding S.H.I.E.L.D. With Clark Gregg |url=https://news.marvel.com/tv/23311/rebuilding_shield_with_clark_gregg/|last=Strom |first=Marc |publisher=[[Marvel.com]] |date=September 22, 2014 |access-date=November 15, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822071910/https://news.marvel.com/tv/23311/rebuilding_shield_with_clark_gregg/ |archive-date=August 22, 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref>


<ref name="GreggHitFixJan2014">{{cite web|url=https://uproxx.com/hitfix/interview-clark-gregg-teases-agents-of-shield-evolution-and-coulsons-secret/ |title=Interview: Clark Gregg Teases 'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.' Evolution and Coulson's Secret |last=Fienberg |first=Daniel |publisher=Uproxx|date=January 7, 2014 |access-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026123325/http://uproxx.com/hitfix/interview-clark-gregg-teases-agents-of-shield-evolution-and-coulsons-secret/ |archive-date=October 26, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="GreggHitFixJan2014">{{cite web|url=https://uproxx.com/hitfix/interview-clark-gregg-teases-agents-of-shield-evolution-and-coulsons-secret/ |title=Interview: Clark Gregg Teases 'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.' Evolution and Coulson's Secret |last=Fienberg |first=Daniel |publisher=Uproxx|date=January 7, 2014 |access-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026123325/http://uproxx.com/hitfix/interview-clark-gregg-teases-agents-of-shield-evolution-and-coulsons-secret/ |archive-date=October 26, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>


<ref name="GreggCBRJan2015">{{cite web |url=https://www.cbr.com/clark-gregg-talks-launching-inhumans-on-agents-of-shield/ |title=Clark Gregg Talks Launching Inhumans on "Agents of SHIELD" |last=Huver |first=Scott |publisher=Comic Book Resources |date=January 16, 2015 |access-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030023734/https://www.cbr.com/clark-gregg-talks-launching-inhumans-on-agents-of-shield/ |archive-date=October 30, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="GreggCBRJan2015">{{cite web |url=https://www.cbr.com/clark-gregg-talks-launching-inhumans-on-agents-of-shield/ |title=Clark Gregg Talks Launching Inhumans on "Agents of SHIELD" |last=Huver |first=Scott |publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]] |date=January 16, 2015 |access-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030023734/https://www.cbr.com/clark-gregg-talks-launching-inhumans-on-agents-of-shield/ |archive-date=October 30, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>


<ref name="GreggJan2016">{{cite web|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/clark-gregg-interview-marvel-shield-civil-war/ |title=Clark Gregg interview: Marvel, S.H.I.E.L.D., Civil War |last=Leane |first=Rob |publisher=[[Den of Geek]] |date=January 11, 2016 |access-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113091925/https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/clark-gregg-interview-marvel-shield-civil-war/ |archive-date=January 13, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="GreggJan2016">{{cite web|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/clark-gregg-interview-marvel-shield-civil-war/ |title=Clark Gregg interview: Marvel, S.H.I.E.L.D., Civil War |last=Leane |first=Rob |publisher=[[Den of Geek]] |date=January 11, 2016 |access-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113091925/https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/clark-gregg-interview-marvel-shield-civil-war/ |archive-date=January 13, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>


<ref name="WhedonFilmsDead">{{cite web |url=https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/63120/qa-joss-whedon-super-heroes-killing-characters-and-existing-outside-pop-culture |title=Q&A: Joss Whedon on Super Heroes, the Pop Culture Mainstream |last=Schwartz |first=Dana |publisher=Mental Floss |date=April 15, 2015 |access-date=May 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308165504/https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/63120/qa-joss-whedon-super-heroes-killing-characters-and-existing-outside-pop-culture |archive-date=March 8, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>
<ref name="WhedonFilmsDead">{{cite web |url=https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/63120/qa-joss-whedon-super-heroes-killing-characters-and-existing-outside-pop-culture |title=Q&A: Joss Whedon on Super Heroes, the Pop Culture Mainstream |last=Schwartz |first=Dana |publisher=Mental Floss |date=April 15, 2015 |access-date=May 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308165504/https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/63120/qa-joss-whedon-super-heroes-killing-characters-and-existing-outside-pop-culture |archive-date=March 8, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>


<ref name="WhedonDeadElaboration">{{cite web|url=https://screencrush.com/joss-whedon-agents-of-shield-coulson-marvel-tv/ |title=Joss Whedon Defends 'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.' Comments, Says Marvel TV Gets 'Leftovers' |last=Fitzpatrick |first=Kevin |publisher=[[ScreenCrush]] |date=January 3, 2016 |access-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417063043/https://screencrush.com/joss-whedon-agents-of-shield-coulson-marvel-tv/ |archive-date=April 17, 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="WhedonDeadElaboration">{{cite web|url=https://screencrush.com/joss-whedon-agents-of-shield-coulson-marvel-tv/ |title=Joss Whedon Defends 'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.' Comments, Says Marvel TV Gets 'Leftovers' |last=Fitzpatrick |first=Kevin |publisher=[[ScreenCrush]] |date=January 3, 2016 |access-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417063043/https://screencrush.com/joss-whedon-agents-of-shield-coulson-marvel-tv/ |archive-date=April 17, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>


<ref name="CoulsonShield">{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/marvel/news/s-h-i-e-l-d-introduces-captain-americas-energy-shield/|title=S.H.I.E.L.D. Introduces Captain America's Energy Shield |last=Lovett |first=Jamie |publisher=ComicBook |date=April 27, 2016 |access-date=May 22, 2022 |archive-url=http://archive.today/7ymYx |archive-date=May 22, 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="CoulsonShield">{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/marvel/news/s-h-i-e-l-d-introduces-captain-americas-energy-shield/|title=S.H.I.E.L.D. Introduces Captain America's Energy Shield |last=Lovett |first=Jamie |publisher=ComicBook |date=April 27, 2016 |access-date=May 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220522002228/https://comicbook.com/marvel/news/s-h-i-e-l-d-introduces-captain-americas-energy-shield/ |archive-date=May 22, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>


<ref name="CosaVFX">{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/agents-of-shield-vfx-reel-showcases-season-3s-breakout-moments/ |title="Agents of SHIELD" VFX Reel Showcases Season 3's Breakout Moments |last=Gallaway |first=Lauren |publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]] |date=May 29, 2016 |access-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125034139/https://www.cbr.com/agents-of-shield-vfx-reel-showcases-season-3s-breakout-moments/ |archive-date=October 12, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="CosaVFX">{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/agents-of-shield-vfx-reel-showcases-season-3s-breakout-moments/ |title="Agents of SHIELD" VFX Reel Showcases Season 3's Breakout Moments |last=Gallaway |first=Lauren |publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]] |date=May 29, 2016 |access-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125034139/https://www.cbr.com/agents-of-shield-vfx-reel-showcases-season-3s-breakout-moments/ |archive-date=January 25, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>


<ref name="FoleyTyranny">{{cite web|url=http://tyrannyofstyle.com/agents-of-shield-costume-design |title=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Costume Design |last=Kucharski |first=Joe |publisher=Tyranny of Style |date=December 19, 2013 |access-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=http://archive.today/YmQyD |archive-date=October 7, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="FoleyTyranny">{{cite web|url=http://tyrannyofstyle.com/agents-of-shield-costume-design |title=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Costume Design |last=Kucharski |first=Joe |publisher=Tyranny of Style |date=December 19, 2013 |access-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140507085709/http://tyrannyofstyle.com/agents-of-shield-costume-design |archive-date=May 7, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>


<ref name="CoulsonArm">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2015/05/13/agents-shield-season-2-finale-coulson-arm |title=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Go behind the scenes of Coulson's big 'loss' |last=Abrams |first=Natalie |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=May 13, 2015 |access-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028172019/https://ew.com/article/2015/05/13/agents-shield-season-2-finale-coulson-arm/ |archive-date=October 28, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="CoulsonArm">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2015/05/13/agents-shield-season-2-finale-coulson-arm |title=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Go behind the scenes of Coulson's big 'loss' |last=Abrams |first=Natalie |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=May 13, 2015 |access-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028172019/https://ew.com/article/2015/05/13/agents-shield-season-2-finale-coulson-arm/ |archive-date=October 28, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>


<ref name="TCAParty2015">{{cite web|url=http://screenertv.com/television/agents-of-shield-season-3-teases-time-jump-simmons-answer-daisy-wardrobe-lash/ |title=16 'Agents of SHIELD' Season 3 teases, from Simmons' destination to Daisy's new wardrobe |last=Schwartz |first=Terri |work=ScreenerTV |date=August 4, 2015 |access-date=May 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170501144137/http://screenertv.com/television/agents-of-shield-season-3-teases-time-jump-simmons-answer-daisy-wardrobe-lash/ |archive-date=May 1, 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
<ref name="TCAParty2015">{{cite web|url=http://screenertv.com/television/agents-of-shield-season-3-teases-time-jump-simmons-answer-daisy-wardrobe-lash/ |title=16 'Agents of SHIELD' Season 3 teases, from Simmons' destination to Daisy's new wardrobe |last=Schwartz |first=Terri |work=ScreenerTV |date=August 4, 2015 |access-date=May 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170501144137/http://screenertv.com/television/agents-of-shield-season-3-teases-time-jump-simmons-answer-daisy-wardrobe-lash/ |archive-date=May 1, 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref>


<ref name="CoulsonCasual">{{cite web|url=http://tvline.com/2015/09/29/agents-of-shield-season-3-spoilers-where-is-jemma/ |title=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Premiere: Stars on Daisy's New Role, Coulson's (Sexy?) Relationship, Anti-Ward Feelings |last=Gelman |first=Vlada |publisher=TVLine |date=September 29, 2015 |access-date=May 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407141220/https://tvline.com/2015/09/29/agents-of-shield-season-3-spoilers-where-is-jemma/ |archive-date=April 7, 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="CoulsonCasual">{{cite web|url=http://tvline.com/2015/09/29/agents-of-shield-season-3-spoilers-where-is-jemma/ |title=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Premiere: Stars on Daisy's New Role, Coulson's (Sexy?) Relationship, Anti-Ward Feelings |last=Gelman |first=Vlada |publisher=[[TVLine]] |date=September 29, 2015 |access-date=May 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407141220/https://tvline.com/2015/09/29/agents-of-shield-season-3-spoilers-where-is-jemma/ |archive-date=April 7, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>


<ref name="BellTHRDec2015">{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/agents-shield-midseason-finale-death-846860/ |title='Agents of SHIELD' EP Explains What's Next After That Shocking Midseason Finale Death |last=Bucksbaum |first=Sydney |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=December 8, 2015 |access-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220103000900/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/agents-shield-midseason-finale-death-846860/ |archive-date=January 3, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="BellTHRDec2015">{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/agents-shield-midseason-finale-death-846860/ |title='Agents of SHIELD' EP Explains What's Next After That Shocking Midseason Finale Death |last=Bucksbaum |first=Sydney |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=December 8, 2015 |access-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220103000900/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/agents-shield-midseason-finale-death-846860/ |archive-date=January 3, 2022}}</ref>


<ref name="GreggSep2016">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/agents-shield-season-4-coulson-928375/ |title='Agents of SHIELD' Season 4: Clark Gregg Teases Coulson's New Life After Demotion |last=Bucksbaum |first=Sydney |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=September 14, 2016 |access-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217091247/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/agents-shield-season-4-coulson-928375/|archive-date=December 17, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="GreggSep2016">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/agents-shield-season-4-coulson-928375/ |title='Agents of SHIELD' Season 4: Clark Gregg Teases Coulson's New Life After Demotion |last=Bucksbaum |first=Sydney |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=September 14, 2016 |access-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217091247/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/agents-shield-season-4-coulson-928375/|archive-date=December 17, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>


<ref name="PuzzleQuest">{{cite web|url=https://news.marvel.com/games/60049/piecing-together-marvel-puzzle-quest-agent-coulson/ |title=Piecing Together Marvel Puzzle Quest: Agent Coulson |last=Chabala |first=Ben |publisher=[[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] |date=February 21, 2017 |access-date=February 25, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170225205907/https://news.marvel.com/games/60049/piecing-together-marvel-puzzle-quest-agent-coulson/ |archive-date=February 25, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
<ref name="PuzzleQuest">{{cite web|url=https://news.marvel.com/games/60049/piecing-together-marvel-puzzle-quest-agent-coulson/ |title=Piecing Together Marvel Puzzle Quest: Agent Coulson |last=Chabala |first=Ben |publisher=[[Marvel.com]] |date=February 21, 2017 |access-date=February 25, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170225205907/https://news.marvel.com/games/60049/piecing-together-marvel-puzzle-quest-agent-coulson/ |archive-date=February 25, 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref>


<ref name="CaptainMarvel">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/captain-marvel-cast-clark-gregg-returning-as-agent-coulson-1097356/|title='Captain Marvel' Rounds Out Cast with Familiar Marvel Names|last=Couch|first=Aaron|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=March 26, 2018|access-date=May 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180326183143/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/captain-marvel-cast-clark-gregg-returning-as-agent-coulson-1097356|archive-date=March 26, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
<ref name="CaptainMarvel">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/captain-marvel-cast-clark-gregg-returning-as-agent-coulson-1097356/|title='Captain Marvel' Rounds Out Cast with Familiar Marvel Names|last=Couch|first=Aaron|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=March 26, 2018|access-date=May 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180326183143/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/captain-marvel-cast-clark-gregg-returning-as-agent-coulson-1097356|archive-date=March 26, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
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<ref name="WaldronSuggestion">{{Cite web |last=Goldman |first=Eric |date=June 11, 2021 |title=Tom Hiddleston on Loki's Biggest Betrayals and Most Heroic Moments |url=https://www.fandom.com/articles/loki-tom-hiddleston-mcu-hero-betrayal-mobius |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612040920/https://www.fandom.com/articles/loki-tom-hiddleston-mcu-hero-betrayal-mobius |archive-date=June 12, 2021 |access-date=June 15, 2021 |website=[[Fandom (website)|Fandom]]}}</ref>
<ref name="WaldronSuggestion">{{Cite web |last=Goldman |first=Eric |date=June 11, 2021 |title=Tom Hiddleston on Loki's Biggest Betrayals and Most Heroic Moments |url=https://www.fandom.com/articles/loki-tom-hiddleston-mcu-hero-betrayal-mobius |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612040920/https://www.fandom.com/articles/loki-tom-hiddleston-mcu-hero-betrayal-mobius |archive-date=June 12, 2021 |access-date=June 15, 2021 |website=[[Fandom (website)|Fandom]]}}</ref>


<ref name="SaturnAwards">{{cite news |first=Borys |last=Kit |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/avengers-breaking-bad-win-at-575874 |title='Avengers,' 'Breaking Bad' Win at the Saturns |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media]] |date=June 27, 2013 |access-date=February 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130630001321/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/avengers-breaking-bad-win-at-575874 |archive-date=June 30, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>
}}
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[[Category:Comics characters introduced in 2012]]
[[Category:Comics characters introduced in 2012]]
[[Category:Fictional American secret agents]]
[[Category:Fictional American spies]]
[[Category:Fictional Iraq War veterans]]
[[Category:Fictional Iraq War veterans]]
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[[Category:Fictional murdered people]]
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[[Category:Fictional characters from the 21st century]]
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[[Category:Marvel Comics male supervillains]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics male supervillains]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics television characters]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics television characters]]

Latest revision as of 16:30, 22 October 2024

Phil Coulson
Marvel Cinematic Universe and Marvel Comics character
Clark Gregg as Phil Coulson in the television series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
First appearanceIron Man (2008)
Last appearance
Created by
Portrayed byClark Gregg
In-universe information
Full namePhillip J. Coulson[1]
Species
TitleGhost Rider
Occupation
AffiliationS.H.I.E.L.D.
Significant othersAudrey Nathan
Camilla Reyes
Rosalind Price
Melinda May
NationalityAmerican

Agent Phillip J. Coulson (/ˈklsən/ KOHL-sən) is a fictional character portrayed and voiced by Clark Gregg in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) media franchise. Coulson is depicted as a high-ranking member of the espionage agency S.H.I.E.L.D. and longtime partner of Nick Fury.

During an attack on a S.H.I.E.L.D helicarrier, Coulson is stabbed through the heart by Loki and the Avengers form to avenge his death. Fury later has Coulson resurrected with Kree blood to continue serving S.H.I.E.L.D., putting together a small team of agents supervised by Melinda May and coming to view one agent, Daisy Johnson, as a surrogate daughter. After rebuilding S.H.I.E.L.D. following its infiltration and destruction by Hydra, saving the planet, and making a deal with a demon to briefly become Ghost Rider, Coulson retires to Tahiti with May, where he dies once again.

Following the destruction of Sarge, a biological duplicate of Coulson created by a monolith and inhabited by the Inca god Pachakutiq, a Life Model Decoy (L.M.D.) of Coulson is made from a copy of his consciousness saved to a virtual reality, and Sarge's and May's genetic memories, resurrecting him again. After preventing an alternate timeline from being conquered by Chronicoms, Coulson decides to travel the world in his flying car, Lola.

Coulson was a central figure in the "Infinity Saga", appearing in five films, two television series, one digital series, and two Marvel One-Shots, most notably in The Avengers (2012) and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2013–2020). Several versions of Coulson from within the MCU multiverse also appear, notably in the live-action series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the animated series What If...? (2021), with Gregg reprising the role.

Coulson has additionally appeared in several forms of non-MCU media, being integrated into the mainstream Marvel Universe, initially modelled after Gregg and depicted as a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent and supporting character of Deadpool, before being redeveloped as a supervillain servant of the demon Mephisto and commander of the Squadron Supreme of America following his death and resurrection, and the main antagonist of "Heroes Reborn".

Marvel Cinematic Universe

[edit]

Feature films

[edit]

Partnering with Nick Fury

[edit]

Captain Marvel, which is set in the 1990s, depicts Coulson as a rookie agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. who works closely with fellow agent Nick Fury.

Supervising Tony Stark

[edit]

Agent Coulson was introduced in the film Iron Man, in which he attempts to debrief Tony Stark on his captivity in Afghanistan. He is also one of several agents who accompany Pepper Potts in an attempt to arrest Obadiah Stane once his criminal activities are revealed. In Iron Man 2, Coulson is assigned to supervise Stark for a time before being reassigned to investigate a crisis in New Mexico.

Meeting Thor

[edit]

In both Iron Man 2's post-credits scene and Thor, Coulson's assignment is revealed to revolve around the discovery of Thor's hammer in the New Mexico desert. Coulson is able to form an alliance between S.H.I.E.L.D. and Thor.

Death

[edit]

In The Avengers, Coulson is fatally wounded by Loki, which now-S.H.I.E.L.D. Director Nick Fury uses to motivate the Avengers.

Tie-in comics

[edit]

Coulson appears throughout the MCU tie-in comics in supporting roles, acting in the S.H.I.E.L.D. agent capacity that he does in the films.

Short films

[edit]

The Marvel One-Shot The Consultant, which takes place after The Incredible Hulk, sees Coulson and fellow agent Jasper Sitwell preventing Emil Blonsky from being added to the Avengers roster. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Thor's Hammer depicts Coulson getting into a scuffle on his way from Stark's lab in Iron Man 2 to Thor's hammer in Thor.

Television series

[edit]

T.A.H.I.T.I. and resurrection

[edit]

In Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Fury brought Coulson back to life using the T.A.H.I.T.I. project, which was meant to bring a dead Avenger back to life using GH-325, a drug derived from an ancient Kree corpse that S.H.I.E.L.D. had recovered in the past. However, test patients developed psychosis and hypergraphia, so Coulson had the project shut down and Fury had Coulson's memories replaced so he could live a healthy life.[2][3] Following his resurrection, Coulson puts together a team of agents to travel the world and deal with strange new cases.[4] During this time, Hydra is revealed to have infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D., leading to the latter's demise.[5] Fury makes Coulson the new director of S.H.I.E.L.D. and tasks him with rebuilding the agency "the right way".[3]

Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.

[edit]

Coulson's involvement with alien materials leads to a faction of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents led by Robert Gonzalez, who distrust secrets and superhumans attempting to take over the fledgling organization, but Coulson convinces them to let him stay on as director after helping save hundreds of civilians.[6] Together, they defeat a faction of Inhumans, though Coulson loses a hand in the process.[7]

Romancing Rosalind Price

[edit]

Coulson later becomes romantically involved with Rosalind Price, the leader of an anti-Inhuman government task-force called the Advanced Threat Containment Unit (ATCU),[8] until her death at the hands of Grant Ward, a Hydra agent who formerly worked with Coulson.[9] Coulson gets revenge by crushing Ward's chest with his prosthetic hand.[10]

Demotion and deal with demon

[edit]

Following the signing of the Sokovia Accords, S.H.I.E.L.D. is re-legitimized,[11] with the still officially dead Coulson replaced as director by Jeffrey Mace,[12] though he is eventually able to retake command of operations while Mace serves as the public face of S.H.I.E.L.D.[13] After the artificial intelligence AIDA attempts to take over the world, Coulson allows himself to briefly become a Ghost Rider to defeat her.[14]

Travelling through time

[edit]

Coulson and his teammates are later abducted and sent to the future,[15] to prevent the extinction of humanity.[16] After their return, his team discover the Ghost Rider burned through the GH-325 that kept Coulson alive, causing him to slowly die ever since.[17] Despite the team's best efforts to save him, Coulson ultimately chooses to leave S.H.I.E.L.D. and live the remainder of his life in Tahiti with Melinda May, with whom he developed a romantic relationship.[18]

Second death and resurrection

[edit]

As the team, especially May and new Director Mack, mourn Coulson, they are perturbed by the arrival of the cold-blooded Sarge,[19] an alien who is physically and genetically identical to Coulson.[20] They later learn Sarge's body was created in an accident involving three reality-altering Monoliths, and was inhabited by the entity Pachakutiq thousands of years ago, losing both its and Coulson's memories before becoming Sarge.[21] Mack and Daisy kill Pachakutiq to avert the end of the world, but the team is forced to escape an attack by the cybernetic alien Chronicoms. To combat them, S.H.I.E.L.D. scientists Leo Fitz and Jemma Simmons make an enhanced Life Model Decoy of Coulson to guide them in a journey through S.H.I.E.L.D.'s past, beginning in the 1930s.[22]

Life as an L.M.D.

[edit]

The L.M.D. Coulson helps the team stop the Chronicoms from changing history while coping with his existence as a non-human entity.[23][24][25][26][27][28] A year after the Chronicoms' defeat, Coulson takes a sabbatical to travel the world in a reconstruction of his red 1962 Chevrolet Corvette, Lola.[29]

Alternate versions

[edit]
Radcliffe LMDs
[edit]

After being corrupted by the power of the Darkhold, Holden Radcliffe and Aida builds a Life Model Decoys of Coulson and other S.H.I.E.L.D. agents programmed to impersonate him while his human self is imprisoned in the Framework, to allow them to steal the Darkhold for themselves. After being betrayed by the L.M.D. May, Radcliffe's Coulson L.M.D. is destroyed when the L.M.D. May blows up the empty S.H.I.E.L.D. base to allow its remaining human agents to escape.

History teacher
[edit]

After revealed to be trapped in the Darkhold-infused Framework virtual reality at the end of "Self Control", Coulson experiences a parallel lifetime in which he never joined S.H.I.E.L.D. and became a history teacher and conspiracy theorist who believes Hydra is using mind control soap to enslave the population of Earth. After being made aware of his alternate life as a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent by Daisy Johnson, Coulson assists her ensuring his escape from the Framework; upon awakening in the real world, the real Coulson is surprised that he remembers the life of his Framework self.

Destruction of Earth
[edit]

In an alternate 2018, after failing to stop a gravitonium-infused Glenn Talbot from accidentally destroying the Earth,[30][31][32][33] Coulson and his team rescue a fraction of the Earth's population aboard their Lighthouse base, built to withstand the Earth's destruction, before eventually dying as a result of his deal with Ghost Rider.[34][35][36]

Animated series

[edit]

Alternate universe variants of Coulson appear in the animated series What If...?, with Gregg reprising his role.[37][38]

In an alternate 2011, Coulson witnesses the murders of five candidates of the Avengers Initiative, and investigates the mastermind behind their deaths with Nick Fury. In another alternate 2011, Coulson assists Maria Hill, acting director of S.H.I.E.L.D., in attempting to stop an out-of-control party hosted by Thor.

Digital series

[edit]

After stepping down as director of S.H.I.E.L.D. following Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season three, Coulson appears in Slingshot to offer advice to S.H.I.E.L.D. asset Elena "Yo-Yo" Rodriguez.[39]

Marvel Comics

[edit]
Phil Coulson
Coulson in Avengers vol. 8 #12 (Jan. 2019). Art by Ed McGuinness.
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceBattle Scars #6 (April 2012)
Created by
In-story information
Full namePhillip J. Coulson
Team affiliations
Partnerships
Notable aliasesCheese
President of the United States

Battle Scars

[edit]

Phil Coulson first appeared in the mainstream Marvel Universe in Christopher Yost, Matt Fraction and Cullen Bunn's Battle Scars #6 (April 2012) as Nick Fury Jr.'s Ranger teammate nicknamed "Cheese". He is later revealed to be Coulson after he follows Fury in joining S.H.I.E.L.D.[40] Coulson has gone on to appear in other comics set in the mainstream MU, including Secret Avengers by Nick Spencer and Luke Ross in 2013,[41] and in Thor: God of Thunder in 2014.[42]

S.H.I.E.L.D. vol. 3

[edit]

In July 2014 at San Diego Comic-Con, Marvel Comics announced an ongoing series titled S.H.I.E.L.D., to be set in the mainstream Marvel Universe, and written by Mark Waid, beginning December 2014. The series is led by Coulson, and sees the canonical introduction of characters that originated from Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, to which Waid said, "This is our chance to introduce a lot of the other characters into the Marvel Universe, and give them the Marvel Universe spin." Waid described the series as "done-in-one. Coulson and his team have a mission, and if we need someone for a mission, everyone in the Marvel Universe is available as a potential Agent."[43] In this series, Coulson is the Supreme Commander of Special Operations for S.H.I.E.L.D. under Director Maria Hill.[43]

Deadpool vol. 6

[edit]

He has appeared in Deadpool, assisting S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Preston and paying Deadpool for his earlier services to S.H.I.E.L.D. During the "Secret Empire" event, Coulson learns that Steve Rogers was involved in attracting the Chitauri to invade Earth, and is subsequently shot from the sky and killed by Deadpool, under the order of Rogers.[44]

Avengers vol. 8

[edit]

Phil Coulson later turned up alive and appears as a member of the Power Elite where he meets with Thunderbolt Ross to talk about the Avengers going global. Coulson states to Ross that he has put together the Squadron Supreme of America to be the sanctioned superheroes of the United States, now expressing an intense hatred for "heroes" such as Captain America and Deadpool.[45]

The Squadron Supreme of America are revealed to be simulacrums created by Mephisto and programmed by the Power Elite so that Phil Coulson can have them be a United States-sponsored superhero team, Coulson having gone to Hell after his death for unspecified war crimes, and made a deal with Mephisto to be restored to life. During the War of the Realms storyline, Coulson summons the Squadron Supreme of America to fight the invading Frost Giants. After the Squadron Supreme of America caused the Frost Giants to retreat, Phil Coulson sends them to Ohio which has become a battleground.[46]

At The Pentagon, Phil Coulson is briefed about an intruder on Sublevel 7 by a Nick Fury L.M.D. when it turns out to be Black Panther. After noting that the Squadron Supreme herded the Frost Giants into Canada, Black Panther asks Coulson if the Squadron Supreme of America knows that he is a murderer, Coulson quotes "Why don't you ask them yourself?" The Squadron Supreme are summoned to confront Black Panther. Hyperion states that the Squadron Supreme are the United States' sanctioned superhero team in light of the Avengers becoming an anti-American team. As Nighthawk states to Blur that Black Panther will not run as he is under arrest, Black Panther states to them that he does not know how they got their powers and that they are not the Squadron Supreme, as he even asked if they trust Phil Coulson. Before they can grab him, Black Panther contacts Broo to teleport him away. As he disappears, the Black Panther states that Phil Coulson will not answer their questions and that the Avengers are not their enemies unless they force them to be.[47]

Heroes Reborn

[edit]

In "Heroes Reborn", Coulson uses the Pandemonium Cube to rewrite reality in Mephisto's name, erasing the Avengers from existence and making himself the President of the United States, watching the fight between Hyperion and Doctor Juggernaut.[48] After his role in the reality change is discovered, Coulson faces Captain America in hand-to-hand combat, deriding his influence on American politics. After being defeated, and reality restored, Coulson is imprisoned in the Pandemonium Cube by Mephisto as punishment and brought before the Council of Red, a collection of Mephisto's counterparts from 615 other universes.[49]

Possessing the Death Stone

[edit]

At the time when Nighthawk was visiting Phil Coulson's grave, the Death Infinity Stone that Thanos created landed nearby. It chose Coulson to be its wielder and revived him from the dead in front of Nighthawk.[50]

Concept and creation

[edit]

Agent Coulson was one of the guys who wasn't really in the comic books, and he [had] a very kind of small role in Iron Man. And I was just very lucky that they chose to expand that character and chose to put him more into the universe of it.

—Gregg on the character's expansion in Thor[51]

Agent Phil Coulson was created by Mark Fergus, Hawk Ostby, Art Marcum and Matt Holloway for Iron Man, the first feature film in the MCU.[52][53] Coulson was the first S.H.I.E.L.D. agent introduced in the MCU, and was portrayed by Clark Gregg, who was offered a three-picture deal. Gregg initially balked at this due to the character initially only being known as "Agent" and having few lines, but recognized Marvel's plan for an interconnected universe;[54] the character was ultimately given the surname "Coulson" after Danny Coulson, whose book No Heroes: Inside the FBI's Secret Counter-Terror Force was used as a dialogue reference for Iron Man.[55] Gregg went on to play the character in Iron Man 2, Thor, and The Avengers, the latter film in which he was provided the first name "Phil".[56]

Throughout the films, Coulson is generally depicted as a supporting character of the protagonists and used to represent S.H.I.E.L.D.'s presence, to the point that Gregg has described Coulson as "the S.H.I.E.L.D. agent". However, for the Marvel One-Shot short films The Consultant and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Thor's Hammer, Coulson is given "a chance to stand in his own spotlight for once". This was a "natural" move for co-producer Brad Winderbaum, who wanted to "paint a picture of S.H.I.E.L.D. pulling the strings and being responsible for some of the events we've seen in the films. What better character to represent this idea than Agent Coulson, the first S.H.I.E.L.D. agent we were introduced to?"[56]

At the 2012 New York Comic Con, Joss Whedon and Kevin Feige announced that Gregg would be starring as Coulson in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., despite the character dying in The Avengers, with Whedon saying "He's headlining the S.H.I.E.L.D. show and always was."[57] Gregg said of Whedon's explanation for Coulson's resurrection, "I found it so fascinating and so true to the world of the comics and mythology in general as I understand them that I was immediately in."[58] Regarding the amount of creative input he has over the character in the series, Gregg said, "I have meetings with [the showrunners] once or twice a year and talk about what the big ideas are ... They're really responsive to the fact that I've been involved with this person four, five years longer than them, but ... I have no complaints with what they're doing."[59]

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. costume designer Ann Foley described Coulson as a "company man", wearing suits in "the S.H.I.E.L.D. palette—grey, black and navy with a distinct but subtle pattern." Foley did note "subtle changes" in Coulson's costuming in the series from the films, such as streamlined suits and "more slick" ties, "now that [he] is back after being 'killed' by Loki".[60] After Coulson's hand is cut off in the second-season finale, which was realized by having a mechanical axe cut through a "faux arm made of tripe wrapped around a chicken thigh", Gregg described it as "heavy ... one of those things where you're having the practical difficulty your character does. People were handing me stuff, like files, and I couldn't really open them without using my nose."[61] This practicality issue continued with the prosthetic hand Coulson subsequently has to use, with Gregg saying "the reality informs the thing. It's really hard to figure out how to use this prosthetic, and that's what Phil Coulson's going through ... I'm hoping it evolves at some point."[62] Gregg also noted that in the third season Coulson would be wearing more casual clothes, partly because "he can't even seem to tie a tie" with his new hand.[63] The prosthetic hand evolves throughout the season, with a later iteration projecting an energy shield, inspired by a similar one used in the comics by Captain America.[64] The energy shield was created by Cosa, one of the series' visual effects vendors.[65]

There had been considerations for Coulson to return in Iron Man 3 and Thor: The Dark World,[66] but the character was not slated to appear in any more films.[67] Whedon asserts, "As far as the fiction of the movies, Coulson is dead",[68] elaborating that "generally [he feels] like the S.H.I.E.L.D. audience and The Avengers audiences are not actually the same group, necessarily," and so the films would have to explain Coulson's resurrection again for the film-only audience if he were to be reintroduced.[69] Gregg reprises the role once again in Captain Marvel (2019), as the film is set in the 1990s.[70] Gregg is digitally de-aged by 25 years, along with co-star Samuel L. Jackson, the first time Marvel has done this for an entire film.[71] In regards to the character's resurrection within the MCU canon, however, Loki head writer Michael Waldron suggested that, as that show's series premiere "Glorious Purpose" implies, Coulson actually died in The Avengers and the events of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. take place in a parallel timeline.[72]

Characterization

[edit]

Gregg has stated, "I think of Agent Coulson, after all these years, as a guy with a full life. I think every day he's somewhere doing something for S.H.I.E.L.D., and yet I don't always know what that is... There's always a different twist. In this one he gets to show more of his wisecracking wit, and in this one he's a little bit more of a badass."[56] Despite Coulson being called "the most recognizable face in the Marvel Comics movie universe", he is depicted as an "everyman" in a universe full of superheroes—"the glue that binds" the characters together. Gregg explained his portrayal of the character as "just a guy grumbling about his job ... he's tasked with handling these kind of diva superheroes, you know? 'Oh, really, Asgard? Dude, just get in the car.'"[73]

By being so front and center in Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. in a way that he wasn't as much in the films ... he's gotten some power. He's at the front lines, and what is the cost of that going to be?

–Gregg, on how starring in the television series can affect Coulson differently to appearing in the films.[74]

On whether the resurrected Coulson would be the same as before he died, Gregg said "I don't know how you could not change going through what he went through. I think if he hadn't gone through some kind of change, it wouldn't be any good. That said, I don't know if he understands how much he's changed."[58] Later exploring some of those changes, Gregg stated "In some ways, he kinda finds himself not nearly as cold or ruthless as he would like to be, or as he has been. And at the same time, putting together this team, he feels driven by motives inside of himself that he can't quite always make sense of and that feels very new to him."[75]

After Coulson was promoted to Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., Gregg said "He kind of got his dream job that I don't even think he would have ever dreamed he would be given ... he's got a little bit more of an idealistic, big hearted side of him [than Nick Fury does], some of which is going to be extinguished by the hard decisions he has to make." Speaking about the evolving nature of Coulson's relationship with his team, Gregg said "There's a way he can afford an intimacy with all of them when they're part of a small, elite squad on the Bus. It's different than what's possible for him as Director of S.H.I.E.L.D."[74] Discussing Coulson's character progression through three seasons in relation to him killing Ward on the alien planet, executive producer Jeffrey Bell said, "First season Coulson would have beat Ward up and then thrown him over his shoulder and brought him back to Earth and locked him away. Season two Coulson would have defeated him and left him there on the other planet to fend for himself," while season three Coulson paused while the portal to Earth was already closing to take the time to kill Ward.[76]

For the fourth season, Coulson is demoted back to field agent status. Gregg said that the reasoning for this "makes sense given that S.H.I.E.L.D. is coming out of the shadows. There are people that will want their person in charge." He felt that Coulson would actually prefer this, saying, "I always felt like Coulson was happiest in the field. Neither I nor Coulson loved playing and listening while his agents went into dangerous situations. And there are more dramatic possibilities when you have a boss that you have to deal with."[77]

Alternate forms

[edit]

Sarge / Pachakutiq

[edit]

Sarge (portrayed by Clark Gregg) is an alien who occupies a clone body of Coulson which was created by the powers of the Di'Allas and sent hundred years into the past on his and Izel's home planet.

Phil Coulson (Chronicom L.M.D.)

[edit]

Following the deaths of Izel and Sarge, Enoch and the Chronicoms on his side create a Life Model Decoy of Phil Coulson (portrayed by Clark Gregg) with all of Coulson's memories and modified with Chronicom technology.

Reception

[edit]

In his review for Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s first season, Evan Valentine at Collider named Clark Gregg as one of the high points of the series, noting that the actor was "one positive I consistently point out in each and every episode". Valentine stated that "What made us fall in love with the character from the first Iron Man to his death in The Avengers is still alive and kicking. Coulson was able to throw out quips like none other, while also turning on a dime, and expressing serious rage in moments ... Gregg raises the S.H.I.E.L.D. banner high".[78] Reviewing the episode "The Writing on the Wall", which concluded the majority of Coulson's storyline in the series up to that point, Kevin Fitzpatrick of ScreenCrush praised how Coulson had become "unglued" throughout the series, which had "pushed the newly-minted director into some dark places".[79] Eric Goldman, reviewing for IGN, was also positive of the "unhinged version of Coulson",[80] as well as the more serious leadership role the character took on for the second season, with Goldman finding Coulson's decision in "Making Friends and Influencing People" that Donnie Gill "either went with them or had to be taken out" to be especially notable.[81]

Clark Gregg won for Best Supporting Actor in The Avengers at the 39th Saturn Awards.[82]

Other appearances

[edit]

Television

[edit]

Comic books

[edit]

The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes

[edit]

Phil Coulson appears in the comic book continuation of The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes.

Ultimate Marvel

[edit]

In 2014, the Ultimate version of Phil Coulson debuted in the Ultimate Fantastic Four series as an ex-Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. turned Director of the Future Foundation.[85]

Marvel 1602

[edit]

In November 2015, a 17th-century version of Coulson (Master Coulson) appeared in the series 1602: Witch Hunter Angela.[86]

Spidey

[edit]

Phil Coulson appears in the Spidey comic book.

Video games

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ McLevy, Alex (May 18, 2018). "Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s fifth season ends with a moving goodbye". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on May 22, 2022. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  2. ^ "Nothing Personal". Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 1. Episode 20. April 29, 2014. ABC.
  3. ^ a b "Beginning of the End". Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 1. Episode 22. May 13, 2014. ABC.
  4. ^ "Pilot". Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 1. Episode 1. September 24, 2013. ABC.
  5. ^ "Turn, Turn, Turn". Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 1. Episode 17. April 8, 2014. ABC.
  6. ^ "The Dirty Half Dozen". Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 2. Episode 19. April 28, 2015. ABC.
  7. ^ "S.O.S. Part 2". Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 2. Episode 22. May 12, 2015. ABC.
  8. ^ "Chaos Theory". Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 3. Episode 7. November 10, 2015. ABC.
  9. ^ "Closure". Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 3. Episode 9. December 1, 2015. ABC.
  10. ^ "Maveth". Marvels Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 3. Episode 10. December 8, 2015. ABC.
  11. ^ "Emancipation". Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 3. Episode 20. May 10, 2016. ABC.
  12. ^ "Meet the New Boss". Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 4. Episode 2. September 27, 2016. ABC.
  13. ^ "The Patriot". Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 4. Episode 10. January 17, 2017. ABC.
  14. ^ "World's End". Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 4. Episode 22. May 16, 2017. ABC.
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  16. ^ "Rewind". Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 5. Episode 4. December 22, 2017. ABC.
  17. ^ "The Real Deal". Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 5. Episode 12. March 9, 2018. ABC.
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  25. ^ "A Trout in the Milk". Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 7. Episode 5. June 24, 2020. ABC.
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  27. ^ "As I Have Always Been". Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 7. Episode 9. May 27, 2020. ABC.
  28. ^ "Brand New Day". Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 7. Episode 11. August 5, 2020. ABC.
  29. ^ "What We're Fighting For". Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 7. Episode 13. August 12, 2020. ABC.
  30. ^ Tancharoen, Kevin (director); Nora Zuckerman & Lila Zuckerman (writer) (April 27, 2018). "Option Two". Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 5. Episode 19. ABC.
  31. ^ Gierhart, Cherie (director); Nora Zuckerman & Lila Zuckerman (writer) (May 4, 2018). "The One Who Will Save Us All". Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 5. Episode 20. ABC.
  32. ^ Abrams, Natalie (April 27, 2018). "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. reveals Graviton in new promo". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 29, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  33. ^ Damore, Meaghan (May 17, 2018). "Agents of SHIELD EPs Reveal Why Graviton Had to be Season 5's Villain". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on January 17, 2022. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  34. ^ Tancharoen, Kevin (director); Drew Z. Greenberg & Craig Titley (writer) (May 11, 2018). "The Force of Gravity". Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 5. Episode 21. ABC.
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