Legendary NICK FURY, AGENT OF S.H.I.E.L.D. Writer Jim Steranko On AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.

Legendary NICK FURY, AGENT OF S.H.I.E.L.D. Writer Jim Steranko On AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.

What did one of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s most earliest and influential architects think of the pilot episode of Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.? "SHIELD needs to be much tougher, much stranger, much edgier to reach its potential!"

By MarkJulian - Sep 26, 2013 04:09 AM EST
Filed Under: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Agents of SHIELD Steranko review


What did Jim Steranko, the man who helped develop a lot of S.H.I.E.L.D. lore (along with Jack Kirby and others) think of the first episode of Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.? Not much! "The pilot assumes the audience is cognizant of the Marvel Universe as it regales viewers with a salvo of references established previously in big-screen efforts. Granted, Avengers may be the third-highest-grossing flick of all time, but recalling the details of last year's favorite may be too much to expect above the fanboy level." It remains to be seen whether that is indeed true as the show achieved the highest number of views for a new pilot since 2009. The telling point will come in the second and third weeks, where a viewership trend will begin to be established. Will ratings hold steady, decline or increase?

Here's a larger chunk from Steranko's review where he gets into the specifics on why the S.H.I.E.L.D. pilot didn't live up to his expectations:
In its comic book and cinematic incarnations, S.H.I.E.L.D. is staffed by skilled personnel, but helmed by the ultra-charismatic -- and ultra-dangerous -- Nick Fury, and for good reason. The game is one of epic heroes and villains, of larger-than-life characters who compete with outrageous, godlike force -- not to mention Kirby Krackle! Although Fury, like Batman and Bond, has no superpowers, he is clearly suprahuman: irresistible, indomitable, invincible. And Agent Coulson, with his Rudy Giuliani aplomb, is no Fury. (Actually, he could take a few attitude lessons from Samuel L. Jackson.)

And speaking of Jackson, the SHIELD opener would have benefited immensely from a 15-second cameo or even a damn phone call from Jackson's Fury. (Hell, I would have bought everybody drinks for a quickie Paste-Pot Pete appearance or even a walk-on by Stan Lee!) Even more disappointing was that the show had no menace, no tension. A month or so ago, during a conversation with Loeb, he categorized the series as "S.H.I.E.L.D. meets The X-Files." Great premise, but barely in evidence. SHIELD needs to be much tougher, much stranger, much edgier to reach its potential!


To read his full review, head over to The Hollywood Reporter.

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'MARVEL'S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.' Premieres Sept. 24

Running Time: 60 min
Release Date: September 24, 2013
MPAA Rating: Tv PG-13
Starring: Clark Gregg, Ming-Na Wen, Elizabeth Henstridge, Iain De Caestecker, Brett Dalton
Directed by: Joss Whedon (pilot)
Written by: Maurissa Tancharoen (story/writer), Jed Whedon(story/writer),Jeffrey Bell (executive producer), Jeph Loeb (executive producer)


"Clark Gregg reprises his role of Agent Phil Coulson from Marvel’s feature films, as he assembles a small, highly select group of Agents from the worldwide law-enforcement organization known as S.H.I.E.L.D. Together they investigate the new, the strange, and the unknown across the globe, protecting the ordinary from the extraordinary. Coulson's team consists of Agent Grant Ward (Brett Dalton), highly trained in combat and espionage; Agent Melinda May (Ming-Na Wen), expert pilot and martial artist; Agent Leo Fitz (Iain De Caestecker), brilliant engineer; and Agent Jemma Simmons (Elizabeth Henstridge), genius bio-chemist. Joining them on their journey into mystery is new recruit and computer hacker, Skye (Chloe Bennet).

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Marvel’s first television series, is from executive producers Joss Whedon (Marvel's The Avengers, Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Jed Whedon & Maurissa Tancharoen, who co-wrote the pilot (Dollhouse, Dr.Horrible's Sing-Along Blog). Jeffrey Bell (Angel, Alias) and Jeph Loeb (Smallville, Lost, Heroes) also serve as executive producers. Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is produced by ABC Studios and Marvel Television."
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Kingdork
Kingdork - 9/26/2013, 4:15 AM
As much as I enjoyed the pilot, I kinda agree with this sentiment. I'm hoping the show will improve as it goes along.
SKOne
SKOne - 9/26/2013, 4:21 AM
I agree totally with what Steranko says, and I could totally see see Clark Gregg playing Giuliani someday. Honesty though, I loved the pilot, but I kind of feel like it was about giving viewers a superhero right away and building the team really quick. The rest of the series should get stranger as it goes deeper into the Marvel mythology, I would also like to know if Mike Peterson kept his powers at the end, because they were unclear about that.
NoAssemblyReqd
NoAssemblyReqd - 9/26/2013, 4:24 AM
He's right, and though I really enjoyed the Pilot, it was a bit fluffier than I expected. I do hope ABC gives the show time to grow. Given that Marvel and Disney and ABC are one entity, it's unlikely they will be quick on the cancel button. I also doubt they'd want to earn the wrath of Joss Whedon ahead of the Avengers.
SoundWave
SoundWave - 9/26/2013, 4:25 AM
"Loeb, he categorized the series as "S.H.I.E.L.D. meets The X-Files." Great premise, but barely in evidence. SHIELD needs to be much tougher, much stranger, much edgier to reach its potential!"

Yes. It must not be Marvel's "X-files", that sucks. And SHIELD is NOTHING without Nick Fury. If you have no money for Jackson in TV series... bring back Hasselhoff!
HAILHYDRA
HAILHYDRA - 9/26/2013, 4:30 AM
I agree. The show could be edgier. But it's a lot easier for them to go darker if they start light than it would be if they started on a dark note and had to ease up a bit as to not lose audience. Also you have to realize the formula that Marvel has used to reach their success. The first part of the MCU and even the Avengers was built on light hearted comedic relief. The main criticism heard about MOS was that it lacked humor completely.
JasonBlue
JasonBlue - 9/26/2013, 4:31 AM
shit show
NoAssemblyReqd
NoAssemblyReqd - 9/26/2013, 4:35 AM
My gut tells me that Coulson's team is not what they think they are, and that Fury is playing them as well. SHIELD is an organization that can't be trusted, and I think this duality will come into play on the show.
HAILHYDRA
HAILHYDRA - 9/26/2013, 4:42 AM
I also hate the sense of entitlement fanboys come with these days. Marvel and Disney didn't make this show to please the fanboys. Sorry.
GetsugaTensho22
GetsugaTensho22 - 9/26/2013, 4:46 AM
I haven't even watched the episode yet (it airs next week in Australia. I have NOT been looking forward to the show simply because i have no interest in SHIELD, but come on! It's only the damned pilot. Give it a couple of episodes and hopefully it'll find its footing sure enough.
HAILHYDRA
HAILHYDRA - 9/26/2013, 4:46 AM
DC trolls are up early today^^^^
ParisSun
ParisSun - 9/26/2013, 4:54 AM
Jim is right, but I hope they don't go too much into the strangeness of his days. That stuff looked like the writers and artist were tripping on acid.

But you definitely have to give a reason as to why SHIELD is needed as opposed to the FBI or CIA. I think that's what future episodes will try to look at, why SHIELD is needed in today's world.
Grimfoe
Grimfoe - 9/26/2013, 4:58 AM
I always get a kick out of the this show/movie needs to be like this other show/movie crowd.

It's complete crap. AOS can be JUST LIKE that new show...What's the name, again?

I KNOW, Marvel, Agents of Shield.

Guys, it was just the pilot. Give them some time to develop something. It was a very good pilot.

And don't try to take the show so seriously, it IS a comic book show, after all.
Bluekadue
Bluekadue - 9/26/2013, 5:00 AM
There goes that word again, "edgier" I guess "darker" and "more grit" is next?

Most people who complains about TV shows like Agents of Shield and Arrow thinks that an episode should encapsulate everything within the hour. The reason why it's called a "tv series" because the stories are meant to unfold.
CaptainComicBook
CaptainComicBook - 9/26/2013, 5:03 AM
I hate arguing with people like @mantinium. He sounds so uneducated. It brings to mind that old saying about wrestling with a pig.
DudeLove721
DudeLove721 - 9/26/2013, 5:04 AM
I'd love to see what would've happened if the internet had existed in the golden age of comics. Imagine judging an entire series of classics like Fantastic Four, Superman, Spider-Man, Batman, Avengers, Flash, X-Men , Green Lantern, etc... on their first issues. Things need time to develop and find their footing before really taking off sometimes. Look at Buffy, most of its original 13 episodes had terrible dialogue and pretty lame plots but it went on to become so much better in the following seasons. Whedon usually starts slow and builds things up over time, I don't expect this to be any different and it'll make the payoff that much better when it comes. That's why this is a pilot, it's a sample that tries to cram in everything about the show in a one hour period of the time to try and gain a spot on the fall schedule. There are things that just don't have enough time to be emphasized to their full potential.
Kingdork
Kingdork - 9/26/2013, 5:08 AM
Personally, I don't want AoS to get edgier or darker. That's not what I'm looking for in a Marvel show. I like the fun light-hearted spirit they kept from the movies. Nothing's worse than a show with a silly concept taking itself WAY too seriously. I just want it to get stranger, a tad bit ballsier and little more tight in its structure. But I really enjoyed the pilot and I can't wait to see what's next.
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