1 Upcoming Marvel Show Can Introduce SHIELD’s Multiverse Replacement

Marvel Studios’ upcoming spinoff series, Marvel Zombies, could introduce the perfect replacement for SHIELD in the MCU’s Multiverse Saga. The concept of zombies in the MCU was introduced during Phase 4’s What If…?, which explored alternate realities in the multiverse after the events of Loki, with What If…? season 1, episode 5, “What If… Zombies?!,” premiering in September 2021. This episode adapted the Marvel Zombies storyline in Marvel Comics, detailing an alternate reality in which the world’s population has been exposed to a deadly virus, turning some of Marvel’s most iconic heroes into zombies. The episode spawned an animated spinoff in the MCU, which is set to release in 2024.

Marvel Zombies is set to expand on the universe featured in What If…?, fleshing-out the alternate reality even further by introducing new characters and organizations that could influence the 616-universe of the live-action MCU. While “What If… Zombies?!” showed the post-apocalypse lives of heroes such as Peter Parker, Bruce Banner, and Hope van Dyne, Marvel Zombies is set to feature some of the MCU’s newest heroes, including Shang-Chi, Kate Bishop, and Yelena Belova. As the MCU’s Multiverse Saga progresses, the events of series’ such as Marvel Zombies, outside the main MCU continuity, could become hugely important.

Related: How Marvel’s Zombie Avengers Still Have Powers

Marvel Zombies Can Debut ARMOR In The MCU

Since the MCU’s very first project, 2008’s Iron Man, covert organizations have been operating in the background of the action, initially only revealing SHIELD, who brought about the formation of the Avengers, but then later introducing the mysterious SWORD during WandaVision. The development of Marvel Zombies as its own series in the MCU could bring about the introduction of yet another organization for the MCU, known as ARMOR, Marvel’s Alternate Reality Monitoring and Operational Response Agency, which debuted in 2008’s Marvel Zombies 3 #1. ARMOR hasn’t yet been mentioned in the MCU, but it could have a bright future in the franchise.

In Marvel Comics, ARMOR was formed as a security force, protecting the world against contamination and conflict from alternate realities in the multiverse, and played a huge role in the Marvel Zombies storyline. With the MCU’s Multiverse Saga in full swing, and Marvel Zombies on the horizon, it’s very likely that ARMOR could be introduced during the upcoming animated series, especially since organizations such as SHIELD and SWORD probably wouldn’t be equipped to deal with a threat as great as the virus outbreak. ARMOR’s debut in Marvel Zombies would be the perfect way to tease their introduction into the main MCU continuity.

ARMOR Is The Perfect Replacement For SHIELD In The Multiverse Saga

In the MCU, SHIELD are often seen as an organization established for global security on Earth, getting involved in the terrestrial superhero business before their collapse in Captain America: The Winter Soldier by bringing together the original team of Avengers. Nick Fury was initially shown as the Director of SHIELD, portrayed by Samuel L. Jackson, but he’s had very little to do with the actions of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes since Avengers: Age of Ultron. In his and SHIELD’s place, Marvel Studios introduced SWORD to the MCU during WandaVision, but since their purpose lies in extraterrestrial security, the MCU needs an organization to ensure safety from multiversal threats.

The Multiverse Saga is expanding the mythos of the MCU more than many expected, introducing entirely new universes that are set to pose a massive danger to the main MCU continuity, particularly with Avengers: Secret Wars on the cards for the end of Phase 6. ARMOR could be the perfect replacement for an organization such as SHIELD in the MCU as the Multiverse Saga develops, especially since the organization’s Director, Charles Little Sky, was picked for the role due to his incredible ability to create interdimensional portals, akin to the MCU’s new hero, America Chavez. Marvel Zombies’ inclusion of ARMOR could tease the organization’s debut in the MCU proper.

Related: Marvel’s SHIELD Replacement Is Becoming Very Important To MCU Phase 5

Marvel Studios Has Already Forgotten About SWORD

When SWORD debuted in WandaVision as the organization overseeing Wanda Maximoff’s Hex in Westview, New Jersey, it seemed as though Marvel Studios was introducing the perfect replacement for SHIELD in the MCU. However, aside from a mention in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, SWORD have all but been forgotten in the rest of the MCU’s Phase 4. It’s likely that they’ll become more prominent as projects such as Secret Invasion and The Marvels release in Phase 5, but the smaller-scale workings of SWORD that have currently been demonstrated in the MCU don’t seem up to the task of dealing with future multiversal threats.

This means that, even if SWORD becomes more important in the MCU’s future, they may not be the suitable choice to join in with the protection of the 616 universe from universe incursions and multiversal variants. ARMOR would fit this bill perfectly, so their introduction in Marvel Zombies could tease their eventual inclusion in the live-action continuity of the MCU, setting them up as the MCU’s new SHIELD in the build up to a potential multiversal war. ARMOR’s debut could also tease one much-anticipated team into the MCU, since they brought together one version of the Midnight Sons in Marvel Comics.

The Midnight Sons Could Be Teased With ARMOR’s Debut

In Marvel Comics, the main version of the Midnight Sons were brought together by Ghost Riders, Danny Ketch and Johnny Blaze, to battle Lilith, Mother of All Demons, and her children. In the years since their 1992 debut, the Midnight Sons have featured several supernatural heroes and antiheroes, including the likes of Doctor Strange, Werewolf by Night, Moon Knight, and Blade, among many others. Outside the main continuity, the Marvel Zombies storyline featured the formation of a new team of Midnight Sons, brought together to contain the zombie threat on Earth 616.

Marvel Studios has been teasing the formation of the Midnight Sons in the MCU by introducing several of the team’s members in recent MCU projects, and the debut of ARMOR in Marvel Zombies could be yet another tease for the highly-anticipated team. While this series is set to take place in a reality adjacent to the 616 universe, there’s nothing stopping some aspects from making the transition into live-action, especially since Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness made multiversal travel possible in the MCU. Marvel Zombies will certainly be an entertaining addition to the MCU franchise, but it could be even more important than many expect.

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