Marvel’s big screen adaptions of Captain America, Hulk and Iron Man redefined the superhero genre and now the studio is bringing the films’ glossy, acton-packed world to the small screen in Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
We’ve been sworn to secrecy about much of the opening episode but all the signs point to Marvel having a major hit on their hands.
Here’s what we can tell you:
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is the sort of big-budget US series which might ordinarily be expected to air on a pay channel such as Sky 1, so Channel 4 deserve serious kudos for grabbing the rights and showing it on a free to air channel.
The channel will be airing each episode just days after their US premiere, meaning UK fans will be among the first anywhere to see the series.
Like Iron Man 3, the series takes place after the events of Avengers Assemble in a world coming to terms with the existence of aliens, gods and superheroes.
While the big name superheroes are absent, there is a familiar face to help ease the transition from big screen to TV in the shape of Clark Gregg’s Agent Phil Coulson.
Despite apparently being killed in Avengers Assemble, Coulson is revealed to have survived and is now heading up a new team of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents tasked with tracking down those with special powers and any alien or advance tech that’s laying around.
Aiding him are the usual array of good-looking, special-ops types including Brits Elizabeth Henstridge and Iain De Caestecker as life sciences guru Jemma Simmons and weapons specialist Leo Fitz.
The series was co-created by Avengers Assemble writer/director Joss Whedon who performs the same duties on the opening episode and treats the audience to a continent-spanning story which gives the series a big budget, glossy feel, helping it slot effortlessly into the films’ universe.
The opening instalment has plenty of action to keep the adrenaline pumping as well as a generous dose of the smart humour which defines the Marvel films. It also sets up a couple of mysteries we expect to get a pay-off later in the series.
in short, this is pure escapist fun and genuine appointment to view television.
And that’s all you get folks – if we said any more about the treats in store we’d risk Marvel and Channel 4’s PR teams turning a rather angry shade of green…
Channel 4, September 27th