Episode 1.1
All of the main characters are original to the show and/or (in Coulson's case) the Marvel Cinematic Universe. (However, Phil Coulson has found his way from the movies into the comics now, so there is also some reverse transference happening as well.) Maria Hill (Colbie Smulders), who makes a guest spot, has been a vital part of SHIELD in the comics since 2005.
The mystery surrounding Coulson's survival is broached for the first time. Phil believes he recovered in Tahiti and says it was a "magical place." A phrase that has been repeated in multiple episodes and the one clue that might point away from Phil's recovery being completely technological in origin. There are plenty of sources of magic in the Marvel Universe including the "Sorcerer Supreme" Dr. Strange (Think of a 40 year-old Dumbledore if he were a creeper with a goatee. He's also on track to get his own film.) and the otherworldly "magic" of Asgard. If you want to see my spoilery theory on Coulson, you can read it here.
And then there was my favorite moment from the pilot. Despite its hokeyness, Lola the flying car is a major shout-out to all the fanboys who are watching. Flying cars have been a part of SHIELD since its earliest days. Plus they look and operate exactly the way the show depicted, complete with Jack Kirby-esque tubes and technology.
Episode 1.2
Okay, I'm not going to point out every reference the television show makes to Marvel movies (ie technically Stark is a consultant, "a hammer", etc.). I'm focused on what they're pulling from the comics and possibly injecting into the Cinematic Universe on their own. Therefore the main take away for me in Episode 2 is that their flying headquarters, "The Bus," is designated as "SHIELD 616." Prepare for geek overload...
616 is a reference to the main Marvel Universe of the comics. In comics there are an infinite number of alternate realities/universes and hence, multiple Earths. The Earth we follow in the comics is #616. Soooo, primary Marvel Universe continuity is also referred to as 616. Got it?
616 Nick Fury has always been a white guy... until now. So I said all that to inform you that Marvel went to the trouble of introducing Marcus Johnson, an unknown love child of the original Nick Fury. Marcus is black and happens to resemble Ultimate Nick Fury/Sam Jackson. So then... basically, Marcus Johnson discovers he is actually Nicholas Joseph Fury, Jr., decides to go by that name, white Nick Fury disappears, oh... and new Nick's best friend from the military is a guy named Phil Coulson. TA-DAAA!
Oh so smooth, Marveldisney. You guys are sly indeed.
For the record, I am all for more black characters in the comics and movies, but this particular move was cash motivated and about has ham-handed as anything I can imagine.
Episode 1.3
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| Dr. Franklin Hall |
Although the Marvel Universe has plenty of made up elements like Adamantium and Vibranium... "Gravitonium" is definitely not one of them. That little bit of goofiness belongs solely to Agents of SHIELD.
We may actually get to see the Graviton story play out on the show because we saw the hand reach out of the Gravitonium in the final scene. Let's just hope he wears that costume.
Episode 1.4
No major comic book nods to see in this one. Only a couple of small notes.
- Melinda May basically says there is no known telepathy in the Cinematic Universe as of yet. Interesting and sort of makes sense because telepathy is almost exclusively a power set of mutants and Marvel doesn't have the rights to their own X characters.