This past Tuesday saw the premiere episode of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.. Marvel is taking a leap of faith taking their cash cow and extending it to the small screen. Their decision comes off the heals of their overwhelming Box Office success of The Avengers and all their other Marvel inspired films that totaled over 5 Billion Worldwide.
In fact, it dates back to the first Iron Man film in 2008 when we were first introduced to Agent Coulson (played by Clark Gregg) of the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division. Okay S.H.I.E.LD. for short. Fast forward five years, six films with more coming including sequels to THOR this November and Captain America in 2014 and we have a juggernaut of Marvel proportions… pun intended.
Now, does the success on the big screen translate to the small? It’s usually the other way around. After watching the first episode, I see potential. Gregg is very engaging as he always was in all the films he appeared in and the supporting cast seems to be solid. My only question, does this have sustaining power? Will fans stay with it knowing the likelihood of a special appearance by Robert Downey, Jr. or Chris Evans is probably not going to happen? Although it was nice to see Cobie Smulders reprise her role as Maria Hill. Perhaps we’ll see Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury during sweeps.
A better question, will A.O.S. hook new viewers? They did get over 12 million viewers on Tuesday night. But this is where the leap of faith comes into play. I see this show as a bridge for the films. This is the in between urge to satisfy the fan base with the hopes that they can attract new fans as well. If Marvel is able to do both and with Joss Whedon on board, it would put DC even further behind then they already are. Almost to the point of making them invisible.
A better question, will A.O.S. hook new viewers? They did get over 12 million viewers on Tuesday night. But this is where the leap of faith comes into play. I see this show as a bridge for the films. This is the in between urge to satisfy the fan base with the hopes that they can attract new fans as well. If Marvel is able to do both and with Joss Whedon on board, it would put DC even further behind then they already are. Almost to the point of making them invisible.
May the Dork be with you,
JPB
The Dork Knight