MCU SWORD & SHIELD Differences & Similarities Explained

After several teases, WandaVision episode 4 officially introduced SWORD. Here’s how Phase 4’s new organization compares to SHIELD in the MCU.

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SWORD, officially introduced in WandaVision episode 4, appears to be replacing SHIELD as the MCU’s primary peacekeeping organization. The group was first teased in a post-credits scene in Spider-Man: Far From Home, which revealed that during Peter Parker’s battle with Mysterio, the real Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) was secretly aboard a large spaceship, while the Skrull known as Talos (Ben Mendelsohn) posed as him on Earth. It was believed that the ship belonged to SWORD, a powerful organization in Marvel Comics tasked with protecting the planet. SWORD was also confirmed to be involved in the promo materials before WandaVision’s release.

There have been numerous hints at SWORD leading up to WandaVision’s latest episode. The symbol of a sword has continuously popped up, prompting a variety of questions about its involvement in the story. Now, the series has finally confirmed SWORD in-universe and a few of its key members. Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris), who was just a child in Captain Marvel, is now an adult and a longtime SWORD agent. Its acting director is Tyler Hayward (Josh Samberg), who appears to be an original character for the series.

In WandaVision, SWORD’s current mission is to investigate the peculiarities surrounding Westview, which has become the setting for Scarlet Witch’s fake world. What else they’ll be doing in the MCU isn’t clear, but certain details about Marvel’s upcoming project suggest that they could be integral to Phase 4, similar to how important SHIELD was in some of the early Infinity Saga movies. SWORD is likely to have a presence in both Disney+ series Secret Invasion and Captain Marvel 2 given the inclusion of Nick Fury and Monica Rambeau, respectively. Regardless, their resources are sure to make them a competent ally of the MCU’s heroes going forward. Here’s how they compare to the group that preceded them, SHIELD.

SWORD Was Founded By Captain Marvel’s Maria Rambeau

It was said in WandaVision that SWORD’s founder was Carol Danvers’ close friend, Maria Rambeau (Lashana Lynch). She created the agency at an unspecified time, but whenever it was, it happened after the events of Captain Marvel. Interestingly, this revelation makes Maria the SWORD counterpart of SHIELD’s Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell). Peggy co-founded SHIELD after she was separated from Steve Rogers at the end of Captain America: The First Avenger. Apparently, both organizations were formed offscreen by people who had important roles in the lives of key MCU heroes.

SWORD Focuses on Alien Threats & Space Missions

Based on Spider-Man: Far From Home’s post-credits tease and what is known about them in the comics, SWORD has a much stronger focus on combating alien threats than SHIELD does. SHIELD, of course, does deal with extraterrestrial foes when the need arises, but many of their enemies are much closer to home, with HYDRA being the biggest example. SWORD, on the other hand, was likely created because of the dangers that alien forces can pose. That makes sense, given that Maria Rambeau is the founder. Her association with Carol Danvers in Captain Marvel gave her firsthand experiences with the Skrulls and the Kree. Plus, WandaVision confirmed space travel is part of the agency’s mandate, training astronauts and sending them into outer space. That was somewhat disrupted due to Thanos’ Snap, but this plan could be revisited in the future now that their personnel have been restored.

SWORD Is Working On Artificial Intelligence & Robots

In the episode, Tyler Hayward tells Monica that since the Snap, SWORD has shifted its attention to advancements in nanotech, robotics, AI, and “sentient weapons,” with the latter being a part of the agency’s name. Monica points out SWORD was never about creation, but Hayward’s words imply this isn’t the case anymore, explaining the world has changed since Monica had disappeared.

The idea of SWORD working with AI and robotics stands in stark contrast to the position that SHIELD took on the issue. Both in the comics and in the MCU’s past, they did design Life-Model Decoys, a.k.a. LMDs (androids made to look like humans), but their primary purpose was to protect real SHIELD agents by acting as lifelike substitutes. They weren’t supposed to have fully developed consciences like Vision (who is, technically, a synthezoid rather than an android). Later on, SHIELD gave up on LMDs and moved on. It was revealed in Agents of SHIELD season 4 that this sort of work is now forbidden. Due to the Sokovia Accords and everything that happened with Ultron, SHIELD’s rules prevented its scientists from working on artificial intelligence. That was why Holden Radcliffe’s android creation, AIDA, was such a closely-guarded secret that he didn’t want SHIELD to know about. It could be that SWORD has different protocols when it comes to these concepts.

SWORD & SHIELD Have The Same Ultimate Goal

SHIELD (Strategic Homeland Intervention Enforcement and Logistics Division) and SWORD (Sentient Weapon Observation and Response Division) have different ways of operating, but they do share the same ultimate goal. Both are incredibly resourceful intelligence agencies committed to maintaining peace and keeping the Earth safe.

SWORD & SHIELD Have Access To Advanced Technology

In the MCU, SWORD and SHIELD are both ahead of real-world intelligence agencies like the CIA and the FBI. Both have access to advanced weaponry, defense systems, and other technological devices that are superior to what other organizations possess. SHIELD always had top-notch resources and facilities, but it looks like SWORD may even be a step above them. Their base, the ship Fury was on, and their high-tech drones are all indications of how advanced their technology is, which makes sense as they’re more focused on extraterrestrial threats whereas SHIELD is focused on terrestrial ones. Furthermore, SWORD’s involvement with space travel, nanotechnology, robotics, and AI show they’re more firmly placed in the genre of science-fiction.

SWORD Is Open To Alliances With Other Civilizations

When Hayward mentions to Monica Rambeau that space is still full of threats, Monica reminds him they also have allies out there. This line is telling as it’s indicative of what SWORD’s outlook on extraterrestrial civilizations is. SWORD isn’t just looking at the various alien races in the MCU as potential enemies; they’re also fully aware that some could be friendly. Maria knew from Captain Marvel that some aliens can share common goals with them. What Monica said to Hayward leaves the impression that part of SWORD’s mission in space is to make contact with other races to see which ones can be counted on. Still, it’s worth noting SWORD’s mindset may have grown more hostile in the wake of Thanos’s snap. SHIELD, which wasn’t focused on cosmic threats, couldn’t really take this approach. However, they did make contact with the Asgardians with whom they seemed to share a somewhat cordial relationship. The difference here is that it seems SWORD may actively pursue alliances with new civilizations, such as the Skrulls. It gives SWORD the potential to discover and bring in new allies that SHIELD never even knew existed.

Link Source : https://screenrant.com/wandavision-mcu-sword-shields-agencies-differences-similiarities/