2024 was the biggest year for Wonderof Phil Coulson since his death in 2012 The Avengers. This was not just because he was resurrected from death, but because he gained immense cosmic power, literally replacing a god in the Marvel canon. No one imagined that 2024 would transform Phil Coulson, much less make him the godlike leader of Marvel's most powerful team.
2024 saw a major twist in the lore surrounding the Infinity Stones, as Thanos revealed that he created a new 'Death Stone'. However, things really changed when the Stone escaped its creator, resurrecting and empowering former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Phil Coulson. This not only gave Coulson major new powers, but also forced him to replace Death, becoming Marvel's new Grim Reaper.
The Death Stone was created when Thanos bonded the entity known as Death (and often manifesting as his cosmic love 'Lady Death') to an artificial Infinity Stone. Now that the Stone is linked to Phil Coulson, he is forced to take Death's placepresiding over mortality in the Marvel Universe like a literal scythe-wielding skeleton.
2024 Introduced the Seventh Infinity Stone
Thanos' creation of the Death Stone also resurrected Coulson
The Death Stone was created in the film by Christopher Cantwell and Luca Pizzari Thanos miniseries. In that story, Thanos discovered that Lady Death had incarnated as a human, wanting to experience life for the first time. Thanos considered this a dereliction of duty and trapped Death in his new Death Stone, intending to wield its powers as if they were his own. Thanos went in search of the original Infinity Stones, needing them to break Death's will. This kicked off the 'Infinity Watch' crossover, which will take place during Marvel's 2024 annuals.
Fortunately, in Al Ewing, Derek Landy, David Baldeón and Sara Pichelli The Immortal Thor Annual #1the Death Stone escaped Thanos' clutches and bonded with Phil Coulson's corpse. Coulson was killed by Deadpool in the lead-up to the Secret Empire event, with a fake Captain America tricking Wade into assassinating the S.H.I.E.L.D. hero.
Since 2018 Infinity Warseach of the Infinity Stones has been biologically linked to a specific person, with the new hosts including former villains, flawed heroes, and selfish rogues. 'Infinity Watch' brought them together under Coulson's leadership, forming these disparate, godlike heroes into a real team. Coulson and Mind Stone wielder Colleen Wing have committed to training the Bearers as the new Infinity Watch, keeping the Stones out of the wrong hands. The current roster is as follows:
Infinity watch list explained |
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Infinity Stone |
Current Carrier |
Current Powers |
Affiliation |
First appearance |
Reality Stone |
Star (Ripley Ryan) |
Short-range reality manipulation |
Former member of the Thunderbolts and enemy of Captain Marvel |
Captain Marvel #1 by Kelly Thompson and Carmen Carnero |
Space Stone |
Quantum |
Teleportation and short-range portals |
Former henchman of the Assessor and enemy of Miles Morales |
Miles Morales: Spider-Man #7 by Saladino Ahmed and Javier Garrón |
Mind Stone |
Asa Colleen |
Telepathy, hypnosis and creation of illusions |
Former member of Heroes for Hire and founding member of the Daughters of the Dragon |
Marvel Debut #19 by Doug Moench and Larry Hama |
Soul Stone |
Crowd (also known as Ward) |
Can summon realistic energy constructs |
Individual operator |
Avengers Annual #1 by Jed MacKay and Travel Foreman |
Time Stone |
Overtime (aka Hector Bautista) |
Low power time manipulation including event pausing and very short range time travel |
Individual operator |
Infinity Wars: Infinity #1 by Gerry Duggan and Mark Bagley |
Power Stone |
Apex (aka Other) |
Enhanced physique and ability to enhance the powers of others |
Galactic mercenary and ally of the Guardians of the Galaxy |
Guardians of the Galaxy #3 by Al Ewing and Juan Cabal |
Death Stone |
Phil Coulson |
Resurrection, ability to cause immense pain (living death) |
Former SHIELD agent |
Battle Scars #6 by Chris Yost, Matt Fraction, Cullen Bunn and Scot Eaton |
Phil Coulson Became Marvel's Grim Reaper
He is considering the codename 'Deathbolt'
December Infinity Clock #1 (by Derek Landy and Ruairí Coleman) continues the story, with Coulson training his new team. However, the issue also reveals that - since Lady Death is trapped in the Death Stone - Coulson is now acting as Marvel's Grim Reaperappearing all over the world to lead the dead to the other side. Coulson mentions that he adopts the form that the dying most hope to see, but also has a dedicated 'superhero' look - a sleek black suit with a silver skull brooch.
So far, Coulson's Death Stone's new powers include the ability to resurrect the dead, cause the living to glimpse death, and release energy blasts that have the ability to kill. However, his new cosmic purpose is definitely the most impressive evolution, as the former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent takes on Death's literal duties in the Marvel Universe while maintaining his human identity.
Phil Coulson becoming Death is an unexpected character evolution
The Ultimate Hero Fan has become something much darker
Coulson doesn't have a particularly long history as a Marvel hero, debuting in 2012 in a clear reference to Clark Gregg's character in the MCU. This is the first time he has true superpowersSo it's shocking to see him become not just a superhero, but a cosmic god essential to life in the Marvel Universe. In Marvel lore, worlds without death become part of the 'Cancerverse' – a supernatural collection of realities ruled by Lovecraftian gods called the Many-Angled. Coulson stopped being a secret agent and started protecting reality itself.
However, becoming Death is also a surprise given Coulson's personality.. Coulson spent his life trying to save innocent people and valued Marvel's heroes because of his commitment to doing the same. While Coulson is still committed to fighting the good fight with his deadly powers, incorporating the end of life is an unusual fit for his priorities as a good-hearted protector.
No one predicted in early 2024 that Phil Coulson would become Marvel's new Death, or that he would lead his own team of superheroes. However, it's a move that brought a much-loved character out of the grave and turned him into one of Marvel's most essential heroes, as the new Infinity Stone. laps Phil Coulson in WonderThe Grim Reaper.
Infinity Clock #1 is now available from Marvel Comics.