Phil Coulson returned to Marvel continuity in 2024, replacing a major Marvel god

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Phil Coulson returned to Marvel continuity in 2024, replacing a major Marvel god

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.


Phil Coulson as Death Incarnate

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.


Thanos Annual (2024) #1, the Death Stone resurrects Phil Coulson.

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


Current bearers of the Infinity Stone in Marvel Continuity showing star, quantum, mob, overtime, prince of power-1

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'


Phil Coulson's Deathstone Superpowers

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


Agent Phil Coulson with Thanos Infinity Gauntlet from the MCU films

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.


Phil Coulson as Marvel's New Death

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.