- "Shifted away from manned missions and refocused on robotics, nanotech, A.I. Sentient Weapons, like it says on the door."
"It also says 'Observation and Response' on that door, not 'Creation.'"
"World's not the same as you left it. Space is now full of unexpected threats." - ―Tyler Hayward and Monica Rambeau[src]
The Sentient Weapon Observation and Response Division, better known by its acronym S.W.O.R.D., is an American extra-governmental intelligence agency, dedicated to protecting Earth from both extraterrestrial and extra-dimensional threats.
History[]
Foundation[]
S.W.O.R.D. was founded by Maria Rambeau after 1995, under the United States Government, focusing on manned missions and extraterrestrial operations.[1]
The Foster Theory[]
- "This time, we're using the S.H.I.E.L.D. astrophysical records, and we cross-reference them with the S.W.O.R.D. database."
- ―Erik Selvig[src]
In 2010, after Jane Foster formed the Foster Theory, in which she stated that a bridge that formed wormholes to other dimensions existed, S.W.O.R.D. granted Erik Selvig access to their databases, which he used to cross-reference astrophysical records provided by S.H.I.E.L.D.[2]
Tyler Hayward's Command[]
Project Cataract[]
- "We're dismantling the most sophisticated, sentient weapon ever made."
"But Vision's not a weapon. You can't do this."
"In fact, it is our legal and ethical obligation." - ―Tyler Hayward and Wanda Maximoff[src]
In 2020, Maria Rambeau succumbed to cancer and passed away. Tyler Hayward then became the Acting Director of S.W.O.R.D. and he began to redirect the agency's resources to robotics, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence.[1] Hayward eventually acquired Vision’s body and issued an order to launch "Project Cataract", a project dedicated to finding a way to reactivate Vision.[3]
S.W.O.R.D. dissecting Vision's corpse
In 2023, two weeks after the Blip, Wanda Maximoff arrived at the S.W.O.R.D. Headquarters, demanding that S.W.O.R.D. give her Vision's body, so he could have a proper funeral. Hayward personally took Maximoff to the laboratory and showed her Vision's body being dissected by S.W.O.R.D. scientists, noting that it was the organization's legal and ethical obligation. Maximoff made her way to Vision's body, while Hayward called off S.W.O.R.D. agents who attempted to stop her, before leaving the facility.[4]
Westview Anomaly[]
- "No one's gonna care once I've eliminated Wanda Maximoff. They'll believe that the Vision who emerges from the Westview rubble is the same one she illegally tried to bring back to life. They'll thank me for recovering such a valuable asset."
- ―Tyler Hayward to Jimmy Woo[src]
Soon after recovering from the Blip, Monica Rambeau returned to S.W.O.R.D. and Tyler Hayward assigned her to assist the FBI in an investigation surrounding the mysterious disappearance of a Westview citizen who was in the Witness Protection Program. However, Rambeau ended up disappearing during the investigation, so S.W.O.R.D. and the United States Air Force assembled a research base outside of Westview in response. S.W.O.R.D. brought in Darcy Lewis, requesting her assistance in the anomaly research, and she managed to tap into the fictional WandaVision program, an illusion created by Wanda Maximoff which consumed the entire town and its citizens, including Rambeau.
S.W.O.R.D. observes the Westview Anomaly
S.W.O.R.D.'s attempts to research the anomaly closely by deploying a drone, establishing communication with Maximoff, and sending Franklin into the anomaly, soon proved to be unsuccessful. However, Rambeau ended up being kicked out of the anomaly by Maximoff,[1] so she gave S.W.O.R.D. intel by recounting her experience inside the anomaly. Hayward then claimed Maximoff was the sole culprit of the Westview case, presenting doctored footage of her stealing Vision's corpse from the S.W.O.R.D. Headquarters.
S.W.O.R.D. agents are confronted by Wanda Maximoff
Concluding that the anomaly was transforming the nature of anything that enters it to suit the appropriate time period, S.W.O.R.D. deployed a drone made in the 1980s, and Hayward ordered Maximoff's assassination. However, Maximoff destroyed the drone and hauled it outside of the anomaly, demanding that S.W.O.R.D. leave her alone, before using her telekinesis to make S.W.O.R.D. agents turn their weapons towards Hayward.[3] In response, Hayward issued an order to take Maximoff down by any means to free the town from her spell, even if S.W.O.R.D. had to kill her. Hayward also ordered that Rambeau, Lewis, and Jimmy Woo be taken off of the base, after Rambeau suggested a peaceful approach. However, they were able to sneak back onto the base and access the S.W.O.R.D. database.
Later, S.W.O.R.D. detected that Vision had reached the border of Westview and attempted to leave the anomaly, however, he started to break apart, since he was not able to exist outside of the anomaly. While Hayward and S.W.O.R.D. agents were observing the situation, Maximoff used her powers to extend the anomaly, transforming the S.W.O.R.D. base and the agents into a circus.[5] Hayward then requested backup, established a new base, and started preparing S.W.O.R.D. for an invasion.[6] Eventually, Hayward ordered the activation of White Vision, using a sample of Maximoff's Chaos magic, and deployed him into the anomaly to kill her.[4]
S.W.O.R.D. unit is attacked by Agatha Harkness
Planning on killing Maximoff and covering it up with a false narrative, Hayward ordered the detention of Woo, so the FBI would not interfere. While Maximoff was fighting against Agatha Harkness, and Vision was fighting White Vision, S.W.O.R.D. agents entered the anomaly which had been partially opened by Maximoff. However, S.W.O.R.D. agents were disarmed by Tommy and Billy Maximoff, so Hayward attempted to shoot them himself, only to be stopped by Rambeau and Lewis. Eventually, after Maximoff defeated Harkness and dissolved the anomaly, the FBI assumed authority at the scene, taking Hayward and his accomplices into custody.[7]
Members[]
| Name | Position | Level Clearance | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maria Rambeau | Founder/Director | Deceased | |
| Tyler Hayward | Acting Director | In Custody | |
| Monica Rambeau | Captain | Inactive | |
| Monti | Agent | Active | |
| Rodriguez | Agent | Active | |
| Hutch | Agent | Active | |
| Franklin | Agent | Unknown | |
| DeMarco | Agent | Alive |
Facilities[]
Equipment and Technology[]
S.W.O.R.D. personnel have access to an extensive array of technology at their disposal.
Vehicles[]
- S.W.O.R.D. Space Rover
- S.W.O.R.D. SUVs[1]
Misc.[]
S.W.O.R.D. Projects[]
The following is a partial list of projects run by S.W.O.R.D.
- Project Cataract (2018-2023)
Appearances[]
Trivia[]
- In the comics, S.W.O.R.D. stands for Sentient World Observation and Response Department and it is a subdivision of S.H.I.E.L.D. that deals with extraterrestrial threats to world security.
- In the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. episode Orientation Part One, Yo-Yo Rodriguez made an allusion to S.W.O.R.D., asking Phil Coulson if S.H.I.E.L.D. had a space division called "S.P.E.A.R.".
Behind the Scenes[]
- S.W.O.R.D. was co-created for the comics by The Avengers and Avengers: Age of Ultron writer and director Joss Whedon.
- S.W.O.R.D. was mentioned in a deleted scene in Thor. The scene was cut from the film because Marvel Studios did not have the S.W.O.R.D. film rights at the time.[8][9]
- There were plans to introduce S.W.O.R.D. in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., but the idea was shut down by Marvel Studios.[10]
- WandaVision director Matt Shakman stated that to include S.W.O.R.D. in the show, the crew looked at Cape Canaveral and at the history of space agencies. They then worked with production designer Mark Worthington to design the agency. Shakman also opined that S.W.O.R.D. is the right agency to investigate radioactive anomalies and that they are used to going to foreign planets.[11]
Logos[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 WandaVision: 1.04: We Interrupt This Program
- ↑ Thor Deleted Scene
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 WandaVision: 1.05: On a Very Special Episode...
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 WandaVision: 1.08: Previously On
- ↑ WandaVision: 1.06: All-New Halloween Spooktacular!
- ↑ WandaVision: 1.07: Breaking the Fourth Wall
- ↑ WandaVision: 1.09: The Series Finale
- ↑ Thor Almost Introduced S.W.O.R.D. To The MCU
- ↑ Marvel Set to Introduce First Fox Property Since Merger
- ↑ S.H.I.E.L.D. Series Finale Mystery: Is 'Spoiler' Now an Agent of S.W.O.R.D.?
- ↑ How WandaVision Director Made SWORD Different To SHIELD
